U.S. Parcel Post stamps of 1912–13

Before 1912 the delivery of parcels was controlled and handled by private companies, most of whom operated in cities and urban areas, where most of the business existed.

Consequently, delivery of parcels to rural areas was inadequate and frequently hindered farmers who needed various supplies, parts and equipment delivered to their remote locations.

To meet this demand Congress approved a law on August 24, 1912, creating postal rates for fourth class mail and providing for parcel post service.

[7][8] "In an effort to help the stamp clerks an inscription of value in large plain capital letters was added to the [sheet] margin, next to each plate number.

"[6] An example of these large red spelled-out numbers, which appeared on two margins of each pane, can be seen on the illustration of the ten-cent plate block in the section "Other configurations" further down this page.

[8] Some philatelic publishers like Stanley Gibbons were rather unforgiving in their estimation of these new issues, referring to them as "very useless stamps" having an "ugliness" about them.

What finally defeated this opposition was the well-funded lobbying efforts of Sears Roebuck, other prominent mail-order companies and large department stores.

[5][18] In turn Parcel Post stamps were allowed for use to pay the postage for all classes of mail until the supply finally ran out.

But in a way analogous to the Parcel Post issues they were retained by postmasters and used as regular postage due stamps until the supplies were exhausted.

[19] Aside from items that were considered dangerous to handle, almost any type of merchandise was allowed to be mailed by the Parcel Post service, even baby alligators and honey bees.