Aerogram

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

An aerogram (or aerogramme) is a thin piece of foldable and gummed paper for writing a letter for transit via airmail, in which the letter and envelope are one and the same. Enclosures are not permitted in these light letters, which can be sent abroad for a special rate.

The aerogram was largely popularised by its use during the Second World War (1939-45), after Lieutenant Colonel R. E. Evans, Royal Engineers, Assistant Director Army Postal Service Middle East Force (MEF), proposed that a lightweight self-sealing letter card that weighed only 1/10 oz be adopted by the British Army for air mail purposes. He recommended its use to Sir Anthony Eden, the Secretary of State for War during his visit to the Middle East in late 1940. By January the following year, General Archibald Percival Wavell, the Commander-in-Chief, MEF was told by Eden that "Your Assistant Director Army Postal Services may forthwith introduce an Air Mail Letter Card Service for the Middle East. Use British stamps from all countries, including Egypt."

On 1 March 1941, the air mail service between the Middle East and the UK was started, using a combination of Imperial Airways seaplanes and military transport. The private nature of the air letter ensured its popularity among its users and that popularity, with its lightness, brought about its continued use as today's civilian air letter (aerograms) and the British military "bluey".

These aerograms can be sent abroad however, there is yet doubt as to they can be sent within the U.K itself. The postage on aerogrammes is pre-paid and on the back of them one must write the name and address of sender.

[edit] External links

• Royal Engineers Museum Army Postal Services (1939-45)