Welcome to Rainer's Overland Mail Baghdad-Haifa Pages |
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Postal Rates and Overland Mail Surcharges |
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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
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. |