Page 94 - Gustaf Douglas: Classic Sweden

Sweden 1874-1895 the Official Stamps Large Size

FRAME 33

Until 1 January, 1874, civil servants were allowed to The stamps were printed in a huge variety of
send mail free from postage. From this date,
printings and on different types of papers. The first
authorities and individual officials permitted to send values of the stamps were printed with a perforation
official mail were directed to post offices in order to tool delivered in 1873 (perforation 14). Due to heavy
order official stamps by requisition to be used as usage, the tool was worn out. A second tool was
franking on official mail. Private persons were not
delivered and in use from 1881 (perforation 13), which
permitted to use offi‐ means that the
cial stamps, not even stamps exists in two
to buy them. Abuse different perforations.
was to be punished. Gradually the rates
On 1 January, 1874 for different types of
Sweden’s first Official mail changed, calling
Stamps in twice the for new values. A
size of the contempo‐ “collecting tradition”
rary definitive stamps in Sweden is to group
were released, depict‐ stamps by shades and
ing the Swedish Coat‐ perforation, this be‐
of‐Arms surrounded ing further empha‐
by lions. They were to sized by handbooks
be used paying the and catalogues.
normal postal rates for different types of items of
mail, no special rates for official mail existed.

3 Öre (Perf. 14) Orange‐brown on blue greyish paper [1874]
First Day Usage

Before 1 January, 1877 when the special rate for Periodicals mailed by publishers was introduced, “Announcements”
were mailed and paid as Printed Matters. This announcement is mailed locally from ÖSTERSUND 1.1.1874 to LITH
(nerarby Östersund) paying the 3 Öre first local letter rate, up to 12 ort, in force 1.1.1863—31.12.1879.