At Washington, 1898, it was recommended that stamps of all member countries should be partially standardized as regards colours of the three most-used values in use for international services, as follows:  Green for the international single printed matter rate, (1¢ in the U. S. And Canada, ½d. in sterling countries, 5 centimes, centisimi, centimos, lepta, or leu in Latin Monetary Union lands).  Red for international postal card rate (2¢ in North America, 1d. sterling, 10 centimes, lepta, etc., in L.M.U. lands).  Dark blue for international single letter rate (5¢ in North America, 2¢d. sterling, 25 centimes, lepta, etc., in L.M.U. lands).  This ruling accounted for the number of colour changes throughout the world, but owing to departures from the Gold standard, and fluctuations in international currency after two world wars, fell into disuse.  In late years G.B. reverted to rule but following agreement reached at the Brussels U.P.U. meeting in 1952, the colour rule lapsed as from 1 July 1953.
 
 

- R. J. Sutton 6th edition revised by K. W. Anthony
The Stamp Collector's Encyclopaedia

Published 1966

 Posted January 23, 2000 

Index of 507 Notes from the Past

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