When did it cost 4 cents to mail a letter?

February 11, 2007 12:47 PM

When did it cost 4 cents to mail a letter?

I have a "Business Reply Envelope" marked "4c Postage Will Be Paid by Brooks Brothers......"

The envelope was in a hat box with a men's straw boater hat. There is no zip code on the address, which leads me believe this was pre-1963. However, I'd like to narrow it down even more.

This is a tough thing to Google!

posted by suki to Work & Money (10 answers total)

history of postage rates in the US should help -- 1958?
posted by LobsterMitten at 12:52 PM on February 11, 2007

According to this, it was 4 cents from 1958-1963.
posted by toxic at 12:55 PM on February 11, 2007

Response by poster: That's great! Thank you so much! (Interesting to see the increase in rate changes in the past decade).
posted by suki at 12:58 PM on February 11, 2007

Just for future reference, that site is the third hit if you google u.s. postage stamp rates.
posted by languagehat at 12:59 PM on February 11, 2007

Response by poster: Thanks! I think I sprained my Google muscle during last night's wine-induced online search for ex-boyfriends.
posted by suki at 1:23 PM on February 11, 2007 [1 favorite]

Just for future reference, that site is the third hit if you google u.s. postage stamp rates.

Or, first when using "historical prices of u.s. stamps."
posted by ericb at 1:27 PM on February 11, 2007

too much wine
posted by growabrain at 3:19 PM on February 11, 2007

too much wine.
posted by ericb at 4:10 PM on February 11, 2007

Response by poster: Obviously I am more adept at using Google when I'm buzzed than when I'm hungover!
posted by suki at 5:25 PM on February 11, 2007

Interesting to see the increase in rate changes in the past decade

Keep in mind these are nominal prices. You have to look at real (i.e., deflated) prices to make those sorts of comparisons.
posted by Chrysostom at 9:35 AM on February 12, 2007