George VI International Mail
Imperial Post
Surface Mail
(Post 16)

This post does not include mail to Europe, Canada, and the United States

1. To April 30, 1940

The Imperial post surface letter rate was 1 1/2d. for the first ounce and 1d. for each additional ounce. The Empire Air Mail Scheme ceased on September 3, 1939.

Antigua


London to St Johns', Antigua, September 18, 1939
From the Private Secretary to Mrs. Chamberlain, wife of the Prime Minister


Return address


Letter from Mrs. Chamberlain's Private Secretary


Newfoundland


West Bromwich to St. John's, April 27, 1940
1 1/2d. Imperial surface letter rate


Palestine


Beaford to Haifa, September 16, 1939




Palestine censor label


2. From May 1, 1940

The Imperial surface letter rate was increased to 2 1/2d. for the first ounce and 1d. for each additional ounce.

Barbados


Glasgow to St. Lucy, February 6, 1945
2 1/2d. Imperial surface letter rate




Barbados censor tape


Egypt


London to Cairo, March 11, 1941
2 1/2d. Imperial surface letter rate
Egyptian censor handstamp and sealing tape



Egyptian censor tape


India


Upperlands, Northern Ireland to Mhow, India, March 5, 1945
India censor handstamp (Octagon C 6)


Ireland


Hereford to Delgany, October 14, 1941



Taunton to Greystones, October 11, 1942
British and Irish censor sealing tapes



Irish censor tape


Re-Used Envelope


Birmingham to Carraigmhachaire, April 18, 1944
Redirected from Carraigmhachaire to Dublin, APril 21, 1944

The cover had been originally been sent from Bail Atha Cliath (Dublin) November 12, 1941.
The Irish stamp was torn off (remnant still attached) and the envelope was re-used almost three years later.


Malta

The surface post card rate increased from 1d. to 2d. on May 1, 1940.


Nottingham to Rabat, August 13, 1945
2d. surface post card rate


South Africa


Dalmally, Northern Ireland to addressee c/o Thomas Cook & Son, Natal South Africa, July 15, 1941
Forwarded to Thomas Cook & Son, Bombay
Bombay receiver September 26, 1941



India censor tape


Tonga

Since the tiny volcanic island of Niauaf'ou lacked a beach and a harbour, mail was originally transferred from passing ships via tin cans to swimmers who brought the mail ashore. In the 1930s, a swimmer was killed by a shark and the mail was then collected by outrigger canoe. Walter Quesnell of Tonga arranged to provide "Tin Can Mail" covers to passing ships and philatelists world-wide. It is reported that over one-half million letters were mailed during Quesnell's 27 years on Niuafo'ou. A volcanic eruption brought Quesnell's enterprise to an end in 1947.


Newport to Niuafo'ou, Tonga, March 8, 1944
2 1/2d. Imperial surface letter rate


Walter Quesnell applied several cachets to incoming mail


The writer of the enclosed letter requested price lists for philatelic items as well as novelties, shells, etc.


Trinidad


Sleaford to Point a Prince, Trinidad, November 29, 1941
Forwarded to U.S. Naval station, Port of Spain
Port of Spain receiver January 5, 1942
Circular US Naval Censor handstamp (blue) applied on the stamps