The U.C.N.C. 23 September 1903 Durafour / Hervé covers
On 20 March 1903, the New Caledonian authorities issued a decree establishing a
postal agent on board the, the vessel departing from Noumea. Trials were conducted during
1903 and early 1904 between three fleets; the existing contract holder, but almost bankrupt
Société Française des Nouvelles Hébrides utilizing the "La Perouse",
then around September 1903, the Union Commerciale et de Navigation Calédonienne (a company formed in
1902 by combining the fleets of the houses of Ballande, Béchade and Barrau) probably utilizing the
"Excelsior" who were then granted a subsidy and finally in January 1904 the Messageries Maritimes
utilizing the "Pacifique". In April 1904 Messageries Maritimes were granted the mail subsidy and
the other fleets acted as inter-island vessels. The Société was formally released
from its existing contract to provide the mail service, however the Société's ships
continued as inter-island vessels connecting with the "Pacifique", but manned by Messageries crews.
It remains unclear what became of the UCNC involvement in the mail of New Hebrides, however
the "Excelsior" was returned to its Australian owners in April 1904. (Jeff Blinco)
The covers below represent the trial conducted by UCNC. I could not verify the existance
of the addressees in New Caledonia so far. They are not mentioned in
Patrick OReilly's "Calédoniens", Paris, 1980.
By further decree on 24 March 1906,
three years later, a postal agency was established in Vila. Initially, the agencies
were stocked with the New Caledonia 1892 definitive series, with 5 centimes being
the standard rate to Nouméa. Later, a stock of the 1905 "Cagou" series was also
provided. The agencies eventually closed on 30 October 1908, with the advent of the
Condominium post office.
23 September 1903
From Vila to Nouméa, the 4c New Caledonian stamp prepaying
the printed matter rate and cancelled with the first French handstamp used as a
maritime cancel from 1903 to 1904. (Goron coll.)
23 September 1903
From Vila to Nouméa, the 4c New Caledonian stamp prepaying
the printed matter rate and cancelled with the first French handstamp used as a
maritime cancel from 1903 to 1904. ("Mele" coll.)
23 September 1903
From Vila to Nouméa, the 10c 1903 New Caledonian stamp
prepaying the Military Franchise rate tied with PCH type 5. ("Mele" coll.)
23 September 1903
From Vila to Nouméa, the 2c New Caledonian stamp seemed
to prepay the printed matter rate too (at least nobody objected) and cancelled with
the first French handstamp used as a maritime cancel from 1903 to 1904. (Klinger coll.)
23 September 1903
From Vila to Nouméa, the 4c New Caledonian stamp prepaying
the printed matter rate and cancelled with the first French handstamp used as a
maritime cancel from 1903 to 1904. (Goron coll.)
23 September 1903
From the same sender from Vila to Nouméa, the 15c New Caledonian Cinquantenaire
stamp (50 years New Caledonia) cancelled by PCH type 5. ("RMD" coll.)
23 September 1903
From the same sender from Vila to Nouméa, the 4c New Caledonian stamp pays the
printed matter rate. Stamp cancelled with PCH type 5. (now unknown coll.)
23 September 1903
From the same sender from Vila to Thio, the 25c New Caledonian "Cinquantenaire" stamp cancelled with PCH type 5. (Kim Spurge coll.)
23 September 1903
From the same sender from Vila to Thio, the 75c New Caledonian "Cinquantenaire" stamp
variety "missing I" is cancelled with PCH type 5.
23 September 1903
Addressed cover to Monsieur Le Commandant Durafour from Vila to Nouméa .
The 4c. New Caledonian stamp (Yvert n°84: overprint 4 type III on 5c.green-yellow)
prepaying the printed matter rate and cancelled with the first French handstamp
PCH type 5.("SeSi" coll.)
23 September 1903
Two stamps on piece with the same date as these covers. Most likely from similar covers! (Ed Grabowski coill.)
23 September 1903
Addressed cover to Monsieur Le Commandant Durafour from Vila to Nouméa .
The 15c. New Caledonian stamp cancelled with the first French handstamp
PCH type 5. Plain cover without U.C.N.C. imprint. ("RW" coll.)
