Postal Rates and Overland Mail Surcharges

Very little information, compared to other collecting areas, are known related to the postal rates applicable for the use of the Overland Mail services.

The postal rates have to be differentiated for raters originating from Iraq and Iran, the so-called westwards bounded mail and mail to the east, mainly from Egypt, Palestine, Syria and Europe, the so-called eastwards bounded mail.

I have mentioned all references I am aware of, even some images form the original postal notices from various countries are shown. In case the postal notices / postal decrees' are in non-English language, I have translated them into English for easier understanding.

Generally spoken, eastwards bounded mail is by far rarer the westwards bounded mail, mainly because is was uncommon in Arab countries to keep envelopes. From several countries, only 1 - 3 covers are known, I am sure more exist but they are either not recorded or still hidden in collectors or dealers accumulations.