MetaFilter posts tagged with post and postage

Postage Stamps of the Yellow Fleet

Fiasco da Gama — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 18:14:59 -0800

Deathalicious — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 00:06:26 -0800

"When one writes to a stranger and requests a reply, it is considered polite to enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope. This works well when both persons live in the same country; however, if they are from different countries, the enclosed postage stamp will not be valid." The solution, introduced in 1906, was the international reply coupon. Like nearly everything else stamps-related, they are collectible. Brought to you by the Universal Postal Union. In the US, for the low price of $2.10 [as of posting date] you can get your hands on one of these beauties, which on the back reads "This coupon is exchangeable in any country of the Universal Postal Union for for the minimum postage for an unregistered priority item or an unregistered letter sent by air to a foreign country." in a variety of languages including Arabic and Chinese (the obverse is entirely in French). Their use, at least in the United States, is relatively rare and this occasionally causes problems when they are needed. Interesting historic side note: they were the inspiration for the first Ponzi scheme.

taz — Fri, 17 Sep 2004 07:01:33 -0800

Dear M E F I, I just love Alphabetilately, and I think you will too! Yours sincerely, taz.

Civil_Disobedient — Thu, 05 Feb 2004 21:43:42 -0800

Man short on funds, mails himself home. Judge not amused, fines him $1,500. More background info here. Robbed of the Darwin Award.

tranquileye — Wed, 24 Oct 2001 09:36:31 -0800

With the FBI advising how to handle suspicious mail [pdf], the fine people who send you junk snail mail are changing their methods. The Canadian and American Direct Marketing Associations are recommending that their members ''consider notifying consumers by phone or e-mail that a direct-mail piece is on its way so they are not alarmed when it arrives." One cancelled campaign involved mailing marbles to some prospective clients.