November 2007 35
VERY Modern Postal History
Part 2: USPS Endorsements for Mail
Undeliverable as Addressed
By Randy Stehle
The first part of the “VERY Modern Postal
History” series appeared in June-July 2006
La Posta (Whole No. 219 , Vol. 37, No. 3).
To recap, this series is made possible due to
the author acquiring about 15,500 promo-
tional post cards that were returned to
sender. The first part dealt with the variety
of labels that were used on some of the re-
turned post cards. This part will deal with
the various endorsements the United States
Postal Service (USPS) currently uses on
mail undeliverable as addressed. (This des-
ignation is useful as it excludes other rea-
Figure 1
sons for mail matter to be undeliverable, like
improper postage.)
The post card shown in figure 1 illustrates one way in
The Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) states in section
which the USPS treats mail undeliverable as ad-
507 (mailer services), part 1.4.1 (basic treatment of
dressed. It was addressed to a person in Redding, CA,
mail), “Mail that is undeliverable as addressed is for-
who no longer lived at the address. This post card
warded, returned to the sender, or treated as dead mail,
received four different markings: 1) a red RE-
as authorized for the particular class of mail. The rules
TURNED/TO SENDER pointing hand; 2) the barcode
for forwarding of mail are found in the same section
for the address was crossed out so it would not be
as above, in part1.5.1. In the case of the post cards
sent back to the original addressee; 3) a manuscript
under study, there was no endorsement (directions)
“VACANT’ was added in black ink, & 4) a yellow
printed on them as to how to handle their forwarding.
multi-use label was applied. This label has eleven dif-
In this case, they will receive the same treatment as if
ferent reasons for the return. Even though there was a
they had the endorsement “Forwarding Service Re-
“VACANT – CURRENT RESIDENT ONLY” choice
quested” at no charge (as it is first class mail). If there
on the label (whose meaning eludes this author), the
is no change-of-address order on file, the item is re-
generic “NOT DELIVERABLE AS ADDRESSED”
turned to sender with the reason for nondelivery indi-
choice was marked. There is also the notation “C42”
cated. If there is a change-of-address order on file,
in black felt tip pen, which most likely is the carrier’s
then the following is done:
number.
Months 1 through 12: Piece forwarded (no
The post card shown in figure 2 shows a similar treat-
charge).
ment of such mail matter. This post card has the “old-
Months 13 through 18: Piece returned with new
fashioned” red rubber handstamp pointing finger with
address attached (no charge). eleven reasons for the mail’s return. Below it is a crude
·After month 18: Piece returned with reason for dot matrix yellow label with ten reasons on it. The
nondelivery attached (no charge). reasons given on the two items are pretty much the
For those items that do not have forwarding issues,
same, with a few minor differences. The handstamp
undeliverable-as-addressed mail is endorsed by the
marking has the “Forwarding Order Expired” line
USPS with the reason for nondelivery (as shown in
checked. The label has the “Not Deliverable as Ad-
Exhibit 1.4.1 USPS Endorsements for Mail Undeliv-
dressed” line checked. These two reasons are not
erable as Addressed). All undeliverable pieces are
mutually exclusive, and the reasons checked do not
returned to sender.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82