Welcome to Rainer's
 Overland Mail Baghdad-Haifa Pages
 

Postal Rates and Overland Mail Surcharges
   

Eastwards bounded rates from French Mandate in Syria and Lebanon

This page is currently undergoing a complete revision

A large number of Postal Notices have been issued with reference to the Overland Mail Baghdad-Haifa, called Service Transdesertique in French language. The below table explain in detail the various rates and surcharges. I will also add the transcripts and translations as time permits.

Copies of decrees cordially provided by Bernard Platzer.

 

Date Format dd-mm-yyyy

All rates are in Piasters

Rate Period (relevant for Overland Mail) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Date of Decree

29.09.1922

25.12.1923

16.07.1924

15.05.1925

26.09.1925

26.02.1926

25.08.1926

11.10.1926

15.03.1927

16.04.1929

30.06.1930

Decree No.

Download Decree

1595

File

2350

File

2735

File

120/S

File

254/S

File

150 & 155

File & File

470

File

568

File

874

File

2516/17

File

3192

File

Valid as of...

01.11.1922

25.12.1923

25.07.1924

15.05.1925

01.10.1925

01.04.1926

01.09.1926

01.11.1926

15.03.1927

16.04.1929

01.07.1930

Cover up to 20 grams

2,5

2,5

4

4

4,5

6

10

7,5

7,5

7,5

7,5

Overland Mail surcharge per 20 Grams

---

2,5 (a)

4 (a)

3 (b)

3 (b)

5

7

6

4,5

abolished

abolished

Total rate for Overland Mail cover up to 20 grams

 ---

5

8

7

7,5

11

17

13,5

12

7,5

7,5

Each additional 20 grams postage

1,25

1,25

2

2

2,5

3,5

6

4,5

4,5

4,5

4,5

Registration fees

2,5

2,5

4

4

4,5

6

10

7,5

7,5

7,5

7,5

Total rate for Overland Mail Registered cover up to 20 grams

---

7,5

12

11

12

17

23

21

19,5

15

15

Postal Card (maximum 5 words)

1,5

1,5

2,5

2,5

2,5

3,5

6

4,5

4,5

4,5

4,5

Overland Mail surcharge Postal Cards

---

---

---

1

1

1

2

2

1,5

abolished

abolished

Total rate for Overland Mail Postal Cards

---

---

---

3,5

3,5

4,5

8

6,5

6

4,5

4,5

Printed Matters

5

5

1

1

1

1

2

1

1

1

1

Overland Mail surcharge Printed Matters

---

 --- ---

1,5

1,5

1,5

2

2

1,5

abolished

abolished

Total rate for Overland Mail Printed Matters

---

---

---

2,5

2,5

2,5

4

3

2,5

1

1

(a): Overland Mail surcharge double rate

(b): Overland Mail surcharge is 3 Piaster for each additional 20 grams or fraction of.

(c): Spare for future comments which will be added based on the findings in the postal notices

(d): Spare for future comments which will be added based on the findings in the postal notices

(e): Spare for future comments which will be added based on the findings in the postal notices

 

 

The decree of the Haut Commissariat de la République Française en Syrie et au Liban, decree No. 2350 from 25. December 1923 mentiones:
 (Information Courtesy of Jean-Bernard Parenti)

 

- 401 -

Decree´No. 2350

 

 

 

Postal notice about the approval of the special (extraordinary) mail exchange from Syria and Lebanon to Iraq and the fixing of a surcharge applicable for this mail exchange.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    General Weygang, high commissioner of the French Republic in Syria and Lebanon

    Under consideration of the decree issued by the President of the French republic dated 23rd. November 1920

    Under consideration of the decree No. 1595 about the international postage rates in Syria and Lebanon

    Under Consideration of the report by the Inspector general for Post and telegraph for Syria and Lebanon

    Based on the recommendation of the secretary general and after the notice of the High Commissariat financial adviser:

 

 

Decree

 

 

    Art. 1: The special (extraordinary) transport (by automobile) of the mail exchange / the mail from Syria and Lebanon to Iraq is approved.

 


     For the time being, only registered letters  and ordinary letters are accepted.

 

 

 

    Art. 2: The correspondence using the Special Service as per Art. 1 is subject to a surcharge equal to the ordinary postage rates (International service).

    Art. 3 : The secretary general and the inspector general for Post and Telegraph in Syrian and Lebanon are – individual instructed – responsible for the execution of the said agreement.

 

 

 

 

Beyrout, 25 December 1923       

 

Signed : WEYGAND             

 

 


The cover dated 06.09.1924 is correclty franked with a total of 12 piaster (4 P postage to Iraq, 4 P. registration and 4 P. Overland Mail surcharge.

 


Cover from Lebanon to Baghdad/Iraq with a Publicity handstamp Type PH-3, reading "NAIRN EASTERN TRANSPORT COMPANY LTD - BAGHDAD" and the signature of G. Nairn.