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Introduction
From observing the usage of the various labels and markings, one can deduct this timeline:
In 1995 the post offices under PNA control (ie. in the Gaza Strip and Jericho) were equipped with the B1 labels, and the newly opened offices during 1995 and 1996 in the Westbank were given labels B2, and from June 1996 A1. The former is common to both Gaza and the Westbank, whereas the latter is only used in the Westbank. Type B2x starts appearing in July 1995 in Jericho, with sporadic use only in Westbank offices (like Ramallah Central Sorting) but more widepread in the Gaza Strip. From June 1997, the A2 labels appear in smaller, often newly established offices, in Westbank towns. Use of A2 (apart from a few instances) ends in 1999.
From about June 1999 some offices in the Westbank (initially the larger ones) started to use handstamp markings (type C). Apparently they had run out of expensive self-adhesive labels and were provided rubber handstamps from a central source, though design variations exist. Labels in type B3 start appearing in early 2005, mainly in smaller Westbank office, and type B4 is used on the Westbank from September 2009.
Many of the then new new post offices never received handstamps and had initially to resort to manual markings (type X), as do some other offices at times. Examples are known from:
Zababdeh, Kafr Kaddom, Illar, Alkafreyat, Jayyus, Bidya, Asira Ashamaliya, Alfar'a Camp, Beit Liqya, Beit Lid, Beit Sahour, Ber Nabala, Kafr Thulth, and Al-'Ubeidiya. Earliest examples of type X date from 1994.
In rather unclear circumstances, on two occasions (April 1996 in Hebron; and in May 1996 in Bethlehem) old Israeli labels with parts torn off or erased were genuinely used: type Z.
In March 2011, the Westbank's Palestine Post introduced the UPU software package "IPS Light" which resulted in the switch to computer-printed barcode labels (type D). In an early phase labels (types D1, D3, and D2) are applied at either head POs or central sorting as not all offices had yet been connected to the new system. Smaller offices actually apply old labels (mainly type B4), which are then labelled-over with IPS labels bearing a corresponding number. At some offices not supplied with 'old' labels a handwritten registration number sometimes appears besides the label itself.
During 2012 the new North Valleys office at Ein-el-Beida used photocopied B4-like strips, marked manually (type B5). In Gaza, the old labels of types B1 and B2x remained in use. After the 2008/2009 Israeli attack on Gaza, labels from damaged offices are used in offices still operating or after re-opening.
During early stages, experimental types D3 (in Beit 'Awwa only) and D2 (only Ramlalh Central Sorting) have been used, but standard type was D1. In April 2012 a new variant (type D4) was introduced, this seems to be applied mainly at head POs for small offices, but was later rolled out to most offices. D5 is only known from Nur Shams in March 2013 and seems a programming error.
The labels do not expressly state the name of the post office (apart from one experimental example Beit 'Awwa), but the RR prefix is followed by the PO number, not the new postcode! D1, D4 and D5 labels a printed in a set of three: D1 (top), D1-L (bottom left), and D1-R (bottom right):
As of Summer 2016, Westbank office use D1 and D1 label, Gaza office uses B1 or B2x labels.
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Classification of Registration Labels and Markings
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- white self-adhesive labels, printed in black, office name in block capitals, accompanied by the Post Office Number, and with black imprinted numerator (prefixed by No.) with four digits. Imprint size: 49.5x19.5mm (inside). Size of label can vary.
Preliminarily classified as type A1
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- same as type A1, but different typefaces incl. a noticeably smaller R. Imprint size: 48.75–49.25x19.25–19.5mm (inside). Size of label can vary. Numerator shown with four or five digits.
Preliminarily classified as type A2
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- white self-adhesive labels, printed in blue with imprinted numerator in blue. 6 digits. Size: 36.0–36.5x12.5mm (imprint); 42.0–42.5x19mm (label).
Preliminarily classified as type B1
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- white self-adhesive labels, printed in blue, with imprinted or manuscript name of the post office, and with imprinted numerator in black. 6 digits. Size: 36.0--36.5x12.5mm (imprint); 42.0--42.5x19mm (label).
Preliminarily classified as type B2, blank: B2x
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- white self-adhesive labels, printed in blue. Imprinted numerator with prefixed number in red. 4 digits (Dura: 6 digits). Imprint size: 37.5x13mm (outside), 36.2x12.2mm (inside). Label size: 45.0x16.5mm.
Preliminarily classified as type B3
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- white self-adhesive labels, printed in blue. Imprinted numerator with prefixed number in red. 4 or 5 digits. Imprint size: 43.5x17mm (outside), 42.5x15.9mm (inside). Label size: 49.9x23.6mm.
Preliminarily classified as type B4
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- photocopied paper strips (sizes vary widely), black with (sometimes red) manual inscriptions. Design (ca. 43.9x15.2/16mm) similar to B4.
Preliminarily classified as type B5
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- handstamp markings, in violett or red (with or without No. prefixed), with manuscript numerator. One standard design with variations.
The office name appears in block capitals and is accompanied by the Post Office Number. Various box sizes.
Note the variations in box size and/or font for Jenin (47.2x28.1mm), Kafr Rai (46.7x29.2mm), Qafen (49.5x19.6mm), Sourief (48.7x21.2mm), Qalqilya (51.3x18.5mm), and Tulkarm (50x19.7mm, serifed)
Preliminarily classified as type C1, Jenin: C2, Qafen: C3, Sourief: C4, Tulkarm: C5
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- white self-adhesive labels, printed in black. "IPS Light" linear barcode. With or without "Palestine Post" on top of imprinted numerator (9 digits) with prefixed RR and suffixed PS or ps. Label size varies.
Preliminarily classified as:
- type D1 (without "Palestine Post": barcode size 54.2x6.4mm, label size ca. 70.1x17.2mm)
- type D1-L and D1-R (without "Palestine Post": barcode size 30.1x4.7mm, label size ca. 35.2x17.6mm)
- type D2 (without "Palestine Post": barcode size 73.2x4.9mm, label size 78–79x19mm)
- type D3 (with "Palestine Post", barcode size 54.6x10mm, label size 75.1–75.5x25.6–26mm)
- type D4, D4-L, and D4-R (type D1 with different font)
- type D5, D5-L, and D4-R (type D4 with gaps, barcode size 61.9x6.4mm)
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- manual markings, hand-drawn.
Preliminarily classified as type X
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- Israeli Military Occupation Forces label, with Hebrew script erased or blocked out.
Genuine usage only known from March and April 1996 in Hebron; and in May 1996 in Bethlehem (top of label torn off).
Preliminarily classified as type Z
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Advice of Delivery (avis de réception)
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Special markings or labels for "Advice of Delivery" (avis de réception) service are naturally more rare than registration markings. An example for a handwritten marking "AR" (Gaza 8, August 2006) is shown on the right, together with the handstamp that should be available at most post offices. Below front and reverse side of form NB112 (ن ب ١١٢) and a cover from Halhul 2006.
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Registration Receipt
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Receipts (or certificates of posting) for registered letters look like this. Sheet size: 161x55mm, imprint size: 143x49mm. I noted that the accompanying letter is postmarked Bethlehem 3 (122), this receipt Bethlehem 4 (199), both 18.04.1999.
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