Lot
1439 
[First Day of Rate] Lincoln Me. July 1 (1845), red double-circle datestamp and manuscript "5" rating on folded part-printed justice of the peace notice to the Secretary of State in August Me., Extremely Fine. Estimate $300 - 400.
The efforts of Barnabas Bates and other United States reformers first bore fruit in the Reform Act of 1845. Compared to the sweeping British reforms of 1839-40, this was a partial step in an attempt to fit the Rowland Hill proposals to vastly different circumstances in America. First the concept of setting postal rates as a function of both distance traveled and the number of sheets of paper it contained was partially abandoned. The weight of a letter in one-half ounce increments was substituted for the number of sheets of paper it contained. Distance was retained as a factor in calculating rates, but the five rate zones under the Act of 1816 were reduced to two: one up to 300 miles and the other over the that limit for a single letter. Second, rates were drastically reduced. The new rates were 5 cents for letters traveling up to 300 miles and 10 cents for those traveling over 300 miles. Rates were the same, whether the amount was prepaid or sent collect. No provision was made for the issuance of postage stamps. Finally, the franking privileges of all officers of the executive departments were abolished, except for three assistant postmaster generals.