Airmail Labels Collection

Remembrance

2011-03-07T09:49:00.000-08:00

SOMETIMES
you will never know the true value of A MOMENT
until it becomes A MEMORY.

一生隋缘,
隋缘一生,

才能
夠

活的自在。

感恩 Remembrance - 12 January 2011

2011-01-17T02:44:00.000-08:00

感恩

恩情深似海,

此生忘不了,

母親, 永遠懷念您。

Happy New Year 2011!

2010-12-29T10:06:00.000-08:00

Hello All,
Greetings!
I wish all my blog readers and postal label collectors A Happy New Year 2011! May the new year bring us prosperity, productivity and good health.
Happy collecting!
Cheers,
Lee

Malaysia Poslaju (Domestic Express) - Unable to Forward Cancellation

2010-12-05T23:41:00.000-08:00

This Poslaju (domestic express) letter was delivered to my house but there was no one at home to sign and collect the letter. This letter was returned back to the nearest post processing center for self collection. A notice has been delivered to inform the addressee. The letter then stamped with "Kembalikan Item Gagal Diserah Pada 2 Nov 2010" (Returned Item, Failed to Forward on 2th Nov 2010).

Below is the empty form for Poslaju Domestic Express. If you intend to send item oversea, you need to get another form which stated for International Express.

US Airmail Cover

2010-11-30T00:51:00.000-08:00

This is another old US airmail cover sent from US to Germany with different designed of airmail label.

US Airmail Cover

2010-11-23T18:39:00.000-08:00

This is an old cover sent from California to England in 1966. Postage rate is 50c. The airmail label is printed with message "Employ Epileptics".

Malaysia Custom Declaration Label (CN.22)

2010-11-21T23:03:00.000-08:00

This is the current used custom declaration label, details instructions are printed on the back of the label. Custom declaration label is printed in green, is a worldwide standard. It is use to declare contents sent, such as gift, document, commercial sample and others. The sender also need to declare the quantity, weight and value of the contents.

To accelerate customs clearance, fill in this form in English, French or in a language accepted by the destination country. If the value of the content is over 300 SDR (or the equivalent currency of the country), you must use a CN.23 form.

What is SDR?
"The currency value of the SDR (Special Drawing Rights) is determined by summing the values in U.S. dollars, based on market exchange rates, of a basket of major currencies (the U.S. dollar, Euro, Japanese yen, and pound sterling). The SDR currency value is calculated daily (except on IMF holidays or whenever the IMF is closed for business) and the valuation basket is reviewed and adjusted every five years."

IMF (International Monetary Fund) website provides the SDR Valuation:
http://www.imf.org/external/np/fin/data/rms_sdrv.aspx

If you would like to know more on SDR, below is the Aljazeera English programme on YouTube:
Inside Story - China questions the dollar's value - 26 Mar 09 - Part 1, 2:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X192rTX0zgI&feature=channel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Si2vXUJyATE&NR=1

Chile Airmail Label

2010-11-18T01:51:00.000-08:00

Printed with Chile Post logo.

Argentina Airmail Label

2010-11-18T01:46:00.000-08:00

"Via Aerea" (Spannish) mean by airmail. Use white as background which is uncommon for standard airmail label.

East African Airways (EAA) - Airmail Label (Africa)

2010-11-10T00:16:00.000-08:00

This is the East African Airways airmail labels used by 3 African countries; Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda in the 70s. The label printed with the airline lion logo with tagline "The Safari Airline".

I obtained this labels from Uganda post office. The strip of five labels are in mint condition. The printing format is unique as two labels are printed upside down to form a strip of orange and light blue. I am eager to look for the full sheet of this labels. If you have, do let me know. I can do a trade. Wikipedia have a brief write up on EAA:

"East African Airways Corp. (EAA) was an airline jointly run by three countries in East Africa: Kenya, Tanzania; and Uganda, which were then part of an East African Community. The airline was headquartered in the Sadler House in Nairobi, Kenya. When this was dissolved in 1977, each country established its own national airline: Kenya Airways, Uganda Airlines; and Air Tanzania."

You can view the pictures of EAA´s aircraft from bygone days at:

http://www.mccrow.org.uk/EastAfrica/East_Arican_Airways/East_African_Airways.htm

Thailand Airmail Registered Cover - Thai Calendar Year Postmark

2010-11-07T23:48:00.000-08:00

This is a multi-service cover from Thailand, i.e. sent through Airmail and by Registered post. Thailand airmail label has a distinctive design, the label itself look like an envelope with Thai postal authority logo. The modern registered label with bar-code is affixed on the front cover and back cover is the receiving end bar-code from Pos Malaysia.

The interesting thing I wanted to highlight is Thailand used Buddhist (Solar) calender as their official calender. There is a 543 years different between the Buddhist calender and the Western Calender (Gregorian). Hence, year in 2010 is year 2553 in Thailand. You can notice this on the postmark: THP Headquarter 02.06.53. That is 02 Jun 10 in our calender and THP stand for "Thailand Post".

You can read more on Thai Solar Calender at:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thai_solar_calendar

USA Airmail Labels on cover - old designed

2010-11-04T01:53:00.000-07:00

This cover sent from USA to Germany. The Airmail labels are perforated, postmark not cleared.

Argentina Airmail Label - via B.S.A.A.

2010-11-01T23:50:00.001-07:00

This is an old cover I obtained from a friend. A cover sent from Argentina to Alemania (Germany in Spanish) on 21 Oct 1947 (postmark not very clear). It was sent via British South America Airways (B.S.A.A.). It was a state-run airline in Britain in the 1940s. It had several mysterious accidents such as loss without trace of aircraft cited as evidence of the Bermuda Triangle.

Postage rate was 60c (Argentina currency) and arrived on 10 Nov 1947 (handwritten on the cover). Around 20 days by air in1947 (notice two of the stamps were printed with year 1947). This airmail label is perforated like stamp, printed with "Speedman" image by B.S.A.A. (not by Argentina post office). Interesting to note even after this airline was ceased, many envelopes still annotated "Via B.S.A.A." for sending airmail letter.

I done a bit of research on the Internet, you can do further readings on B.S.A.A. below:

TIME Magazine, old article on Monday, Apr 01, 1946 - The British Are Coming:
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,792703,00.html

Fly with the Star - B.S.A.A. - collections of yesteryears posters, map, aircrafts and labels:
http://www.flywiththestars.co.uk/Pictures/pictures.htm

B.S.A.A. on Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avro_Lancastrian
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_South_American_Airways

Malaysia Airmail Label - Parcle (Old logo)

2010-11-01T23:50:00.000-07:00

Above are old Malaysia airmail label for parcel use, printed with old Pos Malaysia logo. The second label's logo image is slightly shifted. This consider normal as there are no security printing requirements for airmail label.

For new logo, view my previous posting:

http://airmaillabels.blogspot.com/2009/12/airmail-label-malaysia-parcel.html

POSLAJU: Volumetric Weight Label (Malaysia)

2010-10-28T00:43:00.000-07:00

What is Volumetric label?
"If you are shipping an item that takes up a lot of space but isn't very heavy, a shipping company might charge you for the item's volumetric weight instead of its actual weight. Light packages that take up a lot of room in a shipper's trucks or airplanes actually cost the company money to ship if they are charged based only on their actual weight."

To denote the parcels and boxes using Volumetric weighting, POSLAJU used an interesting round label. Printed in black and stated "Item ini menggunakan pengukuran" in Malay. Translated as "This item use measurements". POSLAJU also offer rectangular boxes for volumetric measurements.

Want to know more on volumetric weight, I extracted below an explanation from Wikipedia. You may also get more details from UPS, DHL and TNT website, the formula vary from different shipping company:

Shipping companies will not ship items that exceed a certain dimensional weight (also known as volumetric weight).

Shipping costs have historically been calculated on the basis of gross weight in kilograms or pounds. By charging only by weight, lightweight, low density packages become unprofitable for freight carriers due to the amount of space they take up in the truck/aircraft/ship in proportion to their actual weight. The concept of Dimensional Weight has been adopted by the transportation industry worldwide as a uniform means of establishing a minimum charge for the cubic space a package occupies.

Dimensional weight is a calculation of a theoretical weight of a package. This theoretical weight is the weight of the package at a minimum density chosen by the freight carrier. If the package is below this minimum density, then the actual weight is irrelevant as the freight carrier will charge for the volume of the package as if it was of the chosen density (what the package would weigh at the minimum density). Furthermore, the volume used to calculate the Dimensional Weight may not be absolutely representative of the true volume of the package. The freight carrier will measure the longest dimension in each of the three axis (X,Y,Z) and use these measurements to determine the package volume. If the package is a right-angled rectangular cuboid (box), then this will be equal to the true volume of the package. However, if the package is of any other shape, then the calculation of volume will be more than the true volume of the package.

POSLAJU: Fragile - Handle with care label (Malaysia)

2010-10-27T20:08:00.000-07:00

Above are 2 different types of POSLAJU (Express Service) Handle with care label. With usual glass symbol to indicate the item is fragile and red to bring attention while handling the parcel. Small and large size available in peel and stick format.

Malaysia Airmail Label - Variant on printing (2)

2010-10-26T20:43:00.000-07:00

This is another interesting find, the corner of this sheet is printed with "traffic light" indicator (color used for this printing).

Malaysia Airmail Label - Variant on printing (1)

2010-10-26T10:15:00.000-07:00

This is another variant I found, there is no text printed on the corner of the sheet. The color is lighter than conventional dark blue and the perforation type is "rouletting", i.e. small horizontal and vertical cuts on the label and adhesive paper. So you can separate the individual label easily.

As you may know airmail etiquette does not required high quality and security printer as it doesn't carry monetary value. Although it is printed officially by the post office (not private). The printing quality is low and you can find lot of variances.

Uganda Airmail Label - Sheet (Mint)

2010-10-25T21:13:00.000-07:00

This is the old designed Uganda airmail labels in sheet format.

Turkey Airmail Label - Old designed

2010-10-13T19:34:00.000-07:00

Turkey Post used an interesting bird symbol for this label. Printed "ucak ile", translated as "with aircraft" in Turkish, i.e. letter send is via Airmail.

Turkey Registered Mail Label - Old designed

2010-10-12T01:21:00.000-07:00

This is the mint label I obtained from Turkey post office as a complement. The label is use in Ulus-Ankara post office for registration mailing. After many years in my album, it still preserve in good condition.

Mexico Express Label - Old designed

2010-10-12T01:00:00.000-07:00

Believe this the express label used by Mexican Postal Service. This label I obtained from an old cover which I peel it off many years ago. This brown color label printed with Spanish text and an eagle symbol. The size is larger than the conventional airmail label.

Taiwan Airmail Labels - Old designed

2010-10-11T03:10:00.000-07:00

Above are 2 variances of the old designed Taiwan airmail label, it is printed in single label and size is smaller then the conventional label. I will post the new design in my later posting.

Indonesia Airmail labels - Old designed

2010-10-11T03:03:00.000-07:00

This posting shown 2 earlier designed Indonesia airmail labels. The size is smaller then the convention label. The bottom designed printed with tagline "Fast, Accurate and Peace of Mind" in Indonesian language.

South Africa Airmail Labels - Old designed

2010-10-11T02:24:00.000-07:00

These are few old designed South Africa airmail labels found in my old stamps album. Do a quick search on Google, surprisingly South Africa airmail labels are changing very often, there are many variances available. I couldn't recall when I obtained this label as I do not have a proper airmail labels catalog to describe the year in used.

A good advise is to keep the airmail label intact with the postcard or cover. The cancellation postmark will give you the year this label been used. If you collect mint labels from post office, do make sure you record the year. The above shown labels are printed in vertical strip format.

New posts, new ideas for the coming months

2010-10-04T02:39:00.000-07:00

After stop blogging for few months, or perhaps longer, I can't recall. I will continue to post more articles, new presentation format in my blog. Despite busy workload, I have gathered some interesting items and some new ideas crossing my mind on how to make this blog better and interesting.

During the break period, I have collected many interesting airmail labels, registration labels and relevant details to share with you.

Stay tune and happy collecting.

P/S:
Previously, there are many Spam comments affected my article. I removed and cleaned it. All Spam are reported to Blogger.

Airmail Label - Zimbabwe (Africa)

2010-01-14T09:31:00.001-08:00

Zimbabwe (formerly the Republic of Rhodesia), is a landlocked country located in the southern part of the continent of Africa.

Recently, Zimbabwe became famous due to its political crisis and currency massive inflation and redenominations.

Photo shown an old design of Zimbabwe airmail label.

Airmail Label - Botswana (Africa)

2010-01-14T09:19:00.001-08:00

The Republic of Botswana is a landlocked country in Southern Africa.

The airmail label printed with white bird symbol on the traditional blue color on all standard airmail label. This photo shown my collection of a single sheet of 45 labels. If you keen to know more on this country through philately, visit below link to Botswana Post.

http://www.botspost.co.bw/

Airmail Label - New Zealand (Old design)

2009-12-27T02:09:00.001-08:00

NZ old design Airmail labels from different period of time. This small label is catered for standard letter mailing.

For parcel used label (large size), refer to:

http://airmaillabels.blogspot.com/2009/12/new-zealand-airmail-labels-for-parcel.html

For current design label, refer to:

http://airmaillabels.blogspot.com/2009/12/airmail-label-new-zealand-current.html

Airmail and First Class Labels - Canada

2009-12-27T02:00:00.000-08:00

Canada Airmail and First Class labels in sheet of 16. Both in English and French language. First Class label printed in green and Airmail label in blue.

Registered Labels - Malaysia

2009-12-25T23:18:00.000-08:00

This is my collection of Malaysia Registered labels from different periods of time. Each label is printed or postmark with the town or city name. Some with rectangular shape, some is round corner rectangular shape. This labels no longer in use as today registered mail is using barcode label for better traceability and Pos Malaysia providing online tracing of all registered letters by keying in the reference number.

My previous post also shown a Malaysia Registered cover:

http://airmaillabels.blogspot.com/2009/11/registered-letter-malaysia-1983.html

New Zealand Airmail Labels - for Parcel used (large size)

2009-12-25T23:09:00.000-08:00

This posting shown various NZ parcel size airmail labels (large) used in different period of time. For label with Kiwi symbol, the back side of the label with preprinted text: PRE GUMMED.

Insured Label - Nederland (Old design)

2009-12-25T23:04:00.000-08:00

This is Nederland Insured labels in setenant format. Printed in red with perforation on both vertical side, gummed back, with Dutch and French language. Size is smaller then the usual Insured label use worldwide.

Insured Label - Tanzania (Old design)

2009-12-25T23:01:00.000-08:00

This is the Tanzania Insured labels in block of four. Printed in pink (light red) with gummed back format, with English and French language.

Insured Label - UK (Old design)

2009-12-25T22:58:00.001-08:00

This is the UK Insured label, printed in red with English and French language, in gummed back format.

Insured Label - Japan (Old design)

2009-12-25T22:54:00.001-08:00

This is the Insured label from Japan. The full sheet consist of 2 different sizes (small and big) of label. Printed in red with French and Japanese language. The format is peel and stick label.

Insured Label - Singapore (Old design)

2009-12-21T17:55:00.001-08:00

Insured label from Singapore (old design). Printed in pink color with English and French language. It is a peel and stick label. The size of this label is smaller then the normal standard postal label.

Insured Label - Malaysia (Old design)

2009-12-21T17:51:00.000-08:00

This is the old design of Malaysia Insured label. This label is used for all mail with insurance. In the coming posting, I will introduce more insured labels from different countries. Usually Insured labels are printed in red or pink and French is the default language as similar to all others postal labels.

Express Label - Malaysia (Old design)

2009-12-21T17:47:00.001-08:00

This is Malaysia old design Express label. Printed in red as all standard express label worldwide, with French and Bahasa Malaysia language. Above is the block of 12 labels.

Airmail Label - Vanuatu (Part 2)

2009-12-21T17:28:00.000-08:00

Another design of Vanuatu airmail label. For mode details of Vanuatu country profile and the Part 1 design, click this link:

http://airmaillabels.blogspot.com/2008/12/airmail-labels-from-vanuatu-pacific.html

Registered Letter - German 2009

2009-12-10T01:14:00.001-08:00

German registered letter received today from a German friend. With white registration label (bar code) and two different design airmail labels. At the back of the cover is the registration bar code label from Pos Malaysia. I need to sign and provide identity card number on the said label and return to the post officer in order to claim this letter.

Airmail Label - New Zealand (Current design)

2009-12-02T22:43:00.001-08:00

New Zealand airmail label for International mailing. Current design.

Airmail Label - Iceland (Old design)

2009-12-02T19:19:00.001-08:00

Iceland airmail label (old design), with "IcelandAir" airline old designed logo.

Airmail Label - Canada (Old design)

2009-12-01T22:39:00.000-08:00

These 4 different airmail labels are old design from Canada. All the 3 labels produced in different period has the Maple leaf symbol that identical to the national flag. The last one is pure text based design (printed text: By Air Mail, Par Avion).

Airmail Label - Malaya

2009-12-01T22:36:00.000-08:00

This is the used airmail label from Malaya (pre-independence).

Surface Mail Label - Malaysia (Sea Mail)

2009-12-01T19:46:00.000-08:00

This is the Malaysia Surface Mail label. Printed in large size for parcel mailing and in self adhesive format, in sheet of 6.

With a ship pictorial image and used green as background. Printed with Bahasa Malaysia "Melalui Laut" (By Sea).

Airmail Label - Malaysia (Parcel)

2009-12-01T19:42:00.000-08:00

This large size label is use for parcel mailing only. Printed in sheet of 6, self adhesive format.

With different design from the convention airmail label with bird symbol design.

Airmail Label - Malaysia (Reprints)

2009-12-01T19:28:00.000-08:00

There are reprint cater for the needs of the demand of the labels, I have found 2 reprints with different indicator printed on the selvage:

Above sheet: mel udara Faizal 13/12/06 (shin) size 7.9' x 6.5'.

Not sure the date printed is for the master printing proof and the person name is either the designer or just the person in charge assigned to do the printing plate. And indicated the size.

Below sheet:

No details indicator, just an hand drawn "down arrow sign".

Both are printed in sheet of 20 self adhesive format.

Registered Letter - Malaysia 1983

2009-11-16T08:57:00.001-08:00

Registered Mail's rate during the 80s was 80 cents (affixed was the national series definitive stamps). The postmark shown the letter posted on 8 Dec 1983 from Salak Selatan Post Office, then sent to Kuala Lumpur Post Office on the same day and delivered to destination on next day (9 Dec 1983) at Sungai

Besi Post Office, where the receiver stayed at Sungai Besi area.

Postman signed and written the date: 9/12/83 on the back of the cover.

Registered mail label during the 80s was designed with R (indicated Registered mail) followed by running numbers. Location of the post office is not printed but manually used rubber stamp to mark the location (Salak Selatan).

COD Labels - Italy

2009-10-25T11:22:00.000-07:00

COD Label traditionally printed in triangular format and in light orange color. This label from Italy printed with perforation, appeared much like a postage stamps and in gummed format.

Above shown a collection of block 24 labels.

Germany Airmail Labels (strips)

2009-10-25T11:05:00.001-07:00

Priority Mail Label From Austria

2009-09-27T10:24:00.000-07:00

Priority Mail Label from Finland

2009-07-26T07:00:00.001-07:00

Two different design of priority mail labels from Finland. Top label is printed with 1st class wording. Both label with letter symbol.

Priority Mail Label from Holland

2009-07-26T06:58:00.001-07:00

Priority mail label printed as part of the stamp design.

Priority Mail Label from Ireland

2009-07-26T06:57:00.000-07:00

Slightly smaller label compared to standard airmail label size.

Priority Mail Label from Italy

2009-07-26T06:55:00.000-07:00

Priority mail label with perforation.

Airmail Label from Uganda (Old design)

2009-07-13T09:39:00.000-07:00

Airmail label from Uganda. Printed Uganda Airline logo and the country flag colour in horizontal lines.

Airmail Label from Tanzania (Old design)

2009-07-13T09:35:00.000-07:00

Airmail label from Tanzania, printed Air Tanzania and airline logo. Blue, gummed back label.

Airmail Label from Italy (Current design)

2009-07-10T12:35:00.001-07:00

Current design of Italy Airmail label. Wording in Italian and English. Perforated label printed in blue.

Airmail Label from Germany (Current design)

2009-07-10T12:31:00.001-07:00

Current design of Germany Air Mail label. Wording in Luftpost (in German) Par Avion (in French) and Priority Mail combined.

Airmail label from Belgium (Current design)

2009-07-10T12:26:00.000-07:00

Current design of Belgium airmail label (used condition). Design incorporated an aeroplane image and Priority mail. No traditional wording - Air Mail and Par Avion. Printed in light blue.

Air Parcels Label from UK (Old designed)

2009-06-26T11:34:00.000-07:00

Air Parcels label from Royal Mail (UK). This is an airmail label used for parcels, the label size is large then the conventional designed airmail label used in normal letters.

Prompt Delivery Label from Japan

2009-06-26T11:28:00.000-07:00

Prompt Delivery (Express mail) label from Japan. Red colour, printed in Japanese and English.

Express Label from Hong Kong (Old designed)

2009-06-26T11:23:00.003-07:00

Express label from Hong Kong (old designed). Printed in Chinese and English, red colour. Gummed back format, sheet composition of 13x4 (52 labels).

Airmail Label from Malaysia (Current design)

2009-06-26T11:07:00.001-07:00

This is currently use airmail label. The bird symbol is similar to the Post Malaysia bird symbol in the logo. Printed in sheet of 40 labels in peel and stick format. No special margin text printed on the panel.

Airmail Label from Malaysia (Old designed 2)

2009-06-26T11:01:00.001-07:00

This is the newer issued then the old designed 1. The main different was printed in peel and stick format instead of gummed back. Colour found varies in blue.

Full sheet panel no special notes or text. Printed in 40 labels per sheet.

Airmail Label from Malaysia (Old designed 1)

2009-06-26T10:41:00.001-07:00

This is the old designed Malaysia Airmail label. Printed in sheet of 40 labels in gummed back format with bird and in Bahasa Malaysia and French. Dark blue.

The printing was poor in quality, perhaps it's not carry any monetary value like stamps, there were no special requirement on the printing. Some other sheets printed in differet period found in good quality.

The sheet printed "(Pos-Mel 74 - Pin. 1/82)" on the right bottom, I believe it was printed in year 1982. On the left bottom, printed "P-J.P.N., K.L.", I guest is Jabatan Pos Negeri (National Post Office), Kuala Lumpur.

Airmail Label from Kenya - Africa series

2009-06-26T10:29:00.000-07:00

Airmail label from Kenya (old designed). This label printed in blue, common in all airmail label. Interestingly is the pictorial symbol is a ship instead of a plane. But on the left hand side, printed Kenya Airway logo.

In English and French (Par Avion). Gummed back.

LUM Label from Singapore (Old designed 2)

2009-06-26T10:17:00.000-07:00

This is the newer designed (Local Urgent Mail) then the previous posting (Old designed 1).

It has the consistent designed among all the postal labels: Airmail and Express labels.

To view the previous posting in Airmail label:

http://airmaillabels.blogspot.com/2008/12/airmail-labels-from-singapore-part-2.html

Printed in strip roll format, peel and stick label.

Interestingly, this designed is printed in red instead of yellow.

LUM Label from Singapore (Old designed 1)

2009-06-26T10:05:00.000-07:00

LUM (Local Urgent Mail) label from Singapore. This is different from Express mail, it is classified under Priority "Local" Mail, correct me if I'm wrong.

I believe this is one of the oldest or primary issued of LUM label in Singapore.

Available mint condition label I consider is very rare nowadays, the designed printed with arrow symbol with orange and yellow colour to differential from common red colour used in Express mail label.

Gummed back, printed in sheet.

Above collection is in vertical of 5 mint label format with bottom tab.

Express Label from Singapore (Old designed)

2009-06-26T09:56:00.000-07:00

Express Label from Singapore (Old designed), with Singapore Telecom logo.

Peel and stick label, red.

Airmail Label from Japan

2009-06-17T11:29:00.001-07:00

Airmail label from Japan (old designed).

Gummed back, dark blue.

Written in Japanese and French.

Express Label from Argentina

2009-06-17T11:20:00.001-07:00

Express label from Argentina (old designed).

In Latin word and pictorial flying envelope. Red colour, gummed back.

Special Delivery Label from UK

2009-06-17T11:14:00.001-07:00

Special Delivery Label from UK (old designed).

Uniquely in purple colour printed by Royal Mail.

Gummed back.

Airmail Label from Iceland

2009-01-12T08:53:00.001-08:00

Airmail label from Iceland, this is one of my favorite collection, I like the aeroplane pictorial, very unique.

Express Label from Iceland

2009-01-12T08:43:00.001-08:00

Express label from Iceland, printed Iceland Postal Service logo on the top.

Surface Mail Label from Iceland (for parcel mail)

2009-01-09T10:10:00.001-08:00

Continue from my previous post, the above are the larger surface mail label from Iceland.

It is printed in dark green and catered for parcel or larger mailing articles for better visibility while handling the mails. The designed similar to the small format except omitted the post office logo.

Surface Mail Label from Iceland

2009-01-09T09:52:00.000-08:00

Surface Mail labels (Par Bateau, mean By Boat in French) are hard to find nowadays. By default, if the mailing article didn't affixed with an Airmail label (Par Avion), it is considered send by surface mail. So far, I only came across Iceland printed such labels. I considered it a rare collector item.

It is printed in cyan or bluish shade of green with a ship pictorial and the Iceland Postal Service logo at the bottom corner. "Skipspostur" (surface mail) in Icelandic.

Express Label from UK

2009-01-03T06:59:00.001-08:00

In 2009, I starting a new series of articles highlights on different type of Express labels. In general, all express labels are printed in red colour as opposed to airmail labels in blue. Through out my collection, I hardly find any label with pictorial design, most of it printed in different languages.

Above are the labels from Royal Mail, UK. And a full sheet of 5 x 8 labels.

Airmail Label from Swaziland - Africa Series

2009-01-03T06:39:00.000-08:00

The label printed with the Swazi Air logo and in 3 languages, that is SiSwati, English and French.

Swati (siSwati in the language itself; isiSwazi in Zulu) is a Bantu language of the Nguni group spoken in Swaziland and South Africa. The number of speakers is estimated to be in the region of 1.5 million. The language is taught in Swaziland and some South African schools. Swati is an official language of Swaziland, (along with English), and is also one of the eleven official languages of South Africa.

Country profile (from wikipedia):

The Kingdom of Swaziland is a landlocked country in Southern Africa, bordered to the north, south, and west by South Africa, and to the east by Mozambique. The nation, as well as its people, are named after the 19th century king Mswati II.

Swaziland has been continuously inhabited since prehistory. Today, the population is primarily Bantu-speaking ethnic Swazis. A British protectorate following the end of the Second Boer War, it gained independence in 1968. Swaziland is a member of the Southern African Development Community, the African Union, and the Commonwealth of Nations.

Swaziland's economy is dominated by agriculture and subsistence farming. Growth has been hampered by the effects of HIV and AIDS, the prevalence of which is the highest in the world.

Struggles between pro-democracy activists and supporters of the monarchy have also resulted in the suppression of opposition political groups and dissidents.

Airmail Label from India

2009-01-03T06:29:00.001-08:00

India's label printed in English, French and Hindi languages. The label is with perforation and gummed at the back.

Airmail Label from Sri Lanka

2009-01-03T06:19:00.000-08:00

Sri Lanka's airmail label printed in 3 languages, that is French (Par Avion), follow by Sinhalese and Tamil.

Airmail Label from Argentina

2009-01-03T06:10:00.001-08:00

Two different designs from Argentina. The 1st design is the rounded perforation like postage stamps. Both have interesting pictorial. I do not have the current design, if you have it, kindly help complete my collection.

Airmail Label from Philippines

2008-12-26T08:32:00.000-08:00

I mailed this postcard back home while I'm on business trip to Makati City, Philippines.

I enjoy mailing postcard while I travel to different country. I like to visit the local post office, queue up at the counter and talk to the people there. Is a great experience to me.

This was the first time I came across the post office do provide a personalized label with the text message "Write Soon" It is not only adding a personal touch to the card, it's also encourage people to enjoy writing letter.

Test Mail Label from Post Malaysia

2008-12-26T08:14:00.000-08:00

I received this letter from my Citibank credit card monthly billing letter few years ago. This letter affixed with the post office "UjiMel" (Test Mail) label. I believe post office was implementing a new mailing system at that time and test selective letters from different locations to test the mailing service, perhaps in term of sorting accuracy and delivery speed.

The label printed with Pos Malaysia logo, serial number and barcode. Since this is the prepaid letter from the sender, it did not carry any stamps and postmark. Otherwise we can trace back the posting date. Anyway, this became a collector item to treasure.

Airmail Labels from Fiji - Pacific Ocean Series

2008-12-18T06:00:00.000-08:00

This is another pictorial airmail label, the label have a wording "From Sunny Fiji" and a large flying fish. This label help in promoting tourism in certain way. Instead of choosing bird and aeroplane, Fiji Postal Service intelligently chosen Flying Fish to symbolize airmail services in the island republic, which is very unique and can best represent the country.

Flying fish can be seen jumping out of warm ocean waters worldwide. Their streamlined torpedo shape helps them gather enough underwater speed to break the surface, and their large, wing-like pectoral fins get them airborne.

Flying fish are thought to have evolved this remarkable gliding ability to escape predators, of which they have many. Their pursuers include mackerel, tuna, swordfish, marlin, and other larger fish. For their sustenance, flying fish feed on a variety of foods, including plankton.

There are about 40 known species of flying fish. Beyond their useful pectoral fins, all have unevenly forked tails, with the lower lobe longer than the upper lobe. Many species have enlarged pelvic fins as well and are known as four-winged flying fish.

Flying fish are attracted to light, like a number of sea creatures, and fishermen take advantage of this with substantial results. Canoes, filled with enough water to sustain fish, but not enough to allow them to propel themselves out, are affixed with a luring light at night to capture flying fish by the dozens. There is currently no protection status on these animals.

Lastly, a brief profile of the country from Wikipedia:

Fiji, officially the Republic of the Fiji Islands, is an island nation in the South Pacific Ocean east of Vanuatu, west of Tonga and south of Tuvalu. The country occupies an archipelago of about 322 islands, of which 106 are permanently inhabited, and 522 islets. The two major islands, Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, account for 87% of the population.

Flying fish photo and narrative are courtesy from National Geographic.

Airmail Labels from Westerm Samoa - Pacific Ocean Series

2008-12-17T04:02:00.000-08:00

This is another island located in Pacific Ocean - Western Samoa. The label is in dark cyan colour with a prominent font stating the country name. This is the gum format label and after many years, it is still in very good condition as I stored it in the stamp mount and keep inside the dry box.

I believe this is also a rare find as the island population is small, number of letter affixed with labels may not be high in both commercial and personal mailing. Most official letter is with either preprinted label or with rubber stamping. Thus, this is one of my favorite collection although it is just in plain wording. And I like the cyan colour very much, I feel like the colour express the sunny island surrounded with beautiful sea and beaches.

Estimated population in 2008 are 188,540.

I believe this is an old designed labels and the country name already changed to Samoa instead of Western Samoa. Thus, if you have the latest design, kindly inform and share with me.

I extracted a brief summary of the country profile from Wikipedia:

Samoa, officially the Independent State of Samoa (formerly known as Western Samoa), is a country governing the western part of the Samoan Islands archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean. It was admitted to the United Nations on 15 December 1976. The entire island group, inclusive of American Samoa, was known as Navigators Islands before the 20th century because of the Samoans' seafaring skills.

The economy of Samoa has traditionally been dependent on development aid, private family remittances from overseas, and agricultural exports. Agriculture employs two-thirds of the labour force, and furnishes 90% of exports, featuring coconut cream, coconut oil, noni (juice of the nonu fruit, as it is known in Samoan), and copra. Outside of a large automotive wire-harness factory (Yazaki Corporation), the manufacturing sector mainly processes agricultural products. Tourism is an expanding sector which now accounts for 25% of GDP. Tourist arrivals have been increasing over the years with more than 100,000 tourists visiting the islands in 2005, up from 70,000 in 1996.

If you would like to know more or visit the country, this is a good site to visit:

http://www.samoa.travel/

Airmail Labels from Brunei

2008-12-17T03:50:00.001-08:00

The first label was the old designed in gum format and smaller size then the standard airmail labels. The second designed is not the latest, it is in sticker format and the designed is similar to Sing Post previous designed label (as described in my previous article).

I do not have the latest label, if you happen to have it, kindly share with me and help me in the collection. Thanks.

I collect airmail labels many years ago and stop for quiet sometime, I am now start to catch up with all the currently in circulation labels. If you have any good ideas how to build up the collection, I am glad to know.

Airmail Labels from Singapore - Part 2

2008-12-17T03:22:00.001-08:00

This is the Part 2 series on Sinagpore Airmail labels. Above collections (first photo on left) shown 3 labels, the 1st design depicts Sinagpore Airline logo, this is the gum label (see my previous article for details).

2nd designed is a blue colour background with vertical strip and Sinagpore Telecom old designed logo on the left hand side. The label changed to self adhesive for ease of use, i.e. peel and stick label.

It is interesting to note that previous Brunei airmail label have the same design but with Brunei

post office logo. (shown on the 2nd photo, the top label). This may due to Brunei and Sing Post have collaboration in mailing services.

The last label is currently in circulation and it is in peel and stick form in roll and sheet format.

Airmail Labels from Vanuatu - Pacific Ocean Series

2008-12-17T02:56:00.000-08:00

Above labels variance in colour (dark and light cyan). These are the used labels I cut from the envelope.

The label background is white in colour and depicts the Post Office official logo in the center (shown above).

Vanuatu is a group of 83 islands in the South West Pacific, governed as an independent Republic by its indigenous people.

The Ni-Vanuatu, as they are known, is a peaceful, loving, gentle race, who enjoy life's pleasures in a country of unique and diverse customs and culture. Bislama (Pidgin English) is the national language of Vanuatu, but English and French are also widely spoken.

It is believed the first settlers arrived in Vanuatu approximately 3,500 years ago, from New Guinea and the Solomon Islands by sea-going canoe.

The early stamps of Vanuatu followed the tradition established during the days of the New Hebrides Condominium with stamps always printed in two forms – English and French.

With effect from the 1980 Christmas stamp issue this practice was abandoned and bilingual stamps were introduced to better reflect the independence and unified status of the Country.

First day covers, however, continued to receive separate French and English cancellations, until the Christmas 1991 stamp issue when bilingual cancellations were introduced. The 1981 Royal Wedding issue was the first bilingually cancelled cover before this change of general policy.

To know more on the island republic, I extracted a brief history from Wikipedia:

Vanuatu, officially the Republic of Vanuatu, is an island nation located in the South Pacific Ocean. The archipelago, which is of volcanic origin, is some 1,750 kilometres (1,090 mi) east of northern Australia, 500 kilometres (310 mi) north-east of New Caledonia, west of Fiji, and south of the Solomon Islands.

Vanuatu was first inhabited by Melanesian people. Europeans began to settle in the area in the late 18th century. In the 1880s France and the United Kingdom claimed parts of the country and in 1906 they agreed on a framework for jointly managing the archipelago through a British-French Condominium as the New Hebrides. An independence movement was established in the 1970s, and the Republic of Vanuatu was created in 1980.

Photo of volcano in Vanuatu is courtesy from National Geographic.

Airmail Labels from Nauru - Pacific Ocean Series

2008-12-17T02:34:00.000-08:00

Airmail labels from a small island, the Republic of Nauru. The main economy is phosphate exports. It is located in the central Pacific Ocean 2,800 miles to the southwest of Hawaii; in Micronesia to the west of the Gilbert Islands.

The island had 9265 residents at end 2006, and 96 percent speak Nauruan at home. The population was previously higher but in 2006 some 1500 people left the island during a repatriation of immigrant workers from Kiribati and Tuvalu. The repatriation was motivated by widescale redundancies in the phosphate industry. The official language of Nauru is Nauruan, a distinct Pacific island language. English is widely spoken and is the language of government and commerce.

There were traditionally 12 clans or tribes on Nauru, which are represented in the 12-pointed star in the nation's flag. The Nauruan people called their island "Naoero"; the word "Nauru" was later derived so that English speakers could easily pronounce the name.

The label resemble the national flag with wording Air Mail and Par Avion. This is another unique design label. The middle picture in the national flag image and the last photo is the block of 12 labels.

Airmail Labels from Singapore - Part 1

2008-12-15T10:15:00.000-08:00

This is the Singapore early designed airmail labels, very rare. The labels are in good mint condition with gum at the back. The design depicts the Singapore Airlines logo in yellow and black as background. One of the unique design label as opposed to the common blue colour used for most of the airmail labels.

Airmail Labels from Papua New Guinea

2008-12-15T09:50:00.001-08:00

Collection from Papua New Guinea (PNG). The label depicts the national bird - Bird of Paradise.

The birds of paradise are members of the family Paradisaeidae of the order Passeriformes. They are found in eastern Indonesia, Torres Strait Islands, Papua New Guinea, and eastern Australia.

PNG is a parliamentary democracy on the eastern half of the island of New Guinea; in 1975 it became an independent state within the Commonwealth of Nations.

Bird photo courtesy from Wikipedia.

Introduction to Airmail etiquette / label

2008-12-15T09:08:00.000-08:00

An airmail etiquette, often shortened to just etiquette, is an adhesive label used to indicate that a letter is to be sent by airmail.

Because the etiquettes are basically just instructions to postal clerks, and have no monetary value, their printing and distribution need not be as carefully controlled as for postage stamps, and most are privately produced. The usual design is a plain blue oblong, with the phrases such as "AIR MAIL" and/or "PAR AVION" (French, traditionally the international mail language) in white letters.

However, at various times, airlines and hotels have produced more elaborate designs, some quite attractive.

The airmail etiquette may be omitted if airmail stamps are used on the letter, and in some cases even this is not necessary if a country sends out all its foreign mail by air. In some countries, such as, the United Kingdom you may simply write "PAR AVION -- BY AIR MAIL" on the envelope, even though etiquettes are available free from post offices.

An early catalog of etiquettes was published in 1947 by Frank Muller; more recently the Postal Label Study Group has put out the Mair Airmail Label Catalog, a 627-page work illustrating 3,289 types of etiquettes.

Source: Wikipedia