THE POSTAL TARIFF (ON 1/6/1850)

On 25 September 1850 the “Royal decree” stating that, starting from 1 June 1850 the postage stamps has to be applied to the mail.

1. The tax to be paid for a simple letter is:

a) Cent. 10 for letter addressed in the postal district;

b) Cent. 15 up to 10 leagues of distance;

c) Cent. 30 from 10 to 20 leagues of distance;

d) Cent. 45 beyond 20 leagues of distance;

2. It is consider “simple” letter the one that don’t weight more than one lot “lotto viennese”.

3. The tax due depend progressively on the weight: till 2 lots double tax, from 2 to 3 lots triple tax, etc.

4. This is available also for object that could be sent with package.

5. Sending under cover and printed paper (any distance) cent. 5.

For samples if visible the tax should be considered as double lots. To this sending could be attached a simple letter; the weight has not to exceed 16 lots.

6. The letters not delivered and sent back to the sender don’t have to pay another tax.

7. The certified (Raccomandata) tax for the district is cent. 15; if outside the district the cost is cent. 30.

8. The back receipt pays normal tax for simple letter.

9. Complaint (…..).

10. Delivery tax (….).

11. Post office box tax (….. cent. 5 for any object).

12. There is obliged frank every object to send.

13. The frank has to be done with stamps.

14. The value of the stamps are: 5 centesimi yellow color; 10 centesimi black color; 15 centesimi light red color; 30 centesimi brown color; 45 centesimi sky-blue color. The above mentioned stamps could be bought in every postal office. It is not permitted sell stamps outside the postal office.

15. The sender has to stick the stamps on the superior part where is written the address of the receiver depending on the distance and weight.

The certified tax has to be paid by the sender on the back side of the letter.

16. The letter / object to be sent has to be deposited in the suitable box; the certified letter has to be delivered to the postal employee to whom has to be paid by cash the eventually back receipt (if asked).

17. The postal tariff with the distance of every internal place has to be stuck in every postal office.

18. The postal employee can stick the stamps if requested.

19. If it is found a letter/object not duly franked the tax has to be paid by the receiver with a surplus tax of cent. 15, tax to be increased depending on the weight.

20. Exception (…..).

21. Repetition of the use of stamps (…..).

22. Falsification (…..).

23. The same rules is available for letters direct abroad, with payment by cash; it is optional the choice to frank or not to frank the letters. On the contrary the certified tax has to be done franking the letter with the stamps application.

NOTE: “1 league” = Km 7,420 – A Lot “lotto viennese” = gram 17,5

Also if not specified in the rule number 8 generally the tax of the back receipt depends on the distance.

Postal tariff for letters

Distance (in leagues):                till 10    to 20     beyond 20

Weight (in “lotti viennesi”:               CENTES

till 1 lot                                                  15            30            45

from 1 to 2 lots                                    30            60            90

from 2 to 3 lots                                    45            90            135

from 3 to 4 lots                                    60            120          180

from 4 to 5 lots                                    75            150          225

from 5 to 6 lots                                    90            180          270

from 6 to 7 lots                                    105          210          315

from 7 to 8 lots                                    120          240          360

from 8 to 9 lots                                    135          270          405

from 9 to 10 lots                                  150          300          450

from 10 to 11 lots                                165          330          495

from 11 to 12 lots                                180          360          540

from 12 to 13 lots                                195          390          585

from 13 to 14 lots                                210          420          630

from 14 to 15 lots                                225          450          675

from 15 to 16 lots                                240          480          720

etc. etc. etc. ....... ....... .........

THE PROGRESS OF THE POSTAL TARIFF

From 1/6/1817 to 1842: the tariff depends on the weight and the distance: there were established 7 zone depending on the distance and the number of postal offices (minimum 3 - first zone – maximum 18 – seven zone).

From 1842 to 1843: it was introduced a new system with a new concept of distance: two zone established depending on the distance: till 10 miles - first zone - beyond 10 miles - second zone.

From 1843 to 1848: the distance were doubled: till 20 miles - first zone - beyond 20 miles - second zone.

From 1848 to 1849: the zone became three: under 10 miles (first zone), between 10 and 20 miles (second zone) and beyond 20 miles (third zone).

From 1849 toApril 1850: the second zone was prolonged to 30 miles.

From  April 1850 to 31/5/1850: the second zone was taken back to 20 miles.

For the tariff from 1/6/1850 see the above mentioned list.

From 1/11/1858 to 31/5/1864: with the introduction of the new money: SOLDO the new tariff were established as following:

a) circular letters or under cover: 2 soldi (2 kreuzer for Austria);

b) letter for the district: 3 soldi (3 kreuzer for Austria);

c) first zone letters (till 10 miles): 5 soldi (5 kreuzer for Austria);

d) second zone letters (between 10 and 20 miles): 10 soldi (10 kreuzer for Austria);

e) third letters (beyond 20 miles): 15 cent. (15 kreuzer for Austria).