| 161 | 10th JUNE 1940 - LAST DAY AIR MAIL TO G.B. VIA ITALY, ETC.; Fine 10 June 1940 env. to GB with "AIR MAIL" label franked by KGVI 1/- & 3d tied by 2-ring Malta c.d.s., carried on the day on which Air Mails were suspended (at midnight) due to Italy declaring war on Britain; plus similar 10 June 1940 sea mail env. to Palermo with KGVI 1d+11⁄2d but returned with Malta 15 June backstamp, and 26 May 1940 Air env. ex Australia to Italy that reached Italy on 10 June 1940 just before the ending of the Air Mail connection. Rare trio. (3 covers). PHOTO. | £120 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 162 | RARE 3d AIR MAIL POSTCARD RATE - INGOING & OUTGOING USAGES, ETC.; 8 May 1943 usage of the Malta 11⁄2d Red P. Stat. PC to GB uprated with Malta 11⁄2d for the special 3d rate; plus ingoing 4 Apr. 1941 scarce usage of the GB 2d P. Stat. PC [Ex 'Disraeli'; Cavendish June 1994, lot 242] uprated to Malta with tied GB 1d. Also fine Jan. 1944 RAF usages of the GB 2d P. Stat. PCs to GB cancelled by v. fine Malta FPO 188 c.d.s.'s. Good lot; the 3d rate was specially used for Malta because it had no Airgraph service. (4 cards). PHOTO. | £150 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 163 | WARTIME 1d (MYSTERY!), 3d (CONCESSION) & 7d (CIVIL) AIR MAIL RATE POSTCARDS TO G.B.; 11 Jan. 1943 Malta Formula PC with red text franked by Malta KGVI 3d tied by 'dumb' cancel (RAF censor), unused formula PC in blue, and Jan./Nov. 1942 usages of the Malta KGV 1d P. Stat. PC (some faults) from POW Rd. (Sliema) & Valletta uprated with Malta KGVI 6d or endorsed "OAS" and "BY AIR MAIL" but at 1d rate. Scarce lot. (4 cards). PHOTO. | £120 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 164 | NAVAL USAGES - 3d CONCESSION 'POSTCARD AIR MAIL RATE' CARD & COVER (!); July 1942 & Aug. 1941 PC/env. each franked by GB KGVI 1d(3) for the Concession Rate which was only available from ships while at Malta - the card was the normal usage, but the cover was allowed where ships' stocks of cards had become exhausted! - both cancelled by "RECEIVED FROM/H.M. SHIPS" rubbers and with Naval tombstone censors. Plus an unused blue Formula card. (3 items). PHOTO. | £150 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 165 | OFFICIAL R.A.F. "SECRET REGISTRY" DATESTAMP ON PRIORITY AIR MAIL COVER TO G.B.; Rare 30 Sept./ 1940 stampless "O.A.S." env. to Sussex with boxed RAF censor and unusual red "PAID" wavy machine bars cancel, having a partly very fine blue-green triple-oval framed "HEADQUARTERS R.A.F./SECRET REGISTRY* MEDITERRANEAN, MALTA *" d.s. on the reverse. Plus a v. fine strike of the same Secret Registry d.s. (22 Aug. 1940) on a piece. Rare; believed to be special priority Air Mail service. [See similar Sept. 1940 cover in Cavendish June 1994 'Disraeli' sale, lot 241.]PHOTO. | £120 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 166 | Similar 4 Nov. 1940 stampless "O.A.S." env. to GB (Chester arrival d.s. of 12 Nov.) with "MALTA IS GRATEFUL" label and RAF censor on front, having RAF endorsement on flap with very fine blue triple-oval framed "HEADQUARTERS R.A.F./MEDITERRANEAN, MALTA" d.s. on the reverse, also having black "RECEIVED FROM/H.M. SHIPS" machine mark on front. Attractive and rare Priority Air Mail cover. PHOTO. | £120 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 167 | Similar (3 July ?) 1940 stampless OAS env. to GB with partly fine triple oval "HEADQUARTERS R.A.F./MEDITERRANEAN, MALTA" d.s. on the front overstruck by the "RECEIVED FROM/H.M. SHIPS" machine. Plus Nov. 1940 piece with a v. fine strike of the same oval mark. (2 items). PHOTO. | £100 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 168 | UNIQUE(?) 2-RING "POSTAGE/[-/4]/PAID" MARK ON COVER WITH "JUSQU'A ROME" MARK; Spectacular and fine stampless 2/3 Jan. 1940 env. to Istanbul with Air Mail label, having a very fine red Malta 2-ring "POSTAGE/PAID" mark with blue crayon 4d value in centre, with v. fine rare purple boxed "PAR AVION/JUSQU'A/ROME" cachet nearby, and "PASSED BY CENSOR" on flap with Turkish arrival c.d.s. In spite of years of intensive search it is believed that this example is the only one recorded for the 4d rate; the Jusqu'a mark is likewise very rare. Exhibition Quality. PHOTO. | £300 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 169 | UNIQUE(?) 2-RING "POSTAGE/[-/9]/PAID" MARK ON O.H.M.S. COVER TO G.B.; c. Jan. 1940 long stampless "O.H.M.S." env. to "Commandant, Royal Marine Division, Royal Marine Barracks, Chatham" with blue Air Mail label and v. fine red Malta 2-ring "POSTAGE/PAID" mark with blue crayon "-/9" 9d value in centre. Spectacular Exhibition Item; still believed to be the sole recorded example of this 9d value. PHOTO. | £300 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 170 | UNIQUE(?) RED USAGE OF THE MALTA BOXED "5D." MARK WITH "Postage paid" ALONGSIDE; c.Dec. 1939 env. (some overall wear but still attractive) to Liverpool "By Italian Air Mail" with blue Air Mail label with red "PASSED BY CENSOR" on the front as well as a very fine red boxed "5D." Malta mark (usually used on unpaid mail as a Postage Due mark, but pressed into service for these cash-paid Air Mails for the first few days) slightly overlapped by a matching v. fine "Postage Paid" mark (both slightly affected by minor wear). Exhibition item; believed to be the only recorded example of the boxed Malta "5D" mark used for a prepaid wartime Air Mail cover. PHOTO. | £300 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 171 | RARE DOUBLE-BOXED RED "POSTAGE/5D/PAID" MARK ON AIR MAIL COVER EX CHINESE GUN BOAT TO G.B.; Fine c.1939/40 stampless env. to Kent with blue Air Mail label having a v. fine large double-oval "PASSED BY CENSOR/210" in red on the reverse, as well as a mostly very fine red Malta double-boxed "POSTAGE/5D/PAID" mark. Very few examples of this 5d mark are known. [Ex Alan Brown, lot 418; John paid £195 at Cavendish's Dec. 1996 auction.] PHOTO. | £260 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 172 | SOLID-BOXED RED "POSTAGE/1/3/PAID" AIR MAIL MARK ON NAVAL COVER TO AUSTRALIA; 3 May 1940 stampless env. (some wear at top; Air Mail label removed - by censor?) to Darwin with blue tombstone Naval censor mark on front but also with superb red "NAVAL/SERVICE" on flap apparently matching the very fine red boxed "POSTAGE/1/3/PAID" mark of Malta on the front. Rare usage of the Air Mail mark on cover to Australia. PHOTO. | £160 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 173 | BOXED "POSTAGE/1/3/PAID" MARK ON AIR MAIL COVER TO G.B.; c.1939/40 stampless env. (minor faults) to Ambleside with blue Air Mail label having a very fine red "PASSED BY CENSOR" (second strike on flap) and superb red boxed Malta "POSTAGE/1/3/PAID" mark both on the front. Believed to come from HMS Glorious. Exhibition Quality. PHOTO. | £150 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 174 | Similar c.1939/40 stampless env. to GB with blue Air Mail label and very fine red boxed Malta "POSTAGE/1/3/PAID" mark on the front, along with fine purple distinctive HMS Alcantara triangular "[Crown]/PASSED BY CENSOR" mark. Exhibition Quality. PHOTO. | £150 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 175 | Similar c.1939/40 stampless env. to GB from HOSPITAL SHIP "H.M.H.S. VASNA" with v. fine purple boxed "PASSED BY/[Crown]/NAVAL CENSOR" of that ship on reverse, having a mostly v. fine red boxed Malta "POSTAGE/1/3/PAID" mark on the front. Rare thus. PHOTO. | £150 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 176 | Similar c.1943(?) stampless env. to GB with blue tombstone Naval censor and almost v. fine red boxed Malta "POSTAGE/1/3/PAID" on the front, having the 1943-type G.B. censor label at left. Late usage. PHOTO. | £140 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 177 | Similar 22 May [1943?] stampless env. with almost v. fine red boxed Malta "POSTAGE/1/3/PAID" (light crease) on the front with red tombstone Naval censor mark. PHOTO.. | £120 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 178 | RARE SOLID-FRAME RED MALTA "POSTAGE/2/6/PAID" MARK ON STAMPLESS AIR MAIL COVER TO G.B.; Attractive 22 Jan. [1940?] stampless env. (minor wear at top) to Henley with a blue Air Mail label and v. fine red boxed Malta "POSTAGE/2/6/PAID" mark just overlapped by a fine blue "PASSED BE CENSOR"; believed to have come from HMS Glorious. Rare thus. [The Alan Brown cover sold for £161 in Dec. 1996; lot 419.] PHOTO. | £180 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 179 | RARE "PASSED FOR DESPATCH/[Crown]/INITIAL/OFFICIAL MAIL" CACHET ON "DD/1" CENSOR OHMS COVER TO G.B.; Fine July 1943 stampless env. to Durham with this rare and very fine purple 3-ring cachet tying the censor label on the front which is also tied on reverse by a superb Malta octagon-framed "[Crown]/PASSED/DD/1" mark; also on the front are a faint oval Official Mail cachet (Colonial Office?) and a red "LONDON S.W.1/OFFICIAL/PAID" machine cancel, and there is a boxed blue 14 July 1943 "RECEIVED/C.O. REGY." backstamp. Rare example of Official wartime Air Mail from Malta and very attractive. One of two examples recorded. PHOTO. | £200 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 180 | CIVIL AIR MAIL LETTER SENT "WITH AN AIRMAN" TO GB VIA CORNWALL (PORTREATH AIRFIELD); Remarkable 23/30 Nov. 1943 env. (with contents headed "Villa Bologna, Malta" with interesting contents ref. Admiral Cunningham and Lord Gort coming for tea!) to Kent franked by GB 2d+1⁄2d tied in transit by Camborne (Cornwall) machine having v. fine rare purple boxed "SECURITY CONTROL/PORTREATH" Cornish Airfield censor mark on the reverse. Rare 'By Safe Hand' wartime Air Mail. PHOTO. | £120 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MALTA - AIR MAIL GREEN CROSS LABELS, AIR | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 181 | GREEN CROSS LABEL ON COVER - RARE 1st-TYPE "NOT TO EXCEED ONE OUNCE"; 13 Feb. 1941 env. (Valentine letter?; minor faults) to a Capt. Hayes at RAF HQ in Malta with GB KGVI 11⁄2d tied by a Reigate machine with a fine "Weight/not to exceed one ounce" Green Cross label (GXL-1) at top left (as per regulations). The letter was returned to sender endorsed "Returned to UK". Few known; this 1st Type label is only recorded from Aug. 1940 to July 1941. PHOTO. | £200 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 182 | GREEN CROSS LABEL ON COVER - RARE 1st-TYPE "NOT TO EXCEED ONE OUNCE"; 11 Oct. 1941 env. (minor wear) to a Major at Malta (address partly faded) with GB KGVI 3d + 1/- tied by Aros (Isle of Mull) c.d.s.'s having censor labels and a fine 1st-Type "Weight/not to exceed one ounce" Green Cross label at top left, but showing signs of having been moved (? to uncover blue Air Mail label). Late usage for this type. PHOTO. | £100 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 183 | RARE MANUSCRIPT GREEN CROSS LABEL ON COVER TO GUNNER BOURSNELL; 14 July 1941 "OAS" env. (minor wear at top) to Boursnell at Malta franked by GB 6d+9d tied by Ilford machine with censor label at left overlapping a clear green crayon Cross 'Label' beside the tied blue Air Mail label. The Malta handbook only records 3 examples (two being to Boursnell) of this GXL-M manuscript label, but this is much earlier than than the Dec. 1942 to Feb. 1943 dates noted. This example could have been the original inspiration for the manuscript types, being dated around the change-over date between normal Types 1 and 2/3; perhaps Boursnell's correspondent was waiting for a new supply and thought of trying a manuscript one. Rare and attractive. PHOTO. | £200 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 184 | GREEN CROSS LABEL ON COVER - SCARCE 2nd-TYPE "NOT TO EXCEED HALF OUNCE"; 4/14 Aug. 1942 env. to an "Army Dental Corps" private at "Imtarfa, Malta" franked by GB KGVI 21⁄2d tied by a Norwich machine with a fine "Weight/not to exceed half ounce" Green Cross label at top left. Attractive. PHOTO. | £150 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 185 | Similar 5 Oct. 1942 env. with 2nd-Type Green Cross label from the same correspondence. Very fine and attractive; with a note that it was not received until 27 Nov. 1942 on reverse. PHOTO. | £150 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 186 | GREEN CROSS LABEL TIED ON COVER - 3rd TYPE (MUTE) ON 'BOURSNELL' COVER; Attractive 29 Jan. 1943 OAS env. (minor wrinkling) to Boursnell at Malta franked by GB KGVI 21⁄2d pair with plain Type 3 (GXL-3) Green Cross label alongside all tied by a fine Waltham Cross machine. Rare so fine and tied. PHOTO. | £100 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 187 | GREEN CROSS LABELS ON COVERS TO ARMY & CIVILIAN ADDRESSEES; 26 Oct. 1942 & 19 July 1943 envs. (some wear) to an Army Lieut. & a "Mrs. Micallet" respectively , both in Malta, franked by GB KGVI 3d +1/- or 21⁄2d tied by machines of London & Leytonstone, and both with 'mute' Type 3 Green Cross labels (the latter with faults but just tied). Good pair. (2 covers). PHOTO. | £120 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 188 | EMERGENCY LETTER CARD - RARE HANDSTRUCK RED "AIR MAIL/LETTER CARD" WITH MALTA "V" LABEL; Spectacular 17 Sept. 1942 usage of the plain paper folded letter-card (minor fault at top right; useful content ref. P.O. Air Mail service) to Surrey ex RAMC Cpl. Connolly with red handstruck "AIR MAIL /LETTER CARD" on the front slightly covered by a Malta "V" Relief Fund label, franked by Malta 3d tied by Valletta c.d.s. From the same correspondence as the similar example (EAL-H3) illustrated in the Malta Handbook, but a different date from the mere two examples recorded there. Exhibition Item. PHOTO.. | £240 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 189 | EMERGENCY LETTER CARD - RARE HANDSTRUCK CIRCULAR PURPLE "AIR MAIL/LETTER CARD" USED TO G.B.; 22 June 1942 usage of the plain paper folded letter-card from RAMC Cpl. Connolly to Surrey with mostly v. fine purple "AIR MAIL/LETTER CARD" cachet at top left, franked b6 Malta 3d tied by dumb machine and triangular censor mark. Rare thus; the twin to the example illustrated in the Malta handbook (EAL-H2). One of only three recorded examples, all dated in June 1942. PHOTO. | £200 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 190 | EMERGENCY LETTER CARDS - MANUSCRIPT TYPES INC. "SUBSTITUTED LETTER CARD"; Aug. 1942 plain paper letter-sheet to GB with Malta 3d (uncancelled, but with red triangular Malta censor alongside) to GB endorsed "Substitute Letter Card" along the top (part censor seal lifted to show this); plus similar Mar. 1943(?) plain paper letter-sheet with uncancelled Malta 3d and Malta censor mark but endorsed "AIR MAIL LETTER CARD" along top. Both clearly accepted in lieu of official type). Rare pair. (2 covers). PHOTO PLATE 9. | £120 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 191 | RARE FREE MAIL RED CHRISTMAS LETTER CARD - SIGNALS USAGE TO G.B.; Fine 12/13 Dec. 1942 complete usage of the red "BY AIR MAIL/FROM MALTA G.C./CHRISTMAS 1942" letter card (XAL-R), with "Special Free Mail" printed in the stamp position, to Devon from a Signaller with part Valletta machine and v. fine purple triangular Malta censor on the front. rare usage of this type of letter that was free of postage. PHOTO.. | £180 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 192 | RARE FREE MAIL RED CHRISTMAS LETTER CARD - R.A.F. USAGE TO G.B.; Similar 14 Dec. 1942 usage of the XAL-R letter-card (minor faults from knife-opening but complete) from "TORPEDO SECTION, RAF STATION, MALTA" to Kent with part Valletta machine and fine red Malta "R.A.F./CENSOR/285" on the front. Good usage. PHOTO. PHOTO PLATE 9. | £180 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 193 | RARE FREE MAIL RED CHRISTMAS LETTER CARD - FINE UNUSED EXAMPLE; Fine and attractive partly unfolded unused example of the 1942 Malta "AIR MAIL LETTER CARD". Remarkable survival; rarer than the used examples, because few servicemen chose not to use them Exhibition Quality. PHOTO PLATE 9. | £150 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 194 | BLUE 3d-RATE CHRISTMAS LETTER CARD - ROYAL ARTILLERY USAGE TO G.B.; 13 Dec. 1942 complete used blue "BY AIR MAIL/FROM MALTA G.C./CHRISTMAS 1942" letter card (minor corner faults) to Middx. franked by Malta 3d tied by part Valletta c.d.s. with purple triangular Malta censor on the front. Very elusive.PHOTO. PHOTO PLATE 9. | £150 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 195 | BLUE (DIFFERING SHADES) 3d-RATE CHRISTMAS AIR LETTERS - RARE COMPLETE UNUSED + 2 USED FRONTS; Very fine complete unused Pale Blue "BY AIR MAIL/FROM MALTA G.C./CHRISTMAS 1942" letter card (with "Affix 3d Maltese [sic] Stamp here" inscription; plus fine Dec. 18942 usages of fronts of the same letter card each with Malta 3d tied by Valletta c.d.s. (one with blue tombstone Naval Censor; scarce thus) showing the dark & pale blue shades. (3 items). PHOTO PLATE 9. | £180 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 196 | DARK BLUE 3d-RATE CHRISTMAS LETTER CARD - RARE UNUSED EXAMPLE; Very fine unused example of the 1942 letter card with "Affix 3d Maltese [sic] Stamp here" inscription. Rare thus. PHOTO PLATE 9. | £150 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 197 | RARE "FREE" MARKS ON 1943 CHRISTMAS AIR LETTER CARDS; 16 Nov. 1943 usages (one complete and one front) of the normal blue "AIR MAIL LETTER CARD" from Malta each with v. fine "FIELD POST OFFICE/188" 2-ring c.d.s., but each also with a different type of plain "FREE" mark in deep blue (larger "F"; complete cover) or reddish-purple (front); similar to the XAL-F1 "FREE" mark illustrated in the Malta handbook, but different sizes. Both with "RAF/CENSOR" marks (Nos. 116 & 113). Rare pair. (cover + front). PHOTO PLATE 9. | £150 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 198 | BALANCE OF AIR LETTER CARDS: Scarce pair of air-letters with provisional 'honour' certificates (2 sub-types), 1943 RAF pictorial Xmas air letter ex 256 Squadron plus six further examples of air letters with various 3d Maltese frankings to U.K. 1942-43. (9 items) | £120 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 199 | SCARCE AIRGRAPHS FROM MALTA - ONE WITH PICTORIAL R.A.F. CHRISTMAS GREETING; Oct./Nov. 1943 trio of Airgraph photo-messages from Malta to GB; one with "RAF MEF/Xmas Greetings" picture (Egyptian imprint but with RAF 267 censor, known to have been used in Malta), plus pair (one with window env.) ex same correspondence to Wales, both having RAF censors prior to photographing, one having No. 116, known to be used in Malta. There was no Airgraph service from Malta, and the few known - including these - must have involved having the original the original forms being flown to Egypt for photography there. (3 items). PHOTO.. | £120 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 200 | RARE INGOING AIRGRAPH (EX AUSTRALIA) & FAILED G.B. AIRGRAPH FORM TO MALTA; Sept. 1943 failed complete GB AIrgraph form to Malta with GB KGVI 3d tied by London c.d.s. but also with v. fine purple "AIRGRAPH SERVICE NOT AVAILABLE/FORWARDED BY AIR/MAIL" cachet in purple [ex Disraeli]. Plus Mar. 1945 complete Airgraph and window env. ex Australia to Valletta. There was no ingoing Airgraph service from G.B. to Malta but later in the War there was a service from the East via Italy. Rare pair. (2 items.) PHOTO PLATE 9. | £150 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 201 | RARE 'GREEN CROSS' LABEL ON NAVAL COVER: Cover ex HMS 'Meynell' addressed to Malta with red 'tombstone' Naval censor, RECEIVED FROM/H.M. SHIPS machine and v.fine 'green cross' label - rare thus. Also Malta 3d reg'd E to UK (1943) with 'M.M. 355 reg'n label and POST/OFFICE/MARITIME/MAIL cancellation; in addition a reg'd cover with fine oval FLEET MAIL OFFICER/H.M.S. 'ST. ANGELO' MALTA and KGV Jubilee set plus a 1940 forwarded from Fort St Angelo. (4 items) PHOTO PLATE 9. | £150 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MALTA - WORLD WAR II CENSORSHIP | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 202 | THE DISTINCTIVE NUMBERED "No.36" & ROYAL ENGINEERS' CENSORS - CODES 27, 33, 41 & 47; Oct. 1939 - Sept. 1940 covers to GB - Civil mail & OAS covers all with the regular green triangular Malta "No.36" censor marks, each with matching 6-digit coded marks, now known to indicate specific censors, X (code 27), Colman (code 33), Keating (code 41) & Williams (code 47); 3 stampless "OAS" covers with green "275/8-", "412911" & "4730/8" code-marks (first & latter with mostly v. fine purple encircled "FORTRESS/ORDERLY/ROOM/No./ROYAL ENGINEERS" cachets around the codes), and pair of Malta franked envs. (5d & 1s-3d rates) with "332812" and "330310" (latter with second "3" changed from "2"). Rare group of special coded censor marks, of which only 8 examples are believed to have been recorded. With copy of relevant John Daynes article and a matching uncoded cover. (6 covers). PHOTO. | £200 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 203 | THE DISTINCTIVE NUMBERED "No.36" & ROYAL ENGINEERS' CENSORS - CODES 33, 41 & 47; Similar Dec. 1939 - Dec. 1940 quartet of covers (two stampless OAS & one with Malta 5d/11⁄2d frankings) all with Malta "No.36" triangle censors in green matching coded "33" (2; Colman), "41" (Keating) & "47" (Williams) coded number marks; one with red circular "FORTRESS....ROYAL ENGINEERS" cachet. Plus copy of the relevant Daynes article. (4 covers). PHOTO. | £150 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 204 | "MALTA IS GRATEFUL TO THE ROYAL NAVY..." LABEL ON COVER SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR, ETC.; Fine c.1941 stampless "O.A.S." env. to Kent signed on flap by "Genl. Dobbie. Malta" with fine "MALTA IS GRATEFUL..." label on the front tied by an undated "RECEIVED FROM/H.M. SHIPS" machine with superb purple Malta triangular "No.29" censor alongside. Plus reprint photo of Dobbie, and 1934/37 PPC depicting, & cover addressed to, the Malta Governor's Palace. (3 covers). PHOTO. | £120 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 205 | "LIMITED" & "UNLIMITED" ENDORSEMENTS ON CENSORED O.A.S. MAIL TO G.B. INC. 'HONOUR' ENV.; 16 Apr. 1942 stampless OAS env. endorsed by sender "Limited Mail"; plus Nov. 1942 - Jan. 1943 trio of stampless OAS envs. ex the same correspondence (one being a green Honour env.) all endorsed "UNLIMITED" by the sender. Rare group; all with fair to v. fine 2-ring "VALLETTA" civil P.O. c.d.s.'s. (4 covers). PHOTO. | £120 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 206 | RARE OVAL-FRAMED "CUSTOMS MALTA/* POST OFFICE BRANCH *" DATESTAMP ON R.A.F. CENSORED COVER; Unusual 2 Mar. 1942 env. (minor faults; mostly on reverse) registered to Kent franked by Malta 6d + 1⁄2d tied by Valletta c.d.s.'s, having a very fine purple triple-oval "CUSTOMS MALTA/*POST OFFICE BRANCH *" d.s. on the front partly beneath the censor label (with blue handstruck "DD/1044"). Rare thus. PHOTO. | £120 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 207 | UNIQUE(?) MALTA "ENCLOSURE REMOVED/BY CENSOR" LABEL IN REGISTERED COVER TO G.B.; 13 July 1943 soldier's usage of the Malta KGVI 3d regd. env. (scarce) to "Blighty"(?) uprated with Malta 21⁄2d + 1⁄2d tied by 2-ring Prince of Wales Rd. (Sliema) c.d.s.'s with black Sliema R label and almost v. fine small purple 3-ring "DEPUTY CHIEF FIELD/[Crown]/CENSOR" on the front, with red "BASE CENSOR" label at right, resealed with fine red wax "DEPUTY CHIEF[Crown]/CENSOR" seals; complete with the original enclosed small buff paper censor's note with printed "ENCLOSURE REMOVED/BY CENSOR" with pencil note "1 Newspaper Cutting". Believed to be the only recorded example of a Malta censor's explanatory note. PHOTO. PHOTO. 2 | £140 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 208 | "MALTA IS GRATEFUL TO THE ROYAL NAVY..." LABELS ON COVER INC. ONE AMENDED BY CENSOR; Extraordinary 28 Sept. 1943 stampless OAS env. (minor wear) to GB with red Base Censor labels and fine Malta FPO 188 c.d.s. having a Malta Gratitude label most unusually with the word "MALTA" deleted in censor's black ink; presumably to remove the identification of FPO 188 from the cover - Unique??! Plus May/Oct. 1941 pair of censored envs. (minor faults) with Valletta c.d.s.'s to GB (one with Malta 5x1⁄2d franking or stampless "OAS") each with "MALTA IS GRATEFUL..." label, and unused marginal block of 10 Malta Gratitude labels. Good lot. (4 items). PHOTO.. | £150 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 209 | UNIQUE(?) MALTA OCTAGONAL-FRAMED "AT/21" ADMIRALTY CENSOR ON COVER FROM VIS TO USA; 7 Oct. 1943 stampless env. (one side-flap removed) to USA with Yugoslav Naval cachet on front with black 2-ring Malta "RECEIVED FROM H.M. SHIPS", and having matching purple "Posta i Telegraf/7-X * 1943/VIA" d.s. on reverse, alongside a very fine purple octagon-framed "[Crown]/PASSED/AT/21" mark; the latter is believed to be the only recorded example of this Malta Admiralty censor mark. Doubly unusual with the cachets of the island of Vis. Plus small piece with Malta KGVI 1d + 1⁄2d tied by red 3-ring cachet of the Yugoslav Communist Administration.. (23 items). PHOTO. | £120 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 210 | SCARCE ADMIRALTY 'AE' CENSOR LABELS ON MALTA RAF OR NAVAL O.A.S. COVERS; Jan. 1944 - Feb. 1945 stampless OAS covers (3) to GB/Egypt with scarce "OPENED BY/EXAMINER AE..." Admiralty censor labels AE/4 (Honour env.; plus similar env. sent a fortnight later but with a "DD/37" censor label) & AE/11. Good lot; these Admiralty censor labels are seldom seen; John has only recorded 7 covers in all! With copy of related John Daynes 2003 article. (3 covers). PHOTO. | £120 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 211 | ADMIRALTY SCARCE 'AB', 'AC' & 'AF' CENSOR LABELS: Trio of OAS covers with MARITIME MAIL machine (2) or circular RECEIVED FROM H.M. SHIPS, with fine examples of the very scarce Admiralty censor tapes coded AB13, AC13 & AF7 - only 7 examples have been recorded, 5 of which are offered in this sale. (3 items) PHOTO. | £150 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 212 | RARE DOUBLE-OVAL "DEPUTY CHIEF/CENSOR/MALTA" CACHET ON 'HONOUR' ENVELOPE; 4 Apr. 1944 usage of the green "ACTIVE SERVICE" 'Honour' env. to GB with Valletta c.d.s.'s and a very fine large blue oval "DEPUTY CHIEF/CENSOR/MALTA" mark of which we have not seen another example. Exhibition Item. PHOTO. | £120 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 213 | THE RARE "MILITARY MAIL DEPT./MALTA" CACHETS ON CABLE & WIRELESS TELEGRAM COVERS; Oct. 1941, Jan. 1942 & July 1942 Cable & Wireless "TELEGRAM" envs. (one with original enclosed telegram) to soldiers with the Army in Malta, each with a mostly very fine double-oval purple "MILITARY MAIL DEPT./MALTA" dates mark (three different types) on the front that were only used on telegrams are consequently very seldom seen. Varied condition but a rare set. (3 covers). PHOTO. | £150 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 214 | THE RARE "MILITARY MAIL DEPT." OVALS ON TELEGRAMS, ETC.; Sept./Oct. 1942 pair of folded Cable & Wireless Telegram letter-sheets addressed to the same soldier in Malta each with v. fine strike of this rare oval d.s.; plus similar uncensored May 1945 example with plain cachet, and 1940/41 pair of C&W Telegram envs. delivered in GB with complete message-forms (ex Malta) inside. (5 covers). PHOTO. | £120 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 215 | INTERNEE & P.O.W. MAIL: 1940-42 Group inc. scarce local cover (flap part missing) ex Camp Sal with boxed INT.CIV/MALTA and PASSED CENSOR/I.C. , POW letter-sheet to Germany from Malta Forces Camp 1, 'PASSED/DD/25' censor on E to Red Cross, tred Cross enquiry card re: seaman missing on Malta Convoy etc. (6 items) PHOTO. | £120 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 216 | UGANDA INTERNEE CAMP COVER TO MALTA WITH "DD.25" CENSOR MARKS; Very fine c.1943 stampless env. with printed "........Commandant, Internment Camp." on the front addressed to "Rabato, MALTA" endorsed "INTERNEES MAIL" with a superb purple octagon-framed Malta "[Crown]/PASSED/DD/25" mark on the front and a second strike tying the white "OPENED BY/EXAMINER" label at left. rare; mail from the Maltese who were sent to Uganda is very hard to find. Most attractive. PHOTO. | £150 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 217 | CENSOR TAPES STUDY: Interesting group on leaves inc. (1939) very early OBC tapes (4), OPENED BY EXAMINER/MALTA (2), AF W.3424 'Opened/by/Censor' (2), OPENED BY/EXAMINER DD/28, boxed blue POSTAL/CENSOR, 1941 US Foreign Service cover ex Valletta at 2½d rate etc. (15 items) | £140 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 218 | CIVIL CENSORSHIP COLLECTION: Varied range of censor tapes and h.s. on civilian mail inc. (1942) 61⁄2d franked reg'd E with 'DD/1044' tape and Egyptian h.s., other closure tapes inc. various 'DD-coded' examples, PASSED h.s., extensive numbered triangles plus uncommon oval (2) & boxed (3) h.s. (44 items) PHOTO. | £150 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MALTA - R.A.F. CENSORS & MAIL, 1939-45 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 219 | SCARCE KGVI REGISTERED ENVELOPES EX "BIRKIRKARA S.P.O." INC. ONE "V/MALTA" LABEL; 1942/43 usages of the small KGVI 3d blue P. Stat. registered env. (minor faults - one with part censor label removed from over the stamps - but very scarce used) to GB uprated with Malta 6d + 1⁄2d or 2dx2 + 1/- tied by fair c.d.s.'s with fine black "Birkirkara S.P.O." R labels; the first (from RAF unit) with "MALTA/V" label on reverse, and the former (civil usage?) with blue "AIR MAIL" label on the front. Good pair. (2 covers). PHOTO.. | £120 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 220 | RARE OVAL "HEADQUARTERS R.A.F./MEDITERRANEAN, MALTA" D.S. WITH SCARCE RAF/5 CENSOR; Sept./Nov. 1940 stampless OHMS env. to RAF HQ in Andover, GB, with superb rare blue triple-oval HQ RAF d.s. on the flap (signed by "Wing Comr. Hiscock") matching the very scarce boxed "PASSED BY/R.A.F./CENSOR No. 5" on the front beside red (London) "PAID" machine d.s. One of the scarcest RAF censor marks of Malta on a most attractive HQ cover. PHOTO. | £120 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 221 | SPECIAL R.A.F. CENSORS COLLECTION: Scarcer items inc. type R28 - red '8' on air letter and blue '80' on Honour E (both 1944); 1939 doubly-censored E with Type R1 (2 - 38 & 37) plus three other examples of double censorship inc. joint RAF / Army inspection. (10 items) PHOTO. | £200 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 222 | R.A.F. CENSORS: Collection on leaves with good range of censor types inc. circular R1 (3), 'tombstone' R4 (2), 4-line R8 (10) and pyramid R10 (5) with little duplication of numbers - all fine and scarce. Inspection recommended. (20 items) | £150 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 223 | R.A.F. MISCELLANY: WWI (1916) group of 4 cards ex R.N. Seaplane Base, 1942 OAS airmail cover to UK with boxed DAMAGED BY SEA WATER, 1942 card with attractive hand-drawn 'Spitfire' downing a German 'plane, 1941 S.African air letter addressed to 830 Squadron at HMS 'St Angelo', 1939 (2.Sept) E to Captain of the King's Flight at Hendon, redirected to RAF Benson etc. (13 items) | £120 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 224 | UNIQUE(?) USE OF U.S. AIR COVER EX MALTA: July 1944 usage of U.S. 6c airmail E with FPO 188 cds to USA with RAF censor - the only recorded such usage of a stationery cover used exceptionally on this scarce US concessionary service for Canadian servicemen. Also a previously unrecorded type of sealing tape tied to RAF censored E by FPO 188d.s., cover ex RCAF to Canada, Maltese stamps cancelled by London OFFICIAL PAID machine and a pilot's sketch of a Malta convoy. (4 items) PHOTO. | £150 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MALTA - ARMY CENSORS & MAIL, 1939-45 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 225 | RARE TRIPLE-OVAL "GENERAL STAFF/MALTA" DATESTAMPS ON OAS & FRANKED COVERS POSTED ON SAME DAY; 28 July 1940 pair of covers from different correspondences to GB; one with uncancelled Malta 1/- + 21⁄2d + 1⁄2d beside Air MAil label, the other stampless endorsed "O.A.S." from a 2nd Lieut.; both with v. fine purple triangular Malta censors (Nos. 1 & 10 respectively) along with v. fine rare triple-oval purple "GENERAL STAFF/* MALTA *" marks on the front. From the brief period when free forces' mail had been authorised but still having to be authorised with some kind of Unit cachet. Unique Pair? (2 covers) PHOTO. | £150 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 226 | UNIT CACHETS ON MALTA MAIL - TO AUTHORISE EARLY CONCESSIONARY FREE MAIL, ETC.; Aug./Sept. 1940 trio of stampless OAS envs. to GB with triangular Malta Censor marks but also having Regimental cachets during th period when these are thought to have been needed to legitimise Free OAS rates, soon after their introduction for Malta; v. fine oval "15TH ANTI-TANK BATTERY/ROYAL ARTILLERY" oval, v. fine oval "ORDERLY ROOM/2ND BN. DEVONSHIRE REGT." and fair boxed "7th A.A. REGIMENT/R.A. MALTA"Oct. 1941 stampless OAS env. to GB with boxed "A COY. 8th Bn. K. O. R." signed cachet on flap, and 3 plain OAS/civil envs. of a similar period. Scarce group. (7 covers). PHOTO. | £150 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 227 | BASUTO POSTAL CORPS USAGE OF THE G.B. 3d REGD. ENV. EX MALTA TO BASUTOLAND; Rare and fine 23 Nov. 1943 usage of the GB KGVI 3d Green P. Stat. regd. env. to "MORIJA" (v. fine arrival c.d.s. on front) uprated with GB KGVI 10d tied by faint "FPO/443" c.d.s. (Malta) with further strike alongside an on the large blue R label; endorsed from a Capt. in the "Basuto Coy., A.A.P.C."; troops from this Corps worked on mail sorting in Malta in 1943. Plus modern print of Basutos dealing with "Overflow Mail on the Causeway, Malta". An amazing destination and a very rare item from this tiny Corps. (2 items). PHOTO. | £120 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 228 | MALTA "FIELD POST OFFICE/443" USAGES OF THE SCARCE G.B. 3d GREEN FORCES P. STAT. REGD. ENVS.; June/Aug. 1943 uprated usages of the GB 3d regd. envs. to GB uprated with GB 3d + 10d or with GB 10d(£) + 3d(3) + 1d all tied tied by 2-ring FPO 443 c.d.s.'s; one with Base Censor red label and red wax seals, the other with RAF censor mark. rare pair. ( 2 covers). PHOTO. | £150 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 229 | MALTA "FIELD POST OFFICE/443" USAGES OF THE SCARCE G.B. 3d GREEN FORCES REGD. ENVS. TO PALESTINE/GB; Sept./Oct. 1943 usages of the GB KGVI 3d regd. envs. to Tel Aviv (rare destination) & GB each with v. fine Malta FPO 443 2-ring c.d.s.'s and large R labels; the first (to troops?) not uprated, but the other (civilian address) uprated with GB KGVI 1/-(2) + 3d(2). Plus 3 pieces. These elusive GB Forces' regd. envs. are very hard to find used from Malta. (2 covers + 3 pieces). PHOTO. | £120 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 230 | MALTA WARTIME (& LATER) F.P.O. 443 USAGES OF GB. & MALTA REGD. ENVS., ETC.; Unusual Victoria (Gozo) 1944 usage of the scarce Malta 3d regd. env. to S. African troops (SA APO 32 - Helwan, Egypt - arrival c.d.s.) via Malta FPO 443 (v. fine backstamp), odd June 1943 plain env. to Sliema with GB 1⁄2d + 1d + 11⁄2d tied b FPO 443 c.d.s.'s but with m/s "P[osted] O[ut of] C[ourse]" and Valletta regd. label, and post-War (1948/49/51) usages of the two sizes of Malta KGVI 3d regd. env. and GB 3d Pale Green regd. env. ex Malta's FPO 443. Good lot. (5 covers). PHOTO.. | £120 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 231 | HONOUR ENVELOPES: Good group of covers inc. two examples of the rare green crayon-lined provisional types with Malta censors plus eight further examples with a variety of censor labels and h.s., two with contents. (10 items) PHOTO. | £120 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 232 | UNUSUAL ARMY COVERS: 1943 card with GB 1d stamp cancelled at Valletta before the opening of the FPO, with triangular 'No.23' censor, civil airmail E to Egypt routed through FPO 188; scarce 'Gratitude' label on OAS cover (fault); letters from Maltese troops in Egypt etc. (10 items) PHOTO. | £120 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 233 | BALANCE OF ARMY COLLECTION: Substantial group of OAS covers ex Malta with good variety of censorship inc. extensive numbered triangles, crowned circle types and sealing tapes inc. several Tobacco Fund cards, FPO 188 d.s., two Xmas cards etc. (40 items) | £120 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MALTA - NAVAL CENSORS & MAIL, 1939-45 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 234 | SHIPS' MAIL: Collection of covers from identified ships inc. (1940) HMS Cossack, Euroclydon, Sharpshooter, Monmouth & Falcon; also mail addressed to the Troilus, Glorious, Swan, Hood, Loyal, Durban & Formidable. In addition 1942 E ex HMS Malabar to Malta with Bermuda franking and censor tape. (16 items) | £120 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 235 | EARLY NAVAL CENSORS: 1939-40 Group of covers with uncommon censor marks inc. scarce small and large straight-line PASSED BY CENSOR in different inks, some in conjunction with cds or machine RECEIVED FROM H.M. SHIPS and Maltese frankings; also two 1940 1½d covers to UK with unsigned 'tombstone' h.s. (11 items) | £140 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 236 | OPERATION PEDESTAL - TO RELIEVE MALTA - NAVAL SIGNALS WITH GRAPHIC DETAILS OF BATTLE; Remarkable set of four complete original 13-14 Aug. 1942 retained copies on "NAVAL MESSAGE" forms (full transcripts and explanation of jargon) sent to/from British Battleships engaged in this vital (and successful) last attempt to relieve embattled Malta; progress report sent from HMS Indomitable ("...Lift blown up and distorted. Mess decks below gutted...Flight deck out of action. Six Officers [+] 60 men killed...") to Vice Admiral Syfret, plus two from Syfret and one from Flag Officer of the 10th Cruiser Squadron with similar eye-witness accounts of bombardments and damage/losses. Rare lot reminding us just how tough the battle to save Malta was at this time. Unique and historical group. (4 forms). PHOTO. | £150 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 237 | 'OPERATION PEDESTAL' (AUGUST 1942): Mail to HMS 'Foresight' & 'Manchester', ships involved in the supply convoy for Malta and from the 'Deucalion' plus OAS cards from the Italian submarines Avorio, Uarsciak & Bronzo which attacked the convoy and three items from the German luftwaffe in Sicily etc. (14 items) | £150 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 238 | 'OPERATION PEDESTAL' - NAVAL P.O.W.: Correspondence from Lt.E.Cole Sutton while on HMS 'Furious' refitting in the USA (1941) then from the 'Manchester' on convoy duty to Malta; the ship was hit in an air raid, docked in Tunisia and the crew seized by the Vichy French . 1942 (August) returned letter with Admiralty label the addressee is now a p.o.w....; plus three letters ex POW Camp at Laghouat (Algeria). (7 items) | £120 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 239 | NAVAL CENSORS - SCARCE 3-LINE "OFFICE OF VICE ADMIRAL, MALTA" MARKS IN 3 COLOURS; c.1940 trio of envs. to GB with mostly very fine strikes of the CS-NVA "Passed by Censor/Office of Vice-/Admiral, Malta" in green (minor wear; Malta 11⁄2d tied by HM SHIPS machine), red (GB KGVI 10d tied by "JH" in triangle), or blue (the word "Malta" removed - a very rare type - stampless cover with "RECEIVED FROM/H.M. SHIPS" machine). Rare trio. (3 covers). PHOTO. | £120 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 240 | RARE 'NAMED' NAVAL CENSOR COVERS - VICE ADMIRAL (GREEN) & HMS S. ANGELO (BLUE); 19 Feb. 1940 env. (minor corner fault) to London with Malta 11⁄2d tied by London (23 Feb.) c.d.s. having a very fine bright green "OFFICE OF VICE ADMIRAL/MALTA" c.d.s. on the reverse matching the mostly fine tombstone Naval censor mark alongside; plus 10 Oct. 1939 env. (flap lost & some wear but attractive) to London by Air with Malta 3d + 1/- (fault) tied by "AIR MAIL/MALTA" c.d.s. with red straight-line "PASSED BY CENSOR" on the front beside a v. fine rare blue boxed "THE COMMANDING OFFICER/H.M.S. 'ST. ANGELO'/[date]/Regd. No." cachet. Rare pair. Plus a PPC of the ancient fort of HMS S. Angelo. (3 items). PHOTO. | £150 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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