Inter-Allied Games 1919

[Michael Dobbs]

I have received the following query:

[color=maroon]Can anyone tell me why this card has no stamp? It is from a Sergeant in the US Army in France writing home to the USA.  It is annotated "solders mail".
Is it supposed to have a postage stamp?[/color]

The Inter-Allied Games was a one-off multi-sport event held from 22 June to 6 July 1919 at the newly constructed Pershing Stadium just outside Paris, France following the end of World War I.

Thanks, Mike  :)

[Alan Baker]

Interesting the UK didn't take part. Also, not sure about the hand grenade throwing!

[Michael Dobbs]

Alan - are you sure the UK didn't take part?

It is listed as a participant  on Wikipedia - [url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inter-Allied_Games#Participating_nations]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inter-Allied_Games#Participating_nations[/url]

I agree about the grenade throwing - an explosive sport unless, of course, they removed the detonation and used it as a form of shot put??

Mike

[Alan Baker]

We were not listed on the card.

I should think the judges in the grenade throwing must have been worried

[Michael Dobbs]

Oh I see now!

However the Union Flag is on the front of the card, I wonder why we are not listed in the text and there is nothing in the Wikipedia entry to say we didn't take part.

Not only the judges, what about the audience!

Mike

[Chris Grimshaw]

Hi Mike

I'd suggest the reason for no postage stamp is as marked 'Soldiers Mail' it qualified for Free Postage as on 'Active Service' 

These Games are new to me, Not seen any previous mention.

Chris

[Peter Harvey]

Hi Mike,

I do not think it was unusual for AEF mail this late not be cancelled but still pass through the U.S. postal system. I often see cards from Paris in particular that only have censor cachets and not postal markings and given the late date of this, the censor would not have been used - so posted directly to the US APS in Paris as free mail and missed a machine cancellation.

Peter

[Michael Dobbs]

Thank you all for your comments - I have relayed these to the person who made the enquiry and in thanking me for the information I have provided thus far he has responded as follows:

[color=maroon]Cricket is listed on the card but was not played at the Games according to the statistical gurus on cricket because England, Australia and New Zealand decided not to send in a cricket team.[/color]

He is a cricket collector and is always asking me for FPO information on various 1973 UK cricket FDCs he obtains.  I have been corresponding with him on this aspect for a few years now.  He appears to be a (part-time?) dealer and has his own website - feel free to take a look: [url=http://www.noelalmeida.com]http://www.noelalmeida.com[/url]

Thanks, Mike  :)