Dear Steven ,

Welcome to Newsletter 47.

This month we are showing off :

1. Some NZ back of the book material.

2. Bermuda departure tax

3. Hawaii postmarks

4. Tonga promotional marking

5. St. Helena Promotional marking 

A note about rates-  In January of this year the US Postal Service reduced the letter rate-for first class from 49c to 47c and the international rate from $1.20 to $1.15.

There are some countries that have traditionally followed step with the US Post Office. In this case, I am referring to the US Trust Territories ( Micronesia, the Marshall Islands and Palau).  When the USPO lowered its rates, these countries did not follow suit. Their rates are still pegged at the higher numbers.

There has been only one other time when there was a divergence and that was in the mid 2000's when there was a  special international rate between these islands and the US proper. So, the tabloids are right....these are indeed interesting times.