Jusqu-a Airmail Markings- A Study Ian Mcqueen Verified Guide

I’ve put this together in the style of a serious philatelic journal feature, suitable for publication in The Airpost Journal, London Philatelist, or similar.

Conclusion

Ian McQueen’s "Jusqu'à Airmail Markings" remains a standard reference because it documents the mechanics of communication. It preserves the history of how the world first learned to send messages across oceans and continents through the air, marking exactly where the wings stopped and the rails or ships took over. For any serious student of postal history, it remains an indispensable guide to the "up to" points of airmail's journey.

Jusqu-à Airmail Markings: The Definitive Study by Ian McQueen

In the specialized field of aerophilately, few researchers have contributed as much to the understanding of directional postal markings as Ian McQueen. His seminal work, Jusqu-à Airmail Markings: A Study, remains the "gold standard" for collectors and postal historians seeking to decode the often-mysterious handstamps found on early 20th-century airmail. What are "Jusqu-à" Markings?

The term "Jusqu-à" is French for "as far as" or "up to". In postal history, these markings served a critical operational function: they indicated the specific point where airmail transmission ended and surface transport (train or ship) began. They were typically applied when:

The sender paid for airmail, but the air service only covered a portion of the journey.

An airmail etiquette (blue "Par Avion" label) needed to be "canceled out" or qualified because the flight was unavailable for the remainder of the route.

The mail reached its final airport and was being transferred to the local delivery system. Ian McQueen’s Meticulous Research

Originally published in 1993 by W.A. Page, McQueen's study was ground-breaking because it categorized a previously neglected field of auxiliary markings. The original 109-page softcover was so well-received that McQueen followed it with a massive Supplement in 1995 that actually contained more pages (163) than the original book. Key features of McQueen's study include:

Illustrated Listings: Detailed visual catalogs of handstamps from around the world.

Categorization: McQueen divided these markings into specific types, such as "mute" parallel bars, crosses, and explicit text-based stamps like "Jusqu’à Londres" (As far as London).

Timeframe: The study primarily focuses on the era from 1919 to the mid-1950s, after which all-up airmail became the global standard and specific "jusqu-à" instructions became obsolete. Why This Book is Essential for Philatelists Jusqu-a Airmail Markings- A Study Ian McQueen

For a postal historian, a "Jusqu-à" mark is more than ink on paper; it is a map of a letter's journey. McQueen’s work allows collectors to:

Identify Rare Handstamps: Many markings were only used at specific transit hubs for short periods.

Verify Route Logic: It helps researchers understand why a letter may have taken weeks to arrive despite having airmail stamps.

Appreciate Auxiliary Markings: It elevates these "instructional" stamps from secondary marks to primary objects of study.

McQueen's contributions continued well into the 21st century, with later volumes like the Airmail Directional Handstamps Supplement published as recently as 2007. Today, his books are highly sought-after in the secondary market by specialists in United Kingdom philately and international airmail history. Jusqu'a Airmail Markings. (A Study) by MCQUEEN Ian

Review: "Jusqu'a Airmail Markings - A Study" by 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.

Content and Organization

The book is organized in a logical and easy-to-follow manner, with each chapter building on the previous one to provide a thorough understanding of the subject. McQueen's writing style is clear, concise, and engaging, making the book accessible to both novice and experienced collectors.

The study begins with an introduction to airmail markings and their significance in postal history. McQueen then provides an in-depth examination of the "Jusqu'a" markings, including their origins, usage, and variations. The book is richly illustrated with high-quality images of postal items, markings, and other relevant materials, which helps to facilitate understanding and identification.

Key Features and Highlights

  1. Comprehensive coverage: McQueen's study provides an exhaustive examination of "Jusqu'a" markings, covering their history, development, and usage.
  2. Detailed analysis: The author offers a meticulous analysis of the markings, including their typology, chronology, and geographical distribution.
  3. Rich illustrations: The book is profusely illustrated with high-quality images of postal items, markings, and other relevant materials, making it an invaluable resource for visual learners.
  4. Useful appendices: McQueen includes several appendices that provide additional information, such as a list of references, a glossary of terms, and a detailed index.

Target Audience

This book is primarily aimed at:

  1. Philatelists: Collectors of airmail stamps, postal history enthusiasts, and those interested in the study of postal markings will find this book an invaluable resource.
  2. Postal history researchers: Scholars and researchers interested in the history of postal services, transportation, and communication will appreciate the book's detailed analysis and comprehensive coverage.
  3. Libraries and institutions: Libraries and institutions with collections related to postal history, philately, or transportation will find this book a valuable addition to their holdings.

Overall Assessment

"Jusqu'a Airmail Markings - A Study" by Ian McQueen is a meticulously researched and well-written book that provides a comprehensive understanding of "Jusqu'a" markings. The book's clear organization, detailed analysis, and rich illustrations make it an essential resource for anyone interested in airmail markings, postal history, or philately. I highly recommend this book to collectors, researchers, and institutions seeking to expand their knowledge on this fascinating topic.

Rating: 5/5 stars

Recommendation: This book is a must-have for anyone interested in airmail markings, postal history, or philately. I strongly recommend it to collectors, researchers, and institutions seeking to add a valuable resource to their library.

Jusqu’à Airmail Markings (A Study) by Ian McQueen is a seminal philatelic reference work that explores the specialized field of "jusqu'à" (French for "as far as") markings. These postal handstamps indicate that a piece of mail was carried by air only for a portion of its journey, after which it was transferred to surface transport for final delivery. Publication History and Editions

The study was originally published in the early 1990s and has since been updated with supplemental material:

Original Edition (1993): Published by W.A. Page in Dartford, this initial release contained 109 pages and was typically issued as a spiral or comb-bound paperback.

Supplement (1995): Just two years later, a major supplement was released (pages 110–273). This addition was significantly larger than the original book, reflecting the rapid growth of information in this previously neglected field.

Combined Volumes: Some later editions or copies found at retailers like AbeBooks or specialized philatelic sites like Phila Art may offer Volumes I and II bound together. Core Content and Research I’ve put this together in the style of

Ian McQueen's work is credited with being a "ground-breaking" resource for aerophilatelists. Key features of the study include:

Identification of Designs: It catalogs various marking types, including two to six solid red or black bars, cross cancellations, and specific text-based handstamps used to obliterate original airmail instructions.

Location and Period Studies: By analyzing the designs and colors of these markings, the book helps collectors identify the specific locations and timeframes in which the mail was diverted from air service.

Global Scope: It lists known markings by country, providing reference numbers for each and describing the "jusqu'à" cancels used worldwide.

Collectors of auxiliary markings consider this an "invaluable" and "essential" resource, though it can be difficult to obtain today.

References (Selected from McQueen’s cited sources)

Ian McQueen's "Jusqu’à" Airmail Markings (A Study) is the definitive guide to the specialized postal markings indicating airmail service was only partially fulfilled. Published in 1993 with a 1995 supplement, the work provides an illustrated analysis of these "as far as" markings that signify a transition from air to surface transport. For more details on the original study, visit AbeBooks.

8. Conclusion by Ian McQueen

“The Jusqu’à marking is not merely a postal curiosity but a key to understanding the transitional phase from surface to all-air transport. Each marking tells a story of negotiated rates, national rivalries, and the gradual shrinking of the world.”

2. Physical Typology (The “Mark”)

McQueen identified three distinct physical forms, which are crucial for authentication:

1. Introduction

In the early decades of powered flight, airmail was expensive and unreliable. To offer flexibility, postal administrations introduced “Jusqu’à” markings. These instructed postal clerks and air carriers to transport a letter by air only up to a specified airport or city; beyond that point, the mail would revert to surface transport (rail or ship). Ian McQueen, a British philatelist, produced the first comprehensive taxonomy of these markings, filling a gap in airmail literature.

2. The Rate Correlation Table

The most practical section of the book is a massive table cross-referencing destinations. For example, if a cover shows "Jusqu’a Brindisi," McQueen details exactly how much the sender should have paid. If the postage doesn’t match the marking, the cover is either a philatelic fake or a rare "underpaid" postage due item.

Part 5: How to Use the McQueen Study in Your Collection

If you are fortunate enough to locate a copy of Jusqu’à Airmail Markings – A Study (original print runs were likely under 500 copies), or if you find a digital scan in a philatelic society library, here is how to use it: beyond that point

  1. Identify the Marking: Find the exact text (e.g., “JUSQU’A DAKAR” vs “JUSQU’A DAKAR (Sénégal)”). McQueen assigned each a reference code (e.g., JM-D1).
  2. Check the Period: Cross-reference the postmark date on your cover with McQueen’s active-use dates. A 1938 cover with a Jusqu’à marking phased out in 1934 is suspect.
  3. Verify the Surcharge: McQueen lists the correct airmail fee for each marking. For a 20g letter to South America in 1930, the Jusqu’à rate was 2.50fr versus 7.50fr for full airmail. If your cover has the wrong postage, it’s either a philatelic contrived cover or a fake.