Do you remember aerograms? Aerograms were a single sheet of paper with gummed edges that had to be folded and sealed. No enclosures were permitted, and you could not even use tape to seal them. The cost was less than sending an airmail letter.
In 1985, aerograms came franked with 36¢ postage. It cost more than sending a postcard via airmail (33¢) but less than an airmail letter (44¢). The cost difference today seems quite insignificant even considering it was nearly 40 years ago. But when you’re a student, you’ll always do something to save a few cents.
You could fill the aerogram with as much writing as you could fit — write small or better yet, use a typewriter. The rule was you just couldn’t put anything inside an aerogram.
In the 1990s, as more people started having access to email, the aerogram was destined to become obsolete. The U.S. Postal Service discontinued them in 2006. In Britain they lasted until 2012. Very few countries offer them anymore. Australia still has them for sale.
At a recent San Francisco Correspondence Co-op meeting I found these unused aerograms on the swap table. I knew I had to take them to do a series of mail art. I wonder if some of my recipients will even know what aerograms are.
