We’re continuing our year-long celebration of 250 years of postal service in the United States with the release of the 10th postcard in our 12-postcard Commemorative Collection.
Each postcard spotlights a pivotal moment in U.S. postal history—complete with interesting facts and trivia for context.
Our newest postcard highlights the introduction of Priority Mail in the United States.
Introduced in 1968, Priority Mail offered expedited 1-3 day delivery for packages weighing up to 70 pounds, with the shipping costs determined by the distance traveled.
Here are 4 fascinating Priority Mail facts:
- When first introduced, all Priority Mail traveled by air. Today, Priority Mail is routed by whichever mode—air or ground—offers the most efficient delivery.
- Initial Priority Mail items were limited mainly to business documents and small parcels up to two pounds; later expanded to 70 lbs.
- At the time, the Post Office didn’t use barcodes, so packages couldn’t be tracked. Instead, labels and postmarks were applied to create a simple paper trail.
- By filling the gap between regular First-Class mail and the more expensive Express Mail, Priority Mail quickly became one of the Post Office's most popular and widely used shipping services.
Limited-Edition – Only Available in 2025
We’re almost there—just two more postcards left in November and December!
Many of you have asked if the entire 12-postcard series will be available as a complete set. The answer is yes! You’ll be able to purchase all 12 postcards together as a set once the last postcard is revealed in December.
PLUS—there’s a special surprise tied to this postcard set that we’ll be revealing in December. We’re keeping the details a secret. Stay tuned for the big unveiling in December!