Do You Think The Cost of A Postage Stamp is High?
By Alice Henry
@IreneVincent (15960)
United States
January 16, 2017 11:06am CST
In recent years, postage has gone up several times, but it’s still very reasonable when you compare it with what it used to cost to send a half-ounce letter by Pony Express.
For a “fast” delivery of approximately eight days, from St. Louis to Sacramento, California, the cost was $5 (that’s $95 in modern money) After some time, the cost dropped to $1, ($19).
Now, I am sending post cards to Europe, the Far East and other parts of the world for $1.25. My, how things have changed.
The Pony Express only lasted about one and a half years. It stopped running on October 26, 1861, two days after the introduction of the transcontinental telegraph went into existence.
6 people like this
6 responses
@JohnRoberts (109841)
• Los Angeles, California
16 Jan 17
The Pony Express provided better service than the USPS.
3 people like this
@IreneVincent (15960)
• United States
17 Jan 17
Perhaps! I think the postal service is amazing to keep the mail running smoothly, considering all that's involved. I think that the postal workers don't get the credit they deserve, considering the dogs and the weather.
@much2say (57760)
• Los Angeles, California
16 Jan 17
I haven't sent out postcards in a long time (I used to do mail art) - I hadn't realized sending them out of the country it went up that much! Considering where it is going and how it actually gets there (that's still mind boggling to me), the price is still reasonable . . . but at the same time it has gone up considerably that I don't want to do mailing activities (like the mail art) anymore as it would be too costly.
1 person likes this
@much2say (57760)
• Los Angeles, California
17 Jan 17
@IreneVincent Oh, I remember now that someone else had posted about that website a while back . . . I'll have to check it out for the kids!!
1 person likes this
@IreneVincent (15960)
• United States
17 Jan 17
@much2say My grandson collects stamps and so I give him all the interesting stamps for his collection.
1 person likes this
@IreneVincent (15960)
• United States
17 Jan 17
I just joined postcrossing.com and I'm enjoying sending and receiving post cards from around the world.
1 person likes this
@LeaPea2417 (40058)
• Toccoa, Georgia
16 Jan 17
That is very interesting. I never knew that.
1 person likes this
@IreneVincent (15960)
• United States
17 Jan 17
There is so much that we DON"T know about mailing a letter. The process that is involved is very complicated.
1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (91150)
• United States
16 Jan 17
I don't usually have too many things to mail but I hate paying for postage when I do. It seems high to me
1 person likes this
@IreneVincent (15960)
• United States
17 Jan 17
I don't mind the postage at all. I know that very few people use the postal service anymore, because of email and such, but I like to mail out personal letters and cards and post cards.
@IreneVincent (15960)
• United States
17 Jan 17
Yes, it's expensive but what does it cost to keep the mail running. The gas for the vehicles, the upkeep of the post office buildings, the salaries.
1 person likes this
