1942 Covers to England (3) or Ireland all detained by the British censor and released in 1946, including two 1944 covers posted at Matera, Italy, on the same day to the same address, one with enclosed censor form P.C 254 (Cover of philatelic interest was detained under war-time regulations and is now released to you), the Ireland cover with 1944 Irish Philatelic Exhibition c.d.s, the Switzerland to Ireland cover with 1946 (Mar 1) London backstamp, all four with "CONDEMNED" handstamp replaced by "RELEASED". (4). £150-180
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1939 Cover from Portugal and 1944 postcard from Spain, both registered to Germany, both intercepted by the British and released in 1946 with a five line label in German ("Mail held by the censor has been released. Any response by mail will have to comply with current regulations") applied by the British censor, 1946 (Aug/Sep) arrival backstamps. Very unusual. (2). Photo on Page 74. £140-160
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1939-44 Covers and cards including 1944 cover from the British Embassy in Washington D.C with red "This communication volun- / tary surrendered to U.S / censorship for examination", posted in Glasgow franked 2½d; 1941 cover with Officially Sealed tape used by the censor and tied by boxed "Passed by Censor / A4"; cover with Egypt naval censor franked 12/9 to GB, endorsed "By Naval Bag", etc. (8). £100-120
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Argentina / G.B. 1940 (Sep 9) Cover from Holland to a Dutch seaman in Buenos Ayres, inscribed to go by the Italian airline L.A.T.I, apparently censored by the British in Argentina, a "P.C 90 / OPENED BY / EXAMINER 3601" seal applied over two Buenos Ayres arrival machines, very unusual. £80-100
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British West Indies. 1940-45 Covers with censor seals or cachets including scarce "PASSED / BY CENSOR / V Is", O.H.M.S cover with "PAID / AT / BAHAMAS" crowned circle and oval "CHIEF CENSOR / AUG 3 1945 / BAHAMAS", "EXAMINED BY CENSOR / ANTIGUA", 1942 postcard from Lebanon to Antigua redirected to G.B. with unusual straight line "EXAMINED BY", other cachets of Bahamas, Dominica, St. Vincent and Bermuda, also Jamaica, Trinidad, Turks Island, Bahamas, South America covers censored in transit in Bermuda or the Caribbean, covers with oval "R.N.A DEPOT, PORT ROYAL / JAMAICA, B.W.I" (2), Jamaica P.O.W mail (2), and a cover bearing British Guiana Red Cross label. (78). £180-220
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India. 1940-45 Covers from India comprising 1942 cover to Switzerland handstamped "RETURNED TO SENDER / By / Postal Censor, Bombay"; 1941 cover to Holland with censor label crossed by blue crayon to indicate a condemned letter; 1944 cover to USA returned handstamped "Export Prohibited without licence from / the Export Trade Control Bombay / Return to Sender ....... Postal / Censor"; and covers found damaged with violet "Received Damaged / Censor Station (E.F.)", RECEIVED DAMAGED" or "RECEIVED DAMAGED / POSTAL CENSOR". (6). £150-180
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New Zealand. 1940 Cover to Denmark handstamped boxed "NOT TRANSMISSIBLE" with large enclosed censor form "Postal Censorship - It is not permissible to communicate with persons in enemy states or in territory in occupation by the enemy", unusual. £80-100
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Palestine. 1939-40 Covers to G.B, France or Hungary all bearing green P.C.23 "Returned To Sender By The Censor" labels, the cover to France with enclosed censorship form P.C.6 having the manuscript explanation "returned on account of the presence of stamps, which only recognised stamp dealers are authorised to send", the cover to Hungary with enclosed Tel-Aviv/Jaffa postal censorship form PCT/46 "Communication with enemy territory is prohibited". A scarce group. (3). £180-220
U.S Censorship |
1941-45 Covers from Brazil to Switzerland, Argentina to Sweden, Switzerland to Mexico, Cuba to USA or Mexico to Switzerland all intercepted and detained by the U.S censors, probably all released after the war (three with Sep/Oct 1945 backstamps), all handstamped "THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN HELD / BY THE OFFICE OF CENSORSHIP" (3 types). (5). £130-150
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1940-43 Covers including covers from Germany to USA in transit when war was declared (2), various unusual cachets with "RELEASED BY AUTHORITY OF / THE DISTRICT POSTAL CENSOR" (2), "RELEASED BY CENSOR" (2), "THIS COMMUNICATION REFERRED / TO DISTRICT POSTAL CENSOR / BY U.S NAVAL AUTHORITIES" (2, one from the French naval ship "Nivose" in Casablanca), "STAMPS REMOVED BY CENSOR", etc. (9). £120-140
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1942-44 Covers all with enclosed censorship forms, four from the USA to Canada, New Zealand or Canal Zone or from Hawaii to the USA all bearing "Returned To Sender By Censor" labels, containing forms CPCH No. 127 or OC-64 (both for letters containing postage stamps) or two versions of form OC-13 (letter mentions location of U.S forces or troop movements). Also 1943 cover from Hawaii to USA with enclosed form No. 2 (cover open when it reached the censor) and 1944 cover from Argentina to USA with enclosed form OC-4 (U.S Censor not responsible for the mutilation of the letter). (6). £160-200
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P.O.W Mail. 1941-44 Covers comprising 1941 cover to "General Sokoloff, Russian P.O.W, c/o P.O.W Information Bureau, Berlin" redirected in Germany; 1944 covers to P.O.Ws in Germany or France returned with New York P.O labels "This article bears postage stamps intended to promote our war effort which are objectionable to the German Government"; and 1944 cover from a U.S soldier in Georgia to an Italian P.O.W at Camp Wheeler bearing "Returned To Sender By Censor" label with enclosed form 1691, "Members of the U.S armed forces are not permitted to correspond with enemy personnel, including P.O.Ws". (4). £150-180
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P.O.W Mail - Philippines. 1944 Stampless covers (with enclosed letters) from San Francisco to a female internee in St. Tomas Camp, both returned with "Returned To Sender By Censor" labels applied and form 1698 enclosed, indicating the letters had to be less than 25 words in length, and to be in capital letters, very unusual. (2). £150-180
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P.O.W Mail - Philippines. 1942-44 Covers to Army or Navy P.O.Ws in the Philippines all bearing "Returned To Sender By Censor" labels, comprising 1942 cover franked 6c with "PRISONER OF WAR HELD BY JAPAN" cachet and enclosed form CPCH No. 88 Rev., "addressee not officially listed as P.O.W. cannot correspond until officially designated as a P.O.W"; 1944 covers to a naval P.O., one with enclosed printed leaflet, the other with enclosed forms OC-13 (printed or mimeographed contents) and 1698 Rev. (letters of no more than 24 words in block capitals, subject matter strictly personal); and 1944 cover franked 8c with a differing version of form 1698 (which may not belong to this cover). (4). £200-240
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P.O.W Mail - Borneo/China. 1942-44 V-Mail forms franked 6c, to a naval P.O.W in Shanghai or a civilian internee in Borneo, both bearing "Returned To Sender By Censor" labels, the first containing the enclosed slip "This communication is returned to sender because the V-Mail Correspondence form may not be used in communicating with prisoners of war", very unusual. (2). Photo on Page 74. £250-300
Service Suspended Mail |
Australia / G.B - Service Suspended & Returned Mail. 1940-45 Covers including Service Suspended cachets on covers from Australia to Burma, Singapore or Hong Kong (2) or G.B to Switzerland or Finland; and covers from G.B (4) or Rhodes (stamp removed) bearing "Returned To Sender By The Censor" labels, one with enclosed P.C 110 form (envelope adapted for reuse). Also 1944 cover posted unpaid from Ireland to USA with enclosed P.C 137 form "The British Censor is not responsible for the absence of stamps from the cover". (12). £100-120
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1939-45 Covers from G.B to Europe all returned, handstamped "POSTAL SERVICE SUSPENDED / RETURN TO SENDER", boxed "SERVICE SUSPENDED" (on cover to Guernsey with "1d Postage Due for Return to Sender") or "NO SERVICE / RETURN TO SENDER", destinations comprise Czechoslovakia (2), Denmark (2), Belgium (1944 stampless O.A.S cover with Czech F.P.O c.d.s), France (2, one Sept. 1940 cover redirected from Vichy France to the occupied zone with boxed "RETOUR / A L'ENVOYEUR", the other posted Oct. 1944), Norway, Holland, Hungary (2), Greece, Sweden (1941 stampless O.A.S naval cover) and Guernsey; also a 1942 cover to the U.S Consulate in Casablanca, Morocco, sent just after the Allied invasion of North Africa with "UNABLE TO DELIVER; and 1945 covers to Sweden with "NO SERVICE / EXCEPT BY AIR" (2). An excellent group. (17). Photo on Page 74. £250-300
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1941-42 Covers from G.B to the Far East all returned, comprising an unusual cover to the British Embassy in Tokyo endorsed via Foreign Office bag with rare "Return To Sender / No Bag Service"; cover to Philippines franked at the 4/6 clipper rate via USA with "RETURNED TO SENDER / SERVICE SUSPENDED" applied in the U.S; other covers to China (3, one from F.P.O 381) or Manchukuo with "RETURN TO SENDER / NO SERVICE" (and "CENSOR / PERMIT B208") or boxed "NO SERVICE / RETURN TO SENDER" (3), an interesting lot. (6). Photo on Page 74. £200-240
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G.B. / Malaya. 1941 Covers from G.B to Malaya, two franked at the 5/- Clipper rate via the USA, all returned, various cachets include unusual "NO SERVICE" of Manchester (3, all different, two with fancy side ornaments), "RETURN TO SENDER" (to Singapore Naval Base) and boxed "NO SERVICE", three others with boxed "NO SERVICE / RETURN TO SENDER" (one franked at 1/3 air mail rate, with an Indian censor), a good group. (8). Photo on Page 76. £220-260
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G.B. / Egypt - Air Mail. 1943-44 Covers from G.B (5) or Argentina to Egypt, four to British or New Zealand forces, all franked for air mail but sent by surface mail, handstamped scarce "1/3 PER ½OZ AIR MAIL LETTER / SERVICE NOT AVAILABLE / PLEASE ADVISE YOUR CORRESPONDENTS" (2, only known on mail to Egypt), "1/3 PER ½OZ AIR MAIL LETTER / SERVICE NOT AVAILABLE" + "Air Mail fee 3s 6½d / refunded", "NO AIR MAIL SERVICE AVAILABLE / AIR FEE HAS BEEN REFUNDED", or "PLEASE INFORM SENDER / AIR MAIL SERVICE NOT AVAILABLE" (2), an interesting group. (6). £120-150
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G.B. - Air Mail. 1942-44 Covers (5) and an air letter from G.B to British forces in Malaya, North or West Africa or the Mediterranean, all franked for air mail but sent by surface mail, handstamped "NO AIRMAIL SERVICE AVAILABLE" (2), "NO AIR MAIL / SERVICE", "1/3 PER ½OZ AIR MAIL LETTER / SERVICE NOT AVAILABLE", or "PLEASE INFORM SENDER / AIR MAIL SERVICE NOT AVAILABLE", the 1942 cover to Malaya with boxed "IT IS REGRETTED THAT / THIS ITEM COULD NOT BE / DELIVERED AT THE / ADDRESS STATED" and "Air Mail fee 1s 1½d / refunded". (6). £100-120
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G.B. - Air Mail. 1941 Cover from G.B to Java franked 1/3, handstamped "NO SERVICE / RETURN TO SENDER" and "POSTAGE REFUNDED", returned within an ambulance envelope, with enclosed London Returned Letter Section slip explaining no air mail service was provided and 1/- in stamps is therefore enclosed, a scarce group. £80-100
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Australia. 1941 Covers from Sydney to an employee of The Asiatic Petroleum Co. in Hong Kong or the Philippines handstamped "NOT TRANSMISSIBLE / SERVICE SUSPENDED" or boxed "NO SERVICE". Also 1942 covers to Australian forces in Java or Ambon with boxed "ARMY POSTAL SERVICE / DELIVERY IMPRACTICABLE / RETURN TO SENDER" and Dead Letter Office redirection labels, and a 1941 cover from G.B to an A.I.F soldier in Malaya redirected to Australia with "NO DESPATCH FROM DEFENCE SECTION / PLEASE FORWARD AS ADDRESSED". (5). £120-150
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Burma. 1941-45 Covers comprising 1941 cover from Rangoon to Singapore, returned with boxed "SERVICE SUSPENDED / RETURNED TO SENDER" applied in India, redirected to Jubbalpore; 1943 cover from G.B to Bhamo with red "SERVICE SUSPENDED" applied in India; 1945 (Apr) cover from G.B to a War Correspondent in Burma with "SERVICE SUSPENDED / RETURNED TO SENDER" applied in India; and 1945 (June) cover from USA to the Rangoon Postmaster handstamped "RETURNED TO SENDER ACCOUNT LACK / OF TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES". An unusual group. (4). £120-150
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Canada. 1941-42 Covers from Canada, to Korea handstamped "MAIL SERVICE SUSPENDED", or to Burma with boxed "SERVICE SUSPENDED / RETURNED TO SENDER" applied in India. (2). £80-100
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Hong Kong. 1941 (Dec 4) Cover from Victoria to USA franked 30c, boxed cachets "NOT OPENED / BY / CENSOR" and "NO SERVICE" in violet, "RETOUR" and "DETAINED IN HONGKONG / BY JAPANESE / FROM DECEMBER 1941 TO SEPTEMBER 1945" in black all on the front, small tear at upper edge and an unobtrusive piece of tape at both sides, otherwise fine, an attractive cover with this scarce Detained cachet, used on mail hidden from the Japanese throughout the occupation period. Photo on Page 76. £500-600
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India. 1939-41 Covers to Germany (The Jewish Help Society in Berlin), Sweden, Japan or Thailand handstamped "Service Suspended / returned to sender" (2) or violet boxed "SERVICE SUSPENDED / RETURNED TO SENDER" (2). Also 1943 air letters to Egypt or South Africa diverted to surface mail, handstamped "AIR MAIL LETTER CARD SERVICE / NOT AVAILABLE FORWARDED / BY SURFACE ROUTE" or boxed "No air letter card service to / (Cairo) / Forwarded by surface route". (6). £160-200
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India / Malaya. 1941-42 Covers from India to Malaya (one cover from G.B to India and redirected to Penang), all returned handstamped with six differing types of Service Suspended cachets including boxed "SERVICE NOT NOW / AVAILABLE", etc., an unusual and scarce group. (7). £200-250
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Kenya. 1940-41 Cover to Denmark and picture postcards to Norway (2), handstamped "NO OUTLET" and "UNDELIVERED FOR REASON STATED" or violet "POSTAL SERVICE SUSPENDED / RETURN TO SENDER", fine and scarce. (3). Photo on Page 76. £150-180
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Malaya - Kelantan. 1940 (June 25) Cover from Kota Bharu to Monaco franked Kelantan 12c, brown censor tape tied by boxed "PASSED BY / CENSOR 113 / SINGAPORE" and handstamped "POSTAL COMMUNICATION / SUSPENDED" and "RETOUR", backstamped red oval "DEAD LETTER OFFICE / 10 JUL 40 / SINGAPORE" and at Kota Bharu (July 13). An "Opened By Examiner 1280" label strangely then applied in London, the cover presumably reposted to England within an ambulance envelope. A rare and intriguing cover from Kelantan. Photo on Page 76. £200-250
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New Guinea. 1941 (Dec 30) Cover from Scotland to Rabaul, returned with "RETOUR" and "NOT TRANSMISSIBLE / SERVICE SUSPENDED" cachets applied in Australia. The addressee complained to the Post Office, and the reply from the G.P.O in Edinburgh is included, which incorrectly states "the service to Papua is still in operation, your letters incorrectly mistaken for New Guinea where the service is suspended, 5d in stamps therefore enclosed". Very unusual. £80-100
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New Zealand. 1939-44 Covers from New Zealand to Belgium (2, one posted Oct. 1944 after liberation but prior to resumption of civil postal services), Czechoslovakia or Hong Kong (registered, backstamped at Singapore), all returned handstamped "POSTAL SERVICE SUSPENDED", "POSTAL COMMUNICATION / SUSPENDED" or boxed "NOT TRANSMISSIBLE" (2), two also handstamped "THIS ARTICLE WAS INTERCEPTED / OVERSEAS AND RETURNED TO / NEW ZEALAND", unusual. (4). Photo on Page 76. £180-220
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Palestine. 1940 Cover from Tel-Aviv to Italy handstamped "RETURNED TO SENDER / NO SERVICE" and "RETURN TO", and a cover from USA to Palestine stopped by the Germans and handstamped "ZURUCK / Postsperre". Also a 1944 cover (faults) from G.B to Palestine paid 1/3 air mail but diverted to surface mail, handstamped "PLEASE INFORM SENDER / AIR MAIL SERVICE NOT AVAILABLE". (3). £100-120
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South Africa / Basutoland. 1940-42 Covers from South Africa to France, Burma or Netherlands Indies (2) and a cover from Basutoland to France, the cover to Burma strangely sent to G.B where boxed "NO SERVICE / RETURN TO SENDER" applied, the others handstamped "MAIL SERVICE SUSPENDED / POSDIENS GESTAAK" or "MAIL SERVICE SUSPENDED" (3) applied in South Africa. Also 1945 (May) registered cover to Sweden with "Surface" written in manuscript before the "MAIL SERVICES SUSPENDED" cachet. (6). Photo on Page 76. £200-250
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Trinidad / Hong Kong. 1941 (Nov 4) Cover from Trinidad to Hong Kong handstamped "RETURNED TO SENDER / SERVICE SUSPENDED", reverse with "RETURNED / TO SENDER" and Returned Letter Branch Trinidad (July 16) c.d.s, unusual. £80-100
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Argentina / Uruguay. 1939-43 Covers from Argentina to Belgium, Philippines, Ceylon or Senegal, or Uruguay to Germany, returned with various cachets applied in South America, France or USA. Also a 1940 registered cover from Argentina to London, delivered in 1945 with boxed "DETAINED IN FRANCE / DURING GERMAN / OCCUPATION". (6). £130-160
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Belgium. 1940 Covers and cards to France, Argentina, South Africa, Belgian Congo or Switzerland all with various Service Suspended cachets, the cover to Switzerland handstamped "Non Admis / Provisofrement" and "RETOUR / A L'ENVOYEUR" but actually detained and delivered after the war with "Parvenue en Suisse Mars 1945" cachet. Also 1942 covers to Holland or occupied France returned by the Germans because they contained photos, both with boxed "Retour / Contenu non admis". (7). £120-150
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Brazil / Peru. 1939-44 Covers from Brazil to Germany, Belgium, Italy or France, or from Peru to Holland or Germany, all returned with various Service Suspended cachets applied in South America, USA, France or Sweden. Also a 1946 (Dec.) cover from Brazil to Germany, held until January 1947 when civil postal services from abroad recommenced, with unusual violet boxed "HELD PENDING AUTHORISATION / OF SERVICE". (7). Photo on Page 76. £120-150
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Denmark / Sweden. 1940-43 Covers from Denmark to Belgium or France, or Sweden to France, returned with various cachets. Also 1943 cover from Denmark to Sweden returned due to prohibited contents, and a postcard to Norway delayed because it did not have a senders address. (5). £80-100
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France. 1940-43 Covers and cards including 1940 (May 18) card to a French soldier, 1940 mail sent between occupied France and Vichy France (9) and a cover from England (June 6) to a British soldier in the French army at Le Mans, 1940 cover from France to USA (with Portuguese cachet), and 1942-43 cards to North Africa posted after the Allied invasion (3), all returned with various Service Suspended cachets. Also 1940-42 cover to Belgium and cards sent within France (2) all returned because they contravened regulations. (18). £180-220
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French Colonies. 1940-42 Covers and cards from Guadeloupe (2), Martinique, French Guinea, Tahiti or Ivory Coast to France, Martinique to Algeria, or Cameroun to South Africa, all returned with various Service Suspended cachets. (8). £160-200
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French Somali Coast. 1941 (Oct/Dec) Covers from Djibouti to France, flown by the special air service through the British blockade imposed on the Vichy controlled colony, one cover franked 1f, the other a stampless cover endorsed "FM", both handstamped "SERVICE AERIENS SPECIAUX / PENDANT LE BLOCUS DE DJIBOUTI". (2). £100-120
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French Colonies - Madagascar. 1939-43 Covers comprising 1939 cover to India, seized by the military and returned probably due to its contents, with "SAISI / PAR L'AUTORITE MILITAIRE" and "Acheminement Suspendu / PAR L'AUTORITE MILITAIRE"; 1940-41 covers to the unoccupied area of France (3) or from Unoccupied France to Madagascar (2) returned with various cachets; 1940 cover from USA delivered to Madagascar but unclaimed and returned handstamped "Service Suspended"; and 1941 cover from USA with scarce "RETURN TO SENDER / NO OUTLET TO MADAGASCAR". (8). Photo on Page 80. £180-220
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Germany / Italy / Spain. 1940-44 Covers and cards from Spain, Germany (9) or Italy (3) all returned with various cachets, including covers from Italy to Holland, Switzerland or Germany (both 1943), Spain to occupied France, and German covers to China, Brazil (2), Argentina or USA in 1940-41, France or Belgium in 1944, also cards returned because they contravened regulations. (13). £150-180
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Japan / Indo-China. c.1943 Cover from South Africa to Hanoi, French Indo-China, backstamped at Shimoneseki, Japan, handstamped red "SERVICE SU(c)PENDU" (the second "S" of Suspendu omitted and "C" inserted in manuscript) and boxed "Return / to Sender" both applied in Japan, very scarce and unusual. Photo on Page 80. £80-100
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Netherlands. 1940-44 Covers and postcards to G.B, USA (2), Italy, Germany, Spain (2), Java or sent within Holland (in 1944), returned with explanatory labels (3) or cachets. (9). £100-120
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Netherlands Indies. 1940 Covers from Semerang to G.B or Batavia to Austria, and a 1942 cover from Java to a Dutch soldier in Sumatra, all returned, differing cachets including "RETOUR AFZENDER / Verbinding Per KLM / Verbroken", etc. (3). £100-120
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Netherlands. 1940-41 Covers from Egypt, Uruguay or Brazil to Holland, or France to Belgium, all detained in Amsterdam during the war and not apparently rediscovered until 1948, bearing the explanatory labels "Amsterdam Maart 1948 / Door oorlogsomstandigheden / met vertraging ontvangen" (3) or "Amsterdam mars 1948 / Pecu avec retard par suite / d'evenements de guerre", two with March 1948 backstamps; very unusual. (4). Photo on Page 80. £200-250
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Portuguese Colonies. 1940-44 Covers from Mozambique to occupied France, Holland or Germany, or from Angola to Germany, returned with various cachets applied in Portugal, France or South Africa, unusual. (4). £130-160
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Switzerland. 1940-44 Covers to Germany, France (2), Holland (2), G.B (4) or USA, four 1940 covers detained in France during the war and delivered in 1945 handstamped red "PARVENU EN SUISSE MARS 1945" (2, cachets in one or two lines) or boxed "DETAINED IN FRANCE / DURING GERMAN / OCCUPATION" (2), six others returned with various Service Suspended cachets. (10). £200-240
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