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"Overland Mail" labels of the 1920s

Posted: Tue Sep 13, 2016 8:13 pm
by admin
A question asked on behalf of Rainer Fuchs:
I am looking for some information on a GB Overland Mail label issued by British Post in 1926/28.

The label in question is the red Label of which i have a complete sheet, see scan attached and has the number P.696 in bottom left corner,

The transcript of British Post Office correspondence I have (Ex British Postal Museum Postal Heritage) of 1930 refers to the number "P.696 G".

I am further interested in any additional information on that label, first day of issue, covers etc wit that label. I furthermore attested the image of a cover with that label I have in my collection.

The label in question is listed in the Babib Monograph by the late Norman Collins with number "L-10" and i have prepared an article on that label to be published in the next issue of "Middle East Philatelic Bulletin (MEPB).
Rainer has the following information from the Post Office Archives:
POST 33/2096 wrote:10 July 1930. H. Sparkes, Controller Post Office Stores Department to Secretary, GPO [standard printed form]

P.696. G Label “Overland Mail”

It is understood that the above-mentioned item should be amended before a reprint is obtained. A reprint is now required, and two specimens are enclosed for any necessary alteration.

18 July 1930. Memo. Ms.

Except for insured letters, all correspondence for Iraq, & for Abadan, Bushire & Mohammerah in Persia, is now despatched by the overland route, & no special superscription is necessary, or required. Only correspondence for places in Persia other than those mentioned above should be specially superscribed for transmission by the overland route, if transmission by that route is desired.

No complaints appear to have been received recently of the missending of correspondence for Persia intended for transmission by the overland route, & it seems that these red “overland” labels may now be abolished, i.e. if they are now used at all by the public.

Has The Controller, L.P.S. any observations to offer?

31 July 1930. Controller, L.P.S. [London Postal Section] to Secretary, GPO

These “Overland” labels have not been observed for some time on packets passing through the Foreign Section.

In view of the small amount of correspondence for Persia now requiring to be specially superscribed in order to be forwarded by the “Overland “ service, the provision of a special label hardly seems to be necessary or warranted.

1 August 1930. Ms note to The Controller, P.O. Stores Dept.

These “overland” labels are no longer necessary & may be abolished.
Can anyone help with further examples or information?