Before that time, the rates, dates and origin of the letter were written by hand or sometimes in combination with a handstamp device. The United States issued its first postage stamps in 1847. The ship fee, including the ship rate on letters for delivery at the port of entry, were on a per letter basis, rather than weight. There were ship fees which were also added (i.e. There were double and triple rates as a letter's size increased. Rates were adopted in 1847 for mail to or from the Pacific Coast and in 1848 for mail sent from one place in the west to another place in the west. The postal rate varied according to 'distance zone', the distance a letter was to be carried from the post office where it entered the mail to its final destination.

Initial United States postage rates were set by Congress as part of the Postal Service Act signed into law by President George Washington on February 20, 1792. In the 21st century, prices were segmented to match the sorting machinery in use non-standard letters required slightly higher postage.

In 1971, the Post Office became the United States Postal Service, with rates set by the Postal Regulatory Commission, with some oversight by Congress. The logo for the Post Office Department showed a man on a running horse, even as the railroads and then motorized trucks and airplanes moved mail. Comparing the increases with a price index, the price of a first class stamp has been steady. Rates were relatively unchanged until 1968, when the price was increased every few years by a small amount. In the middle of the 19th century, rates stabilized to one price regardless of distance. Rates were based on the distance between sender and receiver in the early years of the nation. The system for mail delivery in the United States has developed with the nation. Post Office Department (1792–1971), predecessor to the United States Postal Service Aspect of history Seal of the former U.S.

Usps prices flat rate envelope