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Eastwards bounded rates from
Latvia
No Overland
Mail surcharges from Latvia are recorded, however, a cover has been
found, mailed from Latvia to Baghdad and somehow carried by the Overhand
Mail from Beirut to Baghdad. Interestingly, in the archive of the
British Postal Museum, formerly called Postal Heritage, i found records
indicating covers from Latvia were routed via London.
There was even no mail previously known sent from Latvia to Iraq through
the assumed, for political reasons, usual route "Via Russia" and Iran to
Baghdad.
Registered cover sent
from Latvia/Liepaja, dated 16 February 1934, to Baghdad/Iraq. Initial
foreseen route was as per the manuscript route instruction "VIA RUSSIE".
For unknown reasons the cover was sent to Beirut (arrival postmark
Beyrouth 25 February 1934) where the old Route Instruction "VIA RUSSIE"
was cancelled and replaced by "Par Automobile Beyrouth - Baghdad"
simultaneously with an handwritten note in French on the back: "Arrived
in Beirut to be forwarded by the Special Motor Service Beyrouth -
Baghdad, The Controller". The blue cross is a indication that the over
was sent via London as the French Post did not used blue crayon markings
to indicate a registered letter. The postal rate of 75 santīmi relates
to a registered international letter of the first weight slap (35
santīmi postage + 40 santīmi registration) during the time of 21
December 1931 – 14 April 1935.
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