Postage due 1863-1878

Letters circulating in the commune of the post office

On January 1, 1863, a franking incentive was introduced for local rates, making it more advantageous to prepay postage. A postage due letter weighing up to 10 grams would cost the addressee 15 centimes, whereas a franked letter of the same weight would only cost the sender 10 centimes.

As a result, the 10-centime Chiffre-Taxe became obsolete. The postal administration, therefore, instructed post offices to return any remaining stock (Circular No. 274, Monthly Bulletin No. 88, 1862).

1864: Postage due Letter from and to VALENCIENNES.

On September 1, 1871, postal rates changed, increasing the cost of a local postage due letter weighing up to 10 grams to 25 centimes for the addressee, while a franked letter of the same weight cost the sender only 15 centimes.

The introduction of the 25-centime Chiffre-Taxe was not immediate. Post offices were therefore instructed to continue using the existing 15-centime Chiffres-Taxes at their face value or to mark the tax manually with a pen.

1875: From and to DUNKERQUE postage due.

Letters circulating in the rural district of a post office

1865: Postage due letter from CAMBRAI to NOYELLES SUR ESCAUT. The Chiffre-Taxe is perforated in line.

1865: Postage due letter from COUSOLRE to BOUSIGNIES. The COUSOLRE post office depended on the JEUMONT post office.

1864: Letter posted at the AVESNES post office for the commune of SEMERIES after the last collection of mail ("après le départ" mark).

1877: Letter postage due from CAMBRAI to ABANCOURT taxed at 25 c.

The Chiffre-Taxe is perforted in line.

Letters with insufficient postage

Local letters with insufficient postage were also to be taxed using Chiffres-Taxes, if the tax calculation so allowed.

1872: Letter with insufficient postage at 2 c and taxed at 23 c according to the following calculation:

Postage due for a single letter: 25 c

Postage stamp: 2 c

Amount of tax: 2 c-10 c = 23 c

1871: Letter from LILLE to LILLE with insufficient postage at 10 c. The letter was therefore taxed at 15 c as follows:

Postage due for a single letter: 25 c

Postage stamp: 10 c

Amount of tax: 25 c-10 c = 15 c

It should be noted that on 13 September 1871, the 15 c Chiffres Taxes were still in use at the LILLE post office.

1877: Letter up to 20 g with insufficient franking at 15 c. The rates of 1st 1876 stipulated that such a letter should be franked at 30 c. The 35 c tax is calculated as follows:

Postage due on double letter: 50 c

Postage on the letter: 15 c

Amount of tax: 50 c - 15 c = 35 c