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In order to facilitate the addressing of Overland Mail covers, Route
Instruction labels had been prepared. Some of the labels were issued by
the
Postal Administrations of Iraq, Egypt and Cyprus, others are
of
still
unknown source, eventually prepared by private individuals.
Iraq Post had issued a Post Office Notice
dated 27th August 1925 advertising the
labels for the use on Overland Mail.
Label Form E.P., BG -- 10,000
As per the image, I assume the advertised labels are of Type L5/L6 from the table below.
Some of the labels are difficult to classify due to poor illustrations
in the literature which is noted in the table below.
Notes:
-
Black and White (B/W) images are
images copied from the handbook and are only shown as reference, neither
in actual size, nor are they described.
-
If a link in the colum "Cover Image" is provided,
a fully size high resolution image of the cover bearing the respective
Handstamp. That image will open in a new layer.
-
If you copy the image that has been scanned from the
original cover and open and enlarge it with a graphic program you will see
measuring lines around the handstamp imprint. These lines indicate the
measuring border from which the actual measurement has been taken.
Handbook Number |
Image |
Cover Image
|
Handbook Size |
Measured size
(from items in my collection)
|
Comment |
L-1
|
|
Front
|
61 x 10 mm perforated |
63,60 x 14,30 mm |
Size measured excluding the perforation. It appears the
size mentioned in the literature is the size of the white frame on the label
but not the label itself, furthermore, it seems the labels have been printed
in sheet form (numbers of labels per sheet unknown) and perforated only
between the labels. |
L-1-1
|
|
Front
|
61 x 10 mm
perforated |
64,10 x 12,40 mm |
Left side of the labels imperforated, It seems the labels have been printed
in sheet form (numbers of labels per sheet unknown) and perforated only
between the labels.
|
L-1-3
|
|
Front
Reverse
|
61 x 10 mm
perforated |
65,00 x 14,60 mm |
Left and bottom side of the labels imperforated, It
seems the labels have been printed
in sheet form (numbers of labels per sheet unknown) and perforated only
between the labels.
|
L-1
|
|
Image
|
61 x 10 mm
perforated
|
63,90 x 13,90 mm
|
Out of a block of 7 labels
|
L-2
|
|
|
61 x 10 mm
imperforated
|
|
red color
|
L-03 / 04a
|
|
Front
|
L-03: 74 x 9 mm
L-04: 73 x 9 mm
|
73,50 x 8,80 mm
|
I have seven covers with label type L-03/L04 in my collection and so far
strongly believe that Label L-03 and L-04 are actually identical labels.
Based on my research, I can not make out a clear difference in size which
justifies a separate number.
|
L-03 / 04b
|
|
Front
|
L-03: 74 x 9 mm
L-04: 73 x 9 mm
|
73,50 x 8,80 mm
|
|
L-03 / 04c
|
|
Front
|
L-03: 74 x 9 mm
L-04: 73 x 9 mm
|
73,60 x 8,80 mm
|
|
L-03 / 04d
|
|
Front
Reverse
|
L-03: 74 x 9 mm
L-04: 73 x 9 mm
|
73,30 x 8,70 mm
|
|
L-03 / 04e
|
|
Front
Reverse
|
L-03: 74 x 9 mm
L-04: 73 x 9 mm
|
73,50 x 8,80 mm
|
|
L-03 / 04f
|
|
Front
Reverse
|
L-03: 74 x 9 mm
L-04: 73 x 9 mm
|
73,90 x 8,60 mm
|
|
L-03 / 04g
|
|
Front
Reverse
|
L-03: 74 x 9 mm
L-04: 73 x 9 mm
|
73,20 x 8,80 mm
|
|
L-03 / 04h
|
|
Front
Reverse
|
L-03: 74 x 9 mm
L-04: 73 x 9 mm
|
|
Label not straight affixed, therefore not meassured.
|
L-03 / 04
|
|
Image
|
L-03: 74 x 9 mm
L-04: 73 x 9 mm
|
73,50 x 8,80 mm
|
Out of a mint block of 9 such labels I have extracted the shown image.
|
L-05a
|
|
Front
Reverse
|
72 x 9 mm
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72,20 x 94 mm
|
I have 4 covers with label L-05 in my collection. Based on my research, I
can make out a (small) difference compared to label L-06, although the
difference is very small.
|
L-05b
|
|
Front
|
72 x 9 mm
|
72,30 x 9,30 mm
|
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L-05c
|
|
Front
|
72 x 9 mm
|
72,30 x 9,40 mm
|
|
L-05d
|
|
Front
Reverse
|
72 x 9 mm
|
71,70 x 9,60 mm
|
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L-06a
|
|
Front
|
73 x 9 mm
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73,00 x 8,90 mm
|
|
L-06b
|
|
Front
Reverse
|
73 x 9 mm
|
72,90 x 8,80 mm
|
Together with "Late Fee Paid" Marking.
|
L-07 / 08a
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|
Front
|
L-07: 74 x 9 mm
L-08: 75 x 9 mm
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72,90 x 8,90 mm
|
I have only 2 covers with label L-07 / L-08 in my collection and so far, i
can not make out a clear difference in them.
|
L-07 / 08b
|
|
Front
|
L-07: 74 x 9 mm
L-08: 75 x 9 mm
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73,60 x 9,00 mm
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L-09
|
|
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74 x 10 mm
|
|
red color
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L-10, perforated
|
|
Image
(complete sheet)
|
50 mm (width)
|
approx.56 mm x 10 mm
|
That label has been issued by British Post and was
announced by
Post Office Circular on 10 November 1926 and
Post Office Circular on 11 May 1927.
Size of labels differs, depending on location in the
sheet, left side labels with white sheet margin color.
|
L-10, perforated
|
|
|
50 mm (width)
|
approx.56 mm x 10 mm
|
Size of labels differs, depending on location in the sheet. |
L-10, perforated
|
|
|
50 mm (width)
|
approx.56 mm x 10 mm
|
Label from upper right corner of the sheet . It shows perforation only
between the labels on left/right side of the labels but not on the outer
side of the sheet, leaving the upper and bottom labels partly imperforated. |
L-10, perforated
|
|
|
50 mm (width)
|
approx.56 mm x 10 mm
|
Label from bottom left corner of the sheet with Post Office Stationary Type
Number P696. It shows perforation only between the labels on left/right side
of the labels but not on the outer side of the sheet, leaving the upper and
bottom labels partly imperforated. |
L-10, perforated
|
|
Front
Reverse
|
50 mm (width)
|
approx.56,40 mm x 9,40 mm
|
Size measured from the middle of the perforation
holes
|
L-10, perforated (Cover #2)
|
|
Front
|
|
|
Edinburgh (5 October 1927) to Baghdad. That cover carries 2 perforated
labels. Illustrated on page 130 of 'Airmails across the Middle East' by
Laurence Kimpton".
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L-10, perforated
(Cover #3)
|
|
Front
Reverse
|
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England (12 September 1927) to Baghdad, send to the same address as the 5
October 1927 cover above. That cover was illustrated in the article "The
Nairn Brothers and the Overland Mail" by Dr. C. T. Wahby, published in the
Journal of the Oriental Philatelic Society of London, OPAL, issue No. 14 of
year 2006, Pages 21-36
|
L-10, perforated
Postal Card
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Front
Reverse
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Felixstowe, Suffolk (20 March
1929, 2pm) to Baghdad (30 March 1929) from where the cover has been
forwarded to Kirkuk (1 April 1929). Postage rate 4 1/2d (1 ½d Postcard rate,
3d Overland Mail surcharge.
The only post card from UK sent by the Overland Mail to Iraq and also the
latest use of this Route Instruction label of the British Post.
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L-10, rouletted
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Image
(complete sheet)
|
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It was noticed in 2003, but reported here for the first time that that label
exist also rouletted instead of perforated. Image courtesy of Laurence
Kimpton
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L-10, rouletted
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Also that label bears the Form Number P.696 as the perforated label.
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L-10, rouletted
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Image
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Image of Part Sheet Courtesy
Postal Museum London
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L-10, rouletted
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Image
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Image courtesy of Laurence Kimpton.
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L-11 (1)
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Front
Reverse
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59 x 18,5 mm (size of complete label)
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57,90 x 19,10 mm
|
Size measured around text and imprint only since the label is not complete
and cuts not correctly rectangular.
For additional and information on Mail from Cyprus, please
visit the "Eastwards Cyprus" Page.
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L-11 (2)
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Front
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59 x 18,5 mm (size of complete label)
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A cover with label L-11 but addressed to Iraq. Most
of the overs with these labels are addressed to India to a Poste Restante"
address, this is the only one i am aware sent to a real address.
20 August
1930 from Troodos to Iraq with the "Service Transdesertique/Syro-Iraquien
Damas-Bagdad" label, franked with a pair of 1 ½ Piaster and a single 2 ½
Piaster for a total of 4 1/2 pi, (postage 1 ½ Piaster, Overland Mail
Surcharge 3 Piaster) on reverse Beirut R.P. transit marking (27 August
1930).
Cover not in my collection.
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L-12 (1)
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|
Front
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32,50 mm
|
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Blue on green paper
From the late Zvi Alexander collection.
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L-12 (2)
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Front
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32,50 mm
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37,7 x 4,8 mm
Size indicated is from the instruction "By
Overland Mail" only.
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Blue on green paper. Size indicated is from the
instruction "By Overland Mail" only. Size of the label varies due to hand
cutting. This specific label has the size of 48,5 x 18 mm.
Cover from Baghdad dated 25 September 1924 to London.
New earliest recorded use.
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L-12 (3)
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|
Front
|
32,50 mm
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37,8 x 4,8 mm
Size indicated is from the instruction "By
Overland Mail" only.
|
Blue on green paper. Size indicated is from the
instruction "By Overland Mail" only. Size of the label varies due to hand
cutting. This specific label has the size of 48,5 x 16 / 19 mm.
Cover from Baghdad to London.
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L-13
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|
Front (1)
Front (2)
Reverse (2)
Front (3)
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For additional covers and information on Mail from Egypt,
please visit the "Eastwards Egypt"
Page.
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L-13
(late use)
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Front
Reverse |
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A very late cover (dated 20 October 1949) with the
Egyptian label used on mail from Iraq to Egypt.
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L-14
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Front |
Typewritten on greenish paper
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All capital letters
From the late Zvi Alexander collection.
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L-14a
new subtype
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Front
Reverse
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Typewritten on greenish paper
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Used from the Iranian Foreign Office. Previously it was known only with
capital lettering, this is the first one known with mixed (capital and lower
case) lettering.
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L-15 (1)
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Front
Reverse
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Typewritten on white (beige) paper
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Used on registered cover from the Iranian Foreign Office
to Paris, France, dated 2 July 1932. The cover also bears two
Route Instruction
Handstamps HS-88
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L-15 (2) |
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Front
Reverse
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Typewritten on white (beige) paper
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Used on registered cover from the Iranian Foreign Office
via Damas to Djeddah, Saudi Arabia, dated 13 November 1933. |
L-16 (1)
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Front
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96 x 15,50 mm
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Believed to be a cut out from an
imprinted envelope. Since no such
imprinted envelope is known it is listed as label.
Seeing both labels side-by-side, i am convinced that they
are of the same type, just cropped in different size.
From the late Zvi Alexander collection.
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L-17
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Front
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52 x 15,50 mm
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L-16 (2)
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Front
Reverse
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Not listed
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130 x 61,3 mm
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Just discovered, a cover with an apparently complete label L16 / L17 on a
registered cover franked with a total of 9
Annas, postmarked Baghdad, 13 May 1931 to Czechoslovakia. Two lines "Late fee/ Annas Three". On
reverse route instruction label "Per Overland Mail. Baghdad-Haifa". The
label appears as it was printed in sheetlets of labels and the label shown
is from the bottom of the sheet.
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L-N01
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Front
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Not listed
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74 x 12 mm
Length of Overland Mail inscription 67 mm
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Cover ca. 1933/34 from Iran to UK.
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L-N02
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Front
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Not listed
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Not yet reported to me
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ON 20 December 1927 cover from Weipert
(VEIPRTY) /
Czechoslovakia to Baghdad. New discovered Route Instruction label.
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L-N03
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Front
Reverse
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Not listed
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Size of the complete label
40,7 x 29,2 mm
Size of the frame inside the label
31,7 x 18,1 mm
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On a 25 June 1939 cover from Baghdad to Germany
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