Austria: Invalid Use of an Aerogramme Cut-Out

This cut-out from an aerogramme was no valid franking in Austria on a letter sent from UTTENDORF (10. 5. 75) to Stuttgart, Germany.

Hence, the letter (most likely philatelic) was short paid by 5 S (= 500 Groschen). At first view, the tax fraction reads "600 / 600". A closer look, though, reveals a somewhat clumsy attempt to correct the "600" in the numerator into the proper "500".

The German postal clerk had looked closer. In Germany, the "500 / 600" tax fraction was multiplied with the first weight step international surface mail letter rate, according to the regulations of the 1974 Lausanne UPU Congress. The letter rate was 70 Pfg, so the result was 58.33 Pfg, which was rounded up to the 60 Pfg "Nachgebühr" (postage due).

The 1974 Lausanne regulations would have allowed even to charge an additional handling charge.