The original was released as a comb-bound reference guide packed with comprehensive illustrations. It broke down the structural typographies, ink variations, and historical Universal Postal Union (UPU) regulations governing these markings. 2. The Massive Supplement (1995)
McQueen intentionally focused on handstamps that explicitly indicated a restricted air service, along with airmail cancels that marked the end of the flown portion. Not every routing marking qualifies.
The book serves as a meticulous catalog of the specialized instructional markings used by postal authorities to indicate where airmail transport ended and surface transport began. These markings—typically in the form of handstamped boxed or unboxed text—were essential during the mid-20th century to prevent the "over-carriage" of mail beyond the point for which the airmail fee had been paid. Key Strengths of the Study Comprehensive Classification:
McQueen’s study classifies hundreds of distinct markings based on several physical characteristics:
Over time, these administrative instructions evolved into distinct cachets. Without a study like McQueen’s, a modern collector might mistake a "Jusqu’a" marking for a routing error or defacement. In reality, it is a receipt—proof that the sender paid for a specific segment of aerial transport. Jusqu-a Airmail Markings- A Study Ian McQueen
This comprehensive study by Ian McQueen delves into the fascinating world of airmail markings, specifically focusing on the "Jusqu'a" markings used on postal items. The book is a meticulous and detailed exploration of these markings, making it an essential resource for philatelists, postal history enthusiasts, and researchers.
A clerk stamped or wrote a directive on the envelope indicating where the air transit must stop.
For decades, collectors struggled to categorize these distinct handstamps and manuscript markings. The definitive breakthrough came with the publication of the seminal book, Jusqu'à Airmail Markings , authored by renowned philatelist Ian McQueen. This article provides an in-depth analysis of the "Jusqu'à" phenomenon, exploring McQueen's research, the historical context of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) regulations, and the classification of these highly collectible markings. What are "Jusqu’à" Airmail Markings?
In the vast and intricate world of aerophilately, where the romance of early flight meets the rigid protocols of postal administration, few marginalia have intrigued collectors as much as the humble "Jusqu’a" marking. At first glance, it appears merely as a French phrase meaning "as far as" or "up to." But for serious students of airmail history, these two words unlock a complex narrative of international cooperation, border control, and the logistical nightmares of the interwar period. The original was released as a comb-bound reference
In the fascinating realm of aerophilately, few sub-disciplines are as revealing, historically rich, and visually intriguing as the study of . Bridging the gap between the dawn of commercial aviation and the era of universal airmail, these handstamps tell the story of how mail traveled across a rapidly modernizing world.
McQueen’s work was first published in by W.A. Page of Dartford, England. It is an A4‑size paperback, comb‑bound, comprising iii + 109 pages, and was priced at the time at £10.00 (about US$15). Just two years later, in 1995, a supplement was issued, also comb‑bound, but this time with iii + 163 pages—actually more pages than the original study. The supplement contained a wealth of new discoveries and amendments, reflecting McQueen’s ongoing research. The two parts are often found together, and the whole set has become a sought‑after item among aerophilatelists.
If you tell me the country of origin , the destination , or the text of the marking (e.g., "Jusqu-a Dakar"), I can help identify its specific air-to-sea route and its significance.
Are you looking to of Ian McQueen's book? These markings—typically in the form of handstamped boxed
Imagine a letter sent from London to Sydney in 1935. The surface rate was low, but the airmail surcharge was exorbitant. Many senders couldn’t afford to pay the airmail fee for the entire journey. However, they could afford to pay for the letter to travel by air only as far as, say, Marseilles or Singapore. From there, the letter would revert to slow surface mail (ship or train).
In the niche but demanding field of aerophilately—the study of airmail history—few artifacts are as deceptively simple, yet as richly complex, as the Jusqu’à marking. At first glance, these French words meaning “as far as” appear as routine postal instructions. However, in his seminal study, Jusqu’à Airmail Markings , the renowned postal historian Ian McQueen elevates these seemingly minor handstamps and labels into a crucial lens for understanding the chaotic, innovative, and politically fraught birth of international airmail service between the World Wars.
The primary study detailing the origins, usage, and initial inventory of markings.