When did first-class stamps first come into use?

Question

I was reading a book about ww2 & first class stamps were mentioned

Answer 1

1968 MONDAY 16 SEPTEMBER

First-class stamps issued

In a drive to increase revenue, and to even out the postman's workload, the Post Office introduced a two-tier mail system, promising overnight delivery for letters bearing the new fivepence stamp

Answer 2

during the days when we were still British colonies. They did not have first, second, and all those different names. But according the the Postal Museum in Washington DC. The first stamp was during colonial times. As you can remember now we complain when stamp prices get raised. Back when the first, first class stamp price was raised you might remember it from your history books as the stamp act, send down to the colonies so they could pay there share of the French Indian War.

Answer 3

HISTORY OF FIRST-CLASS STAMP RATES

(I assumed that you were referring to United States stamps.)

As a rate increase to 42 cents looms, here is a look at rates through the years and the dates they took effect. The rate is for the first ounce of a first-class letter. Since Sept. 14, 1975, additional ounces have been charged lower than the first-ounce rate.

Date     --       Cents

1885-1917   -- 2

1917-1919  -- 3

1919   --  2

July 6, 1932  -- 3

Aug. 1, 1958  -- 4

Jan. 7, 1963  -- 5

Jan. 7, 1968  -- 6

May 16, 1971  -- 8

March 2, 1974  -- 10

Dec. 31, 1975  -- 13

May 29, 1978  -- 15

March 22, 1981  -- 18   RAISED TWICE IN ONE YEAR

Nov. 1, 1981  -- 20                   (FIRST TIME)

Feb. 17, 1985  -- 22

April 3, 1988  -- 25

Feb. 3, 1991  -- 29

Jan. 1, 1995  -- 32

Jan. 10, 1999  -- 33

Jan. 7, 2001  -- 34

June 30, 2002  -- 37

Jan. 8, 2006  -- 39

May 14, 2007  --  41      

May 12, 2008  --   42   (2nd time for 2 raises in less

                                          than one calendar year)

Source: Postal Regulatory Commission