Security cancellation - WW2 Civil Mail

[Peter Harvey]

Strictly note Forces Postal history, but WW2 permit mail using a wrapper to Stockholm. I spotted this for sale and I have not seem the cancellation mark before, I wonder could anyone help identify this for me?

I assume pre D-Day censorship, but I don't really see the point in obscuring the location, if you then enclose a newspaper, but then again, were newspapers allowed to be sent overseas (maybe not), so this could have been something else.

Any thoughts on the datestamp would be welcomed.

Peter

[Jim Mackay]

Hi Peter. Here's a similar(ish) newspaper branch postmark listed by Whitney (1993).

Jim

[Peter Harvey]

Hi Jim,

Thank you for this, it is much appreciated. I always forget to check Whitney, so your help has pointed me in the right direction.

Regards Peter

[Michael Dobbs]

Peter

I have been meaning to respond to your query for some time - I do n't think it answers your question (re newspapers posted overseas) but does expand upon the Whitney listing.  It is taken from "English & Welsh Postmarks Since 1840" by James A Mackay (published by him 1980).  Under the section "Postmarks on Newspapers and Periodicals" the text relating to the relevant illustrations (2304, 2306-2309) states:

"Datestamps including the name 'London' were intended as cancellers and incorporated an obliterating element (2303, 2305), the majority having patterns of short lines (2304).  This style has continued to the present day in various guises (2306-9)."

As I say, doesn't help your query, just explains their use.

Mike