# 3257/69 - 1998 H-Rate Change, set of 10 stamps
This neat set of "H" Rate Change stamps, includes the following:
3257
3258
3259
3260
3264
3265
3266
3267
3268
3269
First Alphabet Rate Change Stamp
In the years prior, other stamps had been issued non-denominated for impending rate changes. Because postage rates for late 1975 were uncertain, both of the Christmas stamps that year (#1579 and #1580) were issued without denominations. These were the first non-denominated US stamps.
As postal costs increased, the USPS began to increase their rates for the various classes of mail. Before becoming effective, however, these rate increases had to be submitted to the Postal Rate Commission for approval. Often, the PRC would take as much as a year conducting studies and compiling data before accepting or rejecting the changes. If the rate increase was approved, the Postal Service then had to rush to design and produce the new stamps.
There were also a set of Old Glory stamps produced by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, American Bank Note Company, Stamp Venturers, and Avery-Denison. They were available in sheet, coil, booklet, and self-adhesive booklet for vending machines. The yellow stamps covered the 20¢ postcard rate, the stamps with blue background were used on presorted first-class mail, and the nonprofit presorted stamps had a green background. All the Old Glory stamps with white backgrounds covered the new 32¢ postage rate.
The H-rate stamps were the final alphabet stamps, but rate change stamps would continue to be produced into the 2000s.
This neat set of "H" Rate Change stamps, includes the following:
3257
3258
3259
3260
3264
3265
3266
3267
3268
3269
First Alphabet Rate Change Stamp
In the years prior, other stamps had been issued non-denominated for impending rate changes. Because postage rates for late 1975 were uncertain, both of the Christmas stamps that year (#1579 and #1580) were issued without denominations. These were the first non-denominated US stamps.
As postal costs increased, the USPS began to increase their rates for the various classes of mail. Before becoming effective, however, these rate increases had to be submitted to the Postal Rate Commission for approval. Often, the PRC would take as much as a year conducting studies and compiling data before accepting or rejecting the changes. If the rate increase was approved, the Postal Service then had to rush to design and produce the new stamps.
There were also a set of Old Glory stamps produced by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, American Bank Note Company, Stamp Venturers, and Avery-Denison. They were available in sheet, coil, booklet, and self-adhesive booklet for vending machines. The yellow stamps covered the 20¢ postcard rate, the stamps with blue background were used on presorted first-class mail, and the nonprofit presorted stamps had a green background. All the Old Glory stamps with white backgrounds covered the new 32¢ postage rate.
The H-rate stamps were the final alphabet stamps, but rate change stamps would continue to be produced into the 2000s.