special delivery stamp

noun

1. a stamp of special design, having a value indicating an extra fee in addition to the regular postage, and affixed to an item of mail to ensure its special delivery.

Word History and Origins

Origin of special delivery stamp¹

An Americanism dating back to 1920–25

Example Sentences

In spite of the special delivery stamp the letter had been delayed somewhere, and it was not handed over to me until early Thursday morning, the messenger awaking me out of an unusually sound sleep by the simple expedient of keeping his finger pressed firmly upon the electric push button of my tiny room-and-bath lodgings in the "Clarendon."

From Project Gutenberg

The Postmaster General's Report for 30th June, 1898, contained the following announcements:— The calendar year has witnessed the introduction of the special delivery stamp, whereby on the payment of a delivery fee of 10 cents in addition to the ordinary postage, a letter immediately upon its arrival at the office of destination is sent by special messenger for delivery to the addressee.

From Project Gutenberg

The letter to which a Special Delivery stamp is affixed can thus be at once picked out by those handling the mails including it, and its delivery greatly hastened.

From Project Gutenberg

The date of the first issue of the special delivery stamp to postmasters is given as the 28th June, 1898.

From Project Gutenberg

She spent most of the afternoon composing her letter and despatched it after dinner, a rather formidable manuscript under a special delivery stamp.

From Project Gutenberg