(Accident Mail) 1936 (Dec 1) cover addressed to Sudan Railways, Atbara, Sudan endorsed to travel by SS “Queen Mary”, the envelope sustaining damage en route across the Mediterranean on a French ship. The front with violet Bureau Ambulants Mediterranee cds of 11.12. and in same ink two-line DETERIORE par/ accident de Service, two examples on front and one on reverse tying the Post Office sealing tape, above this an Alexandria machine transit cancel. Stamp soaked off and some slight damage.
(Danzig Intercepted Mail) 1914 ‘spider and web’ illustrated envelope from Russia to London, intercepted by authorities in Danzig with three-line violet handstamp dated 8.12.1914 and circular cachet applied, sealing tape at top, manuscript “march 23rd 1920” arrival date. Envelope opened-out for display.
(Interrupted Mail) 1970s folded envelope to Kansas University franked ‘Annigoni’ 5c. and 10c. tied Kowloon cds, at centre three-line handstamp Mail delayed in/ delivery due to/ West Coast dock strike. Some wrinkling to envelope, unusual.
(Interrupted Mail) 1941 (Dec 19) registered, Return Receipt Requested, 3c legal size stationery envelope to Philippines uprated with 3c. Jefferson, 15c. Buchanan and 3c Torch tied by two four-ring targets, reverse with Mahukona Hawaii Registered cds, Honolulu transit that ties the pair of Christmas seals, undeliverable because of the War gainst the Japanese at the destination, brown censor tape at side tied RELEASED/ BY I.C.B. – 58 handstamp on reverse, new Honolulu cds of Apr 13 1942 with final Mahukona arrival of APR 18, the front showing two-line RETURNED TO SENDER/ SERVICE INTERRUPTED; vertical central crease affecting one label otherwise fine item.
(Sinkiang Russian Post Offices Kuldja Post Office) 1918 (24.5) registered insured cover to Tientsin franked at 950k (inclusive of insurance for 500 roubles in banknotes enclosed) cancelled by Kuldja P.O. datestamps (Tchillinghirian Type 7), endorsed “Par Harbin” but delayed and interrupted by the Russian Revolution and arriving at Changchun I.J.P.O. on 18 Oct, some 5 months later, transferring to Tientsin I.J.P.O. on 20.10 and then to Russian Post Office on 21.10. for eventual delivery. A very fine item travelling through two different Foreign Post Offices.
(WW2 Suspended Mail) 1944 (11.9.) cover addressed to Shanghai, China with stamps tied Tomelilla cds. The cover was stopped by the postmaster and a hand-written note commenting on the regulations and that the registration receipt has been returned, signed J Akesson. The registration label removed. Believed to be a unique device amongst service suspended/ return to sender devices.
1926 (16 XII) registered Value Declared envelope for 96L. to Berlin franked 5c., two 1L. and 40c. Airmail tied Kaunas cds, bilingual Valeur declaree label on front, five Lithuanian wax seals, intercepted by German customs with white label applied on revers and three thick Eagle and Swastika red wax seals applied.
1941 (5 Dec) airmail cover addressed to Hong Kong bearing single franking 9d. ‘Platypus’ tied Melbourne ‘BUY WAR SAVINGS CERTIFICATES’ machine slogan, censor handstamp at left tying tape, two-line violet NOT TRANSMISSIBLE/ SERVICE SUSPENDED handstamp at centre, reverse with red Dead Letter Office Sydney cds of 26.JA.42 and red ‘hand’ front and back. The Battle of Hong Kong started on 8th December so the mail became undeliverable whilst in transit.