Aerogramme Postage Rates: A 33-Fold Increase Since 2001

In 2001, Myanmar Post released its last Tourism Aerogramme, priced at 30 Kyats. Fast forward two decades, and no new aerogrammes have been issued to align with the evolving postal rates. While foreign aerogramme rates surged to 500 Kyats in 2011 and further to 1000 Kyats in 2017.  In 2023, there was a increase in postage rates. However, it's noteworthy that the aerogramme rate persisted unchanged at 1000 Kyats.

Despite the overall rate hike, the aerogramme rate remained constant at 1000 Kyats. A example of this rate is displayed below.  The aerogramme sent from Yangon to Singapore on October 16, 2023. Adhering to the correct foreign aerogramme rate, the sender affixed additional adhesives worth 1970 Kyats. This amounts to a staggering 33-fold increase compared to the original denomination, highlighting the significant adjustments in postage rates over the years.

Foreign Aerogramme sent at the correct postage rate

Forgery Double-sided printing error aerogrammes

Two aerogramme types with outstanding double-sided printing errors emerged recently in eBay. The
dealer has provided the information about the sheets. He bought a pack of each aerogramme directly
from Nay Pyi Taw CTO, and surprisingly the packets came with these treasures.

These errors could have happened due to the printing of the imprints and address lines erroneously
on the writing side of the aerogramme. Upon noticing printing on the wrong side, the handler may
have fed to the printer again to print on the correct side.

The first type is the 1990 issued aerogramme with the imprint of the 1990 Rakhine Lady 1K definitive,
inscribed “Union of Myanmar” (top, previous page). Perhaps because the overlay colour on the writing
side is slightly different from the front, the error imprint has darker shades. The gum on the writing
side is still intact and visible. The seller confirmed that a total of 16 such copies existed.

 

The second type is the 2001 tourism aerogramme with the imprint of the 1999 Burmese Harp 30K
definitive (below, previous page). The imprint on the writing side has slightly darker shades likewise.
The front side has a light green overlay and it leaves a simulated perforation around the imprint. But
as there is no overlay on the writing side, it obviously omits the simulated perforation around the
imprint. The gum on the folding flaps is still intact and visible. 18 such error copies are known to exist. 

Later found out that these two error aerogrammes are forgery.

1950 Hintha air letter sheet sample sheet from printer

After attaining Independence in 1948, Burma planned to issue its first own air letter sheet. The overall design was modeled closely to its predecessor the 1946 air letter sheet. The new design air letter sheet was issued by independent Burma on 11 January 1950. The imprint depicts a flying mythical Hintha bird, and tablet values of 6 Annas. 6 Annas rate is enough for the basic air mail fees. The printer for this air letter sheet type was unknown previously. Fortunately, a 1950 sample folder from Thomas De La Rue & Co Ltd was discovered.

Sample Air Letter (left) and Folder (right)

A 1950 Flying Hintha type air letter specimen was stuck in the folder, together with six specimens of Pakistan and one specimen of Sudan. All these postal stationeries were issued in 1950 and were pin overprinted “CANCELLED” with the holes touching the imprints. The same type of perfins “CANCELLED” were also observed on specimen paper monies printed by Thomas De La Rue & Co Ltd. This folder is the proof of where the 1950 Flying Hintha type air letter sheets were printed. The total number of sheets printed is unknown. The sheets are in four fold format and sheet size is 125 x 95 mm when folded. These air letters were printed on un-watermarked paper.

To study more about 1950 Hintha air letter sheet, please read the following article.  The Burma Fantail is quarterly journal published by Burma (Myanmar) Philatelic Study Circle.

Toe Kyaw Kyar, "1950 Flying Hintha type air letter", The Burma Fantail, Vol. 17, No. 2, Whole Number 64, pp. 28-31, April 2020.

The 1955 and 1960 globe and hintha type aerogrammes: some discoveries

1. A 1955 watermark error
 

The very first globe and hintha type aerogramme (RW-5) was issued in 1955. It was printed on the “IMPERIAL AIR MAIL” watermark paper produced by Wiggins Teape. In the production of paper, an English alphabet was inserted in the watermark to identify the year of production. Starting from 1948, the letter “A” was inserted in the watermark. At the beginning of every year, the letter was replaced with the new one while some letters are skipped. Burma’s 1955 globe and hintha type aerogramme is found printed on the paper with letters “A”, “B”, “I”, “K”, “L”.

Some copies of the “B” watermark are defective. The “B” instead becomes “5” due to missing lines. It is caused by a defect in the letter part of the dandy roll.

2. A 1960 watermark variety

In late 1960, the simulated perforation was added to the stamp imprint (RW-8). These are found printed on the paper with letters “M”, “O”, “P”, “V” and “Y”.  Watermark “P” has two versions. The normal height of the “IMPERIAL AIR MAIL” watermark with all letters is 48 mm, but some copies of watermark “P” are 55 mm in height.

3. Same design but different plate

After printing the sheets on type “P” watermark paper, the printing plates are recreated. The tablet and indicium are visibly different from previous types. The white folding line in the tablet is thinner compared to others. And level of fine details in the indicium is also more noticeable and some lines are longer in “V” and “Y” types. The differences are compared in the following figure:  

“V” and “Y” watermark papers were produced in 1964 and 1965. The earliest used copy of a “V” watermark aerogramme in my collection is 27 April 1966, commercially used to India. For the “Y” watermark aerogramme, I have an unsent copy, counter cancelled on 31 August 66. But the earliest commercial usage I have is 13 May 1967 to Honduras. The succeeding tractor and oxen aerogramme, “Y” watermarked, was issued on 2 Mar 1967. So we can say that these two varieties were probably issued in early 1966. 

Citation

Toe Kyaw Kyar, "The 1955 and 1960 globe and hintha type aerogrammes: some discoveries", The Burma Fantail, Vol. 16, No. 1, Whole Number 59, pp. 14-15, January 2019.