Illegal Use of Postage Due Stamp
This is the image of a cover that shows an incorrect use of the Postage Due stamp. These stamps were issued solely to record the amount paid when moneys were owed to the Post Office, such as when a letter had insufficient postage on it.
This cover is dated April 20, 1918, during the First World War. During that year, the typical cost of sending a first class letter was three cents. The sender needed one more cent beyond the two-cent Washington-head stamp present on the envelope. Rather than add a single one-cent stamp, they used a one-cent postage due stamp.
There is no evidence that this letter was intercepted by the Post Office.
I find these types
of covers to be fascinating, and rarely miss a chance to add
new items to my collection.
Main illegal use page with more examples
Copyright 2003-2010 Robert Swanson
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