Morning Team
I've started a new research project with a view to a future article.
WWI & Post War Military Registration Labels.
We're all familiar with the Blank anonymous labels used by the great majority of FPO & APO offices throughout the war and afterwards.
A small number of offices were issued with printed labels showing their designation, I show on the attached scan an example from Base APO X in Salonika. Others exist and I'd welcome details please. This idea for a study / article arose from material submitted for the last journal. See page 560 APO G R showing two different pre-printed examples.
I cannot recollect seeing any published work on these printed labels. Firebrace gives us some information, pages 271 - 272. However he concentrated on the Near East and Egypt.
I'd welcome any information / illustrations of such labels please.
Chris
Hi Chris.
Here are a couple from my Occupation of the Rhineland collection.
Regards
Jim
Hello Jim,
Brilliant, exactly what I'm looking for. Both covers raise interesting questions.
The 7 September 20 APO G R cover with blank label suggests that the supply of pre-printed label had run out, see example 5 May 20 on page 560 of latest journal.
This also occurs from the Army Post Office Constantinople in 1919 / 20, where they revert to the blank labels until a new stock was received from London.
The APO S 40 E example with selvage at the bottom suggests sheet printing, not roll printing.
I have an example of APO S with a printed line and 40 F added in manuscript.
Chris
Chris
A couple from APO S.100 at Taranto for you
Frank
Thanks Frank
Again, exactly what I'm looking for.
Are you aware of any other offices which had pre-printed labels from the Italian theatre?
Chris
Chris
No others written up at this time
Can only think APO S.70 (Fianza rest camp) and APO S.101 (later APO L.1) the main base, may have the printed labels
Frank
Chris
When you say Military, does that include Naval?
Tony
Thanks Frank
Not seen anything from either of these offices yet, will keep looking.
Tony
Looking at Army Registered Mail at present, I don't know enough about Naval Registered Mail.
Chris
First update
After spending a few hours 'trawling' Google it's surprising how little Registered mail is around.
I've found APO S 17, pre-printed, two different settings
Pre-printed APO S which has a '8' Hand-stamped added, used at APO S 8
Blank Label with APO S 11 Hand-stamped in Black. Will surmise this was instead of applying the Date-stamp which was required on these Blank Labels.
As illustrated, Frank has supplied APO S 100 and Jim supplied two interesting examples.
I have also found two different examples from Base APO Z M.E.F.
It's a start and I welcome all contributions.
I'm guessing but would expect that Base Army Post Office 1 to 4 in France will generate examples.
Not studied my Army of the Black Sea material yet.
Chris
Hello again Chris.
I've unearthed another couple from a long forgotten pile (alas one of many!).
Jim
Hi Chris,
Some of these are scarce, I also agree that I do not think anyone has researched these, either the earlier WW1 blank versions on general issue, but several varieties exits. From memory APO S.40, APO.S17, BAPO X, BAPO Z are the more common.
I have attached an S.40 amended to X used in 1929 from Kirche SAAR at the Artillery Practice Camp (Lorraine France).
Peter
Morning Team
Jim, Many thanks, Exactly what I'm looking for,
Peter.
Brilliant example which was amended, not seen this one before. Hopefully others will appear.
Chris
Morning Team
Have now had chance to study K & C who devoted two pages to Registration, Pages 23 & 24.
They illustrated a number of different Registration Labels which are shown on the attached scan. Black & White production but I'm assuming that the pre-printed examples are all in Blue as was customary.
The APO S with a number hand-stamped on are interesting, so far I have examples of APO 6 & 8, others undoubtedly exist. The ACCOUNTANT ARMY POST OFFICE example I've never seen, would be interested to see an example on cover to give an office of usage.
Chris
Morning Team
This study progresses slowly, a recent complete 'trawl' through K & C reveals the cover shown on attached scan.
Registered cover from APO P.B.1, 3 October 1919 located in North Russia. ( page 267 ) A pre-printed label which looks like APO S ___ where space above line was for insertion of Office No. Overprinted APO PB1 by a cork or rubber hand-stamp.
Only example I've ever seen and I've not traced this or any other examples. No such usage is recorded from the South Russia period, usage was the blank labels. Registered mail from the Siberia expedition is very scare and again I cannot trace any such usage.
Any information appreciated.
Chris
Team
After spending time 'trawling' a well known dealers stock I have come across the cover with label as shown on the attached scan.
Using James A Mackay descriptions we know the Blank Labels as Type D, Type 1 within this group has the printed 'R' & No on the right of the label. This was against UPU requirements and by 1910 these were moved to the left of the label as required. This is described as Type 2 which are the blank labels which were used throughout WWI and after.
Cover shown is from Haifa, description as shown below.
This is a very late use of this label and I'd welcome details of any others.
1919 (Mar 17) Plain envelope registered to Geneva bearing EEF adhesives hidden under censors label tied O.E.T.A. E.E.F. /Haifa cds & with blank R /54 Registered label modified in manuscript to 154 tied by O.E.T.A. E.E.F. /Haifa cds & with Opened By/Censor /1229 label overlaying adhesives tied violet boxed E.P.C. hand stamp & on reverse O.E.T.A. E.E.F./Haifa (17 Mar) despatch + Alexandria (17 Mar) + belted Army Post Office/ SZ 10 (20
It clearly bears an example of the Type D No 1 label as shown.
Chris
Hi Chris,
I think these are further variations on what you have and those in K&C, in that a line is added after the S - in this case by S40 (offices G & F). Again APO S40 was used for such a long period I am not surprised that there are variations, in fact you could research S40 datestamps alone and build a collection.
Shall let you know if I spot any others.
Peter
Hi Peter
Thanks for these, very useful items.
The pre-printed label with S and a line I first record from 1917. Likely was in use at many of the Stationary offices. I'd welcome any examples.
Chris
Chris, I attach all those i have for BFPOs and APOs. All the other ones I have for FPOs are the large blank registration label with the appropriate FPO handstamp applied. I presume you do not need to see those. Regards, Graham
More attached.
More attached.
More attached.
More attached.
More attached.
More attached.
More attached.
Last one!
Hello Graham
Many thanks for these, Brilliant, exactly the type if material I'm looking for. Thank You
Chris
Afternoon Team,
This study progresses slowly with new information coming in.
On the 'S' Series of APO Offices used in France and Italy etc I have now confirmed APO S 17, APO S 38 & APO S 100 as using fully pre-printed labels. K & C illustrate what looks like APO S 12 but I've not seen an example.
I've also found APO S 17 used in July, 1917 (opened 6 March 1917) using the Blank 'D' Type labels.
Two reasons for this come to mind.
One, Pre-printed example not yet introduced.
Two, Office had run out of Pre-printed and reverted to the 'D' Type labels. This certainly occurred in 1919 in Constantinople
It's possible that S 38 & S 100 also used the 'D' Type labels in their early days.
Comments and further examples welcomed.
Chris
Afternoon Team
Having now started to write up the Postal History of this subject I'm currently looking at the 4 Base APO's which were opened in France in early 1915 having being re designated from the early series of APO's in use 1914/15
Currently the earliest registered item I show from France is April 1915 from Base APO 1 using the pre-printed label ARMY POST OFFICE over No (1)
Does anyone have anything registered from 1914/early 1915 I'm hoping to assertain if these pre-printed labels were avaliable from the early days of the war.
Chris
Afternoon Team
Bringing this topic back to the fore, a trawl round the dealers ar Midpex yesterday revealed very little registered mail.
One item I did find is shown in the attached scan
Registered envelope with a pre-printed label, BASE-ARMY P.O. printed centrally with no room for a No. ie, 1 to 4, Indicator number also printed centrally below.
Label was amended by crossing out BASE in Black and S15 added in red manuscript.
Envelope cancelled Army Post Office S 15 29 March, 1917 If anyone has further examples of any of these Base or Army Post Office labels please supply details.
This item has set me on a further train of thought, there were 4 Base Offices established, how were the series of sub 'S' offices managed. Did each Base office have a regional sector or area where they were the 'parent' office for a number of stationary offices on the Western Front.?
K&C record one BASE ARMY P.O. 4 label in a different setting. Mackay doesn't record this printing at all.
Chris
I note your post Chris regarding the labels with the R and number to the right.
I have half a dozen of these, but as you're not doing naval labels I'll not let you see them, so there.
Cheers
Tony
Morning Tony
I'd be pleased to see the examples you mention. AS I delve deeper into this subject more information comes to light, however it also throws up a lot of unanswered questions.
I now plan that this study will run to two or three parts, Western Front alone will probably come out at 30 pages. There will be a place for Naval Registered mails to complete the study.
I have little or nothing covering Naval Registered mail which was the reason for originally excluding but will welcome your input and knowledge.
Chris
Hi Chris
My patience with the Forum has for the moment, been exhausted. I have been trying to post a scan and message with examples of my 'R on right with number' naval registration labels. Only one page, low dpi. I get either a timed out message or 'do not accept these files'.
Will probably send you via post office
Cheers
Tony
Hi Tony
Send via straight email if easier, Have some thoughts on the labels with 'R etc' on the right.
Once seen may have further information. Chris
PS, 'ball is back in play'
Chris, found a bundle today of about 20 registered envelopes, mainly what you already have. However I have attached S60 printed label which I do not think you have noted.
Giving this some thought, is it not likely that most of the larger stationary offices would have had registration labels printed?
Peter
Hi Peter
Thanks for this example, I record this printing with APO S 17 in September, 1918 Setting now is as shown [b] A.P.O.S. [/b]60
It's likely that as you mention other larger offices used pre-printed labels. One of the aims of this study is to ascertain as complete a list as possible of all the printed types and who used them.
I'd be interested in any other pre-printed examples you've come across, also any with cork/rubber cancels. Have recently discovered APO S 39 with a very large rubber cancel.
Chris
As attached
As attached
Attached
Attached
Hello Peter
Many thanks, some very useful material within these scans, The pre-printed APO 3 printed centrally is certainly a new one for me.
The Blank Series D Type 2 labels I classify as follows
Type D1 Pre-cancelled with dated handstamp
Type D1a Cancelled after applying to envelope with dated handstamp
Type D2 Pre-cancelled with undated handstamp
Type D2a Cancelled after applying to envelope with undated handstamp, (not yet seen from the Western Front.)
Chris
Team
One thing that has surprised me is the scarcity of Registered Mail pre January, 1915. Mail from 1914 to early January 1915 was cancelled with series 1 datestamps which were in use then.
Single and Double Ring APO with a number, Currently I've seen nothing Registered!!! Can you help.
Chris
Hi Chris,
Should I keep going, I have another 20 or so, including:
FPO 163 plain label 25 No 18 - Beirut
APO S59 preprinted S - AP 19
FPO T35 plain label JY 17
FPO 79 plain label AP 17 - Greece (looks like they dragged the cover behind a lorry)
APO R60 plain label AP 17
FPO 82 DE 17 plain label Greece (looks like the same lorry reversed over this one)
FPO 2N JA 17 plain label Jan 17 (security exchange) WF
FPO 158 plain label AP 16 (same lorry trashed this one completely)
APO S65 plain label JY 17
APO S17 - fully printed AU 17
Same DE 17
Same AU 17
Same DE 17
Same OC 17
Same SP 17
FPO C4 plain label JA 17
FPO 159 plain label Egypt JY 16
Base APO Z fully printed MY 19
FPO D56 plain label MY 18
FPO T18 DE 15 plain label
Likely to have some more..... it was a deep box.
Peter
Chris, Found this on the internet, had you seen it?
Peter
Hi Peter
Thanks, I'd not seen this one... First example I've seen from 1914 Brilliant.
Chris
Chris,
APO S.39 attached. Note the very small numbers on the Reg Label. Regards, Graham
Thanks Graham
Not recorded this one before.
Chris
Hi Peter
You list some very interesting material here APO S 59 pre-printed I've not recorded or seen before.
All the examples from Greece including APO R 60 are of interest for my Salonika collection / study.
If you're happy scans of all would be good for the data base I'm putting together.
Chris
Hi Chris,
Attached a late date A.P.O.G.R (small lettering), not sure if you have this one recorded.
15 April 21 is at about the latest date Proud records. As this was allocated to the German Railhead I also find interesting that they registered mail, most GR datestamps I see come to the back of the cover as a transit, often with one of the S40 offices to the front.
Pete
Hi Chris,
So technically not a label, but this shows I think a shortage of labels and improvisation, which is a surprise as this is on a T.18 cover and the Division had only been in France a couple of months.
Pete
Hi,
Again another this time APO S102 used on a pre-printed APO S (with central line) and the pencil addition 102 April 1919.
Interesting cover from a Major P C Spain, was with the port defence battalions of the Royal Artillery pre-war (Dorset Battalion) and then the RGA in France.
Pete
Hello Peter
Once again some very interesting covers
the APO GR with comma I have records of use 22 02 21 to 21 01 22
The cover with Reg details written in manuscript is interesting, first I've seen from the Western Front.
Examples do exist from Gallipoli and Salonika.
Chris
Chris,
Another 1914, had you already seen this one?
Peter
Chris,
This is quite nice with the block letters 25 MR 16.
Peter
Thanks Peter
Two very good covers.
The FPO T 48 with very large Hand-stamp is illustrated in K&C, we can now put a date on this which looks like 25 March, 1916 prior to the security swaps which came in on 18 June, 1916.
Will be interesting to see if different examples turn up.
We now have illustrations of two 1914 covers, others must exist.
Have been looking at the pre-printed Base Labels, so far April 15 is the earliest I can get.
These Base Offices (4 in total) were re-designations of the first series offices,
Base Army Post Office 1 was originally Army Base Post Office
BASE APO 2 was originally APO S 47
Base APO 3 was originally Postal Regulating Depot
Base APO 4 was originally APO S 14
Currently I record nothing from any of these Offices.
Chris