British Army Post Office in Constantinople in 1855

[Michael Dobbs]

I have received the following enquiry from the USA:

[color=maroon]I am trying to find the date (month) codes used by the British Army Post Office in Constantinople in 1855. I have an example POST OFFICE BRITISH ARMY JU?? 1855. Is this June or July? Any help will be appreciated,[/color]

Can anyone assist please?

Thanks, Mike  :)

[Alan Baker]

From what I have seen, JU stands for June and JY for July

[Michael Dobbs]

Sorry for the delay in putting this on here - I have now heard from the person making the enquiry and he has sent me illustration of the cover and a close up of the postmark - now attached.

He also states:

[color=maroon]Here is the postmark. A&H  say it is from Constantinople. The inverted red mark is almost illegible and is a 1? Crown Z in a curve at the top and 1855 at the bottom which you can see in the photo. The front of the cover bears a very large 3 in black manuscript which ties in with a 3d rate to/from Crimea by the military concession by French Packet. [/color]

[color=maroon]I have enhanced the photo of the postmark and now can 'see' the red cancel. I believe it now is :
A Crown Z / 2  JY  / 1855
What I do not know is by whom this red cancel was applied. London receiving?
If so then June 19 to JulY 2 would make a reasonable time en route for a journey via Marseilles to London. 13 days by French Packet.[/color]

Does anyone know what the reference to "A&H" is please?

Also can anyone add anything to this please?

Many thanks, Mike  :)

[Michael Dobbs]

I think I can answer my own query here!

I think A&H represents "British Postmarks - A Short History and Guide" by R.C. Alcock and F.C. Holland (I found it on my bookshelf - Revised Edition, Reprinted in Jubilee year 1977).  Page 267, Fig 1026 - Crimean War.

Text (p.259) "A Head Office was established in Constantinople, and branch offices in the Crimea"

Anybody any more information?

Mike  :)