A 70c Domestic Registry Fee in 1926? Yes! Updated below.

Rate Turbulence in the 1920s

In the mid-1920s, postal rates worldwide were changing frequently as world economies moved closer to the Great Depression that hit in 1929. Consequently for the postal historian, this is a fascinating period in which to study the interaction of politics, economics, and postal charges.

A 70c Registry Fee in 1926?

The Luxembourg Postman’s Calendar for 1926 (excerpted above) indicates that the 1926 domestic registry fee was 70 centimes, an increase of 20 centimes from the prior 50-centime rate. When was this 70-centime registry fee in effect? From the Basien-Hoffkamp rate book, we know that an 80-centime registry fee took effect on August 1, 1926. Was the 80-centime fee preceded by a 70-centime fee? If so, when did the 50c rate end and the 70c rate begin?

Here is an example:

Domestic COD Postcard

 1F Blue Vianden + 30c Charlotte

Luxembourg-Gare, 31 May 1926
Bigonville [post: Perlé], 31 May 1926

Domestic postcard rate = 20c
Domestic registry fee = 70c
COD fee to collect 319.40 F = 40c

 

Update: 
  Dieter Basien confirms the 70-centime registry fee, thus:

01.10.1925 0,50 F.

01.01.1926 0,70 F.

01.08.1926 0,80 F.

Here is the announcement from L’Memorial of 26 December 1925:

Danke, Dieter!