Bahrain Postal History - India Used In Bahrain - On Cover

Vendor Details

These covers are listed in the sequence of the Cancellation Type, according to the categorisation by Neil Donaldson in his excellent "The Postal Agencies of Eastern Arabia and the Gulf" (1975) and its "Supplement" (1994). Many of the cancellations are either early dated examples or late dated examples and one or two are the very earliest or very latest known. However, almost all of the covers have other aspects of interest.

There are pictures of many of the items but, rather than have readers waiting a long time for all of the pictures to come in, I leave it to you to click on "view" to pull down photos of the items which interest you. Some of the pictures are a bit dark when viewed at my regular "working brightness" but just turning up the brightness shows the details far better.

Item Description Price

Squared Circle - Donaldson type 2
Donaldson records usage from 19/10/86 to May 1902.

BPH1/01 Cover addressed in Arabic to Bombay, with postage paid by Q.V. 1/2 Anna of the 1882 issue of India, cancelled by a strike of the small Squared Circle, dated JU 21/92. Roughly opened. View Ł 60
sold

BPH1/02 Cover addressed in Arabic to Cairo. Postage is prepaid by five copies of the Q.V. 1/2 Anna of the 1882 issue of India., cancelled by strikes of the larger Squared Circle, dated AU 16/98. Other marks are: SEA POST cds, SUEZ 'A' cds dated 4 VIII IX, CAIRE cds dated 5 IX 98. View Ł 45 sold

Single Circle Backstamp - Donaldson type 3
This cancellation was intended for backstamping. It is known for occasional use cancelling stamps on outgoing mail but is scarce thus..

BPH1/03 Backstamp/Receiver usage is known from 1897 through to 1920. There is an excellent strike dated 8 SE/07 on a postal stationery card (from India) advertising Cakes and Italian Confectionery, made in Karachi. View Ł 30 sold

BPH1/04 Cancellation usage of Donaldson Type 3
27 MY/02 on Q.V. 2 Anna of the 1882 issue of India. Single stamp, not on cover.View Ł 15 sold

BPH1/05 Cancellation usage of Donaldson Type 3
16 SE/02 on the rarely used Q.V. 4 Anna of the 1882 issue of India. Single stamp, not on cover View Ł 25 Sold

BPH1/06 Cancellation usage of Donaldson Type 3.
Slightly cut-down cover to Bombay. On the reverse, 5 x 1/2 Anna KG V cancelled by four strikes of the Single Circle c.d.s. dated 31 DEC 14. (confirmed by Bombay receiver c.d.s). On the obverse, part of a perforated adhesive Registration Label showing a large printed R with a long serif. The only example I have seen with this label used in Bahrain. Manuscript "194" (Registration Number) and "311214" (Date). View Stamps and Cancellation or Registration Label Ł 90 Sold

Continental Double Circle - Donaldson type 4
The squared circle was followed for the purpose of cancelling stamps, by the small continental-style double circle with date band. Donaldson records usage from 14 OC 02 to 9.12.23.

BPH1/07 This cover is clearly dated 14 OC 02. It is the earliest recorded usage (Ref: page 14 of Neil Donaldson's '94 Supplement). This also illustrates early usage of the stamps of K E VII, released in India only on 9th August 1902. The reverse caries a Muscat receiver cds. A little roughly opened as can be seen in the view Ł 90
Sold

BPH1/08 This cover is addressed to Muscat in English. Postage is prepaid by 2 x KGV 3 Pies of the 1911 issue of India, fixed to the reverse , and cancelled by a strike dated 2 AP 22. This is late, but not the latest recorded, usage of this device. The Muscat receiver of 5 AP 22 is of Donaldson Type 10A View Ł 25
Sold

BPH1/09 Cover dated and addressed in Arabic to Muscat. Continental device dated 11 NO 02 cancels India QV 1/2 Anna of the shade issued in India in 1900. This shows late usage of QV adhesives ...... the King Edward VII issue are proved to have been available by 14th October of that year.
(Note:)Arabic numbers (equivalent to 8642). These figures are often found inscribed on 19th century covers from Muslim countries. The figures are the numerical equivalent of the letters forming the Arabic word BEDUH(E is short and has no value), a mystical word, used as an invocation for safe arrival of a letter on which it appears. (Donaldson, page 59) View Ł 55
Sold

BPH1/10 Cover addressed in English to Muscat. Postage is paid by KG V 1/2 Anna of the 1911 issue of India, cancelled by a continental cds dated 19 JU 14. This is an example of early usage of the KG V adhesives in Bahrain.The cover also carries a Muscat receiver cds (type 10A) dated 23 JU/14 View Ł 20
Sold

BPH1/11 Cover addressed in English and Arabic to Bombay. Postage is paid by India KE VII 1/2 Anna cancelled (8th January, 1908) by a single strike of the continental c.d.s. In this cancellation device, the year is normally shown as two digits (e.g. 05 for 1905). This example shows the year represented by only the single digit, '8'. This is an exceptional error from a period when Post Office work was so accurate. The address side of this cover carries the safe transit inscription. This cover has bookworm damage near one edge.View Ł 55 Sold

BPH1/12 1917 cover to Muscat with the Bushire censor handstamp which is exceptionally scarce on mail of Bahrain origin. A single copy of the India KG V 1/2 Anna of the 1911 issue, cancelled by a strike of the continental c.d.s. (Don Type 4) dated 8 OCT 17. Double circle PASSED CENSOR/BUSHIRE handstamp in violet. I have never seen or heard of any other cover of Bahrain origin with this censor mark. View Ł 80
Sold

BPH1/13 1917 cover to India with censor label and marks which are exceptionally scarce on items of Bahrain origin. Postage is paid by KG V 2 x 3 Pies of the 1911 issue, cancelled by a strike of the continental c.d.s. (Don Type 4) dated 4 MA 17 (view).The censor label inscribed G (crown) R / OPENED / BY / CENSOR is tied to the cover by a strike of the SUMEL, INDORE(India) receiver c.d.s. dated 8 APR/17 and the cover is roughly opened, as can be seen from the view. The reverse of the cover caries (feint but legible) the 5/P.C.K. boxed handstamp (view) in violet (P.C.K.= Postal Censor Karachi). I have found 1st World War censor labels and handstamps to be extremely rare on mail of Bahrain origin Ł 80 Sold

Cancellation by Receivers - Donaldson types 5, 5A, 5B, and 5C

BPH1/14 Receiver usage of Donaldson Type 5.
1937 cover from India to Bahrain showing a strike of the "first" of the Indian-type large double-ring c.d.s. devices (Don Type 5), dated 19 DEC 37, used as a receiver backstamp. Very little incoming mail has survived. Not a brilliant strike, but identifiable.View . Note : This cover is an f.d.c. of the KG VI 9 Pies and 1 Anna, issued 15 DEC 37. Ł 25
Sold

BPH1/15 Cancellation usage of Donaldson Type 5.
1931 cover (horizontal crease) to India showing use of the receiver handstamp to cancel stamps on outgoing mail. The c.d.s. is clearly Donaldson Type 5, dated 16 FEB 31 (view) but has an indistinct origin. However the Registration handstamp (view), itself unusual (Don Type 18), proves BAHRAIN origin. Philately records only very occasional use of this device to cancel stamps and Donaldson chronicles this between 27/2/19 and 1929. Ł 60 sold

BPH1/16 Cancellation Usage of Donaldson Type 5A.
1926 cover addressed to Muscat India KG V 2 x 1 Anna unusually cancelled by a strike of the (Don type 5A) handstamp dated ? SEP 26. Donaldson records this device in use from 27.2.19 to 30.3.31, almost invariably as a receiver mark, its intended purpose. The reverse carries a Muscat cds receiver (Don type 14) dated 24 SEP 26. Ł 30
Sold

BPH1/17 Cancellation Usage of Donaldson Type 5A.
1929 cover addressed to Muscat India KG V 1 Anna unusually cancelled by a strike of the (Don type 5A) handstamp dated 20 JAN 29. The cover also carries a Muscat receiver cds (Don type 14) dated 27 JAN 29. Ł 30
Sold

BPH1/18 Cancellation Usage of Donaldson Type 5B.
1932 cover to U.K. This cover caries Indian stamps of the New Delhi Inauguration issue. Though valid for use, this issue was never placed on sale in Bahrain. The neatness of the cover and the lack of return address would appear to indicate philatelic incentive which has attracted the bonus of the use of the scarce (Don type 5B) receiver handstamp as a cancellation device. The strike of the boxed BAHRAIN/PERSIAN GULF DISTRICT (Don type 18) is curious because (a) it is applied direct onto the envelope, and (b) the cover shows no other sign of being Registered and this handstamp is recorded only in association with Registration. View Ł 80
sold

BPH1/19 Cancellation Usage of Donaldson Type 5B.
1932 cover to U.K. This cover carries a full pane plus one stamp from a booklet of Indian KGV 1 Anna stamps. The stamps are cancelled by two strikes (one very poor) of the (Don type 5B) device, dated 17 APR 32. (This dating is confirmed by the transit cds of BASRAH 21 APR 32, on the reverse). The cover carries the inscription Overland/via Basrah in the handwriting of the sender. This is a reference to the option of Air Mail from Basrah to UK via the Imperial Airways service. View Ł 80
Sold

The Large Killer - Donaldson type 6
This is the most common cancellation of the Indian overprint period. Donaldson records usage from11/5/24 through to 21/4/40.

BPH1/20 Cancellation usage of Donaldson Type 6.
Cover with India KGV 1A cancelled by the (Don type 6) large killer h/s, dated 2 OCT 24. Ł 15

BPH1/21 Cancellation usage of Donaldson Type 6.
1929 Small OHMS cover to Poona, India. A single strike of the large killer handstamp cancels a copy of the India KGV 1 Anna adhesive overprinted SERVICE. Use of SERVICE overprints in Bahrain is exceptionally rare. Is this is the only complete cover ? It is a cracker. View Ł 250 Sold

Item	Description	Price
Squared Circle - Donaldson type 2 Donaldson records usage from 19/10/86 to May 1902.
BPH1/01	Cover addressed in Arabic to Bombay, with postage paid by Q.V. 1/2 Anna of the 1882 issue of India, cancelled by a strike of the small Squared Circle, dated JU 21/92. Roughly opened. View	Ł 60 sold
BPH1/02	Cover addressed in Arabic to Cairo. Postage is prepaid by five copies of the Q.V. 1/2 Anna of the 1882 issue of India., cancelled by strikes of the larger Squared Circle, dated AU 16/98. Other marks are: SEA POST cds, SUEZ 'A' cds dated 4 VIII IX, CAIRE cds dated 5 IX 98. View	Ł 45 sold
Single Circle Backstamp - Donaldson type 3 This cancellation was intended for backstamping. It is known for occasional use cancelling stamps on outgoing mail but is scarce thus..
BPH1/03	Backstamp/Receiver usage is known from 1897 through to 1920. There is an excellent strike dated 8 SE/07 on a postal stationery card (from India) advertising Cakes and Italian Confectionery, made in Karachi. View	Ł 30 sold
BPH1/04	Cancellation usage of Donaldson Type 3 27 MY/02 on Q.V. 2 Anna of the 1882 issue of India. Single stamp, not on cover.View	Ł 15 sold
BPH1/05	Cancellation usage of Donaldson Type 3 16 SE/02 on the rarely used Q.V. 4 Anna of the 1882 issue of India. Single stamp, not on cover View	Ł 25 Sold
BPH1/06	Cancellation usage of Donaldson Type 3. Slightly cut-down cover to Bombay. On the reverse, 5 x 1/2 Anna KG V cancelled by four strikes of the Single Circle c.d.s. dated 31 DEC 14. (confirmed by Bombay receiver c.d.s). On the obverse, part of a perforated adhesive Registration Label showing a large printed R with a long serif. The only example I have seen with this label used in Bahrain. Manuscript "194" (Registration Number) and "311214" (Date). View Stamps and Cancellation or Registration Label	Ł 90 Sold
Continental Double Circle - Donaldson type 4 The squared circle was followed for the purpose of cancelling stamps, by the small continental-style double circle with date band. Donaldson records usage from 14 OC 02 to 9.12.23.
BPH1/07	This cover is clearly dated 14 OC 02. It is the earliest recorded usage (Ref: page 14 of Neil Donaldson's '94 Supplement). This also illustrates early usage of the stamps of K E VII, released in India only on 9th August 1902. The reverse caries a Muscat receiver cds. A little roughly opened as can be seen in the view	Ł 90 Sold
BPH1/08	This cover is addressed to Muscat in English. Postage is prepaid by 2 x KGV 3 Pies of the 1911 issue of India, fixed to the reverse , and cancelled by a strike dated 2 AP 22. This is late, but not the latest recorded, usage of this device. The Muscat receiver of 5 AP 22 is of Donaldson Type 10A View	Ł 25 Sold
BPH1/09	Cover dated and addressed in Arabic to Muscat. Continental device dated 11 NO 02 cancels India QV 1/2 Anna of the shade issued in India in 1900. This shows late usage of QV adhesives ...... the King Edward VII issue are proved to have been available by 14th October of that year. (Note:)Arabic numbers (equivalent to 8642). These figures are often found inscribed on 19th century covers from Muslim countries. The figures are the numerical equivalent of the letters forming the Arabic word BEDUH(E is short and has no value), a mystical word, used as an invocation for safe arrival of a letter on which it appears. (Donaldson, page 59) View	Ł 55 Sold
BPH1/10	Cover addressed in English to Muscat. Postage is paid by KG V 1/2 Anna of the 1911 issue of India, cancelled by a continental cds dated 19 JU 14. This is an example of early usage of the KG V adhesives in Bahrain.The cover also carries a Muscat receiver cds (type 10A) dated 23 JU/14 View	Ł 20 Sold
BPH1/11	Cover addressed in English and Arabic to Bombay. Postage is paid by India KE VII 1/2 Anna cancelled (8th January, 1908) by a single strike of the continental c.d.s. In this cancellation device, the year is normally shown as two digits (e.g. 05 for 1905). This example shows the year represented by only the single digit, '8'. This is an exceptional error from a period when Post Office work was so accurate. The address side of this cover carries the safe transit inscription. This cover has bookworm damage near one edge.View	Ł 55 Sold
BPH1/12	1917 cover to Muscat with the Bushire censor handstamp which is exceptionally scarce on mail of Bahrain origin. A single copy of the India KG V 1/2 Anna of the 1911 issue, cancelled by a strike of the continental c.d.s. (Don Type 4) dated 8 OCT 17. Double circle PASSED CENSOR/BUSHIRE handstamp in violet. I have never seen or heard of any other cover of Bahrain origin with this censor mark. View	Ł 80 Sold
BPH1/13	1917 cover to India with censor label and marks which are exceptionally scarce on items of Bahrain origin. Postage is paid by KG V 2 x 3 Pies of the 1911 issue, cancelled by a strike of the continental c.d.s. (Don Type 4) dated 4 MA 17 (view).The censor label inscribed G (crown) R / OPENED / BY / CENSOR is tied to the cover by a strike of the SUMEL, INDORE(India) receiver c.d.s. dated 8 APR/17 and the cover is roughly opened, as can be seen from the view. The reverse of the cover caries (feint but legible) the 5/P.C.K. boxed handstamp (view) in violet (P.C.K.= Postal Censor Karachi). I have found 1st World War censor labels and handstamps to be extremely rare on mail of Bahrain origin	Ł 80 Sold
*Cancellation by Receivers* - Donaldson types 5, 5A, 5B, and 5C**
BPH1/14	Receiver usage of Donaldson Type 5. 1937 cover from India to Bahrain showing a strike of the "first" of the Indian-type large double-ring c.d.s. devices (Don Type 5), dated 19 DEC 37, used as a receiver backstamp. Very little incoming mail has survived. Not a brilliant strike, but identifiable.View . Note : This cover is an f.d.c. of the KG VI 9 Pies and 1 Anna, issued 15 DEC 37.	Ł 25 Sold
BPH1/15	Cancellation usage of Donaldson Type 5. 1931 cover (horizontal crease) to India showing use of the receiver handstamp to cancel stamps on outgoing mail. The c.d.s. is clearly Donaldson Type 5, dated 16 FEB 31 (view) but has an indistinct origin. However the Registration handstamp (view), itself unusual (Don Type 18), proves BAHRAIN origin. Philately records only very occasional use of this device to cancel stamps and Donaldson chronicles this between 27/2/19 and 1929.	Ł 60 sold
BPH1/16	Cancellation Usage of Donaldson Type 5A. 1926 cover addressed to Muscat India KG V 2 x 1 Anna unusually cancelled by a strike of the (Don type 5A) handstamp dated ? SEP 26. Donaldson records this device in use from 27.2.19 to 30.3.31, almost invariably as a receiver mark, its intended purpose. The reverse carries a Muscat cds receiver (Don type 14) dated 24 SEP 26.	Ł 30 Sold
BPH1/17	Cancellation Usage of Donaldson Type 5A. 1929 cover addressed to Muscat India KG V 1 Anna unusually cancelled by a strike of the (Don type 5A) handstamp dated 20 JAN 29. The cover also carries a Muscat receiver cds (Don type 14) dated 27 JAN 29.	Ł 30 Sold
BPH1/18	Cancellation Usage of Donaldson Type 5B. 1932 cover to U.K. This cover caries Indian stamps of the New Delhi Inauguration issue. Though valid for use, this issue was never placed on sale in Bahrain. The neatness of the cover and the lack of return address would appear to indicate philatelic incentive which has attracted the bonus of the use of the scarce (Don type 5B) receiver handstamp as a cancellation device. The strike of the boxed BAHRAIN/PERSIAN GULF DISTRICT (Don type 18) is curious because (a) it is applied direct onto the envelope, and (b) the cover shows no other sign of being Registered and this handstamp is recorded only in association with Registration. View	Ł 80 sold
BPH1/19	Cancellation Usage of Donaldson Type 5B. 1932 cover to U.K. This cover carries a full pane plus one stamp from a booklet of Indian KGV 1 Anna stamps. The stamps are cancelled by two strikes (one very poor) of the (Don type 5B) device, dated 17 APR 32. (This dating is confirmed by the transit cds of BASRAH 21 APR 32, on the reverse). The cover carries the inscription Overland/via Basrah in the handwriting of the sender. This is a reference to the option of Air Mail from Basrah to UK via the Imperial Airways service. View	Ł 80 Sold
*The Large Killer* - Donaldson type 6** This is the most common cancellation of the Indian overprint period. Donaldson records usage from11/5/24 through to 21/4/40.
BPH1/20	Cancellation usage of Donaldson Type 6. Cover with India KGV 1A cancelled by the (Don type 6) large killer h/s, dated 2 OCT 24.	Ł 15
BPH1/21	Cancellation usage of Donaldson Type 6. 1929 Small OHMS cover to Poona, India. A single strike of the large killer handstamp cancels a copy of the India KGV 1 Anna adhesive overprinted SERVICE. Use of SERVICE overprints in Bahrain is exceptionally rare. Is this is the only complete cover ? It is a cracker. View	Ł 250 Sold