SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
(Amendment No. )
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Filed by the Registrant / X /
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Filed by a party other than the Registrant / /
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Check the appropriate box:
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/ / Preliminary Proxy Statement
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/ / Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as
- ---- permitted by Rule 14a-6(e) (2))
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/ / Definitive Proxy Statement
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/ X / Definitive Additional Materials
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/ / Soliciting Material Pursuant to Sec. 240.14a-11(c) or
- ---- Sec. 240.14a-12
PUTNAM HIGH QUALITY BOND FUND
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement,
if other than Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
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/ X / No fee required
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/ / Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rule 14a
- ---- 6(i)(1) and 0-11
(1) Title of each class of securities to which
transaction applies:
(2) Aggregate number of securities to which
transaction applies:
(3) Per unit price or other underlying value of
transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule
0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee
is calculated and state how it was determined):
(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of
transaction:
(5) Total fee paid:
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/ / Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
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/ / Check box if any part of the fee is offset as
- ---- provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and
identify the filing for which the offsetting fee
was paid previously. Identify the previous filing
by registration statement number, or the Form or
Schedule and the date of its filing.
(1) Amount Previously Paid:
(2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
(3) Filing Party:
(4) Date Filed:
George Putnam
Chairman of the Trustees
The Putnam Funds
One Post Office Square
Boston, Massachusetts 02109
(standard Putnam letterhead)
May 25, 1999
Dear Shareholder,
You recently received a proxy statement requesting your vote
on an important proposal. Our records show that we have not
received your completed ballot. Since your vote is
important, we ask that you please cast your ballot. Another
copy of the proxy card and a business reply envelope are
enclosed for your convenience.
The Trustees are recommending the merger of the Putnam High
Quality Bond Fund into the Putnam American Government Income
Fund. The merger would result in your exchanging your
current shares, at net asset value, for shares of the Putnam
American Government Income Fund.
Putnam Management and the Trustees believe that the merger
of the relatively small Putnam High Quality Bond Fund into a
larger fund with a similar investment strategy and objective
will be more cost effective and in the best interest of
shareholders.
You can also vote your proxy via the Internet. Instructions
are listed at the top of your proxy card. If you choose to
vote online, please do not mail the enclosed proxy card.
We appreciate your attention to this important matter and
ask you to consider the proposal carefully. Should you have
any questions, please consult your financial advisor or
contact a Putnam customer service representative at 1-800-225-1581.
Sincerely,
/s/George Putnam
George Putnam
