# QE1-QE4a - 1925-29 Special Handling Set (5)
The U.S. Postal Service Act of February 1925 provided for a 25¢ fee that allowed fourth-class mail to receive the same service as first-class. On April 11, 1925, a 25¢ special handling stamp was issued. When added to an item that carried regular fourth-class postage, this stamp allowed the item to be handled as first-class matter. Three years later, 10¢, 15¢, and 20¢ denominations were issued to cover the revised rates that went into effect in July 1928.
Special Handling Stamps
The US Postal Service Act of 1925 clarified what made up the different classes of mail. Everything that did not fall into the first two classes of mail (written matter and periodical publications) was divided by weight. If it weighed less than eight ounces, it was third class, and if it weighed eight ounces or more, it was fourth-class mail.
Click here for more neat history behind these stamps from the APS website.
The U.S. Postal Service Act of February 1925 provided for a 25¢ fee that allowed fourth-class mail to receive the same service as first-class. On April 11, 1925, a 25¢ special handling stamp was issued. When added to an item that carried regular fourth-class postage, this stamp allowed the item to be handled as first-class matter. Three years later, 10¢, 15¢, and 20¢ denominations were issued to cover the revised rates that went into effect in July 1928.
Special Handling Stamps
The US Postal Service Act of 1925 clarified what made up the different classes of mail. Everything that did not fall into the first two classes of mail (written matter and periodical publications) was divided by weight. If it weighed less than eight ounces, it was third class, and if it weighed eight ounces or more, it was fourth-class mail.
Click here for more neat history behind these stamps from the APS website.