Saudi Arabia: Development Of The Postal Service (1801 - 2001)

Introduction | Pre-Stamp | Free Franking Ottoman Official Mail | Ottoman Mail 19th C | Ottoman Mail 20th C | Ottoman Mail WWI | Hijaz - King Hussein | Hijaz - King Ali | Najdi Sultanate Post | Hijaz and Najd | Saudi Arabia | Map

4 Ottoman Mail - 20^th Century

1905 1 pi postal stationery envelope franked with additional 1pi for REGISTERED letter to ISTANBUL 13/9/07. Apparently, the postmaster in AL ULA only struck the extra stamp with Type UL-1 c. 19/8/07; farther up the line, the clerk in MADAIN SALEH would have then cancelled the other 1pi with negative seal Type MS-1, reading "MADAIN SALEH TELEGRAPHS AND POST OFFICE". At top left is m/s Reg. "No.4".

"DJEDDA 1" 2/6/11 on 2 pi REGISTERED RATE from the Consulate of Belgium via PORT TAUFIQ and ALEXANDRIA 7/6 to BREDA 14/6/11 in Holland. Manuscript "RECOMMANDEE". Jeddah cds Type JD-19,known in black, violet or purple, 1910-14.

TAIF 1/8/12 to JEDDAH 4/8 (back); manuscript "NOTIFIED DELIVERY REGISTRATION, 403" to left; franked 2 ½ pi. From an examination of the covers from this correspondence, it would appear that the LOCAL A.R. RATE was 2 pi 10 pa. Although there is no indication of weight on cover, the extra 10 pa would be for extra weight beyond 15 g.

Manuscript "FROM MADAIN SALEH" top left, per "DEMAS - MEDINE 7", 20/1/14 of Damascus-Madinah T.P.O., to Baghdad Railway Management in ALEPPO 24/1 (back). Official envelope with Ottoman Imperial Coat of Arms, probably used privately by local railway official, otherwise it would have had Official Free Franking. Although very close to Madinah and historically considered within the Hijaz, Madain Saleh was placed by the Ottomans in the Sanjak of Karak (presently Jordan) within the Vilayet of Syria.

1916 1pi postal stationery envelope ORDINARY RATE plus 1914 issue 10 pa for ORPHANS TAX, with only the latter tied by "KONFIDE" cds 11/3/916 to ISTANBUL, 12/5 arrival; at bottom left is the seal of the Qunfudah censor with m/s "HAS BEEN EXAMINED" above it.