Jusqu'a Airmail Markings: A Study by Ian McQueen

Identification and Authentication

• Ink, impression, and typography: Study the ink type, strike depth, and letterforms to date and authenticate markings; compare with known office handstamps.
• Contextual clues: Postmarks, transit cancels, air waybills, and rate calculations corroborate the intended service limit.
• Forgery awareness: High-value or rare Jusqu’à handstamps may be forged or added later—expert certification or comparative reference checks are recommended.

1. Authentication: Understanding these markings helps collectors verify that a cover was genuinely flown on the specific route claimed, rather than merely carried by surface mail with an airmail stamp attached.
2. Rate History: The presence of a Jusqu'à marking helps explain the complex rate structures of the era, where mail often required a combination of surface and air fees.
3. Historical Context: These markings tell the story of the infancy of global aviation. They map the stepping stones of early flight paths—highlighting cities that were once vital air hubs but may no longer hold the same status today.

• "Jusqu’à" + city name (e.g., Jusqu’à Paris)
• "Par avion – Jusqu’à" combinations
• Occasionally bilingual: "Jusqu’à / Up to"

If you own a copy of Ian McQueen’s study or possess a cover bearing a "Jusqu’a" marking, philatelic libraries encourage you to submit scans to the Aerophilately Research Group to help update and preserve this vital area of postal history.

A typical example: A cover from Paris to Buenos Aires with a Jusqu’à marking reading “Jusqu’à Rio de Janeiro” would fly to Rio, then travel the rest of the way to Buenos Aires by steamer or rail.

C. Route Reconstruction

McQueen included dozens of itinerary diagrams. These show exactly which flight number, pilot, and intermediate stop the letter took. For the advanced collector, owning a cover that matches McQueen’s “Theoretical Perfect Route” doubles the item’s desirability.