Postage due 1863-1878
Letters circulating in the commune of the post office
On the 1st January 1863 was introduced a franking incentive for the local rates, so that a postage due letter weighing up to 10g cost 15c to the addressee instead of 10c to the sender if it had been franked.
The 10c Chiffre-Taxe therefore became useless. The Administration asked post offices to return them still in stock (circular no. 274 in Monthly Bulletin no. 88, 1862).
![](https://assets.zyrosite.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,w=480,h=251,fit=crop/YZ9nn6E5wyS46y5d/vals-en-ville-dJoGBa4O1rH0z2XW.jpg)
![](https://assets.zyrosite.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,w=328,h=174,fit=crop/YZ9nn6E5wyS46y5d/vals-en-ville-dJoGBa4O1rH0z2XW.jpg)
1864: Postage due Letter from and to VALENCIENNES.
On 1st September 1871, postal rates changed and a local postage due letter weighing up to 10g cost 25c to the addressee and 15c to the sender if it was franked.
The introduction of the Chiffres-Taxes at 25 c was not immediate. Post offices were therefore asked to use the old 15 c Chiffres-Taxes for their value, or to tax with a pen.
![](https://assets.zyrosite.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,w=480,h=313,fit=crop/YZ9nn6E5wyS46y5d/dunk-dunk-A1agQvJqqes8X16W.jpg)
![](https://assets.zyrosite.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,w=328,h=217,fit=crop/YZ9nn6E5wyS46y5d/dunk-dunk-A1agQvJqqes8X16W.jpg)
1875: From and to DUNKERQUE postage due.
Letters circulating in the rural district of a post office
![](https://assets.zyrosite.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,w=480,h=305,fit=crop/YZ9nn6E5wyS46y5d/cambrai-taxe-YleL6pyap0iWXbWN.jpg)
![](https://assets.zyrosite.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,w=328,h=210,fit=crop/YZ9nn6E5wyS46y5d/cambrai-taxe-YleL6pyap0iWXbWN.jpg)
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.
![](https://assets.zyrosite.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,w=568,h=334,fit=crop/YZ9nn6E5wyS46y5d/cous-bous-taxe-Yan2Mp9KkWCzVVQz.jpg)
![](https://assets.zyrosite.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,w=328,h=195,fit=crop/YZ9nn6E5wyS46y5d/cous-bous-taxe-Yan2Mp9KkWCzVVQz.jpg)
![](https://assets.zyrosite.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,w=568,h=266,fit=crop/YZ9nn6E5wyS46y5d/avesnes-semeries-taxe-m5KW26b6DkFyjKx0.jpg)
![](https://assets.zyrosite.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,w=328,h=156,fit=crop/YZ9nn6E5wyS46y5d/avesnes-semeries-taxe-m5KW26b6DkFyjKx0.jpg)
![](https://assets.zyrosite.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,w=503,h=288,fit=crop/YZ9nn6E5wyS46y5d/cambrai-abancourt-YbNDZp9PPgunboq6.jpg)
![](https://assets.zyrosite.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,w=328,h=190,fit=crop/YZ9nn6E5wyS46y5d/cambrai-abancourt-YbNDZp9PPgunboq6.jpg)
Letters with insufficient postage
Local letters with insufficient postage were also to be taxed using Chiffres-Taxes, if the tax calculation so allowed.
![](https://assets.zyrosite.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,w=606,h=259,fit=crop/YZ9nn6E5wyS46y5d/lille-lille-A856Zn4ExqU53Ml6.jpg)
![](https://assets.zyrosite.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,w=328,h=143,fit=crop/YZ9nn6E5wyS46y5d/lille-lille-A856Zn4ExqU53Ml6.jpg)
![](https://assets.zyrosite.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,w=606,h=296,fit=crop/YZ9nn6E5wyS46y5d/dunk-insuffisant-A856Zn4Qz4IvRxgq.jpg)
![](https://assets.zyrosite.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,w=328,h=163,fit=crop/YZ9nn6E5wyS46y5d/dunk-insuffisant-A856Zn4Qz4IvRxgq.jpg)
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.
![](https://assets.zyrosite.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,w=589,h=490,fit=crop/YZ9nn6E5wyS46y5d/solesmes-double-port-taxa-c-12041877-YBgoZ7N4qwC0WxLP.jpg)
![](https://assets.zyrosite.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,w=328,h=276,fit=crop/YZ9nn6E5wyS46y5d/solesmes-double-port-taxa-c-12041877-YBgoZ7N4qwC0WxLP.jpg)
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