Postal Rates and Overland Mail Surcharges

Westwards bounded rates from Bahrain

Postage Rate Bahrain to Europe and USA (surface mail):
(Date Format dd.mm.yyyy)

The below table has been worked out based on the study of numerous Bahrain covers, including the ones sent thru the Overland Mail. Till date, about 31 Bahrain covers sent thru the Overland Mail are known. I am very thankful to Thomas Johansen of Bahrain for the comprehensive study of the covers known to him and me, some of them are not part of our collections.

 Registration charges

 Surcharge for the use of Overland Mail

The study of the covers indicates that the Overland Mai surcharge was 2.5 Annas, regardless of the weight of the cover. This was different from the surcharges of European Postal Agencies which had imposed surcharges based on the weight. However, it makes sense that the rate remained constant during the whole period since it was initially an advantage but by 1927 in the introduction of airmail via Baghdad and then airmail from Bahrain in 1932 it would have been very difficult for them to rate the rate. Also the surface rate for mail to the USA remained constant from 1931 to 1948.

If some collectors have additional information on these rates, kindly contact me.