I've been stumped trying to work out the postal tariff used on 2 of my covers. As a bench mark I'm referencing the LPS Journal #222, and the article prepared by Ricardas Vainora, page 43 in particular.
The first is
1940-Dec-13 Express letter to US Consul, Berlin Germany, cancelled “VILNIUS C, g, 13.XII.40” with black registered cachet, red/black Express label and German “Oberkommando der Wehrmacht” censor mark in red “zur Beforderung zugelaffen” Type F1, plus circular “Aa” Type D1 by the “Auslandsbriefprüfstelle Königsberg”. On the reverse, a receiving cancel “BERLIN W8, a, 20.12.40” plus another censor mark: black curved oblong with “5”. Scott Soviet #392, #622 and #736, postage paid 140kop
The second is
1941-Feb-17 Express letter to Geneva, Switzerland, cancelled “VILNIUS C, g, 17.2.41”, red/black express label and receiving cancel on reverse “GENEVE 2 GA???ORNAVIN, TELEGRAPHE, 27.II.41”. Scott Soviet #392, #619a pair, #622 and #736, postage paid 240kop
The data referenced states that:
Foreign letter 20g 50kop
Letter extra 20g 30kop
Registered fee 80 kop
Express fee 110kop
That implies the German cover should cost at least 240kop, but they paid 140kop, and no marrying of the above tariffs come to 140kop.
The Swiss cover should have cost a minimum of 160kop, they paid 240kop which just so happens to be the correct rate for a 20g letter with registration and express fees.
Any thoughts anyone as to why these were sent and charged so? Simon
The first is
1940-Dec-13 Express letter to US Consul, Berlin Germany, cancelled “VILNIUS C, g, 13.XII.40” with black registered cachet, red/black Express label and German “Oberkommando der Wehrmacht” censor mark in red “zur Beforderung zugelaffen” Type F1, plus circular “Aa” Type D1 by the “Auslandsbriefprüfstelle Königsberg”. On the reverse, a receiving cancel “BERLIN W8, a, 20.12.40” plus another censor mark: black curved oblong with “5”. Scott Soviet #392, #622 and #736, postage paid 140kop
The second is
1941-Feb-17 Express letter to Geneva, Switzerland, cancelled “VILNIUS C, g, 17.2.41”, red/black express label and receiving cancel on reverse “GENEVE 2 GA???ORNAVIN, TELEGRAPHE, 27.II.41”. Scott Soviet #392, #619a pair, #622 and #736, postage paid 240kop
The data referenced states that:
Foreign letter 20g 50kop
Letter extra 20g 30kop
Registered fee 80 kop
Express fee 110kop
That implies the German cover should cost at least 240kop, but they paid 140kop, and no marrying of the above tariffs come to 140kop.
The Swiss cover should have cost a minimum of 160kop, they paid 240kop which just so happens to be the correct rate for a 20g letter with registration and express fees.
Any thoughts anyone as to why these were sent and charged so? Simon