Lots 241-320

241

PORT VILA CIVIL CENSORSHIP: 1940 (12 June) censored cover to the USA bearing 30c blue, with brown "OPENED BY CENSOR -NEW HEBRIDES" bilingual censor tape, rare violet two-line "OPENED BY CENSOR/NEW HEBRIDES" & circular violet bilingual "PASSED BY CENSOR/PASSE PAR LA CENSURE" Condominium censor mark. Rare thus.

£120

242

PORT VILA CIVIL CENSORSHIP: 1940 2d on 1d New Zealand postal stationery envelope ex Waikoa to the Government Surveyor, Vila with brown censor tape tied by violet "PASSED BY CENSOR/PASSE PAR LA CENSURE" cachet. This item was despatched via Australia under the 2d rate thence shipped to Port Vila on board the M.V. "Malaita". It was not censored in either NZ or Australia but was on arrival in the New Hebrides. Most attractive. PHOTO

£100

243

PORT VILA CIVIL CENSORSHIP: 1942 (15 April) cover to San Francisco bearing 5c (4) tied by Port Vila datestamps, opened and censored at Vila, sealed & despatched to Noumea for transmission to California. The cover was reopened at San Francisco where it was examined & resealed by censor 2433; also uncensored 1943 (16 Jan.) cover to Sydney, NSW bearing 40c adhesive tied by Port Vila d.s. and with black/white "CONDOMINIUM DES N.H./R/VILA N-H" reg. label with "282" inserted by hand. A good pair.

£100

244

PORT VILA CIVIL CENSORSHIP ON 1944 COVER EX TANGOA: 1944 (25 August) cover endorsed on reverse "Rev. John Gillan, Tangoa, New Hebrides" bearing 5c (3), 10c (3), 15c & 30c adhesives addressed to the USA with French language black boxed rectangular registration mark & mixed use of the British & French datestamps. Routed through Sydney on HMAS "Monoora", then shipped to the USA. One of only two recorded items from Tangoa.

£150

245

PORT VILA/AUSTRALIAN CIVIL CENSORSHIP: Trio comprising 1940 cover from Port Vila to Tasmania bearing 10c adhesive despatched via the MV "Morinda" to Sydney whence it was shipped to Hobart where it was censored by six dot censor tape and pink boxed "6/PASSED/BY/CENSOR/6"; 1943 "Cross of Lorraine" cacheted envelope ex Port Vila to NSW (redirected therein) bearing British 5c & "France Libre" 10c adhesives, censored locally and at Sydney and 1944 cover to NSW bearing 10c tied by "NEW HEBRIDES/INTER ISLAND" and with circular black Condominium censor mark. (3 covers).

£120

246

PORT VILA/AUSTRALIAN CIVIL CENSORSHIP: 1940-42 pair of censored covers, the former (opened out for display) bearing 5c, 10c & 15c adhesives tied by Vila datestamps of 26 November and with large circular violet "PASSED BY CENSOR/PASSE PAR LA CENSURE" Condominium censor mark to reverse; the latter addressed to San Francisco bearing 10c adhesive (underpaid 20c!) despatched on 25 May for Australia on board HMAS "Manoora", reaching Sydney (where it was opened & censored by examiner 1201) on 10 June, whence it was placed on a vessel bound for the United States. (2 items).

£100

247

PORT VILA/AUSTRALIAN CIVIL CENSORSHIP: 1942-45 trio of censored covers comprising 1942 mixed franking cover (10 cents & 20 centimes) to the USA, 1944 cover to the USA bearing 5c, 10c & 15c adhesives and 1945 cover to the USA bearing 30c adhesive. All with censor tape (two being local types, the third censored in Sydney). An attractive trio.

£120

248

PORT VILA CIVIL CENSORSHIP - COVER WITH BOTH CIVILIAN AND MILITARY CENSOR MARKINGS: 1944 (15 Dec.) long brown envelope (slightly reduced at top) with circular violet bilingual Condominium censor mark addressed to a private in the 23rd Bomb Squadron at APO 719 (the P.O. of the XIII USAF) with both English & French Port Vila datestamps. The cover was put in the military mails at Efate and flown to Espiritu Santo by a SOC aircraft. It was then turned over to Army P.O. 708 & forwarded to APO 719. The addressee had in the meantime moved to Henderson Airfield, Guadalcanal. The letter was then transhipped by APO 719 by the rear echelon, arriving at Guadalcanal on 28 December. A marvellous wartime cover.

£100

249

ROYAL NEW ZEALAND AIR FORCE POSTAL SERVICE: 1943 (22 Dec.) stampless OAS mail cover to California containing a special R.N.Z.A.F. Christmas Greetings card from a member of No.1 Squadron at A.P.O. 361. Also 1944 OAS cover to Christchurch, NZ ex N.Z.A.P.O. 361 (Pallikuko Airfield). A useful pair.

£80

250

ROYAL NEW ZEALAND AIR FORCE POSTAL SERVICE: 1944 (21 Sept.) OAS cover addressed to Christchurch, New Zealand with black circular "R.N.Z.A.F./21 SP 44/B/N.Z.A.P.O." & boxed violet censor mark. This letter emanated from R.N.Z.A.P.O. 361 (Pillikulo Airfield, Espiritu Santo) and was flown back to NZ by No.40 Transport Squadron before being pouched to the Foreign Mail Branch, Auckland GPO for its country distribution. The "B" in the d.s signifies RNZAPO 361.

£75

251

TANGOA ISLAND: U.S. 6c airmail postal stationery env. to Los Angeles with type-written "From-/Rev.J.W.P. Gillan, Tangoa, South Santo, New Hebrides" with violet circular "PASSED BY/BASE/1500/ARMY/EXAMINER" despatched to the USA by air, courtesy of the US Army via the island chain. The second recorded war-time cover from Tangoa.

£75

252

UNCENSORED APRIL 1940 COVER EX ESPIRITU SANTO TO AUSTRALIA: 1940 (10 April) registered cover bearing 50c adhesive tied by c.d.s. of (Espiritu) "SANTO" (and with another strike of same to the left of the adhesive) with two registration marks - one being the rectangular black boxed "R/SANTO/NOUVELLES HEBRIDES", the other being a black/white label with "VILA" crossed through & replaced by "SANTO". An unusual & desirable item.

£75

253

UNDERPAID MAIL: 1940 (21 August) cover to Massachusetts sent without postage stamps and with both English & French datestamps (the offices were side by side in the same building). Perhaps the item was sent under a separate cover in an attemot to obtain a local postage due label; in its place a pen cancelled US 10c due was affixed on arrival. Violet Condominium censor cachet & signature (E.Reid) on reverse.

£60

254

UNITED STATES AND AUSTRALIAN CENSORSHIP: Cover to Sydney, NSW bearing 10c adhesive ex the Seventh Day Adventist Mission on Aore island (located in the Segond Channel, Espiritu Santo island - just across from the main Santo military complex. Censored by the Army Base censor (0088) and posted to Sydney via military channels. On arrival it was re-examined, sealed & forwarded to the addressee by the GPO. Most unusual.

£150

255

MISCELLANY comprising 1942 (Nov.) censored cover to Australia bearing 10 centimes adhesive tied by "NEW HEBRIDES/INTER-ISLAND" d.s., 1942 (Dec.) cover to Australia bearing 10c adhesive tied by Port Vila d.s., censored initially at Port Vila and again at Sydney (NSW "OPENED BY CENSOR" tape covers that applied in the New Hebrides) plus 1945 ingoing postcard ex Algeria with a good variety of backstamps. (3 items).

£150

256

COVER SENT BY A MEMBER OF THE AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE IN VILA JUST PRIOR TO THE JAPANESE INVASION: 1942 (15 May) censored cover to Australia bearing 5c, 10c, 15c & 20c adhesives tied by c.d.s. cancels of Vila. Sent by LAC Cliff Searle RAAF on the day that the 80 ton "Balus" arrived at Port Vila from Tulagi. The "Balus" and the Australians left the Tulagi area as the Japanese RXB assault force was invading (3 May). The sender reached home before the letter! This is the only recorded item from the Australian Forces (ex Tulagi AOB) via the New Hebrides. PHOTO

£150

NEW HEBRIDES - US ARMY POSTAL SERVICE

257

EFATE ISLAND: 1942 (2 April) long env. addressed to Illinois, endorsed "Soldiers mail/Pvt. J. Gentile" (a member of Company B, 57th Engineers who posted it in a Company tent area) at top right and "Censored/Lt. H.V.Elliott" at lower left, postmarked at MCPO No.775 at the 4th Marine Defence Battalion P.O., two days after its arrival on Efate island. It was then despatched to Noumea & APO 502 via the YMS-86, the station's supply vessel. The earliest recorded military item from the New Hebrides.

£180

258

EFATE ISLAND: 1942 Trio of covers comprising 17 July cover to Washington showing circular black "U.S. ARMY POSTAL SERVICE/A.P.O. 932" d.s., censored initially by the Censoring officer, then re-opened by the Base censor (Capt. K.L. Hoffert, DC), 14 Sept. cover to California with black two-line "CENSORED/U.S.S. YMS 86" (a mine motor sweeper) plus the strike credited to the 4th Marine Defence Battalion (MCPO 775) on Efate island (the most expedient manner for mail to reach the addressee was to use the A.P.O. plus 26 Sept. cover to Ohio showing the use of the APO number by a crew member of VF-5 from the carrier USS "Wasp", sunk on 15 September by I-19 submarine with all aircraft being flown to Guadalcanal (the crew were sent to Efate). Also Money Order number 1 for $1, issued on the first day of postal service by APO 932 & endorsed to 2nd Lt. John Malarin USA, the postal officer for the APO. A good quartet.

£150

259

EFATE ISLAND: 1942 Quartet of covers ex APO 932 comprising 4 August cover to California with circular black "U.S. ARMY POSTAL SERVICE/A.P.O. 92 (which should of course have been removed)" d.s. & violet circular "PASSED BY/BASE/1900/ARMY/EXAMINER", 25 Sept. cover to Virginia with a similar circular black postmark with a dot where the A.P.O. number has been excised, (although this cover bears the Base censor's strike 1900 it was censored by Captain A.K. Shaver of Island Command who subbed as the chief censor when Lt. Hoffert, DC was transferred to Santo with the 182nd infantry and it was passed without being opened), 5 Oct. cover to California with a similar circular black mark with A.P.O. number excised and violet rectangular "PASSED BY/U/19000/S/ARMY EXAMINER" (signed Captain A.L. Hilliard) plus 17 Dec. cover to Ann Arbor, Michigan, again censored by Captain Shaver, and once more unopened. (4 covers).

£100

260

EFATE ISLAND: 1942-43 Quartet of covers comprising 1942 (13 Oct.) cover to Massachusetts (unusually bearing a 6c Presidential adhesive) with a fine example of the new "U.S. ARMY POSTAL SERVICE/A.P.O." postmark plus rectangular black boxed "PASSED BY/U/19047/S/ARMY EXAMINER" (signed by First Lt.W.C.Healy), 1943 (4 Dec.) cover with a further example of the circular black datestamp but with "932" added, 1943 (17 April) 6c Airmail postal stationery env. to Syracuse, New Jersey cancelled at APO 932 and posted by a US airman from VMF-123 Marine Air Group 11, plus a similar env. dated 27 June posted by Sergeant Wise, a member of the ten man 932d Army Postal unit on Efate island & censored by Lt. John Malarin ADG. (4 covers).

£150

261

EFATE ISLAND: 1943 (February/May) opened out covers (two) to the "Commanding General, San Francisco Port of Embarkation", bearing Presidential 15c plus Airmail 6c and Presidential 5c & 15c adhesives respectively, both ex Efate island and with a wide range of backstamps. An unusual pair.

£100

262

EFATE ISLAND: 1943 (6 May) cover to Louisiana bearing perf. x imperf. 3c Jefferson adhesives (2) tied by a violet circular strike of the "U.S. ARMY POSTAL SERVICE/A.P.O. 932" and with black circular "PASSED BY/BASE/1900/ARMY/EXAMINER". The only known example of this datestamp used with purple ink. Also 1943 (30 May) National Lutheran Council illustrated env. addressed to Delaware, endorsed "FREE" in m/s ex Colonel Paul Huntington, CC, the chaplain for the 24th infantry regiment. Stationery of this type coming from the South Pacific area is seldom encountered. A scarce pair.

£150

263

ESPIRITU SANTO: 1942 trio of covers to the United States, the first (2 June) showing the use of the New Caledonia A.P.O. 502 as the unit's address on Espiritu Santo, ex a member of Task Force 6814-EH which was involved in building an airstrip at Luganville & censored by Captain Stanley Hirtle, c/o L Company, 182d infantry, the others being ex the same correspondence to Illinois, again quoting "A.P.O. 502" in the return address and censored by Lt. Arthur Chernoff, MC. A good trio.

£150

264

ESPIRITU SANTO - A.P.O. 708 - AUSTRALIAN NAVY USE: Cover to Perth (WA) with printed "Lieut. A E Gordon/R.A.N.V.R./U.S. A.P.O. 708", bearing Airmail 6c adhesive tied by black circular "U.S. ARMY POSTAL SERVICE/A.P.O./708" d.s. of 6 July sent per the 6c airmail rate as authorized by Section 511 para.3-1/2 of the Postal Laws and Regulations as amended on 22 Oct. 1942, regarding rates to America's allies via U.S. military facilities. It was despatched by the bi-weekly ATC flight to Eagle Farms, Townsville, Australia for forwarding to the destination by civil authorities. Most unusual.

£100

265

ESPIRITU SANTO - A.P.O. 708: 1942 (27 Oct.) long env. to Indiana ex First Lieutenant Faye Wong (self censored), Company A, 147th infantry at APO 708, en route to Aola (Guadalcanal), endorsed "OFFICERS MAIL" & "FREE". Note: The 147th remained onboard the USS "Neville" at Segond Channel from 22 Oct. to 2 November 1942 due to enemy activity around Guadalcanal. The only recorded cover from this Regiment ex Espiritu Santo.

£100

266

ESPIRITU SANTO - A.P.O. 708: 1942-43 trio of covers to the United States showing postal markings of A.P.O. 708 (types 1, 2 & 3), Espiritu Santo island. One is from a former member of Detachment "A" (TF6814, 182nd infantry) using the local A.P.O. in lieu of his ex-station number A.P.O. 502 in New Caledonia, the second item was posted by the Force Surgeon, self-censored & passed by the Base censor without re-examination and the third item is from a GI with the 25th Evacuation Hospital, censored by Lt. Colonel Saxon, MC (the hospital's CO) & bears the Base Examiner strike No.1423. A useful trio.

£75

267

ESPIRITU SANTO - A.P.O. 708: 1942 (5 Nov.) cover (with contents) to Massachusetts, endorsed "FREE" and postmarked with the Provisional Base BUTTON strike used on "Free" mail to the USA. Return address reads "Sgt. James K.Ball 20153322/Btty. c 103 F.A.B.N. U.S. ARMY/APO # 708/co Postmaster/San Francisco, California" and with boxed censor's handstamp which is credited to an unidentified naval unit.

£60

268

ESPIRITU SANTO - A.P.O. 708: 1942 (December) cover from Deir el Zor (Syria) with 7p50 red (2) adhesives sent via the U.S. consul and cancelled at Washington, DC (standard procedure with pouch mail), addressed to Kentucky, thence redirected to A.P.O. 708. Opened for examination at San Francisco by censor 2994 & resealed before entering the military mail service.

£60

269

ESPIRITU SANTO - A.P.O. 708: 1943-45 covers/cards (4) comprising 1943 (16 Jan.) cover from A.P.O. 959, Wheeler Field, Hawaii under the 6c Airmail rate addressed to A.P.O. 708 (via APO 958, Canton Island, Nandi, Fiji, Tountota & New Caledonia), 1943 (Oct.) "Penalty Card" ex A.P.O. 708 notifying the sender's change of address (now assigned to 79th Signals Company, A.P.O. 708), 1944 (8 June) cover posted at A.P.O. (LeLuot, France) to a Corporal Adams on Espiritu Santo & 1944 War Ballot Form posted at A.P.O. 708 on 13 October. (4 items).

£120

270

ESPIRITU SANTO - A.P.O. 708: 1943-45 trio of covers comprising 29 Oct. 1943 & 4 Nov. 1943 covers to the United States showing the two most widely used types of U.S. ARMY POSTAL SERVICE/708/A.P.O." cancellations (the November cover being type 4 - used at Luganville Airfield - Bomber No.3, A.P.O. 708 Unit 1) plus 1945 War Department printed envelope (opened out for display) ex A.P.O. 708 to Illinois, sent via the Trans-Pacific route & Hamilton airfield, California. (3 items).

£100

271

ESPIRITU SANTO - A.P.O. 708: 1943 (25 Dec.) cover bearing Airmail 6c tied by the only known example of the APO double-circle inverted datestamp, addressed to Massachusetts ex Lt. Arthur Finnell (self censored), 23rd Heavy Bomb Squadron, A.P.O. 708 (part of the XIII USAF on Espiritu Santo). Technically the sender should have used A.P.O. 719 but used 708 as his squadron were camped adjacent to Pallikulo Airfield where A.P.O. 708 had a branch office.

£80

272

ESPIRITU SANTO - A.P.O. 708/719: 1943 trio of covers comprising cover to Sydney, NSW bearing Airmail 6c & Presidential 15c adhesives mailed as registered airmail at the A.P.O. by a civilian government employee to Australia (numerous backstamps), 28 June cover to New Jersey bearing Airmail 6c adhesive from a Private in the 129th infantry regiment (sent to Espiritu Santo as a key defence unit when the 2nd Marines departed for NZ in Feb. 1943) who used A.P.O. 708 whilst on the island (in lieu of A.P.O. 37) and 25 September cover from Lt. Ed Slater, a member of HQ Squadron XIII Fighter Command at A.P.O. 719. This A.P.O. was established on 28 June 1943 at Penda airfield to provide a postal service for the men of the XIII USAF. The APO remained on Espiritu Santo until 12 Jan. 1944 when it moved to Guadalcanal. (3 covers).

£150

273

ESPIRITU SANTO - COURIER MAIL: Undated long brown "War Departmednt" env. addressed to the "Officer in charge of Cargo Security Officers, Army Transport Service, Fort Mason, California" ex the "Office of the Sup. Water Division, APO 708" with purple boxed "ARMY COURIER/SERVICE/ES 3309", a similar undated War Department env. to the same addressee with scarce violet "Army Courier Service/ES" cachet & with the code word EBON in the return address. (EBON replaced BUTTON as the code name for Espiritu Santo in June 1943) plus War Department printed Airmail env. to Air Service Command, Patterson Field, Ohio ex APO 708 with purple boxed "ARMY COURIER/SERVICE/ES 4844", being a Safe Hand cover, hand-carried all along the Trans-Pacific route between Santo & San Francisco. Note: Courier mail was a non-postal security service operated by the US Army for confidential, secret matters, available for official use only. (3 covers).

£150

274

ESPIRITU SANTO - "V" MAIL: 1944 (12 April/5 July) pair of "V" Mail sheets ex A.P.O. 708 to Colorado & Illinois respectively. The former from Major Robert Porter at A.P.O. 708 was processed at the Port of Embarkation Office, "V" Mail section, Oakland, which handled the "V" Mail rolls for the West Coast, the latter (addressed to Urbana) from Lt. Donald Graham (showing the words "The New Hebrides" at the top) was processed at the Old Post Office Annexe (No.10529) then forwarded to Urbana. Also 1942 unprocessed "V" Mail cover to Missouri ex Espiritu Santo (as there were no processing facilities available on the island at the time). A scarce trio.

£120

275

PORT VILA - A.P.O. 932: 1944 6c Airmail postal stationery env. from a member of "17 Weather Squadron/APO 932" addressed to Chicago, without local censorship as it was placed in the outgoing mail bag and was not processed at the A.P.O. It was censored in San Francisco by examiner 61355 & endorsed to reverse "This communication referred to district postal censor by U.S. Military authorities". Also a similar env. from the same correspondence with "U.S ARMY/932/POSTAL SERVICE" machine cancellation of 5 Feb., censored locally. This particular machine cancel is not common - perhaps due to mechanical failure.

£60

NEW HEBRIDES - US NAVY POSTAL SERVICE

276

THE UNIQUE BASE ROSES BRANCH MONEY ORDER: 1942 (8 Oct.) Money Order Number 3 from Base Roses Branch, New York, dated on the day of the establishment of the Naval P.O. on Efate island. The money order was issued to Lt. Jack Malarin, ADG, the postal officer for APO 932 (Base Roses Branch operated within the confines of the APO building). Money orders numbers 1 & 2 were issued to the Navy mail clerk & his assistant. Note: The use of the code word "ROSES" as a mailing address by Naval personnel was against existing regulations but the Department of the Navy was totally unaware of the CNO (Op. 15) directive on these lines! The code name "ROSES" was subsequently amended to "TRUCULENCE". Believed to be a unique cover. PHOTO

£200

277

BASE ROSES NAVAL MAILING ADDRESS - EFATE ISLAND: 1942 (27 Oct.) cover to Cleveland, Ohio endorsed "FREE" in m's and showing the word "ROSES" as part of the sender's return address (J.H.Larsen, Fighting Squadron Five, Roses, c/o Fleet Post Office, San Francisco, Cal.). Larsen was an air crew member of VT-5 ex the sunken aircraft carrier "Wasp". Also 1943 (Dec.) cover to St.Louis from Lt. Commander E.F.Hartwig, a dental officer with Naval Mobile Hospital No.2, showing the use of "ROSES" in his return mailing. A scarce pair.

£100

278

BASE HOSPITAL NUMBER TWO: An unprocessed V-MAIL from Navy 600, Base Hospital number two, located at Bellevue Plantation, about three miles from Vila. There were no V-MAIL processing facilities on Efate island. The contents include "Have still a new address. Wish they would make up their mind". Endorsed "Free" in m/s and with circular black "U.S./DEC/16/1942/A.M./NAVY" d.s. & circular "PASSED BY/NAVAL CENSOR". Unusual.

£75

279

BASE HOSPITAL NUMBER TWO: 1943 (23 Feb.) cover to St.Louis bearing Airmail 6c adhesive with US Navy circular d.s. and violet circular "PASSED BY NAVAL CENSOR" showing printed return address of "Lt. Com'dr. (M.C.) U.S.N.R./Navy 600/co Fleet Post Office/San Francisco, California". On 2 Sept. 1942, Navy No.600 was assigned to the Mobile Base Hospital No.2 as a special mailing number for the facility. Sometime the following month certain medical personnel began to use Navy 600 number. The special number was discontinued as of 15 Feb. 1943. Also 1944 6c Airmail postal stationery env. addressed to Indiana with similar postal/censor markings to the 1943 cover but showing the hospital's designation as "Navy 156" in lieu of Navy 600 in the return address. A very interesting pair.

£75

280

BASE HOSPITAL NUMBER TWO: 1943 6c Airmail postal stationery env. (opened out for display) ex Base Hospital number two, uprated with 3c & 15c adhesives & addressed to San Francisco & showing the double circle registry d.s. of "NAVY 206" (the number assigned to the Advance Base at Efate on 2 Sept. 1942) plus scarce circular purple "PASSED BY NAVAL CENSOR" (unique to naval facilities on Efate). Some staining but a scarce item.

£70

281

BASE HOSPITAL NUMBER TWO: 1943 (May/Nov.) pair of covers to Wisconsin, both bearing Airmail 6c adhesives, each tied by misshaped "U.S. NAVY" datestamps, the former with "Navy 600" in the return address, the latter with "U.S.N. Hosp #2, Navy 156" (which replaced "Navy 600" in February of that year). A good pair.

£100

282

BASE HOSPITAL NUMBER THREE: 1943 (24 Nov.) cover to Wisconsin bearing Airmail 6c, endorsed as being ex "USN Base Hosp. ## 3/Navy 140" and showing slogan-type "MERRY XMAS" cancellation. Base Hospital number three was opened in February 1943 and was constructed by the 7th NCB. It was staffed by the medical personnel of CUB-One & was located adjacent to Segond Channel. Its P.O. was a sub-office of the Base P.O. (Navy 140) and its function was to provide postal facilities for the hospital patients and medical staff.

£60

283

ESPIRITU SANTO - BASE BUTTON: Pair of covers with the Provisional Navy Canceller posted at the CUB-ONE P..O. identified as the BUTTON Post Office located on the First floor of the Port Director's Office on Segond Channel. One bears Airmail 6c adhesive, whilst the second has printed "H.R. CARSON/Lt.Comdr. U.S. Navy" & m/s "CUB 1 - BUTTON/co P.M., S.F." The use of this provisional navy canceller is very uncommon.

£120

284

ESPIRITU SANTO - BASE BUTTON: 1943 covers (2) to California, dated Feb. 10 & 13 respectively, each with 6c worth of adhesives, the former being a Red Cross envelope originating at Motor Torpedo Base No.1 at Malo Island (off Espiritu Santo) & posted through the BUTTON P.O.on Santo, the latter ex a member of the Supply Division. Both show the word BUTTON in the return address, the former in m/s, the latter type-written. (2 covers).

£75

285

ESPIRITU SANTO - INBOUND/INTERRUPTED MAIL: The interesting group of covers (8) with F.P.O. 140 connotations inc. 1943 cover from South Australia to Navy 140, 1944 Airmail 6c postal stationery envelope from a doctor with the 24th NCB at Munda (Solomons) to Navy 140, 1944 cover to a sailor at Base Hospital No.3, c/o Navy 140 & forwarded to Oakland, 1944 cover to California posted at A.P.O. 887 (Paris, France) to NAB - Navy 140 at Espiritu Santo, 1944 3c postal stationery envelope from Kaplan to a sailor at Base Hospital No.6 (forwarded to the US Naval Hospital at Shoemaker, California, thence to its counterpart at Corona, 1944 cover posted under the 6c airmail rate from Long Beach to a sailor at Base Hospital No. 3 which was marked "NOT AT BASE HOSPITAL 3" & shipped on to the US Naval Hospital at Corona & 1945 cover from New York addressed to Navy 140 & redirected to Navy 926 (Guam), cover addressed to James Michener, Lt. USNR (of "Tales of the South Pacific" fame) ex APO 706 (Bougainville, New Guinea). An excellent group. (8).

£300

286

ESPIRITU SANTO: Quintet of covers comprising 1943-45 trio of Airmail 6c postal stationery envelopes originating at B-1 (Pallikulo Airfield), R/S (Segond Channel Receiving Ship) & NAB (Segond Seaplane Base), all F.P.O. 140 Base Units; plus 1943 covers (2) from the same correspondence to California, endorsed "FREE" with m/s "N.A.B. Button Circus 12A" & "N.A.B.-212-Circus 12A" respectively. Navy 212 was assigned to the Advance Base at Espiritu Santo on 2 Sept. 1942. (5 covers).

£150

287

ESPIRITU SANTO - "V" MAILS: Six "V" Mail sheets from various special units on Espiritu Santo island comprising one from a member of the 40th Naval Construction Battalion & processed at the "V" Mail unit of the Base P.O. on Santo, one from a member of Aviation & Overhaul Unit at Navy 140 (processed at the BPO for onward transmission), a 1944 Christmas Greetings illustrated type from Base Hospital No.6 processed at the Navy Base P.O, another ex Base Hospital No.6 with "New Hebrides" at the top of the message, one from a member of USNC Detachment 1029 addressed to Martha O'Driscoll, a well known cinema celebrity and the last from a sailor with the 3rd NCB requesting an autographed picture from another well known cinema celebrity of the day, Maria Montez. (6 items).

£200

288

ESPIRITU SANTO - "V" MAIL: 1943 (Dec.) "V" Mail illustrated sheet (reading "THANKS! YOUR CHRISTMAS BOX WAS A MOST WELCOME ARRIVAL") posted at the Base Hospital No. 3 on Santo. Whilst the date is not shown as 1943, the hospital was redesignated as Fleet Hospital No. 103 in 1944. The form was despatched from Base Hospital No.3 to the "V" Mail facility on the island for processing & transmission to the USA.

£75

289

IN TRANSIT MAIL: 1944 (31 May) registered cover ex Ututga (Raiatea Island - French Oceania) bearing Oceania 1f50 "France Libre" adhesives (3), addressed to a sailor assigned to the USS "Menifee" (APA-202) an attack transport. The letter moved around and was in & out of the Navy P.O. at Efate (NAVY 203) twice, once on 17 June & again on 19 August! Numerous relevant backstamps. Spectacular & rare. PHOTO

£100

290

PORT VILA - F.P.O. 156: 1943 6c Airmail postal stationery envelope (opened out for display) uprated with Presidential 9c (2), addressed to Commander Oakley, USNR, a doctor assigned to the 18th Marines, posted at New Orleans on 8 November. It was received at San Francisco on 9 November and despatched by air to Hickam Airfield, Hawaii. The letter was destined for Wellington, NZ via Efate island; flown by a PB2Y3 Flying Boat it reached Navy 156, Efate Harbour on 15 November and finally reached Wellington on the 23rd. Multiple backstamps (all in violet). One of only two recorded Sea Airlift covers.

£100

291

PORT VILA - F.P.O. 156: 1943 registered censored cover to New York with scarce "FABU-5" endorsement in return address, bearing 6c Airmail & 15c Presidential adhesives, posted at Navy 10913 Branch (assigned to Fleet Air Base Unit No.5 on Efate). Backstamped NAVY 10913 & NAVY 156 on 17 June, NAVY 128 (Pearl Harbour) on 21 June & Brooklyn, NY on 24 June. FABU-5 was a small unit with its own Post Office. Rare.

£75

292

PORT VILA - F.P.O. 156: 1943 registered censored cover to San Diego bearing Airmail 6c, Presidential 15c & Express10c adhesives, sent by a member of the 1st Naval Battalion (2nd section) at Navy 8015; backstamped NAVY 8015 and NAVY 156. The sizeable black circular "PASSED/BY/CENSOR" mark is attributed to the 1st Navy Construction Battalion.

£75

293

SPECIAL UNITS: Quintet of covers from various Special Units on Espiritu Santo island, chiefly dated 1943 comprising one to Washington, DC from a member of the 3rd Special Naval Construction Battalion, another from a member of the same Battalion sent at double rate (12c) to California, one from a member of the 36th NCB posted at the P.O. of the 35th Battalion (Navy 8155 Branch) and despatched to the United States via F.P.O. 140, the fourth from a member of USS YP-516 (ex California tuna boat!) bearing 36c worth of postage & backstamped F.P.O. 140 Branch 14 April 1943 and the last dated 25 March 1944 showing the datestamp of Base Hospital No.3 used on medical facilities' mail. (5 covers).

£180

294

SPECIAL UNITS: Group of covers comprising 1943 (Feb.) cover to San Francisco bearing Airmail 6c adhesive tied by black circular "U.S. NAVY" d.s. and showing "Navy 206" in the return address, 1943 (July) postcard to San Diego with circular violet "NEW YORK, N.Y. Navy ost Office/8015 BR." d.s. (Navy no. 8015 Branch, NY, NY was assigned on 2 September 1942 to the 3rd detachment, 1st Naval Construction Battalion), 1943 (Nov.) cover (same franking) to California from Commander P.J. Leavens showing "N.A.B. Navy 156" (a seaplane base in Vila harbour) in the return address, plus 1944 6c Airmail postal stationery envelope to Miami with return address of "First Constr. Batt./Fleet Post Office/San Francisco, Calif." (when "Navy 8015" was discontinued as a mailing address, the return address was allowed to be printed in full). A very interesting group. (4).

£150

295

SPECIAL UNITS: Group of covers comprising 1942 (Nov.) cover to Los Angeles bearing 3c "For Defense" (2) & 10c Special Delivery adhesive tied by "ARMY POST SERVICE A.P.O." d.s. & showing "NAVY 1220" in the return address (this number was assigned to ACORN (Red) 2 on 2 Sept. 1942 as a special mailing number for the unit), 1943 (Feb.) cover to Florida, again quoting "NAVY 1220" in the return address but also postmarked at A.P.O. 708 (the sender was a former member of CUB-ONE on Guadalcanal who was temporarily attached to the Acorn support unit), 1942 (Dec.) cover to New Jersey with "NAVY 8085" in return address (the special number briefly assigned to the 15th Naval Construction Battalion) plus 1943 (Feb.) cover to Washington with "NAVY 8210" in return address, endorsed "FREE". (4 covers).

£150

296

SPECIAL UNITS: Quartet of covers comprising 1943 (Aug.) Airmail 6c postal stationery env. ex CBMU 511, 1944 cover to Michigan bearing Airmail 6c adhesive from Base Hospital number two sent under the guise of Navy 156 (F.P.O. 156), 1945 (Jan.) cover to the United States from CBMU 569 and 1945 (29 Sept.) cover endorsed "U.S.N. Base Hosp. # 2" without a Navy number as part of the sender's address. (4 covers).

£120

297

SPECIAL UNITS - LION ONE: Cover to the United States bearing 2c "For Defense" x 3 tied by "U.S. NAVY/BUY MORE BONDS" slogan-type cancellation, endorsed "J.J. Brandt Sea 2c USNR, 40th Const. Batt./1st Echelon Lion One/co Fleet P.O./San Francisco, California". Plus 1943 V-MAIL sheet ex a member of "LION ONE" addressed to Illinois. Note: The Lion Unit was a complete base assembly sent out from the mainland to form the naval facility at Santo. Navy 212 Branch came with the formation. A scarce pair.

£120

298

SPECIAL UNITS - LION ONE: Mailgram ex the Navy Department, Commander Service Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet bearing Airmail 6c adhesive addressed to the "Medical Officer in Command, Lion No. One Hospital, US NAVAL BASE EBON", being the only recorded ingoing item showing the use of EBON as a mailing address. PHOTO

£100

299

SPECIAL UNITS - 7th NAVAL CONSTRUCTION BATTALION: Pair of covers ex the 7th U.S. Naval Construction Battalion to Maine & California respectively, the former bearing Airmail 6c adhesive tied by circular undated "U.S../NAVY", the latter unstamped, endorsed "FREE" and with U.S. NAVY d.s. of 12 Jan. 1943. (2 covers).

£75

300

SPECIAL UNITS - NAVY CONSTRUCTION BATTALIONS: Quartet of covers (two being Airmail 6c postal stationery envelopes, the others with Airmail 6c frankings) to various US destinations emanating from the 3rd Construction Battalion "Special " P.O. - Branch 10990, Construction Battalion Detachment 1029 and the 40th & 44th Construction Battalions. A good group. (4 covers).

£120

301

SPECIAL UNITS - CARRIER AIRCRAFT SERVICE UNITS, ESPIRITU SANTO: 1943-44 pair of covers to California & Ohio with Airmail 6c frankings, the first endorsed "K.E. LINDHARDT/CASU-10, co F.P.O./SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF.", the second "Norman W. Novotny/C.A.S.U.-40 co Fleet P.O./San Francisco/California". CASU-10 was stationed on Santo from 10 July 1943 until July 1944 & its postal service was provided by F.P.O. 140, whikst CASU-40 was originally stationed on Efate and moved to Santo in July 1943 (its postal service was again provided by F.P.O 140). A good pair.

£75

302

SPECIAL UNITS - U.U.B./U.U.W. TRANSIENT MAIL CODE ADDRESSES: Trio of covers comprising 1942 (12 Aug.) "Navy UUB" cover to West Virginia, posted on board the USS "President Polk" in Segond Channel by Lt. Commander J.P. Blundon, USNR who was the C/O of the 6th Naval Construction Battalion, on the day the unit reached the New Hebrides (the transient mail code letters UUB were assigned to CUB-One & the 6th NCB - when the formations reached their destinations they were to use the Espiritu Santo address in lieu of UUB), a cover posted on the "President Polk" the same day with type-written "A.GILROY/CHIEF YEOMAN/NAVY U.U.B." and 1942 (2 Nov.) cover to California, endorsed "Free" in m/s & showing the sender as "C.A. Cole, AMM 3/C USNR/Navy U.U.W." This was a secret code designation assigned to the 14th Navy Construction Battalion as a transit address. The only recorded example of Navy designation UUW. A very unusual trio.

£150

NEW HEBRIDES - US MARINE CORPS POSTAL

303

EFATE ISLAND: 1942-43 covers (4) comprising 1 July 1942 cover to the United States showing the datestamp used by the 4th Marine Defence Battalion (MCPO 775 Branch), endorsed "No stamps available/U.S. Marine Mail" and with the "U.S./NAVY/US MARINES" slogan-type d.s. used only on Efate island, 24 Aug. 1942 cover to Washington DC with a further example of the slogan-type cancellation but with "Base Roses" in the return address, 7 Dec. 1942 Red Cross env. to the United States ex Marine Corps Unit 775 with an example of a makeshift canceller of MCPO 775 used at the P.O. of the 4th Marine Defence Battalion in the Quoin Hill area plus 1943 "Penalty" env. (opened out for display) ex MCPO 775 to Washington, DC with 18c worth of adhesives (an exceptional rate for mil0itary mail) & violet two-line "Return Receipt Requested/FEE PAID". Scarce group. (4 covers).

£200

304

EFATE ISLAND: Quartet of covers, one showing the use of Navy 156, the major Navy P.O. on the island, (against USMC regulations as it circumvented Marine Corps postal channels), from a member of HQ Ron 2nd Marine Air Wing (at Quoin Hill airfield), 1943 (11 Dec.) cover to New York bearing 6c Airmail adhesive tied by misshapen "U.S./NAVY" d.s. (identified as one used at F.P.O. 156); plus two items ex MCPO 1300, namely 1944 (Aug.) cover to California bearing 6c Airmail, endorsed as being from "Sgt. A.J. Bonhomme/VMR-253/2nd Marine Air Wing" and 1944 (Feb.) 6c Airmail postal stationery env. addressed to Deanna Durbin (!!), Hollywood, California from a member of VMSB-341 (a Scout Bomber Squadron, part of Marine Air Group 21). A scarce group. (4).

£120

305

ESPIRITU SANTO - M.C.P.O. 160: 1943 (3 Jan.) cover to Oregon, bearing Airmail 6c adhesive tied by "U.S. NAVY/GUNG HO" d.s. and endorsed "Pvt. John W. Studer, MCU 160". It was posted at the Marine Raider Camp "GUNG HO" on Espiritu Santo by a Second Raider at MCPO 160 Branch. Also a 1942 cover to Chicago, again posted at "GUNG HO" and postmarked on the day the Battalion arrived back on Santo from a combat tour on Guadalcanal. (2 covers).

£75

306

ESPIRITU SANTO - M.C.P.O. 160/U.S.M.C. UNIT No.820: Trio of covers comprising 1943 (9 June) to Louisiana bearing Airmail 6c, Presidential 15c & Express 10c, posted at Gung Ho Camp by Corporal James Tillery, USMC postal clerk for the 2nd Raiders (Carlson's Raiders) and two covers ex PFC S. Herschberger, USMC Units 260 & 820 respectively. The former shows the use of Unit No.260 assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marines, the latter shows the use of the newly assigned number 820 (this was done to avoid confusion in sorting out mails between units serving in the Solomons & the New Hebrides as the majority of the 2nd Marine Corps were involved in hostilities in the Solomon Islands). Scarce trio.

£120

307

ESPIRITU SANTO - M.C.P.O. 1045/12934: Trio of covers comprising 21 April 1943 cover from a member of VMF-121 (Marine Fighter Squadron-121) at the P.O. 1045 Branch & despatched under the "FREE" military franchise endorsement to the USA showing unusual "DEVIL DOGS/AT WORK" slogan-type cancellation, 1943 (Nov.) opened out 6c Airmail postal stationery env. to California uprated with Presidential 15c adhesive originating with a member of MAG-11 & registered atMCPO 1045 and 1944 opened out registered env. to USMC HQ bearing Airmail 6c & Presidential 20c adhesives from MCPO 12934 (assigned to Marine Aircraft South Pacific - a new administrative & logistical command on 1 Feb. 1944 & disbanded six months later).

£120

308

ESPIRITU SANTO - M.C.P.O. 1045, ETC.: 1943 (5 Nov.) 6c Airmail postal stationery envelope addressed to California from a member of VMF-213 (Marine Fighter Squadron 213) showing his full mailing address including "Navy 140" and postmarked at MAG-11 P.O. number 1045, 1943 "Penalty" env. to USMC HQ in Washington, DC with typed "The Post Exchange Officer/Marine Aircraft South Pacific/Navy No. 140 (one four zero), Care of the Fleet Post Office/San Francisco, California" plus 1944 "Penalty" env. to USMC HQ without NAVY 140 in the return address. A good trio.

£100

309

ESPIRITU SANTO: Quartet of covers comprising 1943 (Jan.) cover to California bearing Airmail 6c adhesive, ex Marine Corps Unit # 725 (First Marine Air Wing) 1943 (Jan.) cover from USMC No.1050 (assigned to Headquarters, Marine Air Group-11) and mailed under the endorsement"Postage guaranteed by/Receiver", 1943 (Jan.) cover to Ilinois bearing Presidential 3c x 2 (one damaged) ex USMC # 1180 (VMD-154 - a Marine photograph squadron) & 1945 cover to New York from USMC 1055 with blind postal marker. (4 covesr).

£120

310

ESPIRITU SANTO - SECOND MARINES: Trio of covers comprising one ex Sgt. J.Lent, R-2 section, 2nd Marines, endorsed "Free" and cancelled by "blind-type" blue "U.S.S./NAVY" mark (formerly used on USS "Crescent City" but with the ship's name at base excised), "Penalty" env. ex Lt. Francis Kelly (a chaplain) to New York, with "PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE TO AVOID/PAYMENT OF POSTAGE" crossed through and with "FREE" inserted by hand, plus another "Penalty" envelope to the Quartermaster of the USMC, Washington DC ex MCPO 160, showing a further example of the "U.S./NAVY/GUNG HO" slogan-type cancellation. (3 covers).

£150

311

ESPIRITU SANTO - "V" MAIL: Two "V" Mail items processed by the Navy Base P.O. on Espiritu Santo island, the first being an illustrated type depicting the Statue of Liberty, a battleship & two aircraft, inscribed "With the Eclipse of the rising sun!" from a Lt. Broll. the second ex a member of VSMB-143 Marine Air Group 12, 1st Marine Air Wing, dated 25 May 1943. A useful pair.

£75

312

ESPIRITU SANTO - INCOMING "V" MAIL: 1943 (3 Feb.) "V" Mail sheet from Peoria, Illinois to a Marine airman with VMO-154 (Marine Observation Squadron) MAG-14 at Luganville Airfield, Espiritu Santo. The unprocessed "V" Mail form was prepared at F.P.O. 130 (Suva, Fiji) & then forwarded to F.P.O. 140 from Nandi Airfield (Fiji) to Espiritu Santo by SCAT aircraft. Incoming V-Mail to Espiritu Santo is uncommon.

£60

313

JAPANESE RICE PAPER ENVELOPE SALVAGED FROM GUADALCANAL AND POSTED FROM ESPIRITU SANTO TO CALIFORNIA: Japanese rice paper env. posted from the 2nd Marine Raiders' P.O. (identified by the characteristic canceller combined with the "green ink") by a member of Unit 820. The envelope had been salvaged by a Raider on Guadalcanal during their 30 day raid. The only known Japanese stationery envelopefrom the New Hebrides.

£300

SOLOMON ISLANDS - THE COASTWATCHER PERIO

314

COVER DESPATCHED ON THE LAST MAIL FROM TULAGI: 1942 (14 Jan.) env. from Tulagi carried on the SS "Malaita" to Brisbane, redirected to Sydney. Franked at the 2d Empire rate for 1oz and with violet Australian censor h.s. Believed to be one of only two covers from this mailing.

£150

315

COVER DESPATCHED ON THE LAST MAIL FROM TULAGI AND CHARGED POSTAGE DUE: 1942 (14 Jan.) env. from Tulagi carried on the SS "Malaita" via Australia to Boston, Mass. Franked with a 2d adhesive which underpaid the international 3d rate, & thus charged 2d p. due., censor tape of Townsville and USA. The cover has been opened out for display purposes. Believed to be one of two recorded covers from this mailing. Ex. Robert Taylor.

£150

316

COVER FROM AUKI TO PORT VILA AND THENCE TO SYDNEY: 1942 (1 March) env. carried by district officer Henry Joslyn on Lever Brothers ketch "Kombito" from Auki, Malaita Island to Port Vila and then on the "Malaita" to Sydney. The cover is franked with a 2d adhesive cancelled in pencil and again with the "NEW HEBRIDES/VILA" c.d.s. alongside is a "1 MAR 1942" violet h.s. with m/s "BSIP" below (which identifies this mail), boxed "PASSED BY CENSOR" of Auki and again censored at Sydney. Ex. Robert Taylor. Believed to be one of four recorded covers carried on the Kombito. PHOTO

£300

317

COVER FROM AUKI CARRIED ON THE KETCH "KOMBITO": 1942 (1 March) env. carried by H.E. Josyln on the Ketch "Kombito" from Auki, Malaiti to Port Vila and thence to N. Zealand. Franked with 2d cancelled in m/s and again with a "NEW HEBRIDES/VILA" c.d.s. Alongside is a very lightly applied "1 MAR 1942" violet h.s. with m/s "BSIP" below, also boxed "PASSED BY CENSOR" h.s. Ex Robert Taylor. Believed to be one of four recorded "Kombito" covers. PHOTO

£300

318

COVER CARRIED FROM AUKI ON THE KETCH "KOMBITO": 1942 (1 March) env. carried by H. E. Joslyn on the ketch "Kombito" from Auki, Malaita to Port Vila thence to Gordon & redirected to Talamurra. Franked with 2d (damaged) cancelled with m/s "AUKI" (the only named m/s we have seen from this place) and "NEW HEBRIDES/VILA" cds. The cover is h.s. in violet "1 MAR 1942" with m/s "B.S.I.P." above and was censored on three occasions. Ex Robert Taylor. Believed to be one of four recorded "Kombito" covers and the only one with m/s "AUKI".

£300

319

COVER FROM SANTA ISABEL: 1942 from E Sprott on Santa Isabel via Auki & Vila to Transkei, S. Africa. Franked with 2d tied by m/s date and ten bar oval cancellation, alongside is a boxed "PASSED BY CENSOR" h.s. One of two covers recorded from Santa Isabel at this time. PHOTO

£300

320

COVER FROM SANTA ISABEL: 1942 env. from Emily Sprott on Santa Isabel via Auki & Port Vila to Sydney, franked with 2d tied by m/s date and ten bar oval. boxed "PASSED BY CENSOR". Fine. This letter was sent to Auki after the sender had heard on the radio that mail was going to be despatched from Auki. At Auki the cover was despatched on the government medical officers vessel "Hygeia" to Vila for onward transmission by the HMAS "Manoora". Ex. R.A. Baldwin. One of two covers recorded from Santa Isabel at this time. PHOTO

£300

1-80	81-160	161-240	241-320	321-400	401-480
561-640	641-720	721-800	801-880	881-960	961-1034
Index