1867 Book Post Rate

Rates in general and questions on particular covers.
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alexiosp
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1867 Book Post Rate

Post by alexiosp »

Dear All,

does anyone have details of the "Book Post" rates from UK to Greece in 1867?

As many of you know the excellent "British Letter Mail to Overseas Destinations" book by Jane and Michael Moubray, oly lists letter mail, so is of no help in this case.

Cheers,
Alexios
Mike Jackson
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Post by Mike Jackson »

Hi Alexios, Oxley's British Postal Rates to Europe 1836–1876 (p. 84) states for 1 January 1866 to Greece: 'Packet of printed papers other than newspapers 5d. not exceeding 4ozs.'.

Since 1 January 1863 it had been 4d not exceeding 4 oz for 'prepaid packet of other printed papers'.

Best wishes

Mike
alexiosp
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Post by alexiosp »

Hi Mike, very useful info , many thanks!

I presume that the info given refers to printed papers sent via the Primary route (via French Packet via Marseilles). Does he provide any other info about printed paper rates of the secondary route via France and Italy ?
Mike Jackson
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Post by Mike Jackson »

Alexious, here are the three pages devoted to Greece.
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frenchcongo
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Post by frenchcongo »

Alexious

The position is more detailed:

via French Packet 4d 4ozs
via Belgium and Trieste Letter rate
via Belgium and Baziasch Letter rate
via France and Trieste 5d 4 ozs max 8 ozs

Taken from PO Guide January 1866

Robert
alexiosp
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Post by alexiosp »

Image

Mike and Robert,

many thanks for your most valuable info!

I have been collecting and studying GB mail to Greece and Turkey (up to 1875) for a number of years. All I had was letter mail, but I got recently the attached "Book Post" item from 15 Jan 1867. First one I have seen to Greece or Turkey.

This is clearly marked "via Italy" (ie via France and Brindisi), but as your listings do not mention this option, I presume that the rate paid was the 4d up to 4ozs by French Packet via Marseilles.

The sender managed to deceive the post office as there is a complete letter written inside contrary to printed paper regulations. Not sure if it went through Marseilles or Brindisi though.

Cheers,
Alexios
frenchcongo
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Post by frenchcongo »

Dear Alexios,

I see, on checking, that I left one out: it apppeared under the weight limit for Greece France and Trieste.

The extra one is the one that you need:

via Italy - 6d for each 4 ozs

Over to you

Robert
alexiosp
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Post by alexiosp »

Dear Robert,

thanks for this newest addition. The 6d via Italy clearly does not match the franking on the cover. My best guess is that the sender prepared the cover to be sent via Italy, but franked it at the cheaper rate via Marseilles.

I should mention that I examined closely the franking and it is original (no stamps missing, no stamps replaced). Perhaps the numebr "4" in red crayon might be significant, but I rather think that it simply means (upto) 4(ozs).

I think I should research it a bit more.

Best Wishes,
Alexios
frenchcongo
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Post by frenchcongo »

The 4 in red will be an accountancy credit by the UK to the next country of transit for the forward postage after the UK [which would have taken 1d]
Can you post a picture of the item for me to see please Alexios as I have one other source of information that I can look at.

R
alexiosp
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Post by alexiosp »

i will post a higher resolution image when i get back from holidays in 10days. thanks for your efforts Robert!
alexiosp
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Post by alexiosp »

Hi Robert, I attach a good scan of the cover.
Cheers, Alexios
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frenchcongo
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Post by frenchcongo »

Thanks Alexios.
Can you tell from the original whether the red PP is under or over the red PD?

Robert
alexiosp
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Post by alexiosp »

Robert,
very hard to say, even after examining it closely. What's your theory?
frenchcongo
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Post by frenchcongo »

Thanks Alexios.
From memory the PP represents Part Paid and PD represents Paid to Destination so it is important to decide which cancelled which.

On the basis of the 4 in red and the fact that there are no Greek charge marks or added Greek stamps.
I think that it must have been classed as Paid to Destination with Greece getting a share of the 4d sent forward by the British Post Office to cover the foreign postage.

The conclusion for the moment is that it travelled the route for which 5d was the rate.

Best wishes Robert
alexiosp
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Post by alexiosp »

Dear Robert,
I think that both PP and PD mean the same thing, ie paid to destination, but I may be wrong.

In any case, many thanks for your valuable help which is much appreciated!

Best Wishes, Alexios
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