PARCEL Post markings of Travancore

 

The Travancore 'PARCEL' (Banghy) service was in existence from 1860.  
The Anchal Runners used to carry these light parcels along with letters in a bundle suspended on each side of a pole across the shoulders. 

The big & heavy parcels were carried out by the Travancore Transit Agency (1868), and the conveyance was through Boat, in the earlier period.

And followed up by Trains(1904) and Road Transport in the latter period. 

But unfortunately none of the parcel receipts nor wrappers of the parcels have been traced.

All the parcel markings found so far, was in English, with no trace of parcel cancellation even from the pre-stamp period (before Oct 16 1888), in Malayalam language, or even after, till 1924.

Type 1. (Not Recorded)

P. A. R. (Dot in-between)

Type 2. 

PAR. (Dot after PAR)

Circle measuring 31 mm & 21 mm

Picture courtesy of Dr N S Mooss's book 'The Travancore Anchal'.

Type 3. 

PAR (no dot after PAR)

Circle measuring 32 mm & 21 mm

Picture courtesy of Dr N S Mooss's book 'The Travancore Anchal'.

Type 4.

Picture courtesy of Dr N S Mooss's book 'The Travancore Anchal'. 

Most of the specimens of all the above types were seen only from Trivandrum. Perhaps few others might exist.