Australian mail 1950s

The Australian mail service in the 1950s! Here are some interesting facts and tidbits about the postal service in Australia during that era:

Postage Rates:

• In 1950, the standard letter rate was 3d (three pence) for up to 1/2 oz (14g) and 6d (six pence) for 1/2 oz to 1 oz (28g).
• Postcards were 1d (one penny) each.
• Airmail rates were higher, with a letter rate of 6d (six pence) to the UK and 1/- (one shilling) to the US.

Mail Services:

• The Australian Post Office (APO) was responsible for delivering mail across the country.
• Mail was transported by rail, road, and sea, with a network of post offices and sorting facilities connecting major cities and towns.
• The APO also operated a network of telegraph offices, which allowed for rapid communication between cities and towns.

Post Office Services:

• In the 1950s, post offices offered a range of services, including:
  • Letter posting and collection
  • Parcel posting and collection
  • Money orders and postal notes
  • Telegraph and telephone services
  • Savings bank facilities

Post Office Architecture:

• Many post offices built during the 1950s featured modernist and Art Deco designs, reflecting the era's architectural styles.
• Some notable examples of post office architecture from this period include the Sydney GPO (General Post Office) and the Melbourne GPO.

Philately:

• Stamp collecting, or philately, was a popular hobby in Australia during the 1950s.
• The Australian Post Office issued a range of stamps featuring iconic Australian scenes, animals, and personalities, such as the famous "Kangaroo and Map" series (1953-1963).

Changes and Innovations:

• The 1950s saw significant changes in the Australian postal service, including:
  • The introduction of airmail services to Asia and the Pacific
  • The expansion of postal services to remote areas
  • The introduction of new technologies, such as automated sorting machines and postal codes

These are just a few of the many interesting facts about the Australian mail service in the 1950s. If you have any specific questions or would like more information, feel free to ask!