pre-upu transit mail via british india post offices: via aden ...rockymountainstampshow.com/images/PDF/IndiaStudyCircle/...pre-upu transit mail via british india post offices INTRODUCTION

pre-upu transit mail via british india post offices:

via aden, bombay, calcutta, madras & singapore

another dimension to india maritime mail

questions & unknowns

pre-upu transit mail via british india post offices

INTRODUCTION

For centuries, India has played a pivotal role in the maritime, mercantile and communication between Western and Eastern Hemisphere and between Australia/Europe and Australia/USA. Majority of the shipping routes between Europe and Asia and/or Australia predominantly involved overland transport via Suez and Egypt whereas mail between these continents often transited and handled through one or more British Indian Post Offices. Another relevant fact was the expansion of British Indian postal services both East (Burma and Singapore) and West (Aden, Zanzibar) of India. Hence mail between the continents of America, Europe, Asia, and Australia was handled by British Indian post offices at these ports. This exhibit provides an overview of the mail between these continents that was handled through British Indian Post Offices from 1806 to just before British India joined UPU on 1st July 1976. Transit route and rates via these British India post offices are described as per available information. Choice of route was affected by several factors including: ● Speed of delivery of mail, i.e. routing of first available ship from port of departure routed via port with Indian post office ● More economical cost of mailing the letter. ● Forwarding agents at British India ports who facilitated transit mail and related postage • Regional shipping hubs for British P&O ships such as Aden and

Singapore. The exhibit is organized by British India Post Offices that handled transit mail ● Aden ● Bombay

VIA ADEN From: Port Louis, Mauritius 1846 Mauritius to Bordeaux via Aden and disinfected in Malta.

9 Feb 1846: Letter from Port Louis, Mauritius to Bordeaux, France. Per manuscript marking “Per Emma, Via Aden” letter was sent on “Lady Emma” to Aden and received “ADEN Paid 8 as” cancel (Proud Type PS1). Received British PO “ALEXANDRIA MAR 20” cancel upon arrival by overland via Suez. It then reached Malta where it appears to have been disinfected as per double ring circular cancel. Received transit cancel at Marseille in red and arrival cancel at Bordeaux. Routing itinerary: - After arriving in Aden on Ship Lady Emma: - Departed Aden on East India Company Ship Acbar on 11 Mar 1846; - Arrived in Suez on 17 March 1846 and by overland mail reached Alexandria on 20 Mar 1846; - Departed Alexandria on HMS Steamer Virago on 22 Mar 1846 and arrived in Malta on 25 March 1846. - Received Malta Disinfection cancel in black circular cancel. - Departed Malta on HMS Steamer, Volcano on 25 March 1846 and arrived on Marseille on 29 March and final arrival in Bordeaux, France on 1st April 1846. Rate: This sender paid 1/-sh in Mauritius (Manuscript rate on back) for postage to Aden. At Aden 8anna postage was charged for Aden to Alexandria on East India P& O ship mail. Letter arrived at Marseille unpaid from Alexandria via Malta and received manuscript marking of 19 decimes by French Post Office This covered 1 decime for sea postage and 18 decime inland postage from Marseille to Bordeaux.

To: Bordeaux, France

VIA ADEN From: Salem, MA,USA 1866 Famous Goodhue cover from Salem, Mass, USA via Aden to Zanzibar before British India Zanzibar Post Office opened in 1875.

19 JUL 1866: From Salem Savings Bank 19 JUL 1866 (Back of cover) bearing US 1866 15c Lincoln and 1866 30c Franklin issues and tied by “SAELM MASS/ 20 JUL” cancel on blue pre-printed cover to famous American trader Mr. Albert P. Goodhue at Zanzibar with “Via Marseilles” routing and Care of Adumally Sultanally, Esq., Merchant, Aden, Arabia. Cover bears transit cancels of BOSTON AM PKT 20 JUL 24 CENTS, transit LONDON cancel, 1 AUG 70 and then of “ADEN STMR POINT 17 AUG” on back. No Zanzibar arrival marking as there was no post office. Route itinerary: Travel time to Aden only 28 days and estimated arrival to Zanzibar another 7 to 10 days. Cover travelled by American Packet Letter to London and from their via British P&O ship via Marseille to Alexandria and by overland route to Suez and from there on another P&O ship to Aden. Cover was most like sent from Aden to Zanzibar by an Arab Dhow during this era. Albert P. Goodhue, was a ship chandler and businessman from Salem, Massachusetts and was in Zanzibar, Aden and Seychelles islands during this period. Rate Analysis: Cover was fully prepaid at 45c which was the British mail rate via Marseilles. Manuscript “1” in red crayon represents 1sh British colonial credit for mailing cover from London to Aden. Provenance: Ex-Gibson.

To: Zanzibar

VIA BOMBAY & ADEN From: Calcutta, India To: Cape Town, Cape of Good Hope 1875: Mail Via Zanzibar just before the Indian Post Office in Zanzibar was opened in October, 1875. First post office in Zanzibar was established in October, 1875.

July 1875: 1868 East India 8 anna issue tied by “B/1” cancel of Calcutta and “STAMPED” security cancel on cover addressed to Cape Town, Cape of Good Hope (South Africa). Sender’s manuscript marking, “Via Bombay & Zanzibar” . Back of cover bears “CALCUTTA INDA PAID (JULY)”, “ADEN STEAMER POINT/ AU 9”; PORT ELIZABETH (SP 20 75)” and receiving cancel of “CAPE TOWN CAPE COLONY / B / SP 24 / 75” Route itinerary: Total travel time: Almost two months. Cover traveled from Calcutta to Bombay and from there by a P&O ship to Aden. Cover was then transferred most likely on a P&O ship to Zanzibar from where it was trans-shipped to Port Elizabeth and on to Cape Town, Cape Colony (Now South Africa). Rate Analysis: 8 anna was the correct letter rate then for Imperial (To England and other British Empire colonies) and hence cover was fully prepaid. Possibly only known cover from India to South Africa sent via Aden and Zanzibar.

MAIL VIA ADEN SUMMARY: • Aden was a critical transit port both for maritime trade and for

mail between North America/Europe and Indian sub-continent and Africa especially before Suez Canal was opened.

• Importance and large volume of mail via Aden (and Suez) led In-dian post office by 1867 to organize SEA POST OFFICE on ships transporting mail and bearing ship post office cancels.

QUESTIONS: 1.What and how was mail handled to and from Africa via Aden es-

pecially when there were no British post offices in Zanzibar? 2.Did Aden post office require payment for unpaid or insufficiently

paid mail? 3.Did Aden post office handle mail to and from other European

post offices also?

VIA BOMBAY From: Pondicherry, French India 1839: Pondicherry to Bordeaux sent via Bombay rather than more common via Madras.

To: Bordeaux France

15-Jan-1839: Pondicherry (French India) mail sent overland to Bombay (India in oval red , paid marking) and from there to Suez to Alexandria receiving “INDES ALEXANDRIE / 27 MARS 39” French PO cancel in black along with “PACQUEBOTS DE LA MEDITERANEE” in red applied at French Bureau de Exchange at Alexandria to signify it was sent on a French ship to Marseille and then over land to Bordeaux where it received “BORDEAUX / 16 AVRIS 1839” cancel on back. The “INDES ALEXANDRIE” circular date stamp dated 27 March 1839 is the earliest recorded cancel by Salles. Route Analysis: Total travel time approximately 75 days. Cover privately carried from Pondicherry to Bombay from where it was sent by a British ship to Suez and then by overland to Alexandria where it was deposited in French PO and who sent this letter on a French Ship to Marseille and by overland arriving to Bordeaux. Rate Details: No overland postal charge from Pondicherry to Bombay as it was possibly privately carried by Amlaric & Co. At Bombay the forwarder paid 8 annas (Manuscript marking) for rate to Red Suez –Alexandria from Bombay. Postage from Alexandria to Marseille and on to Bordeaux was 19 decimes consisting of 1decime for ship captain and balance 18 which was collected from the recipient.

VIA BOMBAY From: Port Louis, Mauritius To: Bordeaux, France 1844: While normal routing of mail from Mauritius to Europe would be on ships sailing either via Suez or via Cape of Good Hope, often, the mail was sent on the first available ship sailing from Port Louis. In this case, it seems that was John Labour sailing to Bombay.

9 March 1844: Folded Letter from Mauritius with “MAURITIUS POST OFFICE / 09 MAR 1844” cancel and addressed to Bordeaux in Gironde (province) France. Sender’s manuscript markings on Front includes, “Care of Messer's Snyder Husche & Co Bombay and “John Labour” ship. At Bombay, cover received, “BOMBAY / SHIP LETTER / 1844 APR / Bearing 8/-” cancel for sending it to Bordeaux. Route Analysis: Total Travel time from Port Louis Mauritius to Bordeaux, Gironde (province) France was 38 days. Letter apparently travelled from Mauritius on Ship John Labour to Bombay from where it was sent on a P&O ship to Suez and overland to Alexandria and from there most likely by French packet to Marseilles and by overland to Bordeaux, Rate Analysis: Cover apparently was privately carried to Bombay where forwarding agent paid 8 annas postage to Suez-Alexandria. Absence of any French rate marking at Marseilles implies the letter may have been an official mail not requiring French postage.

VIA BOMBAY From: Paris, France 1844: Consular Mail from France Via Bombay to Singapore to French Consul in China.

To: Singapore

Circa April 1844: Official consular mail from Paris, France to French Consul to China through French Consul for India and Singapore. Cover bears manuscript marking Via Alexandria, a faint French Bureau De Poste cancel in Red and transit cancel of BOMBAY MY 6 1844 STR POSTAGE—1 (Re)/INLD DO 2 (Anna) cancel along with “PD” for Paid marking. Back of cover has manuscript marking of Received 31 June 1844 and April 1844 (when sent) and initials A. R; 19 (Decimes) and an indecipherable markings. Route Analysis: Total travel time estimated at about 75 days. Cover was sent from Paris to Marseille and on French Packet to Alexandria then overland to Suez where it was sent on a British P&O ship to Bombay. From Bombay the cover was sent overland to Calcutta. From there to Singapore most likely a British ship. French consul for India and Singapore forwarded the cover to the French consul for China most likely by diplomatic pouch. Rate Analysis: Cover was prepaid by sender to Alexandria paying 19 decimes (manuscript marking on back) which covered 18 decime inland rate to Marseille and 1 decime for ship captain for travel to Alexandria. Also another manuscript marking of “5 (?) for Alexandria to Suez to Bombay. On receipt in Bombay, the French Consul to India and Singapore paid 1 Re and 2 Annas which represented 2 Annas for inland rate and 1 Re for ship rate covering postage from Calcutta to Singapore. Cover was presumably delivered to French Consul to China. Only two covers from France to French Consul to China via Bombay including this one are known to exhibitor.

VIA BOMBAY From: SALEM, MA,. USA 1860 Mail between USA and Zanzibar was infrequent.

To: Zanzibar

16-OCT-1860: Salem Massachusetts to Zanzibar Via Boston, London and Bombay. Front bears “SALEM OCT 16 1860” and Bombay steamer rate marking of “St.. Bg. As. 14” cancel and manuscript rate markings. On back are transit cancels of “BOSTON MA OC 17”, “F London OC 29”and “IN/BOMBAY/NO 26/60” cancels. Manuscript markings on front are 65 and 1/-sh on front and on back are manuscript marking of “Received 26 November 1860” (at Bombay), “and forwarded by Dossabhoy Merwarnjee Co.” No receiving marking at Zanzibar. Route Analysis: Total transit time to Bombay 41 days and to Zanzibar over 50 days. Cover sent from Salem to Boston on-land from where it was carried by the Cunard Line, “Canada” departing Boston on 17th October to Queenstown Ireland (27th Oct), inland post to London. From London (3 Nov) on land to Marseilles on P&O Ship Veetis (5th Nov) to Malta (8th Nov) to Alexandria to overland to Suez. From Suez on P&O Ship Banares (13th Nov) reaching Bombay (25th Nov). Cover was then most likely forwarded to Zanzibar by Dossabhoy privately to Zanzibar as there was no post office operated in Zanzibar at that time. Forwarding Rate: Cover front bears US postal rate mark in manuscript of 65 consisting of 5c US domestic rate to Boston and 60c rate to India via London and fully paid. . Cover bears 1/sh 7d manuscript rate from London to Bombay via Marseilles consisting of 1sh British, 6d French and 1d Indian). Dossabhoy Merwarjee in Bombay paid 14 Annas (nearest equivalent to 1sh 7d) as signified by “St../Bg. / As. 14” in front. One of the earliest cover from USA to Zanzibar via Bombay.

VIA BOMBAY From: Jask, Iran Mail from Jask was carried north to the British India post office in Bunder Abbas and sent by ship to Bombay.

30 March 1873: Cover from Jask Iran to England with manuscript marking, “Via Southampton”. Cover bears 1866 QV East India 2 Annas and 4 Annas tied by manuscript cancel (Indian PO not opened till 1880) and upon arrival in Bandar Abbas, stamps were cancelled “Bunder Abbas / April 9, 73/”. Back of cover has receiving and departing Bombay cancels dated 21 AP 73 and 24 AP 73 and final arriving cancel of “SPILSBY / 23 MY 73.” Pre-UPU mail from Iran to England via India are uncommon. Route Analysis: Total travel time: 53 days. Cover travelled from Jask to Bandar Abbas Iran possibly by private ship and from there by Ship to Bombay from where it was sent on a P&O ship via Suez Canal to Southampton and on land to Spilsby.

Rate Analysis: 6 Annas rate for 1/2 Oz was effective from April 1, 1868 between India and England.

To: Spilsby, England

Page 16-1840-London-Bombay-Calcutta-Macao- REV1-with Lee Scamp Info-Rev4 (2).pub

VIA BOMBAY From: South East Asia 1861-62: Cover front Unpaid mail from South East Asia via Bombay.

To: Barcelona, Spain

1861-62: Cover front sent from South East Asia in late 1861 to Barcelona, Spain. Cancellations include “INDIA UNPAID "applied in Bombay, “GIBRALTAR / A/JA 6/62”, “TO PAY” applied in Gibraltar and “4R” applied in San Roque, Cadiz, Spain. In spite of manuscript marking “via Marseilles” this cover did not go through Marseilles to Barcelona, Spain. Route Analysis: Total travel time undetermined. Covers bearing similar markings of Gibraltar and Cadiz from Singapore, Malaysia and possibly Manila are known (Ref: Well known postal history dealer Antonio Torre of London). Cover believed to have originated in South East Asia and was sent on a P&O ship to Bombay where it received “INDIA UNPAID” hand stamp (Giles reports usages from 1857-65). Cover then travelled by P&O Ship to Suez, overland to Alexandria, and on to Gibraltar and from there by land to Cadiz and on to Barcelona. Rate Analysis: Prevailing rate for mail from India to Gibraltar was 4 Annas or equivalent to English 6d since 1856 according to Martin & Blair.

MAIL VIA BOMBAY CONCLUSIONS

1. Bombay was a major transit port after Calcutta. 2. Bombay had many maritime trading houses who offered for-

warding mail service like in Calcutta and Singapore. 3. Unable to find specific sailing information from Bombay to

Zanzibar during pre-UPU period.

QUESTIONS 1. Why was mail from Mauritius to France routed via Bombay? 2. How was mail from USA via Bombay to Zanzibar delivered? 3. Why was the mail from Persian Gulf was routed through Bom-

bay rather than via Aden and or Suez? 4. Was it uncommon for mail from French India (Pondicherry) to

transit through Bombay rather than Madras?

Page 18 1842 Macao-Calcutta-London-Scotland-Rev5 (3).pub

VIA BOMBAY & CALCUTTA

From: Singapore VIA BOMBAY TO: London, England 1842 Missionary letter from a Singapore trading firm Singapore to London.

2 Sept 1842: Singapore dated Unpaid letter signified by red Oval INDIA cancel in transit at Bombay and 3/6 rate marking in London. Back bears manuscript 5Annas rate marked in

Bombay and cancel of London 23 NOV 1842

Route Analysis: Total travel time: 58 days. Letter was sent from Singapore to Calcutta and from there by ship to Suez , by overland mail to Alexandria . Left Alexandria on P&O ship Iberia on 20 July arriving in Malta on 24 July. From there the cover left on 25 July on ship Achero to Marseilles arriving there on 29 July 1845/ From there the cover was sent overland to London where it was received in London on 2 Aug 1845. Rate Analysis: Singapore to Calcutta rate of 8 As (manuscript marking) paid in Singapore. Letter was forwarded unpaid from Calcutta to London where 2sh / 3d was collected by British post office from the recipient which was the rate for mail from India via Marseilles.

5 June 1845: Letter date lined 3 June 1845 Singapore to London, England. Front bears “INDIA” in red box (used from 1838 to 1856 per Giles) and manuscript marking, “2/3”. Back bears “SINGAPORE /1845 June / Paid” with “8 As “ manuscript marking for postage paid at Singapore; “CA:CUTTA / G.P.O./SHIP LETTER / JUL 1 /1845” in red box cancel; “G.P.O. /10 Jul. “ in small red box and receiving cancel in London dated 2 AU 1845.

Route Analysis: Total travel time : 61 days. Cover sent from Singapore Ship to Bombay; then by another ship to Suez, overland to Alexandria;

to Marseilles on another ship; and on land to London.

Rate Analysis: 3sh 6d collected from recipient per manuscript marking. This consists of 1sh 10d credit to British India (including 5As credit to Indian Post office; and 1sh 6d credit for French Post Office.

VIA CALCUTTA

.

VIA CALCUTTA

From: 1806 Serampore, Danish Settlement, India 1806: Earliest known mail from Danish Settlement via Calcutta to England.

To: Cornwall, England

Routing Analysis: Total travel time: 173 days Letter privately carried overland from Serampore to Calcutta, entered British India postal service as per BENGAL GPO cancel. According to 21st November 1896 edition of Morning Post, London, The “Charger” gun-brig, Lieut. Powell sailed from Bengal on July 4th, to Cape of Good Hope, then it sailed on Sept 18th and reached Torquay on November 17th. There is a reference to mail from India delivered in London on Nov 21, 1806 as per the news paper article. Rate Analysis: Letter was apparently unpaid. The ship rate was 4d (“4” faint marking) for letters up to 2 sicca (Ref: Giles) and in England the inland rate was 11d for 255 mile distance to Cornwall which adds up to 1sh 3d rate ( “1/3” manuscript marking).

30 May 1806: Missionary letter from Danish Settlement Serampore to Rev. Hutchins in Cornwall. (England). Front bears receiving cancel, “SHIP LETTER LONDON/CRWON/NOV 21” (Alcock & Holland Type 1930), faint manuscript marking, Rev J Henry + Alerby (?), Serampore 30 May 1806 and faint 1/3 rate marking. Back panel bears faint “BENGAL/G.P.O./POST PAID” (Giles Type SD3) and “A.N.O. 1806/21” cancel (Alcock & Holland Type 23). An undecipherable Bengali marking on back panel.

VIA CALCUTTA From: Canton China 1845: Merchant correspondence from Canton to London via Calcutta.

To: London, England

3 April 1845: Letter date lined Canton from Nye Perkins & Co (Gideon Nye the founder later became US Vice Consul at Canton ) sent to well known English trading firm, Frederick Huth & Co in London. Front panel manuscript markings include, “Via Calcutta”, “Via Marseilles”, ship “Bentick”, rate “2/3” and “INDIA” in red box (used in Calcutta from 1838-1856). Back of letter markings include “CALCUTTA / G.P.O./SHIP LETTER/17 APR 17/1845” and receiving London cancel dated 22 June 1845. Route Analysis; Total travel time: 79 days. Letter was sent from Canton to Calcutta, then around India to Suez. By overland camel route to Alexandria, left on 7 June on P &O ship, Iberia Gt. LIV to Malta arriving on 11 June and left on same date from Malta on Achero, arriving in Marseilles on 15 June 1845. Mail travelled overland from Marseilles to London where it was received on 22 June 1845. (Ref: Giles India Postal History Handbook, Page 56) Rate: The cover was received unpaid in Calcutta as signified by “INDIA” in rex box marking on front. Upon receipt in London the post office charged 2sh 3d to the recipient which consisted of 1sh 5d British and 5d for French for incoming mail from India as per Giles Hammond Handbook of Indian Philately.

VIA CALCUTTA From: Bath, England 1849 Folded Letter from Bath to Dr. John Machwhirter in Geelong, Australia. He was once surgeon to Governor General of India.

To: Geelong, Australia

12 Oct 1849: Folded letter from Bath to Geelong, Port Philip, Australia. Front panel inscriptions include “O. 16/1/50”, Rate markings “1” on top right and “5”. Route markings include “Via Singapore” and “Per “Gallant”. Back panel cancellations include “CALCUTTA/G.P.O./25 JA 1850” in red; “SHIP LETTER /MELBOURNE / 2 AUG” in faint red, and “GEELONG PORT PHILIP/3/AUG/1850” in faint black. Route Analysis: Total travel time: 327 days, one of the longest. Despite sender’s manuscript instruction “Via Singapore” the letter was carried per favor to Calcutta India via Cape of Good Hope route where boxed “CALCUTTA / G.P.O./25 JA 1850” in red applied. From Calcutta, the letter travelled by ship Gallant to Sydney. Letter left Sydney on 12 July 1850 by ship “Dart” to Melbourne where it received faint “SHIP LETTER / MELBOURNE / 2 AUG “in red cancel. Letter travelled inland from Melbourne to Geelong where it received “GEELONG PORT PHILIP /3 / AUG/1850” cancel in black. Rate analysis: Top right manuscript marking of “1” seems to represent 1/-sh Colonial rate from Falmouth to India (per Giles). Letter seems to be sent privately from Calcutta to Gallant as there are no rate markings. At Sydney, the letter received manuscript marking of “5” which consisted of 3d inward ship rate and 2d inland rate.

VIA CALCUTTA

From: Melbourne Australia 1855 Only known cover from Australia to USA with India 1854 4 Anna lithograph stamps.

To: New York, USA

2 July 1855: Folded letter date lined Melbourne Australia. A pair of India 1854 4 Annas stamps are tied. Postal cancellations include “INDIA” in red, “CALCUTTA /23 AUG/1855” and “5 OC 5/M/Crown” London cancel. Plethora of route and rate markings: Route – Via Calcutta, “Forwarded by Messrs. Asper &Co, per steamer Bengal. Rate markings include “stamped 8 As”, 1/, 61 and 40 Routing analysis: Total travel time: 108 days Melbourne to Calcutta: By private ship to Calcutta; From Calcutta on ship “BENGAL” on August 23, 1855, arrived in Suez on September 19, 1855. Overland travel to Alexandria where it was sent on ship, “EUXINE” to Southampton arriving on October 5, 1855. From London, the letter was carried on the Collins Line Atlantic (American) leaving from Liverpool on 6th October and arriving in New York on 18th October. Rate Analysis: Australia to Calcutta– Courtesy mail carried on a ship; Calcutta to London, rate was 8 Annas paid by a pair of 4 Annas Indian lithograph stamps. 1/- manuscript marking verified postpaid from Calcutta to London. Atlantic postage rate to New York was 16 cents plus 5c for domestic delivery in New York or a total of 21c. Which is the difference between “61” and “40” manuscript markings and seem to represent different handwriting of two postal clerks!

VIA CALCUTTA From: Moulmein, Burma 1848 FL Teak Merchant letter from Burma to Mauritius.

To: Port Louis, Mauritius

19 Jun 1848: Date lined Moulmein (Burma) folded commercial letter from Gardner & Co (For local merchant F. Carrim) about teak exports to Mauritius. Front panel bears manuscript, Via Calcutta marking only. Back panel bears “MOULEMIN / 20 JU 48/0-1-0 “red rectangular cancel with manuscript 1anna mark. This use is three years later than that reported by Proud in his Burma Postal History Figure-4, Page 13. Additional cancels include arrival cancel in black, “CALCUTTA / SHIP LETTER / 1848 JUL 23/ Inland Bg. 2; Ship D& 1 /2 / 3 annas” (Note: 4 in 1848 is inverted,), red dispatch cancel, “CALCUTTA / G.P.O/SHIP LETTER/ 29 JU 29” and receiving cancel, “MAURITIUS POST OFFICE /SEP 1/1848 in black double circle. Route Analysis: Total travel time: 73 days Letter was sent by ship from Moulemin to Kedigree port and on land to Calcutta and back to Kedigree Port from where most of the ocean-going ships including to Port Louis, Mauritius sailed. The letter was most likely sent on one of the ships carrying indentured Indian workers who were sent from Bengal-Bihar area to Mauritius to work on sugar plantation. (Ref: Ghosh Amitav, “River of Smoke). Rate Analysis: At Moulmein PO one anna rate was charged for postage to Calcutta. At Calcutta, British India Post Office collected 2 anna for inland mail (One anna for incoming from Kedigree to Calcutta and one anna for outgoing from Calcutta to Kedigree) and 1 anna for ship letter. No obvious marking of postage charged by Mauritius post office if any to the recipient. Research Assistance: Samik Nandi, Dec 2016.

VIA CALCUTTA From: Penang, Malaysia 1857 Penang--Calcutta-Marseilles

To: Marseilles, France

21 Dec 1857: Date lined Penang letter bearing sending merchant’s cachet in blue on front along with “INDIA UNPAID” in black box, receiving cancel of Via Suez /Marseilles dated 26 Jan 1858 in red and manu-script 8 (centime) collected from recipient. Faint Calcutta GPO cancel in red on back of the cover. Mail from Penang via Calcutta is very scarce as most mail from Penang was sent via Singapore. Routing Analysis: Estimated total travel time: 36 days. Letter was apparently privately carried from Penang to Calcutta where it was received as unpaid letter per black box cancellation. Absence of either the route marking or transit cancels may indicate the cover was bagged in a mail for Marseilles but carried on a P&O ship from Calcutta to Suez, then overland to Alexan-dria from where it was sent on a French ship to Marseilles. Rate Analysis: It appears that the only postage charged was that by French post office in Marseilles of 8 centimes which paid for captain of ship bringing the mail to Marseilles port. An explanation is that the let-ter may have been carried privately from Calcutta to Marseilles and not through British or French post of-

VIA CALCUTTA

From: Rangoon, Burma 1860: Earliest known printed matter letter to Denmark via Calcutta.

To: Copenhagen, Denmark

Rate Analysis: British East India one anna stamp apparently paid 1 anna for Printed matter rate to Calcutta as signified by “INDIA PAID” in black cancel in Calcutta. Second cancel, INDIA UNPAID in black may signify postage from India to Denmark was unpaid. Manuscript markings of “11” and “2” signify Danish PO collected 11 skillings of which 2 skillings was kept and the 9 skillings was paid to German Thurn & Taxis post office.

3 Feb 1860: Folded Printed matter form of Export & River Shipping dated Feb 1, 1860, sent from Rangoon to Copenhagen, Denmark. India 1856 East India One Anna stamp tied by “B/156” cancel from Rangoon. Postal cancels on address panel include “INDIA PAID” and “INDIA UNPAID” cancels, senders cachet on lower left corner and partial French arrival cancel at Marseilles. Manuscript markings on front panel include “Via Marseille” and “11” on front. Back panel bears “RANGOON / SHIP LETTER/ FEB 3 / 1860”; transit cancels include “G.P.O. 1860 /EX CALCUTTA /FEB 25” indecipherable black box cancel (BOMBAY?), Hamburg Thurns & Taxis Post Office cancel (“HAMBURG TT /6/4/18690”, Danish Transit post office in Hamburg cancel in Cyrillic’s date 6/4”. And Danish PO Copenhagen 7 /4 “cancel. Manuscript marking include “2’ in red on back flap. Route Analysis: Total travel time 64 days Cover went by ship from Rangoon to Calcutta, then overland to Bombay, then by P&O ship to Suez. Then by overland route to Alexandria; from there via Malta to Marseille and overland Via Thurn & Taxis, Hamburg (Danish P.O.) and finally arrived in Copenhagen. Printed letter sheet arrived in Copenhagen on April 7, 1860. Letter bears 1856 East India Company 1 Anna brown stamp tied by “B/156” hexagonal cancel in Rangoon. At Rangoon, letter received “RANGOON / SHIP LETTER / FEB 3 / 1860” boxed cancel and at Calcutta, “G.P.O. 1860 /EX/CALCUTTA/FE 25” in red. Cover may have gone via BOMBAY (Undecipherable black box cancels) and from there by Ship to Suez, overland to Alexandria on the Marseille via Paris (partial red “PARIS / AV 3” cancel) and overland to Hamburg Thurn & Taxis Post Office (“HAMBURG T T/ 6 / 4/1860”) and to Danish transit post office in Hamburg (Cyrillic-English cancel dated 6/4”) and finally receiving cancel of Copenhagen dated 7 April 1860.

VIA CALCUTTA From: Copenhagen, Denmark 1866 Cover from Denmark to Burma via Calcutta. The only recorded Pre-UPU cover from Denmark to Burma.

To: Rangoon, Burma

29 March 1866: Denmark 1866-68, 16sk issue in strip of 3 and single on cover tied by “77” circular cancel from VIBORG, Denmark to a sailor on a Danish Bark, “Emily” at Rangoon, Burma. Front bears “VIBORG 29/3” and “LONDON /PAID/2 AP 66” cancel in red as well 1d in red. Viborg cancel dated 29 March 1866 is the earliest recorded cancel referred to as Antikva type IV cancel. Previously this cancel was used between 14/4-1866 – 22/4-1869 by Danish collectors. Only four such cancellations have been recorded. Back bears “KOPENHAGEN 31/3” and two CALCUTTA receiving and dispatch cancels both dated MY 13, 1860. And in-decipherable receiving cancel of Rangoon in red. Manuscript cancellations include “6d” and “60, 4” mark-ings. Route Analysis: Total travel time: Over 45 days (Approx. 52 days) Cover travelled from Copenhagen to London in about three days. From London, the cover was sent via ship to Alexandria, then by overland route (Suez Canal was not open then) to Suez. From Suez, the cover travelled by one of P&O ships to Calcutta arriving there in about 41 days. Cover was then sent by ship from Calcutta to Rangoon. Rate Analysis: Sender paid 64sk Danish postage (16sk x 4) which consisted of 4sk for local Danish postage and 60sk for-eign postage as per manuscript marking of “60 /4” by sender. British postal rate marking of 1d and 6d which would be credited to British Post office. 1d postage marking represented the British Colonial one penny postage rate?

VIA CALCUTTA From: Thyetmyo, Burma 1856 Pair of cover from Thyetmo to Scotland via Calcutta.

To: Aberdeen, Scotland

1856: Pair of covers from Thyetmyo Burma to Aberdeen (Scotland) via Calcutta, Marseille, and London. First cover dated 9 July 1856 with “THYETMYO G. P. O. / 9 JUL 1856” double ring cancel with “INDIA” in box in red on front applied at Calcutta. Manuscript markings include “Via Marseilles” and 1/- and “Bg. Steamer”. Back of cover bears “TOO LATE” cancel applied at Thyetmyo (Previously unknown) along with “CALCUTTA G.P.O. / 1 AUG 1856” double circular cancel in red. Also, transit cancel of “LONDON 14 SEP 1856” in red and receiving cancel of “ABERDEEN SEP 15 1856” in green. Second matching cover was written on 12 AUG 1856 but Thyetmyo cancel is dated 28 AUG 1856 and INDIA cancel in red applied in Calcutta. Manuscript rate marking of 1/- and 1d. Back of cover bears transit cancel of London 13 OCT 1856 in red and receiving cancel of “ABERDEEN OC 14 1856” in green. Routing Analysis: 1st Cover travel time: 68 days and 2nd Cover travel time: 51 days Both covers travelled from Thyetmyo to Rangoon overland, by ship to Calcutta and then placed in a bag (Manuscript marking “Bg Steamer “) placed on a P&O ship to Suez, overland to Alexandria and from there to Malta on to Marseille. From there overland to London. London covers travelled overland to Aberdeen, Scotland. Rate Analysis: Both covers were apparently unpaid to destination as signified by “INDIA” in a rectangular box in red applied by Calcutta post office. The first cover bears manuscript marking “1/4” consisting of 1sh 3d rate from Calcutta to London and 1d inland rate from London to Aberdeen. Second cover manuscript rates of “1/3” for Calcutta to London and “1d” marking for inland rate to Aberdeen.

VIA CALCUTTA From: London , England 1862 cover to Captain Carlisle with 60th Royal Rifles in Burma Via Calcutta.

To: Thyetmyo , Burma

March (10?) 1862: Cover bearing Great Britain GB QV 1862 issues of 9d and 1 sh stamps tied by “WC/2” cancel from Charring Cross to a Captain Carlisle in 60th Royal Rifles in Tonghoo, Burma. Cancels and markings on front include two oval cancels: “REDIRECTED 3as” and “REDIRECTED 6 as” and manuscript marking of Rangoon stricken out. Back of cover bears CHARRING CROSS (MAR 10), “EX CALCUTTA /G.P.O./AP 16 / 1862” and indecipherable black cancel, most likely of Tanghoo or Thyetmo. Route Analysis: Total travel time: Over 40 days with cover following recipient in the fields in Burma. Cover apparently travelled from London via Southampton or Marseille on a P&O ship to Alexandria and overland route to Suez. Cover then travelled by ship from Suez to Calcutta and from there it was sent by ship to Rangoon. From Rangoon, cover was first sent to Tonghoo where it was redirected to Rangoon and followed Colonel Carlisle to Thyetmo in Burma with two respective “REDIRECTED” markings. Rate Analysis: 1862 QV 9d and 1 Shilling stamps (equivalent to 14 ANNAS) consisting of 1/sh (Equiv. 8 annas) postage from London to Calcutta and 9d (equiv. 6 annas) for postage from Calcutta to Tonghoo! Further, the Indian post office in Burma charged 3 Annas for redirecting first time to Rangoon and then 6as postage due for twice redirected letter within Burma. These two REDIRECTED markings are unknown in Proud’s hand book.

1880 View of Tonghoo, Burma

VIA CALCUTTA From: Akyab, Burma 1852 FL from Akyab to the Netherlands, One of the earliest letters from Burma to Netherlands.

To: Amsterdam

24 Feb 1852: Date lined Akyab (Burma) on FL addressed to Amsterdam (The Netherlands). Front panel cancels include two “INDIA PAID” in red and receiving Marseilles cancel dated 13 April 52. Manuscript markings include “11’ centimes by French postal service. Back panel shows “AKYAB / 18 52 –2—25 / 12 As” (Proud Type 4 recorded use in 1851) orange rectangle cancels, transit cancel of “CALCUTTA / G.P.O./SHIP LETTER / 6 MAR 1852” in red rectangle and receiving cancel of “AMSTERDAM/15 4 52”. Manuscript markings on back include “110” in red and “1-4-0” (1 Re and 4 Annas?). Route Analysis: Total travel time: 51 days. Letter travelled from Akyab to Calcutta and from there by P&O ship to Suez. From Suez, it travelled overland to Alexandria and from there to Marseille via Malta. From Marseilles, letter travelled overland to Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Rate Analysis: Sender in Akyab paid 12 Annas for postage to Marseille consisting of 4 annas rate to Calcutta and 8 annas for colonial rate from India to Marseilles. French transit postage of 11 centimes per manuscript mark on front. Dutch postal clerk rated “110” cents consisting of 90 Dutch cents (Equivalent to 1sh 6d or 12 annas; 4annas =6d=30 Dutch Cents) for delivery of overseas mail by Dutch Post Office and 20 Dutch cents for French transit postage making it a total of 110 Dutch cents. (Note: 12 annas charged in Akyab covered postage to Marseille. There is an unexplained manuscript marking of 1-4-0 or 20 Annas. )

VIA CALCUTTA From: Akyab, Burma Akyab Burma to Paris, France. 35 days before India jointed UPU on 1st July 1876.

To: Paris, France

27 May 1876 Commercial cover from Akyab, Burma: 1865/66 East India One Anna, Two Annas and Four Annas (making 7 annas rate) tied by “AKYAB MAY 27 / R-2” cancels on cover to Paris, France. Stamps were further tied by “STAMPED” cancels by sender to ensure stamps were not stolen in post office. Front bears French P.O. Modane dated 22 June 76 and manuscript route marking of Via Bombay + Brandisi. Back of cover bears “CALCUTTA MAY 30”, “SEA POST OFFICE E 24 June” (which seems to be in error) and receiving cancel in Paris dated 23 June 76. A very late cover used prior to British India joined UPU on 1st July 1876 Route Analysis: Total travel time only 27 days Cover traveled from Akyab by ship to Calcutta, then overland to Bombay and then by ship via Aden, on board it received “SEA POST OFFICE E / 24 JUNE”, via Suez canal to Brandisi, overland to French P.O Modane at Italian-French border and finally to Paris. Mail via Brandisi bearing French P O Modane cancels are uncommon. Rate Analysis: Effective 1st of September 1875 when UPU was formed, British India postal rate to France via Brandisi was reduced to 7 Annas from 9 Annas which went in effect in May 1875 (Ref: Martin & Blair, Overseas Letter Postage from India, 1854-1876).

MAIL VIA CALCUTTTA

CONCLUSIONS 1. Calcutta was the most important British India transit post office,

handling mail to and from Burma, the South East Asia, China and even Australia and Europe and America.

2. Kedigree was the major transit port where mail was loaded and un-loaded.

3. Earliest transit mail via Calcutta is one from Danish Settlement to England.

4. Mail from Australia to USA via Calcutta-London is rare as most of the mail used trans-pacific fast Clipper mail which was both faster and cheaper.

QUESTIONS

1. What were the rules for forwarding the mail by British post office in Burma? Were they same or different than that in In-dia proper?

2. Are there good records on shipping schedule between Cal-cutta and ports in Burma?

3. Who added 1854 India lithograph stamps on mail originating from Melbourne, Australia to New York via Calcutta and Lon-don?

4. How does one account for 1 Anna postage on mail from Bur-

VIA MADRAS From: Pondicherry, French India 1845/1852 Part paid letters from Pondicherry via Madras to France.

To: Marseille, France

1 July 1845: Letter sent from French Pondicherry via Madras to Marseilles, France. Letter was sent through British P.O. “PONDICHERRY/1845 JUL 1/Paid. A 1/2” and to Madras where “INDIA PAID” and “MADRAS/G.P.O./1845JY 4”. Additional cancels include French transit cancel (12 AUG 1845) in red and receiving cancel at Marseilles (18 AUG 45). Rate: 1/2 Anna paid in Pondicherry paid inland to Madras; 1 s (equivalent 8 Anna) paid for Madras to Suez; 20 centimes French rate to Marseilles.

10 December 1852: Letter from PONDICHERRY sent through British PO, “ PONDICHERRY / 1852 December 10 / Paid / 1 fo” (Manuscript 1 fo) red cancel. Overland to Madras where “MADRAS / G.P.O./ 1852 DE 12” in red box was applied. Cover also bears crescent shaped “INDIA PAID” . “INDIE MARSEILLES / 11 JAN 53” red cancel applied on arrival.

Rate: Sender paid 1 fo (French India currency ) for inland rate from Pondicherry-Madras; 1 (Magenta) or 8 Annas for rate to Suez. 10 centimes paid French rate from Alexandria to Marseilles.

Pondicherry-France Route: Mail from Pondicherry to France via Madras during 1840s-1850s was most cost effective and expedient in absence of regular French ships sailings from Madras. The route was through Madras to Suez by British P&O steamers; overland from Suez to Alexandria where letters were carried by French ships or Paquebots to Marseilles, France. Note: Total journey time reduced from 48 days in 1845 to about 30 days by 1852.

VIA MADRAS From: Singapore 1870 Cover from Singapore Forwarded to Rangoon with East India 1/2 anna forwarding postage.

To: Rangoon, Burma

7 JA 1870: Cover bearing Straits Settlement QV 12 c stamp tied by “ SINGAPORE / A / JA 7 / 70” duplex “DU” cancel addressed to Brig Gen. G. de Sansmare, Secundrabad (now in Telangana state) Care of Messer's Arbuthnot & Co, Madras. Cover transited through Calcutta to Madras. Arrival cancel of “MADRAS DELIVERY/ 1870 / FEB 6” in red. Cover was forwarded to Rangoon by affixing 1864 East India Company half anna stamp which was tied both by “ARBUTHNOT & Co” box cancel and “MADRAS / FEB 6” circular duplex cancel. Back of cover has a faint receiving cancel of RANGOON in red dated 4 MAR. Cover apparently contained 1869 Account of Brig General with Oriental Bank in Singapore. Total travel time 56 days. Rate Analysis: Cover was fully paid from Singapore to India. However forwarding from Madras to Rangoon required forwarding postage of half anna.

VIA MADRAS

CONCLUSION 1. Madras was the least common transit port to and from

South East Asia and Europe. 2. Mail to and from French India Pondicherry was the most

common transit mail via Madras. 3. Mail from Singapore to Burma was really not a transit mail

but a forwarded mail to Burma!

QUESTIONS

1. Are sailing schedules to and from Madras readily availa-ble?

2. How much mail from Pondicherry handled by French ships vs. via Madras?

VIA SINGAPORE From: Batavia, Dutch East Indies 1849 Batavia Via Singapore, Unpaid Overland Mail Via Marseilles.

To: London, England

9 Jan 1849: Batavia date line letter with sender’s greenish blue oval cachet (B. SANIER, STERMONDT & Cie BATAVIA) addressed to well-known English merchants Huth & Co in London. Front bears “BATAVIA / 20/1/FRANCO” half oval blue cancel and manuscript route marking, “per Overlandmail via Marseille” and squiggly “2/3” rate. Back of cover bears three-line box “SINGAPORE / 1849 Feb /Bearing “in black, faint receiving cancel of London dated 21/MAR/149” in orange. Additional manuscript marking of 11 (Centimes) applied in Marseilles. Route Analysis: Total travel time: 71 days Cover apparently travelled by private ship to Singapore where it received “SINGAPORE Bearing” cancel (i.e. unpaid). From Singapore, letter apparently travelled by P&O ship to Suez, overland to Alexandria and from there on a French ship to Marseilles and by overland to London. Rate Analysis: Batavia Franco cancel apparently refers to sender paying for rate from Batavia to Singapore. From Singapore, the letter travelled as unpaid letter to London via Marseilles where French post office charged 11 centimes and when ultimately recipient paid 2sh 3d (rate for ½ oz. per Ref: Hammond Giles) on receipt of the letter.

14 April 1862: Date lined Batavia to Glasgow, Scotland with manuscript marking “Via Southampton” with a pair of 1856 4 Annas East India postage stamps tied by indecipherable cancel that looks like B/172 for Singapore. Front also bears manuscript markings of “Via Southampton” and “dupli.”. Back has a faint double circle “SINGAPORE G.P.O./9 MAY 1862” and receiving cancel, “3 N / GLASGOW /JU “partial cancel. Very fragile cover partly eroded by acidic ink used on thin perishable paper. Route Analysis: Total travel time: Approximately 56 days. Folded letter most likely sent on a private ship to Singapore where it entered Indian post office in Singapore with 8 Annas postage paid. Cover then travelled most likely by P&O ship to Suez and then overland to Alexandria and from there by another P&O ship to Southampton and onwards to Glasgow. Rate Analysis: Cover is believed to be privately shipped to Singapore and from there the letter bore 2x4 Annas or 8 Annas which was the Colonial rate from India to Great Britain.

VIA SINGAPORE From: Batavia 1862 Business letter from Batavia trading firm to Bank of Scotland, Glasgow, Scotland.

To: Glasgow, Scotland

VIA SINGAPORE From: Melbourne Australia 1853 Printed Matter from Australia to Hong Kong Via Singapore.

To: Canton, China

1 June 1853: Pre-Printed circular from Melbourne, Australia announcing formation of new general merchant firm and sent out to the famous Augustine Heard & Co in Canton, China. Front bears “BATAVIA / 28 AUG” blue cancel, red manuscript 1/- and manuscript “free” marking. Back bears “SINGAPORE / 18 August / Paid” and “HONG KONG / 8 SEP” transit cancels. There is no receiving docket in Canton. Perhaps the earliest printed matter mail from Australia to China. Route Analysis: Total travel time: Approximately 60days Printed circular sent in early June 1853 from Melbourne to Singapore (18 August) then transited to BATAVIA (28 AUG) and then to HONG KONG ( 8 SEP). From Hong Kong the circular was sent to Canton most likely by a private ship. Rate Analysis: Printed letter apparently traveled free (Hand carried ?) from Melbourne to Singapore and sent unpaid from Singapore to Canton Via Hong Kong. Manuscript marking of 1/- (Shilling?) in red may have been applied by clerk at Hong Kong post office and presumably collected from recipient, Augustine Heard & Co in Canton.

VIA SINGAPORE

From: Batavia, Indonesia 1856 One of two known covers from Batavia to San Francisco bearing India 4 Annas Lithograph.

To: San Francisco, USA

6 June (1855?): Manuscript marking of Batavia 6 June on folded letter to San Francisco, USA via Singapore and Hong Kong and arriving in San Francisco on 16 April. This is one of two letters known from Batavia to San Francisco via Singapore and Hong Kong bearing a pair of 1854 4As Indian lithographs. Name of recipient is cut out on both letters. Front of letter bears a pair of India 1854 4 Anna lithograph (one removed previously and replaced by current owner) with “Dot” cancel at Singapore. Front also bears the red manuscript marking “1/-“ believed to be applied in Hong Kong. Back panel bears “SINGAPORE / 16??/Paid” box cancel in red and HONG KONG /29 ? /1855” cancel in black.

Route Analysis: Total travel time: Approximately 314 days. Cover originated from Batavia on 6 June (1855) as per manuscript marking on back and transited through Singapore as per undated SINGAPORE /16?/Paid red cancel. Cover travelled to Hong Kong where it received “HONG KONG / 29 JY /1855” black cancel. From Hong Kong cover was sent to San Francisco where it arrived on 16 April (1856?) as per manuscript marking on back. Rate Analysis: Cover was apparently sent privately from Batavia to Singapore where a pair of 1854 4 As Indian lithograph paid equivalent of 1/-sh rate to Hong Kong as verified by manuscript 1/- marking in red in front. However, there is neither a receiving cancel nor any rate marking on arrival in San Francisco which leads the exhibitor to believe this letter was sent privately on a ship from Hong Kong to San Francisco.

VIA SINGAPORE From: Probolingo, Dutch East Indies 1861 Dutch East Indies Cover to Via Singapore to England without “INDIA PAID BY BATAVIA” marking.

To: London, England

Circa August 1861: Cover from Probolongo, East Java to Leicestershire, England with manuscript markings of “Per Overland Mail”, Via Southampton” and “ / Franco” (paid). Front also bears a faint oval red oval cancellation, “PROBOLINGO / FRANCO” and inverted “INDIA PAID” in red box cancellation. Back of envelope has a faint double ring cancel of “SINGAPORE/6 AUG/1861“, “A RUGBY / SP 20 / 61” and receiving cancel of “NEW MKT. HARBOUR/A/SEP 20/61” in black. Further there is a manuscript marking of 55 durie (Local Dutch Indies currency) indicating the cover was sent fully paid to England. “INDIA PAID” marking use in Singapore was not previously recorded by Giles. Route Analysis: Total travel time: Approximatel 50 days Cover was bagged and sent to Singapore where it was sent by a P&O ship to Suez, then via overland to Alexandria and then by another P&O to Southampton England from where it was sent via Rugby to New Market Harbour. Rata Analysis: This was a fully prepaid by sender as per manuscript marking of 55 durie (Approx. exchange rate 4durie=1d) which is estimated to consist of 7 durie for transit rate from Batavia to Singapore and 1sh (or 8 Annas) was the prepaid Colonial rate from British India (Including Singapore) to England via Southampton. “INDIA PAID” marking applied in Singapore confirms the cover was fully prepaid.

VIA SINGAPORE

From: “India Paid By Batavia” Via Singapore to England

To: England

1862—1863: Covers from Probolingo, Java to England. Left cover bears faint oval “PROBOLINGO FRANCO” on front and on right cover, “BATAVIA/14/10/1863”. Both covers bear “INDIA PAID BY BATAVIA” in black box (Type I) by Dutch Post Office in Batavia. According to D.R. Martin’s “Numbers in Early India Cancellations 1854-1884”, this marking was applied between 1846 to 1868, it was applied on very few mail not bagged and signified to Singapore PO the letter prepaid postage to destination. Receiving cancels of London on both covers. 1862 cover sent via Overland Mail via Southampton and 1863 cover was sent via Marseilles route. Manuscript markings include “Franco” and “ India Paid”. Back bears SINGAPORE double ring transit cancels on both covers.

Route Analysis: Estimated travel time 40 to 45 days. From Singapore cover would have travelled by P&O ship to Suez; overland to Alexandria and then on another P&O Ship to Southampton. From there the covers were bagged to London for further distribution Rate Analysis: A prepaid by sender as per manuscript marking of 55 durie (Approx. exchange rate 4durie=1d) which is estimated to consist of 7 durie for transit rate from Batavia to Singapore and 1sh (or 8 Annas) was the prepaid Colonial rate from British India (Including Singapore) to England via Southampton. “INDIA PAID” marking applied in Singapore is validation of prepayment.

Route Analysis: Total travel time 44 days. Letter was unbegged letter and hence Batavia Post Office applied “BATAVIA/14/10/1863/FRANCO” and “INDIA PAID BY BATAVIA” (Type I in Black) and sent it to Singapore. Letter carried privately to Singapore. From Singapore on 22 October by P&O ship Behar to Galle; On 3 Nov from Galle to Suez by P&O ship Bengal; On 19 Nov from Alexandria to Marseille on P&O Ship Euxine , reaching Marseille on 25 November and transit via France to London where it was received on 25 Nov 63” Rate Analysis; Blue crayon marking 233 Durie was full payment which is equivalent to 5/-shillings. Postal clerk applied “5/-sh” manuscript in red which would be the rate for 2oz letter at the rate of 1sh 3d for each 1/2 oz.

VIA SINGAPORE From: Batavia, Dutch East Indies 1865: Mail from Batavia via Singapore and England to USA.

To: Tenant’s Harbor, Me. U.S.A

30 May 1865: From Batavia to Captain Brickmore, Tenant’s Harbor, Maine, USA. Front bears two half oval cancels of Batavia dated 30 and 31 May 1861. Other cancels include “INDIA PAID” in red box applied in Singapore, “LONDON PAID /JY 17 61”, “PORTLAND BR(?) PKT/5/AUG 28?” in black and “16 CENTS” in red. Sender noted, “Via England”. Back bears faint double ring “SINGAPORE G.P.O. /June 1865” cancel as well as manuscript note indicating the letter is from ship off Batavia, no.1 and August 30, 1865. Route Analysis: Total travel time: 92 days. Cover apparently was sent in ‘paid’ bag from Batavia to Singapore. From Singapore, cover apparently travelled by P&O ship via Galle, Ceylon to Suez, via overland to Alexandria and from there via P&O ship to Southampton. From London, the cover travelled on a Trans-Atlantic ship to Portland (uncommon route as most were sent via Boston or New York ) and on land to Tenant’s Harbor, Maine. The only known mail from Batavia to USA via Portland Maine route. Rate Analysis: Sender paid postage up to England as signified by “25” (Dutch durie) marking on back which would be approximate equivalent of 1/-sh or 8 Annas, the postage to England from Singapore (British India) then. Upon receipt in London the post office marked 1/11 (or 1sh and 11 pence) which was equivalent to US 46c of which 16c was credited to British Post office as per 16 CENTS marking. Upon arrival in Portland, Me, the US postal cancellation of “5” inset reflects the recipient paid 2c for ship and 3c for domestic postage from Portland Maine to Tennant’s Harbor. Cover has been expertly restored.

VIA SINGAPORE From: Batavia, Dutch East Indies 1864: Mail from Batavia to Bombay Via Singapore.

To: Bombay, India

1 March 1864: Small cover addressed to an Indian merchant in Bombay. Front bears “ BATAVIA / 1 3 /1864” and “Str. Bg./As.4” cancellations in black and manuscript marking, Via Singapore. Back of cover bears, “SINGAPORE G.P.O./6 MAR 1864” and arrival cancel of “BOMBAY / MR. 22 64” in black. There is a red manuscript marking 24 (Dutch currency durie) and manuscript marking “Arabic. Route Analysis: Total travel time: 21 Days Cover was bagged for shipping to Singapore where it entered Indian post office. From Singapore cover transited Galle, Ceylon and on to Bombay. Rate analysis: Back of cover has manuscript marking of 24 (Dutch Durie which is equivalent to 6d or 4 Annas) paid in Batavia, which was the prevailing rate between Batavia and India from November 1862 to Sept 1865 per Martin. Upon arrival in Bombay, the post office applied Steamer Bag 4 As. Marking. Mail between Batavia and Bombay is uncommon.

VIA SINGAPORE From: Hong Kong 1864 Letter from a younger brother in Hong Kong, bitterly complaining about his relocation to Hong Kong from Shanghai.

To: London, England

9 July 1864: Two-page letter datelined Hong Kong via Marseilles. Front bears East India 1858-63 East India 8pies, 2 Annas and 8 Annas stamps (total 10As 8pies) tied by Singapore “B/172” numeral cancels in black. Manuscript markings include “Via Marseilles” and 1/0 in red applied in London. Back of the cover has double line blue oval hand stamp of the Forwarding Agent in Singapore where the 10As 8 pies of British India stamps were applied. There is an indecipherable “SINGAPORE G.P.O.” cancel without legible date cancellation. Surprisingly there is no receiving cancel in London.

Route Analysis: Total time to travel: Less than 79 days. Letter was sent by private ship from Hong Kong to Singapore to the attention of the forwarding agent who added East India stamps and mailed it in Singapore post office. It travelled by a P&O ship via Galle to Suez; from there by overland mail to Alexandria and from there by a French ship to Marseilles. Then by overland travel to London. Route Analysis: According Martin’s Overseas Letter Postage from India, effective 1st June 1863, the rate from Straits Settlement to London via Marseilles was 10as 8pies until 17 Nov 1869 when the rate went up to 12 Annas 8pies. French post office took credit of 2Annas 8pies for transit with 1/- or 8 Annas credited to British post office.

VIA SINGAPORE From: Hong Kong 1864 Hong Kong business letter from Russell & Co to John Hooper & Co, Boston, USA Via Singapore. Most mail from Hong Kong was sent via Pacific Route via San Francisco by 1860s. Displayed due to scarcity in spite of cover damage including two of four stamps were torn off.

To: Boston, USA

15 March 1864: Business letter from Russell & Co, Hong Kong to Boston, USA with extensive damage to front panel include defacement of two of four 8 Annas East India stamps. Front bears 4 x1856-59 East India 8 Anna stamps cancelled by Singapore “B/172” cancels. Cancellations on from include “LONDON PAID / F.B./AP 27/64” in red and arrival cancel, “BOSTON AM PKT / MAY 12/20” in Boston. Manuscript markings include “Marseilles”, as well as 1/10 (1sh 10d), and 64 rate markings. Letter discusses various business transactions and ship cargos and refers to their partners in Shanghai. Route Analysis: Total travel time = 58 days Letter travelled by private ship from Hong Kong to Singapore. From there by a P&O ship via Galle, Ceylon to Suez; overland to Alexandria, and by French ship to Marseilles. From there overland to London. From London, letter travelled by an American Packet to Boston. Rate Analysis: Folded letter apparently carried by private ship from Hong Kong to Singapore and hence absence of Hong Kong rate or stamps on cover. Cover bear 32 Annas or 2 Rupees India postage which would be quadruple rate (8 Annas per ½ oz. so the letter apparently weighed over 1 ½ oz.) for mail from Straits Settlement to UK. Upon receipt in London the postal clerk applied manuscript marking of 1/10 or 1sh 10d (which would be equivalent to 44c) for trans-Atlantic rate from London to Boston, Mass, USA. Upon arrival in Boston, the recipient was charged 64c (as per red manuscript marking) consisting of 44c credit for UK post office and 20c (As shown in BOSTON AM PKT post mark) was credit to the US Post Office. One of the highest letter rate from Singapore to UK originating from Hong Kong.

VIA SINGAPORE From: Manila, Philippines 1860 Business letter from Manila Via Singapore and Marseille.

To: Bolton, England

22 Oct 1860: Manila (Philippines) headlined folded letter to Bolton, England Via Singapore and Marseille. Front bears a pair of India 1856-60 4 Annas East India stamps tied by smudged “B/172” cancels in Singapore. Additional “Via Marseilles” marking by sender indicates the sender wanted the letter sent via Marseilles (vs. slower Southampton). Inside letter panel indicates it was written from Manila on 22 October 1860 and received in Bolton on 28 December. Back bears double ring cancel, “SINGAPORE G.P.O./18 NOV 1860 (inverted)” cancel. Route Analysis: Total travel time: 67 days Folded letter travelled took 27 days to reach Singapore from Manila by a private ship outside of Philippines post office. pair of 1856 issue of pair of 4 Annas East India stamps Cover was sent from Singapore by P&O ship to Suez, then overland to Alexandria Rate Analysis: It appears the writer, Martin Dyce & Co in Manila kept a supply of East India postage stamps for their regular correspondence to UK and applied it at origin as there is no Singapore forwarder’s marking. Postal rates from Singapore to UK via Southampton was 8 Annas effective between 29 Jan 1857 to 30 September 1861 according to Martin’s “Overseas Letter Postage From India” handbook.

VIA SINGAPORE From: Manila, Philippines 1863 Manila Via Singapore to London.

To: London, England

Route Analysis: Total travel time: 56 days Letter travelled on a private ship to Singapore where it was received around 6 Sept 1863 as per faint double ring “SINGAPOR G.P.O./6 /SEP/1863” red cancel. Cover travelled on a P&O ship via Galle to Suez and from there by overland route to Alexandria. Cover travelled by a French ship to Marseilles and from there overland to London on October 15, 63. Manuscript marking on top left Via Marseilles indicates sender wanted the letter to travel via faster route at a higher cost of 10As 8pies vs. 8 Annas via Southampton route! Rate Analysis Letter was apparently sent outside of Philippines post office and carried on a ship from Manila to Singapore as there are no Philippines postal rate markings. Strait Settlement rates from Singapore to UK increased to 10As 8pies from 10Annas effective June 1, 1863 for mail sent via Marseilles which lasted till October 19, 1870 (Page 35). Hence this was an early use of 10As 8pies rate from Singapore to UK. When cover transited through Marseilles French Post Office credited 6 centimes

20 Aug 1863: Manila (Philippines) headlined folded letter to London Via Marseille. Front bears East India 1856-60 issue of 3pies, 2x1anna and an 8 Annas stamps tied by Singapore B/172 cancels and receiving cancel of LONDON PAID /15 OCT 63” cancel. Back of cover bears a very faint “SINGAPORE G P O / 6 SEP 1863” double ring cancel in red and clear “LONDON PAID /FA/OC 15/63” cancel in red.

VIA SINGAPORE CONCLUSIONS: 1. Singapore was the transit hub for mail to and from South East Asia and Eu-

rope / North America. 2. “INDIA PAID” marking was also used by India PO in Singapore and not just

Calcutta and Bombay. 3. Mail from Batavia Via Singapore to USA is exceedingly rare. 3. INDIA PAID BY BATAVIA marking is uncommon via Singapore. One explana-tion is that only mail not bagged for Singapore received this cancel. QUESTIONS: 1. Why was mail from Australia to Canton routed via Batavia and Singapore? 2. Who and how was postage paid for mail transiting via Singapore ? 3. Are sailing schedules for Singapore readily available? 4. When was British India post office established in Singapore? 5. Was there a postal treaty between Dutch East Indies and British India post of-

fice? (Ref: Mail from Batavia to England and USA via Singapore? 6. How common was the mail from Hong Kong sent through Singapore to Eng-

land or USA? 7. Who supplied Indian stamps on mail from Manila Philippines to England?

QUESTIONS 1. Why was mail from Singapore to England transited through Calcutta or

Bombay rather than through Gale, Ceylon to Suez onwards? 2. Was the postal rates from Singapore to England different for mail sent via

Gale Ceylon vs. via either Calcutta or Bombay post office? 3. What were the rules for Indian post office to charge India inland postal

rates?

OVERALL REVIEW CONCLUSIONS

1. This is a very intriguing field ripe for significant postal history re-search.

2.Shipping schedule to and from Africa and Singapore are not readily available

3. I learned a lot about how important the role of British India post office was in handling mail to and from USA/England/Europe vs. Africa, South East Asia, China and even Australia.