Air mail register
An Air Mail Register is a historical document that was used to track and record the movement of airmail letters and packages. Here's some information about Air Mail Registers:
What is an Air Mail Register?
An Air Mail Register is a book or ledger that was used by postal services to record the movement of airmail letters and packages. It was a critical tool for tracking and managing the flow of mail between countries and within countries.
History of Air Mail Registers
The first airmail service was established in 1911 by the French postal service, and it quickly spread to other countries. As airmail services grew, the need for a system to track and record the movement of mail became apparent. The first Air Mail Registers were introduced in the 1920s, and they remained in use until the 1970s.
Content of an Air Mail Register
An Air Mail Register typically contains the following information:
- Date and time of receipt of mail
- Origin and destination of mail
- Type of mail (e.g., letter, package, parcel)
- Weight and dimensions of mail
- Flight number and route
- Date and time of dispatch
- Date and time of arrival
- Signature of postal officials
Significance of Air Mail Registers
Air Mail Registers are significant because they provide a record of the movement of mail during a critical period in the development of international communication. They also offer valuable insights into the history of airmail services, including the routes, frequencies, and capacities of early airmail services.
Collectibility of Air Mail Registers
Air Mail Registers are highly collectible among philatelists (stamp collectors) and postal historians. They are considered rare and valuable because of their historical significance and the limited number of copies that were produced.
Digitalization of Air Mail Registers
In recent years, many Air Mail Registers have been digitized and made available online. This has made it easier for researchers and collectors to access and study these historical documents.