Postage costs in the United States in 1859, by the numbers

In 1859, it cost an American three cents to mail a letter at one of the nation's more than thirty-seven thousand post offices.  If the destination was more than 3000 miles away, one would pay ten cents for the same letter. Overseas mail prices varied quite depending on destination.  The United Kingdom cost twenty-four cents for an half ounce letter, but Japan cost thirty-three cents and Brazil, via London, forty-five cents. (By John Osborne)