Occasionally we find a cover that at first look does not appear to have much significance. However, with a little research there is always something more to be learnt.
This is the case on the below cover sent in 1952 to a Petroleum Development Qatar Employee, soon after the end of World War II. In bold Letters centre top we find "On His Majesty's Service" partially covered by the stamps. This is the first clue. As is still true today, much of the official government covers would have been sent without attached stamps. The stamps are tied to a Bahrain type 21 date cancel.
But the interesting clue is the "Economy - Reuse if Envelopes' cachet on the left of the cover. This practise, of reusing envelopes began towards the end of World War II due to shortage of paper throughout Europe and in particular Great Britain. As such, the government began to actively promote the reuse of envelopes.
One final point was the addressee on the cover is a Mr. W. D. Tonkinson, a known philatelist, but his middle initial on the cover was changed from D to J.
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