WASHINGTON -- New Year's Day will ring in a stamp price increase, with the cost of a first-class letter going to 32 cents and a postcard to 20 cents.
The U.S. Postal Service board of governors voted yesterday to approve the first rate increase in four years, providing an additional $4.7 billion in revenue. The new charges represent a 10.3 percent increase for first-class postage, less than the 12.2 percent general inflation rate during the past four years, said board Chairman Sam Winters.
Post offices throughout the nation will begin selling special stamps today that can be used next year until ample supplies of the new 32-cent issues can be printed.
The postal service has printed 3 billion copies of the special stamp, without a marked price, which bears a picture of a U.S. flag, with the phrase "Old Glory" above it, and "USA G/For U.S. addresses only" underneath the flag. The "G" stamp is the seventh in a series of unpriced stamps used while rates changed since 1977.
The postal service also will issue a "make-up rate stamp" with a dove holding an olive branch in its beak. It is worth 3 cents and has "G rate make-up stamp" across the bottom.
The regular 32-cent stamps will be available in late March or early April. The year's roster of subjects will include President Richard M. Nixon, actress Marilyn Monroe, Milton Hershey of chocolate fame, playwright Tennessee Williams, and jazz greats Louis Armstrong, John Coltrane and Thelonious Monk.
While raising the first-class rate, yesterday's decision leaves the charge for additional ounces unchanged at 23 cents. The postcard, now 19 cents, goes to 20 cents. Priority mail, now $2.90, will cost $3.00. Express mail, now $9.95 for a letter, will cost $10.75.