Jamaica to USA

[Tony Walker]

Attached a cover from Jamaica to the USA - it may well not be of military origin.

However if anyone can suggest why the envelope was opened by the express warrant of the Governor, I would be most interested.  Could it be because of the too brief address and they were looking for more info about the recipient?

On the reverse is a KINGSTON / FEB 29-16 / JAMAICA machine cancel.

Tony Walker[attach id=6559]3687 Jamaica to USA (2).jpg[/attach]

[Peter Harvey]

Hi Tony, This cachet is listed on page 09-06-2 os The Encyclopaedia of Jamaican Philately Vol 9 Military Mails.

It states: A label and a hand stamp (often applied to blank resealing labels) which is sometimes seen on WW1 mails. Many collectors thought these were censorship or censorship labels or hand stamps used by the Service, but they are in fact fiscal control items, used by the Treasury in their attempt to prevent currency being sent out of Jamaica.

So not military, but a wartime purpose.

It also states that similar were also used in 1979.

Regards

Peter

[Tony Walker]

Thanks Peter

Disappointed it's not WWI naval, but it's an interesting cover nevertheless.  From what you say it was a wartime usage, so presumably instigated because of wartime activities.

Tony

[Peter Harvey]

Tony,

The reference states 'sometimes seen on WW1' so certainly a wartime measure and war related, due to currency control.

Peter