Post Office Sends More Rate Hike Hints

In another sign that the price of sending a first-class letter may go up next year, the Postal Service is printing millions of temporary rate-change stamps, according to Postal officials.

Postal Service spokesman Mark Weinberg called printing the nondenominated stamps, which can be used by consumers temporarily after a rate hike, a “prudent step” but declined to confirm an impending rate hike.

“The authority to file a rate case rests solely with the board of governors of the U.S. Postal Service, which has made no decision on doing so,” said Weinberg.

Weinberg declined to describe the stamp.

But a Postal Service source, who spoke on the condition he not be identified further, said the transition stamp already being printed has a red, white, and blue Uncle Sam-style hat, and the letter “H” on it instead of a denomination.