third-class mail
Quick Summary
Third-class mail, a former category in the U.S. postal system, was the least expensive class of mail. It primarily comprised items such as circulars, pamphlets, catalogs, and newsletters. This classification was established in 1863 and was distinct from first-class (letters), second-class (newspapers and magazines), and later, fourth-class mail (merchandise and heavier printed matter). The different mail classes allowed for varied rate structures based on handling costs like weight and distance.12
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