Badge mail

Badge mail! That's a blast from the past.

Badge mail, also known as "badge envelopes" or "badge packets," was a type of mail service offered by the United States Postal Service (USPS) from 1971 to 2001. It was designed specifically for sending small, flat items like badges, pins, and other small memorabilia.

Here's how it worked:

1. You would purchase a special envelope or packet from the USPS, which was designed to hold a small item like a badge.
2. You would place the badge or item in the envelope or packet.
3. You would affix the correct postage (which was usually a special rate for badge mail).
4. You would mail the envelope or packet to the recipient.

The badge mail service was popular among organizations, clubs, and groups that wanted to send small items to their members or attendees. It was also used by businesses to send promotional items, like pins or badges, to customers or employees.

The USPS discontinued the badge mail service in 2001, citing declining usage and the increasing cost of operating the service. Today, you can still send small items through regular mail, but you'll need to use a standard envelope or package and pay the applicable postage rates.