Page 173 - Jarvis & Wright: Jamaica Display to RPSL

Jamaica: The Vendryes Provisional

The introduction of the 2½d rate, 1 – 3 June 1890.
The Governor accepted demands for the reduction of the rate to the USA.

A notice from the Postmaster dated 24 May 1890, published in the Colonial Standard, on 29 May,
announced that the 2½d rate would apply to letters on or after 1 June 1890, but did not mention
destinations. Unhelpfully, the notice stated that the new rate was to apply to post carried ‘abroad’ in
vessels not under Government contract, perhaps with the idea of not disturbing the packet contract.

The Postmaster issued clarification in a further notice dated 3 June 1890:
“N.B.- Correspondence for the United States is liable to the recently reduced rate of Twopence
half penny, &c. But Correspondence for Great Britain or via Great Britain must be pre-paid at the
Postal Union rate of Fourpence. &c.”
Between 1 and 3 of June customers and postmasters may have been confused. The writer of this
cover, from Falmouth on 2 June, paid the old 4d rate to the USA. No 2½d stamps were available on 1
June, but the new rate could readily have been paid using 1d and ½d stamps.

2 June 1890, 4d from Jamaica to the USA.
Falmouth: 2 June 1890.
Kingston: 3 June 1890.
New York: 11 June1890.
Brooklyn: 11 June 1890.