Postal Conventions Between Brazil and Other Countries
By Klerman Wanderley Lopes
Presented herein is a compilation of International Postal Conventions in force during the time of the Brazilian Empire.
Being a philatelist interested in postal history of that period, it has always been difficult for me to make a determination of the correct postage required. I have never come across any work I could use as a reference guide. With this in mind, I have taken on the task of gathering the information available, hoping this summary will be useful not only to myself but to other researchers.
Reference is made to the most outstanding and practical aspects on this subject and emphasis is put on topics that seem essential, in my opinion, for a correct appraisal of postage rates.
I hope this summary may start a series of contributions by more experienced philatelists and help protect beginners against the countless fake Brazilian items.
It is worth noting in the bibliography at the end of this article, the frequent citation of well known philatelists’ articles that have appeared in back issues of the Revista do Clube Filatélico do Brasil (Brazil’s Philatelic Club Magazine) and in the journal of the Brazil Philatelic Association (Bull’s Eyes). I would also like to particularly thank my dear friend Stephen Anthony Rose for his assistance. To them I dedicate this small contribution.
POSTAL CONVENTIONS
A - Great Britain
June 30, 1808 – Parliament Act regulating conveyance of
correspondence, etc., to all Portuguese Territories in South America
In July of 1808, a monthly service by sailing ship was launched between the ports of Falmouth and the Brazilian provinces of Pernambuco, Bahia and Rio de Janeiro via The Madeira Islands: 2 Shillings and 5 pence was the postage fee for single letters.
February 19, 1810 – In Brazil, Letter of Law of February 26, 1810.
First Postal Convention with Portugal established monthly ship service from Falmouth to Rio de Janeiro with a call at The Madeira Islands. According to the convention letters conveyed by ship under contract with the British Government were known as “Packet Letters” and letters conveyed by other merchant ships, on an arrival basis and without a postal contract, were known as “Ship Letters”: 3 Shillings and 8 pence was the postage fee for single letters.
A British Postal Agent presence in Brazil was authorized to be exclusively responsible for the forwarding of Postal packages to British territories. Official letters were exempt.
July 9, 1812 – Parliament Act modifying postal rates
In February 1824, inauguration of ship service from Falmouth direct to Montevideo and Buenos Aires was authorized.
2 shillings and 5 pence was the postage fee plus a sea rate of 2 additional pence for single letters.
March 16, 1824 – Parliament Act establishing postage rates for South America.
By the end of 1826 ships to Montevideo and Buenos Aires made a call at Rio de Janeiro.
In September 1832, a change was introduced to ship service to Brazil and Buenos Aires. Departures from Falmouth with a destination of Rio de Janeiro called at The Madeira Islands and Tenerife (the trip lasted from 100 to 110 days). Another line was established linking Rio de Janeiro to Montevideo and Buenos Aires with a connection to the Falmouth service.
2 shilling and 5 pence was the postage fee for single letters.
Merchant ships (non-postal) captains received 2 pence for every
letter conveyed.
August 10, 1840 – Parliament Act introducing the Great Postal Reform – New Rates
Circa 1850, Consular Postal Agencies were established in the Brazilian Provinces of Bahia and Pernambuco.
In January 1851, sailing ships were replaced by steamships of the “Royal Mail Steam Packet Company”, which later became the main company on the South American route. The port of departure changed from Falmouth to Southampton. The ships left every 9th or 10th day each month at 6 p.m. with calls at Lisbon on the 14th to the 15th day. The trip duration to Rio de Janeiro dropped to 63 days. Beginning in October 1869, the same ship continued to Buenos Aires. As of August 1872, a second monthly ship service was established to Brazil, which operated without a contract and on an irregular schedule until January 1875. During the first months the ships made a call at Cherbourg, France before continuing to Lisbon. In 1873, Cherbourg was replaced by Galicia, Spain thus establishing the first regular route between Spain and Brazil.
The postage rate for single letters up to half an ounce between any port in Britain and Brazil: 2 shillings and 9 pence plus a sea rate of 2 pence.
The postage rate for letters from Britain to Brazil was 600 Réis paid at the receiving Post Office, which passed 452 Réis to the British Post Office.
Letters from Rio de Janeiro and the capitals of the Provinces of Bahia and Pernambuco with destinations to foreign countries did not bear Brazilian stamps. Letters from other cities or provinces paid only the inland postage. This fact was more common for letters sent to Portugal, which bore stamps of the first and second Brazilian issues.
Letters to foreign countries were usually sent direct to the British Consular Post Office in Rio de Janeiro. Brazilian cancellation on outgoing mail was not required. From the Consular Office letters were sent either to regular mail ship lines or to merchant ships.
Foreign mail showed a “transit through British Territory” handstamp, except those sent directly to Portugal, where a handstamp “P. Transatlântico” in blue was applied.
January 12, 1853, in operation as of April 1, 1853.
In 1854, ships of the “South American and General Steam Navigation Company” began a monthly mail service starting from Liverpool. This company ceased operation after four trips.
Between May 1860 and August 1868, mail transported to Britain was shared with French ships from the “Messageries Imperiales” company via Bordeaux.
In August 1868, the “Liverpool, Brazil and River Plate Steam Navigation Company” (Lamport & Holt),” established a second monthly mail service to Brazil.
In July 1869, the “London, Belgium, Brazil and River Plate Royal Mail Steamship Co.” (LBB), and the “Pacific Steam Navigation Co.”(PSN) began monthly service to Montevideo, with Falmouth as the starting port. After a year the LBB gave up the contract, which was taken over by the PSN. In July 1870 PSN established a fortnightly service from Liverpool to Valparaiso, Chile via the Magellan Strait. In the beginning of 1873 trips became weekly but were scaled back to every fifteen days in March of that same year.
The postage rate for mail conveyed by British ships was reduced to 1 shilling. In Brazil, letters brought from England were charged a fee of 240 Réis paid at the receiving Post Office, which passed 200 Réis to the British Post Office.
Between 1866 and 1874, only British stamps were used on all letters sent through the Consular Offices. The letters were handstamped with oval-shaped cancellations with bars numbered C81 (Bahia), C82 (Pernambuco), and C83 (Rio de Janeiro). Such cancellations on Brazilian stamps should always be considered suspicious.
The British Postal Service charged 120 Réis for transporting letters between any two Brazilian ports.
Mail rates were paid to British Postal Agents at the ports.
No fees were charged in Brazil for letters sent to the United Kingdom conveyed by British ships. Therefore, such letters could not bear Brazilian stamps on mail to foreign countries.
Diplomatic and Government correspondence was exempted.
In 1874 the three British Consular Post Offices were closed.
August 16, 1875, as described in detail on October 7, 1875, to be used by Great Britain and Brazil
In Brazil, Decree 6013 of October 30, 1875 was in force as of December 1, 1875. It was the last Postal Convention with Great Britain before Brazil joined the Universal Postal Union.
It granted the optional payment in advance of postage rates with Brazilian stamps.
Mail packets were sent to and from Brazil either through direct ship service (British Packet Letters) or through France in closed mailbags of that country.
Rates in effect between 12/1/1875 and 7/1/1877:
From Britain to Brazil each half ounce
• Paid in advance – 9 pence
• Paid at destination – the equivalent to 1 shilling
From Brazil to Great Britain each half ounce
• Paid in advance – 370 Réis in stamps
• Paid at destination – the equivalent to 500 Réis
• Letters paid in advance with insufficient postage were taxed in the amount of the missing postage at the destination.
B - France
November 21, 1843 – Between Brazil and Portugal
July 7, 1860, as amended on July 21, 1860. Decree 1650 of September
24, 1860 – First Convention – the use of Brazilian stamps on foreign
mail is allowed
Rates to France: from 1860 to
1870 – 280 Réis
from February 1871 to 1875 – 320 Réis (a 14,33% devaluation of
the Real)
The above mentioned option of making use of the British Consular Mail for mail sent to France was maintained (letters without a Brazilian stamp).
Payment of postage rates with Brazilian stamps was optional and could be done by the addressee.
Payment in advance of postage for registered (insured) letters was mandatory and covered the entire mail route. The cost was twice the postage for a single letter.
Letters under the 1860 Convention bore a mandatory outgoing cancellation showing the date and place of origin and never a transit mark through Great Britain.
Letters to Portugal had the postage reduced by 60 Réis for the first port and the use of stamps was mandatory. In Portugal letters were taxed 150 Centavos or its multiples. They received a lilac or violet “P. Transatlântico” cancellation.
Postage could be paid in full up to its final destination and a PD cancellation was applied. If partially paid – usually until the port of arrival - a PP cancellation was applied.
Whenever a letter surpassed the weight for a single postage rate (2 octaves or 7,5 grams), the postal agent usually wrote on the upper left front a digit corresponding to the required postage (2, 3, 4... etc).
Whenever the stamps were not enough to cover the postage rate of a Brazilian letter, it was considered as non-franked (Art. 5 of the Convention) and the French postage rate was written on the front of the letter (8, 16, 24 decimes). This was not the postage due amount but the total postage rate to be paid by the addressee. There are many forgeries with stamps added to letters posted without advance payment of postage.
Letters correctly prepaid to their final destination could not be charged extra to the addressee. Therefore, covers that show the correct postage rate plus an additional French tax (numerals 8, 16, 24...) on the front, are against the Postal Convention specifications and should be considered falsifications.
C - Kingdom of Italy (Tuscany)
September 6, 1863 confirmed through Decree 3363 of December 13, 1864
It established the postage rate of 430 Réis for every 2 octaves on single covers sent by Southampton Packet Letters. The rate was increased to 490 Réis as of October 15, 1872 (a 14% devaluation of the Real).
May 14, 1873, Decree 5691 of July 15, 1874
The “Compagnia Transatlantica per la Navegazione a Vapore” from Genoa (Kingdom of Sardinia) made 8 trips to Rio de Janeiro between October 20, 1856, and August 20, 1857 (dates of departure from Italy – a 54-day trip). Extensions to Buenos Aires were by British ships.
D - Spain
January 21, 1870, Decree 4554 of May 7, 1870
Mail carried by British and French ships and forwarded by the Portuguese Post Office.
First rate (10 grams): 300 Réis (30 cents of Spanish Escudos).
Registry fee: 200 Réis (20 cents of Spanish Escudos).
Note: First rate (15 grams) was effective between 1860 and 1870: 570 Réis .
E - United States of America
March 14, 1870, Decree 4553 of July 29, 1870
Before the International Postal Convention, a regular monthly steamship service began operating under a private contract between the ports of New York and Rio de Janeiro via St. Thomas, Virgin Islands by the “United States and Brazil Mail Steamship Company” (USBMSC). The service began on September 29, 1865 and lasted until September 23, 1875.
Departures from Rio de Janeiro began on November 5, 1865 with the last departure on December 23, 1875.
Until then, mail destined for the U.S.A. was through Liverpool, England with an enormous loss of time.
Rate: 300 Réis for single letters up to 15 grams or fraction thereof (equivalent to the U.S. 15 cents).
The printed matter rate was 20 Réis (1 cent) for every 30 grams. Inland postage rates were charged separately.
The registered postage rate for any type of mail was 200 Réis (10 cents).
Official mail was exempted.
Letters posted in foreign countries and correctly franked were not be taxed.
November 10, 1877
Private ten-year contract with John Roach under authorization of the U.S. Congress - Second USBMSC line.
First trip of an American ship was on May 5, 1878, from New York by the “Brazil Mail Steamship Lines” ship “City of Janeiro de Janeiro”.
Departures from Rio de Janeiro began on January 5, 1878 with the last on June 6, 1881.
Monthly trips between New York and Rio de Janeiro, with calls at St. Thomas, Pará, Pernambuco and Bahia took around 20 days.
Another line was authorized for a short period to operate from the port of New Orleans.
Third USBMC line:
Departures from Rio de Janeiro began on July 7, 1882 with the last on March 25, 1893.
Note:
a) Letters conveyed by
British or French ships were charged 620 Réis .
b) First rate (15 gr) from 10/1/1860 to 7/29/1870: 540
Réis
(Brazil-French Convention).
F - Belgium
April 23, 1879, Decree 4571 of August 12, 1870
First rate (15 grams) effective
between 1860 and 1870: 430 Réis .
From August 1870 to July 1, 1877: 400
Réis (One Belgian Franc)
up to 10 grams.
Registration fee: an additional 200 Réis (50 cents of a Belgium Franc).
Letters with insufficient postage were taxed 120 Réis (30 cents of a Belgium Franc) at the destination in addition to the regular postage.
Correspondence transported by Belgian ships paid a reduced rate of 240 Réis (60 cents of a Belgium Franc).
September 28, 1874, Decree 5876 of February 20, 1875
For the first time the expression “postcard” is mentioned in a Postal Convention.
G - Peru
December 16, 1871, Decree 5265 of April 19, 1873
H - Argentina
December 24, 1873, Decree 5507
First rate (15 grams) effective between 1860 and 1870: 190 Réis
From 1870 to July 1, 1877: 220 Réis
I – Germany
September 30, 1873, effective as of July 8, 1874
Mail conveyed by regular ship service between German and Brazilian ports and regular service between other European and Brazilian ports.
Postage payment in advance was optional, but registered letters had to be prepaid.
Postage rates (first rate – 15 grams):
1 – Direct conveyance by subsidized German ships:
Pre franked letters – 250
Réis (5 groschen)
Non franked letters – 350
Réis (7 groschen)
Printed matter – 50 Réis (1 groschen) for 50 grams.
2 – Conveyance through other ports:
Pre franked letters – 400
Réis (8 groschen)
Non franked letters – 500
Réis (10 groschen)
Printed matter – 70 Réis (1.5 groschen)
Note: Letters were increased by 1 rate for each additional
15 grams.
Postcards were always charged a single rate.
Letters always bore stamps of the country of origin. The difference in franking was charged to the addressee.
Official Postal Service mail was exempted.
Note:
First rate (15 grams)
effective between 1860 and 1870: 430 Réis
From 1870 to July 8, 1874: 500
Réis
J - Italy (Unified)
May 14, 1873, Decree 5691 as of July 15, 1874
K - France (Second Convention)
May 30, 1874, effective as of September 16, 1874
First postage rate letter
weights were increased to 15 grams.
Postage rates:
1/1/1876 to 6/30/1877 – 400
Réis
7/1/1877 to 3/31/1879 – 260 Réis (Bern)
4/1/1879 – 200 Réis (U.P.U.)
Note: For letters with insufficient postage – see “Treaty of
Bern”
Table 1 -- Postage rates according to
the Brazil-France Postal Convention Until December 31, 1875
(Outgoing letters from Brazil to
Main destinations Via France or Great Britain – Rates expressed in
Réis)
Click to enlarge
L - Great Britain and Ireland
August 16, 1875, as changed on October 7, 1875. Decree 6013 as of October 30, 1875 effective December 1, 1875
New postal rates: 370 Réis for each half an ounce (15 grams) – first postage rate.
Last Convention with Great Britain before joining the U.P.U.
M – Chile
May 26, 1876, Decree 6720 as of October 20, 1877
Brazilian inland postage rate paid in advance plus a sea postage fee of 100 Réis for each letter (15 grams) and 20 Réis for each single parcel or printed matter.
Postal Money Orders in Pound Sterling was permitted for the first time.
N - Uruguay
Decree 7125 as of January 4, 1879 (after Brazil joined U.P.U.)
Note: First rate (15 grams) effective between 1860 and 1870: 190 Réis
From 1870 to July 1, 1877: 220 Réis
O – Treaty Of Bern – U.G.P.
October 9, 1874. Brazil joined March 17, 1877, effective as of July 1, 1877
A postage rate of 260 Réis was established for letters weighing 15 grams or fraction thereof.
As of January 1, 1876, France applied the Treaty to countries that had already adhered to it.
Under the Treaty of Bern, effective in France as of January 1, 1876, letters posted in Brazil with insufficient postage, could have the amount paid to the Brazilian Postal Service deducted from the fee due to the French Postal Service.
P – Universal Postal Union
U.P.U. replaced the Treaty of Bern effective April 1, 1879
The U.P.U. established a unified postage rate of 200 Réis for single letters up to 15 grams or fraction thereof. Payment in advance was optional.
Commercial and judicial papers wrapped in movable bands or open covers paid 50 Réis for every 50 grams or fraction thereof with a minimum rate of 120 Réis .
Samples of merchandise were charged 50 Réis for every 50 grams or fraction thereof with a minimum rate of 80 Réis .
Printed matter paid 50 Réis for 50 grams or fraction thereof with no minimum rate.
The registration fee for letters or other items was 200 Réis , plus the regular postage fee corresponding to weight.
For furnishing a “notice upon receipt” service, a fee of 100 Réis was charged in stamps to be affixed to a form available for this purpose.
Insufficient payment postage on any item was charged to the addressee at twice the regular postage rate.
A fee of 300 Réis was charged in Brazil for non franked letters from all foreign countries.
ADDENDUM
Postage rate tables for countries
outside U.P.U. in 1880
1 – West Coast of Africa (except dominions)
Via Great Britain – Prepaid Postage was mandatory to the port of arrival.
Letters: 400
Réis for 15 grams.
Merchandise samples: 100 Réis for every 50 grams.
Newspapers: 140
Réis for every 50 grams.
Other printed matter: 90 Réis for every 50 grams.
2 – Annam
Via Italy
a. From Naples by French ship – Prepaid postage was mandatory to the port of arrival.
Letters: 560
Réis for every 15 grams.
Merchandise Samples: 120
Réis for every 50 grams.
Newspapers and other printed matter: 100 Réis for every 50
grams.
Outgoing letters from Annam without postage prepaid: 660
Réis for every 15 grams.
b. From Brindisi by British ship – Prepaid postage was mandatory to Singapore.
Letters: 380
Réis for every 15 grams.
Samples: 80 Réis for every 50 grams.
Newspapers and other printed matter: 70
Réis for every 50
grams.
Outgoing letters without postage prepaid: 520 Réis for every
15 grams
Via France – Postage was mandatory to the port of arrival.
Letters: 560 Réis
for every 15 grams.
Merchandise samples: 120 Réis for every 50 grams.
Newspapers and other printed matter: 110
Réis for every 50
grams.
Outgoing letters without postage prepaid: 660 Réis for every 15
grams.
3 – Arabia (except Aden and Muscat)
Via France – Postage was mandatory to the port of arrival.
Letters: 560
Réis
for every 15 grams.
Merchandise samples: 120 Réis for every 50 grams.
Newspapers and other printed matter: 110
Réis for every 50
grams.
Outgoing letters from Arabia without postage prepaid: 660
Réis
for every 15 grams.
Table 2 -- Postage rate tables for countries
outside U.P.U. in 1880
Click to enlarge
Click to
enlarge
Notes:
Copyright © 2000 Klerman Wanderly Lopes
