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Japanese Map of the Philippines; a large detailed map in Japanese with the original folder bearing two Japanese tax stamps, in full colour (15 x 2 1/4 inch). This was printed for Japanese civilian consumption with eight narrative section on the reverse explaining Philippine history, geography, industry, transportation and Japan-Philippine ties (with an English translation). Scarce HK$800-1,000
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A group of items related to the repatriation of prisioners with a group of bulletins, "Relief For Americans in Philippines" which includes a list of those Americans repatriated on the 'Gripsholm'; 1944 (9 Nov.) American Red Cross message to Capt. Warren Minton waiting for his liberation; 1945 (12 Apr.) stampless covers sent from hospital ship U.S.S. Refuge based in San Pedro Bay; photo post card of liberated internees from Santo Thomas. HK$1,200-1,500
| Japan | The total number of the POWs who were imprisoned in the camps in Japan was around 36,000. In addition to this, approximately 11,000 POWs tragically lost their lives when allied air and submarine forces attacked the ships transporting the POWs to Japan.
The organization of POW camps in Japan was repeatedly reformed and rearranged, so the main camps, branch camps, dispatched camps and detached camps opened during the war numbered about 130. On the other hand, there were some that were closed. Thus, in addition to the seven main camps there were 81 branch camps and three detached camps at the end of the war. 32,418 POWs in total were detained in those camps. Approximately 3,500 POWs died in Japan while they were imprisoned.
There are two main designations of types of camp, B for Branch Camp (Bunsho) and D for Dispatch Camp (Hakensho). The difference between the two camps is that at the Branch camp the prisoners were fed, clothed, administered and supervised directly by the army. A Despatch camp meant that the company the prisoners worked for would provide the food, do the administration, provide guards, etc. The army would merely supervise. The company would be responsible for the welfare of the Prisoners
Fukuoka - Incoming Mail | |
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1943 (c.) undated envelope to a Dutch soldier sent "Prisoner of war mail, Postage Free", from Holland and with German censor seal at left with the appropriate censor handstamps in rose-red, with a fine strike of boxed Prisoner of War Information Bureau censor handstamp in blue with Fujii seal, various manuscript markings including large "2" in
red crayon (camp 2) and "5/4/44" being the date of receipt. A good, early cover. Tett fig. 6-3-5. Photo HK$800-1,000
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1943 (23 Apr.) "Prisoner of War Post" envelope to Gunner S.Blanchard from his wife, with Lewisham machine postmark, British censor seal "991" at left and a fine strike of framed censored handstamp in red with Sakamoto seal and large "1" in red crayon; vertical fold and some soiling. Also 1943 (1 Sept.) envelope from the same correspondence bearing London F.S. machine postmark, British censor seal "2550", a good strike of Fukuoka P.O.W. Camp censor handstamp with Motohashi and another seal, manuscript "1" changed to "9" in crayon. A good pair of covers. Tett figs. 6-3-6, 9. Photo HK$1,500-2,000
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1943 (4 May) "Prisoner of War Post" envelope to D.W. Collins of 84 Squadron, in Java bearing Leighton Buzzard machine postmark, British censor seal "3087", "Fukuoka" in blue crayon with "2" (camp 2 at Nagasaki) in red crayon and a good strike of Fukuoka Prisoner of War Camp, Headquarters Censored handstamp in blue with unidentified seal; 1943 (26 Nov.) "Prisoner of War Post envelope to L.A.C. Wicking, bearing Eastbourne machine postmark, British censor seal "3123" and addressed to Java; redirected to the Japanese Red Cross in Tokyo, with pencil "FUK", "11" in red crayon and a good strike of Fukuoka P.O.W. Camp Censored in blue with Nakamura seal. Good. Also 1943
(1 Sept.) a similar envelope to W.H. Casely bearing London machine postmark, British censor label "6,013", Fukuoka Prisoner of War Camp Censor handstamp in violet with Nakamura seal and "3" in red crayon; vertical fold. Tett figs. 6-3-8, 9, 10. (3 covers). Photo HK$2,000-2,500
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1943 (31 Dec.) "British Prisoner of War" postcard to Sgt. David bearing Pontefract, Yorkshire machine postmark, British censor "P.W.2451" handstamp in rose-red, Fukuoka Prisoner of War Camp censor handstamp in blue with Nakamura seal and a further censored handstamp in blue with illegible seal, "(4) - 53" in blue crayon; the original postage stamp has been removed. Also 1944 (8 Mar.) stampless "Service des Prison de Guerre" card to private Button bearing Peterborough machine postmark, British censor "P.W.3749" handstamp in dark red, Fukuoka Prisoner of War Camp censor handstamp in blue with unclear seal and Suehashi seal alongside and "(9)" in red crayon plus pencil arrival date "25th January 1945". Good to fine. Tett figs. 6-3-12, 14. (2 cards). Photo HK$1,000-1,200
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1944 (15 Apr.) stampless "Prisoner of War Post" letter to Lieut. Tinegate bearing Portsmouth & Southsea machine postmark, British censor "4605" seal at left, Fukuoka Prisoner of War Camp censor handstamp in blue with indistinct seal, Sakabayashi seal at left, manuscript "(1)" in blue crayon and marked "Recd Apr. 4/45". Also 1944 (10 Aug.) 3d. air mail Prisoner of War card to W/O Frost cancelled by Clacton-on-Sea machine postmark, British censor "P.W. 9196" handstamp in red, Fukuoka Prisoner of War Camp censor handstamp in blue with Tagawa seal, two other seals of Sakabayashi and Akiyama; unusual with three seals. Tett figs. 6-3-13, 15. (2 items) HK$1,000-1,500
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1945 (5 May) 1 1/2d. Prisoner of War air mail card Martyn Lovejoy from his mother, bearing Camberwell, Surrey machine postmark, faint British censor "P.W. 3125" handstamp in red and manuscript "3" in red crayon, where he was waiting repatriation, without Japanese censor and note at foot "This Was Last"; creased. Also a group of
papers and other information including Lovejoy's brief diary of his time to and from the Far East. An unusual and interesting lot. The 1 1/2d. card is rare delivered to a camp. Tett fig. 6-3-17. Photo HK$4,000-5,000
Very few of these cards were received in the camps as they were only issued on 2nd April 1945.
For mail from Java P.O.Ws, see lot 2191
| Fukuoka - Outgoing Mail | |
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1943 (c.) special envelope from E. Smeed to his wife in Chesham, Bucks. from camp 1 (Bunsho), bearing Fukuoka Prisoner of War Camp censor handstamp in blue with Nakamura seal, Japanese characters in red crayon for "confiscated" and British examiner P.C.90 seal and there is adhesive tape on the flap. Tatty but envelopes are scarce. Tett fig. 6-2-2. Photo HK$800-1,000
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1943-44 (c.) a group of three, undated type 1 cards to England and U.S.A. (2); the first bears good strikes of Fukuoka Prisoner of War Camp Fourth Division censored handstamp in blue with Saito seal and small boxed censored handstamp in blue, British censor "P.W. 1864" handstamp in deep red and, on the reverse, Nakamura seal; some tone spotting. The other two cards are from Furyoshuyosho, one bears Fukuoka Prisoner of War Camp censor handstamp in turquoise with Kitano seal, U.S. censor handstamp at foot and, on the reverse, Fukuhara and Oi seals; the other card bears Fukuoka Prisoner of War Camp/Headquarters censored handstamp in purple with Nozaki seal and, on
the reverse, Yuri and Oi seals, no U.S. censor. An interesting group. Tett figs. 6-2-3, 4, 5. (3 cards). Photo HK$2,500-3,000
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1943 (Oct. - Dec.) two type 1 cards from Charles Dallain to his parents in New Carlisle, Canada, the first with manuscript date "Oct 16/43" in ink bears a good strike of Fukuoka Prisoner of War Camp Fifth Division Censored handstamp in purple with Yajima seal, the reverse with Uchida seal on the reverse, without Canadian censor marks; vertical folding crease and slightly reduced at right. The second card, written just after Christmas bears a very faint strike of Fukuoka Prisoner of War Camp censor handstamp in blue with unreadable square seal, the reverse with Kaneko and Uchida seal. Good matching cards from camps 5 and 8. Tett fig. 6-2-6 HK$2,000-2,500
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1943-44 two type 1 cards from Jan van Lingen, a coastguard in number 2 camp, to his family in Batavia and bears a fine strike of boxed Fukuoka Prisoner of War Camp censor handstamp, with three additional characters obliterated, in carmine-red with unidentified seal, the reverse with Kitano and Akiyama seals; fine. The second card dated 1944
(21 Apr.) is from the same correspondence from camp 2 and bears a fair strike of Fukuoka Prisoner of War Camp Headquarters Censored handstamp in purple with Kitano seal and on the reverse, Kitano and Watanabe seals; fine. Tett figs. 6-2-7, 13. Photo HK$1,800-2,200
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1944-45 two second type cards from Fredd Fieldhouse in camp 12 to his parents in Gillingham, Kent, the first bears a fair strike of Fukuoka Prisoner of War Camp censored handstamp in blue with Kitajima seal and British censor "P.W. 2509" handstamp in red, the reverse with a good strike of boxed Fukuoka Prisoner of War Camp Headquarters Censored in red with large Nomoto seal and Amakubo seal alongside. The second card is dated 1945 (8 May) from Hiroshima (one of the Fukuoka camps) and bears a light strike of boxed Fukuoka Prisoner of War Camp Censored handstamp in purple with Kondo seal, Japanese c.d.s. (21.5) and British censor "P.W.3210" handstamp in red. Mail from camp 12 is very scarce. Tett figs. 6-2-8, 15. Photo HK$1,800-2,200
Camp 12 became Hiroshima 5-B, Innoshima, where the work was shipbuilding and related labour
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1944 (c.) first type card from Lieut. C. Aalders in camp 14 to his wife in Java, bears a fair strike of Fukuoka Prisoner of War Camp Censored handstamp in blue with unidentified square seal, the reverse with Saito and Kitano seals. The card has been redirected to the civilian internee camp, Tjihapit, in Java; vertical folding crease. Mail from camp 14 is scarce. Tett fig. 6-2-9. Photo HK$1,000-1,200
Camp 14-B was at Nagasaki where the labour was in the iron foundry. At the end of the war there were 195 POWs (152 being Dutch)
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1944 (Dec.) (c.) first type card from private M. Rufi in camp 20 to his wife in Soerabaja bearing a good strike of Fukuoka Prisoner of War Camp, Headquarters Censored handstamp with large Takashiki seal, the reverse bears Tobimatsu and Ohtsubo seals. On arrival Mrs Rufi could not be traced and the card is stamped "no record"; minor age faults. Camp 20 is not recorded in other literature, scarce thus. Tett fig. 6-2-11. Photo HK$1,000-1,500
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1943-44 second type card from J. Kolster in camp 9 - Hakensho, to a friend in Holland bearing a faint strike of Fukuoka Prisoner of War Camp Censored handstamp in blue with square seal and Mino seal alongside and there is a machine applied German censor mark in red across the top, there is also some pencil notation, the reverse bears Suehashi (?) seal; light soiling. Tett fig. 6-2-10. Photo HK$1,000-1,500
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1944 (July) first type card from C. Scott, an American civilian, from camp 1 (Bunsho), to his sister in Sacaramento, bears a good strike of Fukuoka Prisoner of War Camp Censor handstamp in blue with Kitano (?) seal, U.S. censor handstamp and, on the reverse, Sakamoto seal; a couple of small age faults. Tett fig. 6-2-14 HK$1,000-1,500
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1944 (25 Sept.) first type card from William Casely to his mother in Devon, bears a fine strike of Fukuoka Prisoner of War Camp Censor handstamp in violet with illegible seal, British censor "P.W. 7749" in red and, on the reverse, Oi seal; light soiling HK$1,000-1,200
A.C. Casey was assigned to Yawate steel works, camp 3-B
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1945 (8 May) second type card from Barry Deane in Hiroshima to his mother in Coonoor in India, bears a faint strike of Hiroshima Prisoner of War Camp Censored handstamp in purple with Kondo seal and with Japanese postmark (28.5), redirected to Bombay with Coonoor c.d.s. (26.12) and Bombay arrival on the reverse; there is also a part of a Japanese label. Soiled but scarce. Photo HK$1,500-2,000
Barry Deane was previosly in Hong Kong, for an envelope sent from Shamshuipo, please see lot 2070
| Hakodate Camp - Incoming Mail | |
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1943 (21 Feb.) stampless "Prisoner of War" envelope to Private V. Ball of the 5th Suffolk Regiment in Singapore, bearing Great Yarmouth machine postmark, Examiner's 3,261 seal, manuscript "HAK" and "1420 6" in red crayon, boxed censored handstamp in purple with Hirate seal. Also 1943 (22 Sept.) another stampless envelope from the same correspondence, bearing Horsey, Gt. Yarmouth despatch c.d.s., "examiner 3123" censor seal Censored handstamp in purple with Hirate seal and manuscript "1420 6" in red crayon; there is a patch of gum where an adhesive was taken off before the letter posted. Originally addressed to "Malai" but corrected to Hakodate, presuming that the first letter home had recently been received. Tett fig. 6-3-18. (2 covers) HK$1,000-1,500
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1943 (12 Oct.) and 1944 (4 Jan.) two similar stampless "Prisoner of War" envelopes to Gunner N. Bagley from his wife, both bearing Manchester despatch c.d.s., good strikes of Hakodate Prisoner of War Camp Censored handstamp in purple with Sotoyama seal; the envelopes are numbered "23" and "34" in pencil and probably refer to the number of the letter received. Tett fig. 6-3-19. (2 covers). Photo HK$1,000-1,500
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1944 (1 Feb.) printed Prisoner of War lettersheet to W. Keith Edmonds from his girlfriend in South Australia, bears Two Wells despatch c.d.s., Australian censor seal and diamond handstamp "108", two boxed censor handstamps in orange, one with Yoshida seal, unframed Tokyo Prisoner of War Camp Censored handstamp in rose-carmine with Hirota seal, "2" in pencil (camp 2) and "6B" in red crayon. Fine and colourful. Tett fig. 6-3-44. Photo HK$800-1,000
William Keith Edmonds was held at Ohasi (Sendai 4B), formally Tokyo 6-B and Hakodate 2-B camps and was able to keep diaries of his capture. There were only 8 Australians here.
For other Edmonds covers, please see lot 2324
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1944 (2 May) 3 1/2c. stationery card to C. de Jongh cancelled by faint Djokjarta despatch c.d.s., from his wife and marked "tawanan militer" (military letter) in red crayon, "334 - 3" in pencil (camp and location) with censor handstamp with unidentified seal; vertical folding crease. A good card to Hakodate. Tett fig. 6-3-22. Photo HK$1,000-1,200
Sgt. G.C. de Jongh was, infact, in camp 1-B, Ashibetsu
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1943 (Mar.) (c.) Australian Red Cross Prisoner of War envelope to Keith Edmonds, addressed to Java, bears Australian "407" diamond censor handstamp in purple with censor seal on the reverse. Manuscript "HAK" and "MAR. 43" in pencil, red boxed censor handstamp with seal; with original letter from his girlfriend. 1943 (4 Nov.) similar Red Cross envelope, this from his mother and bears Melbourne machine postmark, Australian diamond "257" censor handstamp with seal on the reverse, Japanese Red Cross Tokyo circular handstamp, boxed red censor handstamp with seal. 1943 (Nov.) a similar envelope bearing Australian "195" censor handstamp, manuscript "NOV.43" and "HAK", with censor seal. Also outgoing mail with 1944 (16 Jan.) first type printed card from Keith Edmonds to his mother from Camp 2-B with straight-line "sce des prisonniers de guerre" in red, a fine strike of Hakodate Prisoner of War Camp Censor handstamp with Okayama seal and part "111" Australian censor handstamp and, on the reverse, Peterborough arrival c.d.s. (3.1). A good group. Tett figs. 2-3-7, 6-3-20, 21,
6-2-18. (4 covers). Photo HK$2,500-3,000
| Hakodate Camp - Outgoing Mail | |
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1942-43 (c.) two first type cards from William Martin in camp 2, to his wife in Hull bears straight-line "sce des prisonniers de guerre" in red, a fine strike of the boxed, single line Hakodate Prisoner of War Camp Censor handstamp in purple with Okayama seal and British censor "P.W. 2368" handstamp in red. The second card, probably sent about six months later, bearing the usual Hakodate Prisoner of War Camp Censored handstamp in purple with Okayama seal and British "P.W. 9180" censor handstamp. A good pair of cards, the first camp handstamp is quite scarce. Tett figs. 6-2-16, 17. Photo HK$1,200-1,500
Hakodated no. 2-B Camp was a branch camp which was used to provide labour for the iron mines owned by Nippon Iron Products, Kamaishi Mining, Sumitomo Mining and Akajira Mining companies.
For another type 1 card from camp 3, please see lot 2186
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1944 (23 Sept.) second type card from Robert Warren in Camp 1 (B) to his mother in London, bearing the straight-line "sce des prisonniers de guerre" in red, the Hakodate Prisoner of War Camp Censor handstamp in violet with Okayama seal and British censor "P.W. 2097" handstamp in red. Also a similar card from Ken Sayer-Poll, written on Christmas eve 1944 to his parents in Swindon; stating how their spirits have risen for Christmas; soiled. Tett figs. 6-2-19, 20. Photo HK$1,200-1,500
Camp 1-B in Ashibetsu provided labour for Asano Coal
| Kobe Camp - Incoming Mail | |
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1943 (8 Jan.) International Red Cross, Geneva envelope to Albert Richard in Kobe, bearing Geneva express despatch c.d.s., Japanese censor seal with the circular handstamp and with post office label bearing handstamps of Undeliverable Return to Sender and Return to Sender, also strikes in red of "insufficient address", "inconnu" and "retour" with Kobe c.d.s. (1.11). Fine and scarce. Tett fig. 6-3-24. Photo HK$1,500-2,000
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1944 (20 Mar.) stampless "American Civilian Internee" "Postage Free" envelope to Max Brodofsky, camp no.3, bearing San Francisco machine postmark, U.S. censor seal with "10972" handstamp, Japanese Tokyo censor seal with the associated circular handstamp, pencil "Kobe" and, on the reverse, small handstruck "17". With the original letter. Scarce civilian mail. Tett fig. 6-3-33. Photo HK$1,000-1,500
Max Brodofsky was the Pan-Am manager at Agana, Guam. He was held with the other
Pan-Am workers in Futatabi
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1944 (17 May) stampless envelope marked "Civilian Internee" "Postage Free" to George Conklin at Camp no. 1, bearing San Francisco machine postmark, United States censor seal with faint censor handstamp, Japanese censor label affixed in Tokyo with the associated circular handstamp and pencil date of receipt "Red 6/7/45"; there are no other Japanese censor marks. Scarce civilian mail. Tett fig. 6-3-34. Photo HK$1,000-1,500
Canadian Academy Camp number 1 was later destroyed by fire bombing (the civilians had previously been moved to Futatabi).
George Conklin was a member of the Pan Am station crew on Guam
| Kobe Camp - Outgoing Mail | |
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1943-44 (c.) three similar buff envelopes to America, all with straight-line "sce des prisonniers de guerre" in red or in black, boxed censor handstamp in red, Hyogo-Ken Internment Camp Censor handstamp in red with Matsumoto seal, U.S. censor seal and handstamp; one has been redirected and bears, on the reverse, Encinitas 1943 (19 Dec.) machine postmark. Three good covers issued by the Japanese. Tett figs. 6-2-33, 34.
(3 covers). Photo HK$1,800-2,200
| Osaka Camp - Incoming Mail | |
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1943 (13 Apr.) "Prisoner of War Post" envelope to R. Coite British Prisoner of War, Hong Kong, bearing Plymouth slogan postmark, British censor "1959" seal; with "238" in blue crayon and boxed "Osaka" in pencil, boxed censor handstamp in blue with Hanema Gen plus handstamped characters in blue meaning Oeyama Camp and a receipt date "Rec 9/5/44" in pencil. Tett fig. 6-3-25. Photo HK$1,000-1,500
Oeyama, or Osaka 3-B, employed the prisoners in the Oeyama Mine and the nickel refinery
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1943 (16 Apr.) "Prisoner of War Post" to P. Hale from his wife with Mill Hill machine postmark, Censor "3842" seal at right and marked "D-7" and "15" in red crayon (another "8" has been crossed out), "Osaka" in pencil, thin boxed censor handstamp with Ikeuchi seal and two handstruck characters in blue of Kobe. Including a long letter dated 2nd May (from a later sending) which was her 44th letter and includes the Cup Final result (Arsenal 7, Charlton 1). Tett fig. 6-3-26. Photo HK$1,000-1,500
Camp OS 15 was at Oeyama
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1943 (20 Apr.) "Prisoner of War Post" envelope to Private Tucker from Hong Kong bearing Bundellsands Liverpool c.d.s., British censor seal "571", "OSK" and "K-17" in red crayon, pencil "164" and three handstruck characters of Amagasaki Camp. There are no Japanese censor markings. Tett fig. 6-3-27 HK$1,000-1,500
Amagasaki Camp was given the code OS-31, later renamed OS-19, then OS-6D
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1943 (17 Aug.) "Prisoner of War Post" envelope to Gunner F. Breakspear, Java Camps, bearing London machine postmark, British censor seal "8937", pencil "Osaka", "R-32" in red crayon (corrected to "36"), boxed censor handstamp in purple without seal and handstruck characters in blue for Wakayama Camp, the reverse bears the receipt date in pencil "4/11/44"; vertical folding crease. Also 1942 (12 Oct.) "Prisoner of War Post" envelope to L. Stevens bearing, on the reverse, Northwood machine postmark, British censor seal "6456", "Java" in red crayon, boxed Censored handstamp in blue with Kobayashi seal (applied in Japan); with the original letter from his mother. L. Stevens was in the R.A.F., B squadron, and was also interned in Wakayama Camp. Tett fig. 6-3-28, 1-5-31. (2 covers) HK$1,500-2,000
Wakayama Camp was given the designation OS - 14B and supplied labour for the Sumitomo Metal Industry Company
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1943 (7 Nov.) printed post card sent from Arnhem by "Prisoner of War Mail" to R de Haas, a Dutch sergeant in the Trasnport Service at Osaka Camp, with various markings including faint German censor, boxed censor handstamp with Kiasa seal, handstruck characters of Harina Camp and others; some light creasing and soiling. Tett fig. 6-3-29. Photo HK$1,000-1,500
Harina Camp had the designation OS-33, renamed 6-B then 7-B, supplying labour for the docks
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1943 (13 Dec.) "Prisoner of War Post" opened-out envelope to Murdo MacArthur of the Royal Rifles of Canada bearing a clear strike of Milan P.Q. despatch c.d.s., Canadian censor seal "DB/650", pencil notations including "Osaka", the larger boxed censor handstamp in blue-black with Tanaka seal and two characters in mauve of Narumi Camp; soiled but Canadian mail is very scarce. Tett fig. 6-3-31. Photo HK$1,200-1,500
Narumi Camp was Osaka 11B but later became Nagoya 2-B. The men worked at Daido Electric Steel Company and other locomotive and vehicle companies
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1944 (17 Feb.) stampless envelope to Rowland Skinner at Osaka Camp bearing St. John's Wood machine postmark, British censor seal "9504", boxed censor handstamp in violet without censor seal, "VP - 30" in red crayon and pencil date of receipt "3/11/44" and three handstruck characters in blue for Wakayama Camp. With original typed message from his wife which includes " ... had some good fruit this week" which has been marked by red crayon (code?) and, "Wish you were here for my 21st". Fine HK$600-800
Wakayama Camp was given the designation Osaka 14B. The prisoners worked in Sumitomo Metallic Industrial Co.
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1943 (27 Dec.) U.S. 1c. stationery card sent "Civilian Internee Postage Free" cancelled by San Francisco slogan cancellation and sent to Raymond Oakes, Osaka Japan, Formally at Shanghai China, bearing circular U.S. censor handstamp, small characters censored handstamp in red with indistinct seal and handstruck characters in red for Moritsu Camp. A little soiled. Scarce. Tett fig. 6-3-32. Photo HK$1,200-1,800
Moritsu Camp used the code Osaka 14D
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1944 (June-Aug.) two Prisoner of War Post air letters to Roy Davis and Martin Severn (civilian internee), each with U.S. 6c. franking tied by Oconto, Wisconsin or New York postmarks respectively, latter with U.S. censor handstamp and bearing boxed and unframed censor handstamps in violet and red with Tahara and Obayashi seals; with handstruck characters in red of Hirohata and Mori Tsu Camps, the latter includes pencil "342", his roll number. Both are heavily soiled. Tett figs. 6-3-36, 37 HK$1,200-1,800
Hirohata Camp was designated Osaka 12B; the men worked at Nippon Steel at the Seitetsu Steel Mill; unloading cargo and ore ships, machine shops, blast furnaces, clearing slag, and as stevedores on docks. Tsumori Camp was designated OS13B; the men worked in shipyards.
For incoming mail redirected from Hong Kong, see lots 2044 and 2045
| Osaka Camp - Outgoing Mail | |
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1943 (10 Sept.) type 1 card from Gordon Graham to his parents in Bingley, Yorkshire; plain back with typed "Imperial Nipponese Army", with Tomita seal and British censor "P.W.3397" in rose-red; light soiling. Tett fig. 6-2-21. Photo HK$1,000-1,500
See also lot 2186 for another type 1 card
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1944 (c.) type 2 card from David Orrock to his father in Glasgow, with an illegible censor seal, British censor "P.W.4883" handstamp in rose-red; light soiling. The message side is inverted. Tett fig. 6-2-24. Photo HK$1,000-1,500
David Orrock was one of two officers at Funatsu Camp. Originally designated Osaka
15-B. The men worked on mining and refining of lead and zinc
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1944 (c.) first type envelope from Fred laBoon to his father in Chickasha, Oklahoma bearing Tomita seal, U.S. censor tape and circular handstamp. Fair to fine. Tett fig.
6-2-28. Photo HK$1,200-1,800
Fred laBoon was a captain in the tank regiment. It is thought that he was in Hiroshima when he wrote this letter. He was originally held at Cabanatuan Camp in the Philippines
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1944 (c.) third type card from Arthur Challess to his wife in Bury St.Edmunds, Imperial Japanese Army printed on the reverse (inverted), with Tomita seal and British censor "P.W. 4427" handstamp in rose-red; light soiling. Tett fig. 6-2-25. Photo HK$1,000-1,500
Arthur Challess inscribed a fan with notes of significant events during his captivity. This is now held in the Suffolk Regiment Museum
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1944 (c.) fourth type card from George Rowe to his mother in Essex, redirected to Dawlish, Devon, bears Tomita seal, British censor handstamp "P.W. 1585" in rose-red and Brentwood 1945 (1 Jan.) postmark on the reverse. Fine. Rowe reports that he has just received the first thirteen letters from home. Also 1943 O.H.M.S. envelope from the Checking Station in Sydney and 1945 letter referring to his repatriation. Tett fig. 6-2-26. Photo HK$1,200-1,800
George Rowe was from the H.K. Volunteer Defence Force. He was originally held in Narumi Camp (Osaka 11). They were later transferred to Tateyama Camp (Nagoya 8B).
For other correspondence from George Rowe when he was in Hong Kong, please see lot 2072
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1944 (4 Oct.) second type envelope (front and back split) from Edwin Webster to his wife in Sheffield, showing faint Muto seal and boxed "returned in/undelivered/mail from Japan". The envelope is soiled. Tett figs. 6-2-29, 30. Photo HK$1,200-1,800
Edwin Webster had been in Group 6 on the Thailand Burma railway. He was now in Funatsu Camp
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1945 (20 Jan.) type 2 envelope, with original letter, from James Fryer to his sister in Saltash, Cornwall, bearing Fujimori seal. Arriving in the U.K. after the end of the war it bears "postage/paid" machine postmark in red; light soiling. Tett figs. 6-2-31, 32. Photo HK$1,200-1,800
James Fryer was held at Akenobe Camp (Osaka 6-B). The men work at the Mitsubishi copper mine.
For mail to a Civilian Camp in Java, see lot 2186
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1943 (12 Apr.) envelope and letter to Sgt. Les Berard of the Winnipeg Grenadiers, addressed to H Camp, Hong Kong and bears Alax, Ontario machine postmark, with handstamped "postage free/prisoner of war mail" and boxed handstamp Tokyo Prisoner of War Camp Censored in carmine (also struck on the letter), "3D" in red crayon (location in the camp), receipt date on the reverse, "2/7/44"; Canadian censor tape at right and adhesive tape on two other sides. Scarce Canadian mail. Tett fig. 6-3-38. Photo HK$1,000-1,500
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1943 (c.) "Prisoner of War Post" envelope to Lieutenant Michael Wright, sent Air Mail and bears South African bantam 3d. and 6d. (uncancelled), with South African censor seal at left tied by purple handstamp on the reverse, boxed Prisoner of War Post handstamp in carmine plus a very faint, single character, censored handstamp in red (no seal) and "1D" in blue crayon. A little soiled but unusual mail from South Africa. Tett fig. 6-3-39. Photo HK$800-1,000
Tokyo Camp 01-D renamed 1st August 1943, was in Yokohama where the men worked in the Mitsubishi Shipyards. Also designated as Yokohama 1-D or Tokyo 19. The men arrived in this camp on 28th November 1942 on the 'Nagato Maru'
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1943 (4 Sept.) U.S. 1c. stationery card uprated 30c. to Lt. J. McNaughton, marked "Prisoner of War Post" and "Air Mail where possible" with long typewritten message from his wife, cancelled by New York slogan cancellation, with circular U.S. censor handstamp, boxed Prisoner of War Post and boxed Tokyo Prisoner of War Camp Censored both in red; Japanese script for Bunka Cultural College. Also 1943 (23 Sept.) Australian Red Cross envelope also to Lieut. McNaughton with letter from his aunt, with Melbourne machine postmark. Australian censor tape and handstamp "122" on the reverse with a further strike on the front, circular Tokyo Red Cross handstamp in red and boxed Tokyo Prisoner of War Camp Censored handstamp in red, manuscript "Bunka", the letter also with the camp censor handstamp. Both items addressed to Keijo Camp in Korea. Unusual mail to this scarce camp. Tett figs. 6-3-42, 43. Photo HK$1,800-2,200
Bunka Gakuin, designated To-43, also known as Bunka Hill, housed P.O.W's assigned to radio propaganda. McNaughton was an actor so was the type of candidate assigned to this camp to be coerced into broadcasting propaganda.
See also Korea lot 2419.
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1944 (6 Feb.) German Prisoner of War Post lettersheet to A. Caston from his brother, bears circular German "11" censor handstamp of stalag XXID in Germany, routed via India with Indian censor handstamp in black with "DHP/135" in purple, unframed Tokyo Prisoner of War Camp Censor handstamp in rose-red with Hirota seal, manuscript "7D" and "Br" in red crayon; with date of receipt "22/5/45". Some peripheral faults but a very rare letter between European and Asian prisoners of war. Tett fig. 6-3-45. Photo HK$5,000-7,000
Tokyo camp 7-D was the Nippon Mining Company, Hidachi
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