Reasons for Samoan surcharge

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32775, 27 November 1971, Page 12

Reasons for Samoan surcharge

Here’s a curious, sad little stamp from Samoa. Curious because although a surcharge to change the face value of a stamp is by no means un-

usual, this one was never issued at all at its original value; and sad, because it is a reminder of how dramatic* ally postage rates have risen since it was first printed. One of the great advances in the history of air-malls was the introduction in 1937 of the “all-up” scheme—under which all first-class mail between the major nations of the British Commonwealth was carried by air as a matter of course, and without any additional charge above the ordinary British surface rate, which was then Ijd. Gradually the scheme was extended and in 1939 it was reaching out into the Pacific. Samoa was naturally anxious to receive the benefits of this cheap postage, but at this time there was no suitable stamp available of the IJd denomination. Accordingly a