Transatlantic Postal Markings

Hello,

I might expand my collecting interest to Transatlantic covers to and from the US, but should probably read a book or two before making the move so I can understand what I'm seeing. Any suggestion? Thanks.

You might want to try finding a copy of United States Sea Post Cancellations Part 1: Transatlantic Routes by Phillip Cockrill.

What era are you looking at?

You might want to check out a 2 volume publication "Understanding Transatlantic Mail" by Richard F Winter. It was published in 2006 by the American Philatelic Society. ISBN-13:978-0-933580-24-4.

Personally, I don't think there is anything you would ever want or need to know about the subject that isn't covered in these publications.

GJP

Thanks for the information.Time period I'm thinking about is the late 19th century.

There are many reference books for transatlantic mail pre-1875 when treaty rates were in place but not many references post-1875 when both the USA & UK joined the UPU as the number of markings decreased significantly. There has been some research into specific aspects of post-1875 transatlantic mail, ie paquebot, supplementary mail, etc. but depends on what you're interested in.

One society which focuses on transatlantic mail is the UK TPO & Seapost Society:

http://www.tpo-seapost.org.uk/

Steve Taylor

If you really end up diving deeply into the subject you will also want to consult Hubbard and Winters' "North Atlantic Mail Sailings 1840-75" published by the US Philatelic Classics Society (1988) and available as a downloadable pdf from the Society's website.

teaus

I recently purchased a book by Roger Hosking on Seaposts of the USA from the TPO & Seapost Society. I recommend this 84 page book.




I purchased it in an attempt to learn more about a cancel on a postcard I recently acquired from a fellow forum member on stampcommunity.





My interest in the card was initially limited to the ship that was portrayed on the card. The SS St Paul is featured on Scott 299. After receiving the card and studying the cancel I had to know more and the Hosking book is a great reference.