Australia: Uprated to Meet New Rate After Decimalization

 

This Australian aerogramme (Stein A-21), the 10 d  Christmas 1964 issue, was posted from the Australian Antarctic Territory (Wilkes A.N.A.R.E. 10 FE 67).

The 1 c stamp was added to make up the 9 c aerogramme rate after decimalization, which  took place on February 14, 1966.

Conversion table

Pence      Cents

9 8
10 8
11 9

Sent to the Polar circle, Sweden, via Stockholm (transit postmark 3 Mrs. 1967) to receive special postmark (11. 3. 67, on reverse). Philatelic.

Credits
The original post contained an error. I mistook February 14, 1967 for the decimalization day. In fact, it was February 14, 1966. This one year difference made it necessary to revise the post completely. Thank you, Erwin, for pointing me to the mistke.


Reference:
Stein,The Aerogrammes of Australia and its Dependencies, 1944-1980

South Africa "Winged Springbok" Aerogramme

This is South Africa NGK #22, the 6 d "Winged Springbok" aerogramme with "Posgeld" in the indicium.

These appear to be different printings of this issue.  The second aerogramme in each of the scans seem to have a much bolder font used in the legends. Most likely, though, the bolder font appearance is only the result of a more saturated print.


Reference:
NGK, Aerogramme Afrika 2012

Australia: Enclosure not Detected in Recent Aerogramme

This recent aerogramme of Australia was part of an experiment. Do postal authorities still check aerogrammes for enclosures?

This aerogramme contained thick cartonboard stripes of a total weight of 35 g and was clearly marked to contain enclosures. However, this was not detected.

My theory is that automated handling technology is not equipped with detecting mechanisms so that the chance for enclosures to slip through is really high today. The experiment will be continued with other countries.

Bangladesh: 2nd Issue of 1980 Jet Symbol Aerogramme

In 1980, Bangladesh issued a set of four aerogrammes (Wiegand #16 ... #19: 70 P green, 2.50 T light-blue, 2.75 T pink and 3.00 T green) showing a jet symbol in the indicum and a beach scene with the caption "Sea Beach - Cox's Bazar" on the back panel.

There exists a second issue of this set (Wiegand #20 ... #24). The only change is the line "Sender's Name and Address" below the image on the back panel.

Above is Wiegand #24, uprated with two stamps of a total face value of 1.75 T. The aerogramme was sent from Dacca G.P.O (machine cancel 25.3.82) to Karachi, Pakistan, where it was received on March 29.

The second issue is much scarcer, escpecially if commercially used.


Reference:
Wiegand, Katalog der Aerogramme von Asien, 2000

Pakistan: PoW Aerogramme Returned "No Unpaid Service"

This aerogramme form was handstamped “Prisoners of War / Free Mail” to indicate postage free service in communication to prisoners of war.

Postmarked LAHORE 22 AUG 72, the aerogramme was rejected “No Unpaid Service / Returned to Sender”. Arrival cancel R.L.O. Lahore 2 Sep 72, on reverse.

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.

Australia: Aerogramme with Enclosure Sent as an Air Mail Letter

This aerogramme (Roggenkämper/Russ/Wiegand #59) was sent from Point Clare (30 AU 82) to Vienna, Austria.

According to the message on the writing panel it contained an enclosure (four International Reply Coupons). Hence, it was necessary to frank the aerogramme as an air mail letter
(75 c rate).


Reference:
Roggenkämper/Russ/Wiegand, Katalog der Aerogramme von Australien und Ozeanien, 2003

UK: Missing Phosphor Bars on Scotland Regional Aerogramme

This is UK Greiner #73, a Scotland regional aerogramme. Not listed by Greiner, it also exists without the two phosphor bars as can be seen below.

Reference:
Greiner/Greiner, Aerogramme von Europa, 3e, 1993

Australia: First Regular Air Service to South Africa

The first direct air service between Australia and South Africa (via Cocos Island and Mauritius) operated by Qantas commenced on September 1, 1952. Before that air mail to South Africa was flown via North Africa and took seven days in average. The new service had only a three days lead time.

The opportunity to send philatelic mail with this flight was announced early (in June 1952). A special cachet was designed for this philatelic mail. 

Special rates applied (per ½ oz): 

• to Cocos Island: 6 ½ d one-way, 1s 1d return
• to Mauritius or South Africa: 2 s one-way, 4 s return

Aerogrammes had to be franked at these rates, too.

This aerogramme was sent with this service (one-way). But is only franked at the usual 10 d aerogramme rate and should have been either taxed as short paid or rejected.

 

The aerogramme above is properly franked at 4 s for the return service.

US Aerogramme - Returned for Additional Postage

 

This 10 c aerogramme (Wiegand #6) was short paid 1 c, because the aerogramme rate was 11 c since June 16, 1961. The aerogramme was posted at Lexington on July 9, 1961.

The aerogramme was handstamped "Returned for Additional Postage / Postage Due ... / Total Postage Required ... / Rate: ... c per ½ Ounce" and endorsed accordingly.


Reference:
Wiegand, Aerogramme von Canada, USA, Uno-NewYork, 1994