French Censor from Salonika

[Chris Grimshaw]

Team

A 'battered' little gem from AK's material.  He certainly squirreled some interesting material away

A cover to a Major at the British Artillery Training School Salonica.  Franked 15 Lepta, very unclear Greek Cancel Also cancelled Base APO X 29 December 1917.

Two strikes of an Oval French Censor, ARMIE DE ORIENT / CENSURE MILITAIRE ? 41  Never see this or anything like it before

[Peter Harvey]

Hi Chris,

I have seen this used before, but have no reference for it, I do think there are several numbers and also a round d/r version with similar lettering.

Scarce, I agree, unusual to have this cancelling the stamps would assume that there was no TEP available?

[Peter Gassmann]

Hi Chris

yes, this is a standard censor mark of Armeé d'Orient, but they are rare. I know of 9 different numbers in the range 41-69. It seems they were issued in Autumn 1917, but then replaced by the oval "CONTROLÉ par l'authorité militaire" (numbers 1-10) in early 1918. Would you have a scan of the reverse side as well?

best wishes, Peter