Page 78 - The Postal Agencies in Eastern Arabia

When the Post Office was opened, King Edward VII stamps of
India were placed on sale but, as the majority of mail was addressed to
Bombay or Karachi at a Vi anna rate, it is most unusual to find values
over one anna. The stamps were invariably used to seal the flap of the
envelope, and those most commonly found arc the Via; and la.
(Postage and Revenue) issue of 1906. The first cancellation (Type 1)
was a type not used at any of the other Postal Agencies in the Persian
Gulf, and it continued in use as late as 1933. The letters “B.O.” in the
upper segment of this cancellation (and that which succeeded it)
stood for “Branch Office”.
From 1911, King George V stamps of India came into use and,
although values up to 3a. are occasionally found, the most commonly
used were, once again, the Via; and the la. (both carmine and choco­
late). Low value Indian Service stamps are also very occasionally found
used from Dubai.

By 1925 the Type 1 canceller appeared to be feeling its age and
getting very confused; from January to December that year it was
more usually showing either the whole or part of the date inverted.
However, it recovered its poise the following year and served on,
getting somewhat worn, for another seven years.

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