Welcome to Rainer's
Overland Mail Baghdad-Haifa Pages
 

Postal Rates and Overland Mail Surcharges

   

Westwards bounded rates from Bahrain

 

Postage Rate Bahrain to Europe and USA (surface mail):

(Date Format dd.mm.yyyy)

 

The below table has been worked out based on the study of numerous Bahrain covers, including the ones sent thru the Overland Mail. Till date, about 35 Bahrain covers sent thru the Overland Mail are known. I am very thankful to Thomas Johansen of Abu Dhabi for the comprehensive study of the covers known to him and me, some of them are not part of our collections

 

Surface Rates
To Weight From 01.04.1921 From 21.04.1921 From 01.12.1931 From 21.12.1940
Non Empire Desitinations first oz. 3as   3.5as 3.5as
ad. oz. 1.5as   2as 2as
UK and Empire Destinations first oz. 2as   2.5as 3.5as
ad. oz. 1.5as   2as 2as
Postcards N/A   1.5as   2as

 

Registration charges
1 August 1881 to 1923 From 01.04.1923
2as 3as

 

Surcharge for the use of Overland Mail
From Till Surcharge
1924 1948 2.5as

 

The study of the covers indicates that the Overland Mai surcharge was 2.5 Annas, regardless of the weight of the cover. This was different from the surcharges of European Postal Agencies which had imposed surcharges based on the weight. However, it makes sense that the rate remained constant during the whole period since it was initially an advantage but by 1927 in the introduction of airmail via Baghdad and then airmail from Bahrain in 1932 it would have been very difficult for them to rate the rate. Also the surface rate for mail to the USA remained constant from 1931 to 1948.

Cover from Bahrain to USA, 6 Anna rate, 3.5 Anna Postage, 2.5 Anna Overland Mail Aurcharge. 

If some collectors have additional information on these rates, kindly contact me.