George VI War Issue
1945-1949
International Rates
Part 2 : Air Mail
International air mail and "Canada Air Letter" (Aerogramme) rates in the post-war period from 1945 to 1949 are the subjects of this post :
A. Air Mail Rates
1. 1945 - October 31, 1946
Great BritainEuropea) To June 1946b) To October 31, 1946West IndiesPhilippinesChinaNew Zealand
2. From November 1, 1946
Group 1 : Canada and the United StatesGroup 2 : West Indies, Mexico, Central and South AmericaGroup 3 : EuropeGroup 4 : Africa, Asia, Oceania
B. "Canada Air Letter" Rates
1. Great Britain2. All other destinations
A. Air Mail Rates
1. 1945 - October 31, 1946
International air mail service which had been curtailed or suspended during the war years was gradually reintroduced in the months following the end of the war. Over one dozen different air mail rates were in effect. The Canada Post Office department began to simplify air mail rates in June 1946 with the introduction of a uniform rate to Europe of 30 cents for each half ounce. In November 1946, the dozen or so different post-war air mail rates were reduced to four rate groups.
International air mail service which had been curtailed or suspended during the war years was gradually reintroduced in the months following the end of the war. Over one dozen different air mail rates were in effect. The Canada Post Office department began to simplify air mail rates in June 1946 with the introduction of a uniform rate to Europe of 30 cents for each half ounce. In November 1946, the dozen or so different post-war air mail rates were reduced to four rate groups.
The covers shown in the section below illustrate just a few of the rates in effect during the immediate post-war period prior to the November, 1946 rate simplification.
Great Britain
The rate to Great Britain for air service including Trans-Atlantic conveyance was 30 cents for each half-ounce.
Toronto to Bradford England, November 22, 1945
30 cents air mail rate to Great Britain + 10 cents registration fee
St. Catharines to Twikenham, England, August 3, 1946
60 cents double weight air mail rate for one ounce + 10 cents registration fee
Great Britain
The rate to Great Britain for air service including Trans-Atlantic conveyance was 30 cents for each half-ounce.
Toronto to Bradford England, November 22, 1945
30 cents air mail rate to Great Britain + 10 cents registration fee
St. Catharines to Twikenham, England, August 3, 1946
60 cents double weight air mail rate for one ounce + 10 cents registration fee
Europe
a) To July 1946
Air mail service was re-introduced to European countries on a piecemeal basis beginning in June, 1945. Air mail rates to European countries were not uniform. For example the rates to Norway, Italy and the Netherlands were 40c, 35c, and 30c respectively for each half ounce.
Czechoslovakia
The air mail rate to Czechoslovakia was 40 cents for each half ounce.
International Labour Office, Montreal to Prague Czechoslovakia, January 26, 1946
The air mail rate to Czechoslovakia was 40 cent per 1/2 ounce
This was a 2 ounce air mail registered letter
b) June 1946 - October 31, 1946
Europe
A uniform air mail rate to all European countries was introduced in June 1946. The rate was 30 cents for each half ounce for Trans-Atlantic conveyance. The rate for air mail service in North America then by sea to Europe was 10 cents for each ounce.
Hamilton to Totes, France, September 16, 1946
10 cents air mail rate for air mail in Canada and sea to Europe
AIR MAIL SERVICE
TO COAST ONLY
Vancouver to Budapest, Hungary, August 19, 1946
30 cents air mail letter rate to Europe
Montreal to Paris, April 23, 1946
30 cents trans-Atlantic air mail rate to France
West Indies, Mexico, Central America, Cuba, Bermuda and British Guiana
The rate was 10 cents for each quarter ounce
a) To July 1946
Air mail service was re-introduced to European countries on a piecemeal basis beginning in June, 1945. Air mail rates to European countries were not uniform. For example the rates to Norway, Italy and the Netherlands were 40c, 35c, and 30c respectively for each half ounce.
Czechoslovakia
The air mail rate to Czechoslovakia was 40 cents for each half ounce.
International Labour Office, Montreal to Prague Czechoslovakia, January 26, 1946
The air mail rate to Czechoslovakia was 40 cent per 1/2 ounce
This was a 2 ounce air mail registered letter
b) June 1946 - October 31, 1946
Europe
A uniform air mail rate to all European countries was introduced in June 1946. The rate was 30 cents for each half ounce for Trans-Atlantic conveyance. The rate for air mail service in North America then by sea to Europe was 10 cents for each ounce.
Hamilton to Totes, France, September 16, 1946
10 cents air mail rate for air mail in Canada and sea to Europe
AIR MAIL SERVICE
TO COAST ONLY
Vancouver to Budapest, Hungary, August 19, 1946
30 cents air mail letter rate to Europe
Montreal to Paris, April 23, 1946
30 cents trans-Atlantic air mail rate to France
West Indies, Mexico, Central America, Cuba, Bermuda and British Guiana
The rate was 10 cents for each quarter ounce
Dawson College to San Salvador, El Salvador, October 24, 1946
10 cents air mail rate for 1/4 ounce to Central America
Brookfield to Puerto Barrios, Guatemala, February 4, 1946
10 cents air mail rate for 1/4 ounce to Central America
Trail to St. Georges, Bermuda, November 16, 1945
20 cents air mail rate for 1/2 ounce (2 x 10 cents/1/4 ounce) + 10 cents registration fee
Philippines
The air mail rate to the Philippines was 75 cents for each half ounce.
Vancouver to Manila, Philippines, April 5, 1946
75 cents per one-half ounce air mail rate to the Philippines
China
The air mail rate to China was 75 cents for each half ounce.
Calgary to Shanghai, China, March 19, 1946
75 cents one-half ounce rate to China
New Zealand
The rate to New Zealand was 50 cents for each half ounce.
Toronto to Wellington, N.Z., March 5, 1946
50 cents per one-half ounce air mail rate to New Zealand
The air mail rate to the Philippines was 75 cents for each half ounce.
Vancouver to Manila, Philippines, April 5, 1946
75 cents per one-half ounce air mail rate to the Philippines
China
The air mail rate to China was 75 cents for each half ounce.
Calgary to Shanghai, China, March 19, 1946
75 cents one-half ounce rate to China
New Zealand
The rate to New Zealand was 50 cents for each half ounce.
Toronto to Wellington, N.Z., March 5, 1946
50 cents per one-half ounce air mail rate to New Zealand
2. From November 1, 1946
In November 1946, a simplified air mail rate structure consisting of four different rate groups was introduced:
Group 1 : Canada and the United States
Group 2 : West Indies, Central and South America
Group 3 : Europe
Group 4 : Asia, Africa, Oceania
[A warning to the reader : I have assumed that the four rate group rate structure was introduced on November 1, 1946. This may be incorrect. Please contact me if you can provide further information... philcovex@ gmail.com]
Table from the 1951 Official Guide
Group 1 : Canada and the United States
7c for the first ounce and 5 c for each added ounce
The air mail rate to Canada and the United States had been introduced on April 1, 1943.
White Horse to Ottawa, March 22, 1948
7 cents air mail rate
Group 2 : West Indies, Central and South America
The air mail rate to Canada and the United States had been introduced on April 1, 1943.
White Horse to Ottawa, March 22, 1948
7 cents air mail rate
St. Johns, Nfld., to West New York, N.J., November 11, 1949
7 cents air mail rate
Group 2 : West Indies, Central and South America
10 c each quarter ounce
South American countries were now in the same group as the West Indies, Mexico and Central America.
Rothesay to Paget West, Bernuda, August 7, 1947
10 cents air mail rate for 1/4 ounce to Bermuda
Montreal to Soufriere, St. Lucia, March 23, 1948
10 cents air mail rate for 1/4 ounce to the West Indies
Halifax to Balboa, Canal Zone, February 5, 1949
10 cents air mail rate for 1/4 ounce to Panama Canal Zone
Regina to Buenos Aires, Argentina, December 2, 1946
10 cents air mail rate for 1/4 ounce to South America
Galt to La Paz, Bolivia, May 18, 1948
10 cents air mail rate for 1/4 ounce to South America
Hamilton to Lima, Peru, June 10, 1947
10 cents air mail rate for 1/4 ounce to South America
Charlesbourg to Rio de Janiero, Brazil, May 13, 1948
10 cents air mail rate for 1/4 ounce to South America
Montreal to Rio de Janiero, Brazil, September 27, 1948
20 cents air mail rate for 1/2 ounce air mail to South America (2 x 10 cents/1/4 ounce)
Mundare, Alberta to Sao Paulo, Brazil, September 29, 1947
30 cents air mail rate for 1/2 ounce air mail to South America (3 x 10 cents/1/4 ounce)
Shortpaid 10 cents
Canadian Tax : 60 gold centimes
Group 3 : Europe15 c for each quarter ounce
The previous minimum uniform air mail rate to Europe was 30 cents for up to 1/2 ounce. The minimum was now reduced to 15 cents for up to 1/4 ounce. Air mail post cards could now be mailed to Europe for 15 cents instead of the minimum 30 cent rate.
Victoria to Limberleigh, England, April 1, 1947
15 cents per quarter-ounce air mail rate to Great Britain
Vancouver to Brighton, England, October 21, 1947
15 cents per quarter-ounce air mail rate to Great Britain
Victoria to North Cheltenham, England, March 3, 1948
15 cents per quarter-ounce air mail rate to Great Britain
Post Card, Bracebridge to Coalbrookdale, England, July 28, 1949
15 cents per quarter-ounce air mail rate to Great Britain
Windsor to Kew Gardens, December 12, 1946
30 cents per half ounce air mail rate to Great Britain
Toronto to Chidham, May 3, 1948
45 cents paying the triple air mail rate ( 3/4 ounce) to Great Britain
Toronto to London, October 12, 1949
60 cents paying the one ounce rate ( 4 x 15 cents/quarter-ounce)
Montreal to Shedfield, England, June 4, 1948
$1.75 paying the 2 3/4 ounce registered air mail rate to Great Britain
$0.10 registration fee
$1.65 air mail = 11 x 15 cents/quarter ounce = 2 3/4 ounces
Toronto to Seale, England, July 25, 1949
30 cents rate for 1/2 ounce
Shortpaid 15 cents
Canada Tax : 90 centimes
British Charge : 1s. 3d.
Winnipeg to Maidenhead, April 8, 1947
15 cents air mail letter rate to Great Britain
Shortpaid 5 cents
Taxed 50 centimes [10 cents (double deficiency) x 5 centimes/cent]
Eire
Montreal to Dublin, Ireland, July 22, 1947
15 cent per quarter ounce air mail rate to Europe
Montreal to Dublin, Ireland, July 22, 1947
15 cent per quarter ounce air mail rate to Europe
Switzerland
Ottawa to Le Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, December 19, 1948
15 cent per quarter ounce air mail rate to Europe
Ottawa to Basel, Switzerland, November 9, 1949
15 cents first weight air mail rate for post card
Toronto to Zurich, Switzerland, July 7, 1947
90 cents air mail rate for 1 1/2 ounce (6 x 15 cents/ 1/4 ounce) + 10 cents registration fee
Vancouver to Zurich, August 14, 1947
$1.05 paying the 1 3/4 ounce air mail rate to Europe
1 3/4 ounce = 7 x 15c/quarter-ounce = $1.05
1 3/4 ounce = 7 x 15c/quarter-ounce = $1.05
Windsor to Zurich, Switzerland, November 25, 1948
75 cents 2 1/2 ounce air mail rate (5 x 15 cents/one-half ounce) + 10 cents registration fee
Winnipeg to Zurich, Switzerland, June 14, 1947
30 cents air mail rate for 1/2 ounce
Shortpaid 1o cents
Canadian Tax: 100 centimes
Swiss Charge : 12o centimes (Swiss)
Netherlands
Nicolet to Meersen, Netherlands, December 12, 1947
15 cents one-quarter ounce air mail rate to Europe
Bagotville to Sheidam, Netherlands, July 25, 1949
15 cents air mail rate + 10 cents registration fee
Belgium
Montreal to Liege, Belgium, November 3, 1949
30 cents air mail rate (1 ounce) + 10 cents registration fee
A.R. in pencil
Finland
St. Raymond to Helsinki, Finland, April 14, 1948
30 cents air mail rate for 1 ounce ( 2 x 15 cents/one-half ounce)
Sweden
Winnipeg to Orebro, Sweden, March 2, 1949
15 cents one-quarter ounce air mail rate to Europe
Czechoslovakia
Whitby to Piestany, Czechoslovakia, August 26, 1948
30 cents rate for 1/2 ounce letter ( 2 x 15 cents/ 1/4 ounce)
Poland
Geraldton to Kozuchow, Poland, December 8, 1948
45 cents air mail rate for 3/4 ounce ( 3 x 15 cents/ 1/4 ounce)
Clung, Alberta to Lippstadt, Germany (British Zone), April 23, 1948
30 cents air mail rate for 1/2 ounce ( 2 x 15 cents/ 1/4 ounce)
Montreal to Berlin, American Zone, January 20, 1947
Toronto to Hamburg, Germany, October 26, 1948
30 cents air mail rate for 1/2 ounce ( 2 x 15 cents/ 1/4 ounce) + 10 cents registration fee
Opened for currency inspection and sealed
Group 4 : Africa, Asia, Oceania
25 cents for each quarter ounce
Preston to Tunis, Tunisia, January 25, 1947
25 cents air mail rate for 1/4 ounce to Tunisia
Arvida to Tananarive, Madagascar, May 12, 1948
25 cents air mail rate for 1/4 ounce to Madagascar
Vancouver to Bloemfontein, South Africa, February 22, 1949
25 cents air mail rate for 1/4 ounce to South Africa
Farnham to Johannesburg, South Africa, December 23, 1947
$1.25 paying the 1 1/4 ounce air mail rate to South Africa
1 1/4 ounce rate ( 5 x 25 cents/ 1/4 ounce)
Guelph to Kampala, Uganda, October 18, 1947
25 cents air mail rate for 1/4 ounce to Africa + 10 cents registration
(5 cents overpayment)
Asia
Toronto to Shanghai, China, October 13, 1948
25 cents one-quarter ounce rate to China
Oceania
Toronto to Sydney, Australia, October 22, 1948
25 cents per one-quarter ounce air mail rate to Australia
Calgary to Shanghai, China, March 5, 1947
50 cents one-half ounce rate to China
( 2 x 25 cents/ 1/4 ounce)
Toronto to Wellington, New Zealand, April 12, 1947
$1.50 paying the 1 1/2 ounce air mail rate to New Zealand
(6 x 25 cents/ 1/4 ounce)
Montreal to Wellington, New Zealand, August 17, 1947
25 cents per one-quarter ounce air mail rate to New Zealand
Vancouver to Christchurch, New Zealand, March 23, 1949
25 cents per one-quarter ounce air mail rate to New Zealand
Haifax to Batavia, Netherlands East Indies, August 5, 1948
25 cents per one-quarter ounce air mail rate to Netherlands East Indies
Shortpaid 15 cents and taxed 90 gold centimes
Two "Canada Air Letter" rates were in effect:
1. United Kingdom : 10 cents
Calgary to Winscombe, England, February 11, 1947
10 cents Canadian Air Letter rate to Great Britain
Montreal to London, January 4, 1949
10 cents Canadian Air Letter rate to Great Britain
2. All other destinations : 15 cents
Montreal to Pascoe Vale, Australia, September 7, 1948
15 cents Canadian Air Letter rate
Hamilton to Kiel, Germany, September 4, 1947
15 cents Canadian Air Letter destination
5 cents shortpaid because of 10 cent Canadian Air Mail Letter use
Canadian Tax : 30 gold centimes
Montreal to Johannesburg, June 22, 1946
15 cents Canadian Air Letter rate
Shortpaid 3 cents
Canadian Tax : 30 gold centimes
South African charge : 3d.
Toronto to Wellington, New Zealand, April 12, 1947
$1.50 paying the 1 1/2 ounce air mail rate to New Zealand
(6 x 25 cents/ 1/4 ounce)
Montreal to Wellington, New Zealand, August 17, 1947
25 cents per one-quarter ounce air mail rate to New Zealand
Vancouver to Christchurch, New Zealand, March 23, 1949
25 cents per one-quarter ounce air mail rate to New Zealand
Haifax to Batavia, Netherlands East Indies, August 5, 1948
25 cents per one-quarter ounce air mail rate to Netherlands East Indies
Shortpaid 15 cents and taxed 90 gold centimes
Canadian tax calculation:
30 cents (double deficiency) x 3 gold centimes/cent = 90 gold centimes
30 cents (double deficiency) x 3 gold centimes/cent = 90 gold centimes
B. Canadian Air Letter Rates
Two "Canada Air Letter" rates were in effect:
1. United Kingdom : 10 cents
2. All other destinations : 15 cents
1. United Kingdom : 10 cents
Calgary to Winscombe, England, February 11, 1947
10 cents Canadian Air Letter rate to Great Britain
Montreal to London, January 4, 1949
10 cents Canadian Air Letter rate to Great Britain
2. All other destinations : 15 cents
Arvida to Neu-Allschwil, Switzerland, September 23, 1948
15 cents Canadian Air Letter rate
15 cents Canadian Air Letter rate
Montreal to Pascoe Vale, Australia, September 7, 1948
15 cents Canadian Air Letter rate
Hamilton to Kiel, Germany, September 4, 1947
15 cents Canadian Air Letter destination
5 cents shortpaid because of 10 cent Canadian Air Mail Letter use
Canadian Tax : 30 gold centimes
Montreal to Johannesburg, June 22, 1946
15 cents Canadian Air Letter rate
Shortpaid 3 cents
Canadian Tax : 30 gold centimes
South African charge : 3d.
