Another bit of trivia to observe on the stamps on old letters is that there was -a period of time- when the rates of postage were color-related: 1cent, green; 2 ct red; 3 ct purple; 4 ct brown;5 ct. blue;6 ct orange; 7 ct black; 8 ct yellow; 9 ct. red-orange; 10 ct. light orange; 1/2 ct. black. This was not true of the very earliest U.S. stamps, nor was it true of the more modern commemorative stamps that left the color-rate motif for much more colorful stamps with multi-color designs. Those old stamps were highly engraved by artists, while the later issues left the engraved stamps for more modern means of printing. This may seem irrelavent to genealogy, however old letters, perhaps undated may provide ballpark eras of time by an envelope with one or more stamps and the cancellation date in various forms of postmark which may provide a date & place for the genealogist to catch. Handwriting styles, inks used by dip pens, all these provide clues to an era, perhaps dating which we all encounter sooner or later among our documents. Even the paper they are written on may provide a clue. "Antique Road Show" etc. are great for divulging these clues and evidence of about when something happened. We can learn from the experts by listening to them and their ways of detection which can apply to our genealogy. Thank you Beej for your contribution to the OR-TRAIL List FYI - I find it appropriate. Carroll in Snohomish, WA (A recipient of the TRAIL and of Puget Sound Roots!). * * * 30 * * * ________________________________________________________________ YOU'RE PAYING TOO MUCH FOR THE INTERNET! Juno now offers FREE Internet Access! Try it today - there's no risk! For your FREE software, visit: http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj.