Sample / Pattern Post Rates 1863-1968
The sample or pattern post service was a concessionary arrangement for trade samples (i.e. small quantities of specimen goods sent as a 'taster' by businesses, but which did not themselves have any resale value in the form supplied), provided as an encouragement to commerce.
It was introduced and then withdrawn on several occasions between 1863 and 1932, finally being subsumed into the two-tier post system on 16th September 1968.
The regulations varied over the years. The original service introduced in 1863 proved very popular, but was widely abused for sending items that were not bona fide samples, and was withdrawn in 1871. There were strict weight limits, the packets had to be open for inspection, and in the 1887 and later services senders were required to use wrappers with their name, address, and trade printed upon them.
Date | Rates | Date | Rates | Date | Rates |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1863 (1 Oct) |
3d – 4oz 6d – 8oz 1s – 16oz 1s 6d – 24oz Maximum weight 24oz Unpaid: double rate Part-paid (min 1d): Deficiency + 3d |
1864 (1 Sep) |
2d – 4oz 4d – 8oz 8d – 16oz 1s – 24oz |
1866 (1 Mar) |
2d – 4oz 4d – 8oz 6d – 12oz 8d – 16oz 10d – 20oz 1s – 24oz |
1870 (1 Feb) |
1d – 4oz 2d – 8oz 3d – 12oz Maximum weight 12oz Unpaid: double rate Part-paid (min 1d): Deficiency + 1d |
1870 (1 Oct) |
½d – 2oz 1d – 4oz 1½d – 6oz 2d – 8oz 2½d – 12oz |
1871 (5 Oct) |
Service withdrawn |
1887 (1 Oct) |
1d – 4oz 1½d – 6oz 2d – 8oz Maximum weight 8oz |
1897 (16 Jun) |
Service withdrawn (letter rates became the same) |
1915 (1 Nov) |
1d – 4oz 1½d – 6oz 2d – 8oz Maximum weight 8oz |
1918 (3 Jun) |
Service withdrawn | 1932 (23 May) |
1d – 4oz 1½d – 6oz 2d – 8oz Maximum weight 8oz |
1940 (1 May) |
1½d – 4oz 2d – 6oz 2½d – 8oz |
1956 (1 Jan) |
1½d – 2oz 2½d – 4oz 3½d – 6oz 4½d – 8oz |
1956 (1 Jun) |
2d – 4oz 3d – 6oz 4d – 8oz |
1957 (1 Oct) |
2d – 2oz 4d – 4oz 5d – 6oz 6d – 8oz |
1961 (1 Oct) |
2½d – 2oz 4d – 4oz 5d – 6oz 6d – 8oz |
1965 (17 May) |
3d – 2oz 5d – 4oz 6d – 6oz 7d – 8oz |