WWI & After Registration Labels

[Peter Harvey]

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

[Chris Grimshaw]

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

[Graham Perfett]

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

[Graham Perfett]

More attached.

[Graham Perfett]

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[Graham Perfett]

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[Graham Perfett]

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[Graham Perfett]

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[Graham Perfett]

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[Graham Perfett]

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[Graham Perfett]

Last one!

[Chris Grimshaw]

Hello Graham

Many thanks for these, Brilliant, exactly the type if material I'm looking for.  Thank You

Chris

[Chris Grimshaw]

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

[Chris Grimshaw]

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

[Chris Grimshaw]

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