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		Tag Wrestling


	For most purposes, our postal rate tables extend to much higher charges than are useful. However, now and again, parcel tags are offered which offer quite a challenge as to how the totals of their stamp denominations were achieved.

Most Jubilee denominations were selected for their relevance to postal rates current at the time. With Australia’s 2/- value, its intended use is somewhat obscure. On its own, it could be used for an airmail postcard to Bolivia or Peru, or an airmail letter to certain European destinations where air transport additional to the standard service was needed, or a similar letter to the U.K. with registration for compensation from £5 to £10, or certain parcel categories. Even in combination with other values, the 2/- is difficult to find on commercial mail.






		2/- tied (just) to a parcel tag by a boxed Late Fee hand stamp along with, from other issues, 1/6, 1/- and, on the reverse, a 3d tied by an unclear Late Fee cds for 4 Je 35.


	(From this point on, examples shown are by kind permission of John Cooper).






		Also from Ceylon comes this air mail parcel tag to New Zealand cancelled with a registered Colombo cds for 18 V 35 with transit mark on address side of Perth Western Australia (28 May 35). The tag is marked as 13½ oz. Commercial papers were charged at 4 cents per 2 ounces (giving 28c) surface postage. The air fee was 20c per half ounce (giving 5 rupees 40 cents). Registration is a further 20c, bringing the total to the 5 rupees 88 cents on the label.



	Four Mauritius 12 cents on a parcel tag to South Africa, cancelled by registered G.P.O. Mauritius ovals for 10 Sp 35. The tag is marked “Sample” for which the empire rate was 8c for 100g plus 4c per additional 50g. With registration at 20c, this suggests a weight of between 350 and 400g. If you have any Jubilee tags, scans of them would be most welcome.

	AJA - October 2009


					A marginal pair of Ceylon 20 cents with a definitive 5 cent, each cancelled by a Cinnamon Gardens (a suburb of Colombo) cds for 21 Au 35 and serving to send a book inland to Dandegamuwa. The small packet rate was 9 cents per 2 ounces with a minimum charge of 36 cents. Thus, for the 45 cent on the label, the book would have been between 8 and 10 ounces.





				A parcel tag with a block of Newfoundland 24 cents stamps cancelled by St John’s registered cds for Jun 7 1938. (A 3 to 7 pound parcel to Great Britain would cost 84 cents and registration a further ten cents).