Page 19 - Jarvis & Wright: Jamaica Display to RPSL

Jamaica: Pre-Adhesive Postal Rates

Rates Introduction

Paid / To-Pay
Inland letters could be sent unpaid or prepaid until 1872, when a fine for unpaid was introduced.
Prior to 1839 most packet letters were not pre-paid, due to the difficulty of calculating the GB rate to apply.
However, the Jamaica inland rate had to be paid upfront.
Pre-payment started to emerge in the 1820s and ‘Paid’ marks were introduced. After the Napoleonic war, there was a higher chance of mail ships
arriving at their destination and the introduction of the Royal Mail Steamship Packet in 1842 cemented the reliability.
Prepayment of packet letters became compulsory in 1858.

Inland Letter Rates
Inland sterling rates were consistent up to 1860 – 4d for up to 60 miles; 6d for up to 100 miles; and 8d for further.
The only change was in 1840, from a unit of sheets (four to an oz) to per ½ oz weight.
However, until December 1840, Jamaica local currency (based on the Spanish Piece of Eight) was frequently used:
7½d for up to 100 miles; and 1s3d for over 100 miles.
In December 1840 British sterling became the official currency and Spanish coin was withdrawn.

Jamaica had four main post roads running from the commercial centre of Kingston.
Distances were usually measured via Kingston (except if origin and destination along the same post road).
UK Packet Letter Rates
Packets letter rates also varied over time. The Jamaica inland charge had to be prepaid but the packet and UK inland charges were,
until 1839, usually collected upon delivery, due to the difficulty in calculating the GB inland charge which was based on mileage
(although Falmouth and London rates were defined).
Jamaica inland Falmouth / Port of Entry London Rate
Packet Rate
1765: Extra, as above 1s Included
1797: Extra, as above 1s +8d 1s8d
1801: Extra, as above 1s +10d 1s10d
1805: Extra, as above 1s1d +11d 2s
1813: Extra, as above 1s3d +1s -1d 2s2d
1839 Extra, as above 1s3d Included
1840: Extra, as above 1s Included
1843: 2d from a Post Town 1s Included 1s/1s2d
1854: included 6d Included 6d

Ship Letter Rates
Mail carried by commercial or naval ships provided an approved alternative to official packet boats.
The rates charged consisted of: a Jamaica inland charge; a ship letter charge; and a UK inland charge.
Rates for all of these varied over time.
Jamaica inland Main Charge Casual Ireland Charge UK Inland
1711 Extra 1d per letter1d Extra
1799:Jul Extra 4d per rate 1d 1d Extra
(Bagged & Sealed) (Loose)
1814:Oct 10 Extra 6d 1d 1d Extra
1815 Jul 5 Extra 6d 1d 6d Extra
1815 Aug 1 Extra 8d n/a Extra
1839 Dec 5 Extra 8d Included
1840: Jan 10 Included 8d Included
1854: Included 6d Included
1858: Included 3d Included

Ship letter information from Robertson Revisited by Colin Tabeart.