New York Registry Exchange Label, Type 4

Own a New York Registry Exchange Label
Issued for International Registered Mail

This is your chance to get a seldom-seen Registry Exchange Label, issued solely for use by a specific New York post office.  These stamp-like labels are popular among specialty collectors and are interesting companions to your US stamp collection. 

Registry exchange labels were issued as a result of an 1882 Universal Postal Union (UPU) resolution.  The resolution required international mail have a visual indicator (a capital “R”) that it was being sent registered.  The US Post Office issued labels printed by the Government Printing Office that were then gummed, perforated, and distributed by the Bureau of Engraving & Printing. 

Beginning on January 1, 1883, thirty-seven post offices, known as “exchange offices” began processing foreign registered mail traveling into and out of the US.  These labels became known as “registry exchange labels” or just “exchange labels.”

Registry exchange labels were no longer required after January 24, 1911, at which time they were replaced by rubber stamps.

In Use for Nearly 30 Years –
Multiple NYC Varieties Arise

As one of America’s major shipping ports on the Eastern seaboard, New York City handled a massive number of these registered letters.  A report by Post Office Department’s annual registry system estimates that more than 50 million registered labels were used by the New York City General Post Office during this period.

With the massive number of labels needed for the bustling port city over the years, they were reprinted several times, resulting in a number of minor varieties.  Some of the differences include:

• The plate designs were changed five times
• The early labels were printed in two different colors
• The “R” was printed in Gothic or Roman type
• The length of “United States of America” varied by a few millimeters
• Registration numbers were printed in different fonts
• Some registration numbers were printed and some were hand stamped

All of these details make collecting these labels even more fun – you can compare how they differ and pinpoint when they were issued! 

The New York Registry Exchange Label offered here is a Type 4, which Scott Catalogue defines as an “‘Exchange’ label with narrow Gothic letter ‘R’. ‘United States of America.’  26 mm in length.”

With several conditions to choose from, this stamp is great starting point to a new collecting adventure.  Or, an essential addition to an existing exchange label collection.  Either way – it belongs in your collection – send for yours now.