REGISTERED U.S.A. BOOK
By Russ Ryle
Registered U.S.A. traces changes in registered mail rates, markings, delivery requirements and processing procedures. Registered U.S.A. is the result of an ongoing special study begun in 2001 when the author could not locate any previously written work summarizing the registered mail service over its 126 years of operation by the U.S.P.O. Previous articles and books had covered individual topics or specific time segments of the registry story. Those writings failed to give the reasons behind key changes observed over time in markings found on registered first-class mail. Our quest began in an attempt to answer these questions. Many are answered in Registered U.S.A A few still remain to be resolved.
The author was introduced in his youth to the operations of the U.S. P.O. by his grandfather, a rural mail carrier. A great-great grandfather had been a general store proprietor and the postmaster at the rural fourth-class post office it hosted in the late 1800's. This led to the author's interest in philately and postal history. Thankfully, his wife (and editor) also shares a philatelic avocation or affliction depending upon your point of view "Information shared is history saved." Philatelic research, like most activities, is best experienced in the company of others. This book would not exist today except for the generous contributions of time, knowledge, and encouragement of many philatelic friends.
