Ministry of Aircraft Production - Personal Letter Section

[Peter Gassmann]

Hello All

on the following item from March 1943 from the US to UK there are two handstamps new to me:
- Circular "Ministry of Aircraft Production - Personal Letter Section"
- "Technical Data / Unlimited License / U-N-103"

Can anyone comment on the background of these marks? Are they considered censor marks?

best wishes
Peter

[Michael Dobbs]

Peter

I would suggest that the Ministry of Aircraft Production datestamp is purely that - an office datestamp which has been applied to signify date of receipt.  As you may have noticed the US meter franking mark does not include a date, so we don't know when it was posted.  I don't know what the pencilled note is inside the datestamp - DOS or DDS something.

I have no idea what the other marking is, unless it has something to do with the contents of the letter.

I do not believe that either of these markings represents censor marks or are indicative of the mail being censored.

Mike  :)

[Peter Harvey]

Hi Peter,

I believe that the U.S. Department of Defence issued so called 'Unlimited License's' to British manufacturers during WW2 allowing them to manufacture munitions to American designs. Given that this is a cover from an aircraft manufacturer in the U.S to the Air Ministry, it could I assume also relate to the manufacture of aircraft parts.

Peter H

[Peter Gassmann]

Many thanks Mike and Peter! I found it interesting that an internet search turns up pretty much nothing on these two marks. Only one somewhat similar item found when searching for "Personal Letter Section": https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Belgium-Postal-History-PPC-Brussels-To-London-With-Ministry-Of-Supply-Rubber-CD-/124286321012

best regards, Peter