Posted : Dec 4, 1940 at Baghdad

Probable Route : KLM from Baghdad to Singapore; Singapore to Hong Kong probably by surface; Pan American Airways FAM 14 China Clipper departed Hong Kong on Dec 27, arrived San Francisco Jan 4. USA domestic airlines to New York. Backstamped Baghdad, Honolulu, and New York.

Notes : The BOAC Horseshoe route used seaplanes and landed at Lake Habbaniya, outside Baghdad. KLM used land planes, and Baghdad was one of the stops on the route from Lydda to Bandung. Because of the Singapore markings, I believe this cover was carried by KLM. Had this cover been carried by BOAC, it would have gone from Rangoon to Hong Kong by CNAC, completely avoiding Singapore. Censored in Singapore. A 24 in small circles applied at Singapore.

Rate : 370 fils

Posted : Dec 5, 1940 at Baghdad

Probable Route : KLM from Baghdad to Singapore; Singapore to Hong Kong probably by surface ; Pan American Airways FAM 14 to San Francisco ; USA domestic airlines to New York.

Notes : Once again, because of the Singapore markings, I believe this cover was carried by KLM to connect with Pan Am's Pacific Clipper Service. Rare use of 1/2 Dinar King Ghazi issue, the 2nd highest face value stamp issued by Iraq during this period.

Rate : 920 fils

Posted : March 9, 1941 at Basrah

Probable Route : KLM from Baghdad to Singapore; Singapore to Hong Kong probably by surface ; Pan American Airways FAM 14 to San Francisco ; USA domestic airlines to New York.

Notes : This is the only picture postcard I have ever seen that was carried on the Pacific Clipper Service. There is no question the franking of 125 fils paid for airmail service. Note that 155 fils was the registered airmail rate for a cover. The card has a Singapore Censor 22 handstamp, as well as the B 24 in small circles which was also applied at Singapore. The picture side of the card shows the airport at Basrah. A wonderful item of Pacific Clipper Postal History.

Rate : 125 fils

Posted : July 26, 1941 at Basrah

Probable Route : BOAC Horseshoe Route from Basrah to Rangoon; CNAC from Rangoon to Hong Kong ; Pan American Airways FAM 14 China Clipper departed Hong Kong on Aug 19, arriving Honolulu Aug 23 and San Francisco Aug 26 ; USA domestic airlines to New York.

Notes : In may of 1941, Pan Am extended the FAM 14 route to Singapore. From May 3 to October 1, the clippers terminated on alternate weeks at either Hong Kong or Singapore. Because of the Honolulu backstamp of Aug 23, we know that this cover was flown from Hong Kong on the China Clipper. Did the Postal personnel along the Horseshoe route know the Clipper schedules, to be able to direct the mail to the correct destination, either Hong Kong or Singapore, depending on where the Clipper would terminate that specific week? Note the absence of any Singapore markings on this cover, definitely supporting the BOAC to Hong Kong route, and not KLM.

Rate : 155 fils

Posted : Nov 15, 1941 at Baghdad

Route : KLM or BOAC from Baghdad to Singapore ; Pan American Airways FAM 14 China Clipper departed Singapore Nov 30, arrived San Francisco, Dec 6, 1941 ; USA domestic airlines to Akron, Ohio. Backstamped Baghdad, San Francisco, Akron.

Notes : On Nov 19, 1941 the China Clipper departed San Francisco on what would be it's Last Pre-war Flight. After crossing the International Dateline, the Clipper arrived in Singapore on Nov 29. It departed the next day, Nov 30, for the return trip to the USA, arriving in San Francisco on Dec 6. This registered cover shows Singapore Censor markings, and is backstamped San Francisco Dec 6, 1941, verifying that it was carried on this flight. Due to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec 7, and the US entry into World War II, this was the Last Flight of the China Clipper.

Rate : 1490 fils, the highest franking I have seen from Iraq, includes the rare use of the 1 Dinar King Ghazi issue, the highest face value stamp issued by Iraq during this period.