1938
J.L. Mitchell
At the age of 17, John Leslie Mitchell arrived in Nouméa, invited by Tiby Hagen. He first lived
with his aunt, Mme. Veuve N. Hagen. His uncle was Adolphus Zeitler in Epi. After the failure of
one of the many Hagen companies at the beginning of the 30's, he rented the Hagen possessions in Ranon, Ambrym.
R.J. Fletcher, the writer of the letters in "Isles of Illusion", worked with Mitchell for four years.
Mitchell had many guests in his house, including Martin Johnson ("Cannibal-Land, Adventures with a Camera in the New Hebrides").
He was a man of culture and his library was well known. So it is not mere chance that his letters (here: 6 Sept 1948) are addressed
to a librarian. (Information thanks to O'Reilly, "Hébridais", Paris 1957)
Christian Demangeot
Christian Demangeot was addressed as "artist and painter" on this cover from New Caledonia to Port Vila.
He was not very succcessfull as he cannot be found in the internet as painter and artist. ( Cover seen on Delcampe in April 2008)
Inter-Island cancel
The ship-based PCH type 90 cancel had its last day on 29 November 1949.
Brigantine Yankee
The Brigantine Yankee was a steel hulled schooner, originally constructed by Nordseewerke, Emden, Germany as the Emden, renamed Duhnen, 1919.
As Yankee, it became famous as the ship that was used by Irving Johnson and Exy Johnson to circumnavigate the globe four times in eleven years. (Wikipedia)
1948 Postmaster letter 1
Postmaster letter with the 20 April cover to Sweden.
1948 Postmaster letter 2
16 July 1948
16 July 1948 - reverse
14 August 1945
Nice interisland cover from Vila to Tanna, the French 20c cancelled with Pch type 14. The stamp is not tied to the cover.
Addressee is the "Société Commerciale des Îles du Sud".(Mele coll.)
15 September 1945
Letter from Espiritu Santo to Chicago USA. The 10c.or and 20c.gold stamps tied
by PCH type 38. End of censorship in NH? ("SeSi" collection)
15 September 1945
15 September 1945 - letter inside
9 November 1945
(new Feb 2018)
Registered letter from Port-Vila to Melbourne Australia. The 30cg stamp tied by GK type PM11A. Correct franking
for colonial (10cg) registered (20cg) letter. Registered cachet type NR9.
On front in red manuscript: gone away address unknown - Malvern 30/11/45, rectangular cachet UNCLAIM AT / MALVERN,
cachet MALVERN 10 DE 45, handstamp RETOUR REBUTS in violet on cover and on an affixed label.
Backstamped REGISTERED MELBOURNE 30 NO 45, MALVERN 30 NO 45, REGISTERED MELBOURNE 11 DE 45, in red DEAD LETTER OFFICE MELBOURNE 11 DE 45 and
2 REBUTS marks in violet. ("SeSi" collection)
15 September 1945 - front with the overlapping affixed label
9 November 1945 - reverse
1945 (10 November) (?)
(new 10/2021)
Air Mail labeled cover to Canada, 30cg cancelled with a smudged Santo postmark. A boxed "NOT ELIGIBLE FOR / AERIAL MAIL. FEE / DEFICIENT / Vila No. 1 (NH)" at left.
I have never seen this instructional handstamp before.
Source: Steve Drewett Empire Stamp Auctions
1945 (10 November) (?)
The very rare marking
23 November 1945
Air Mail cover from Vila to Noumea to Nicolas "Tiby" Hagen. One should find out if there was some Catalina
flying to Noumea or if the letter went by ship. Backstamped Noumea 3 12 45 which does not speak for Air Mail.
The 10c (normal rate) French 1938 stamp is cancelled with PCH type 11 and is a use far after the last date
given there (April 45). (Blinco coll.)
4 December 1945
Registered Air Mail cover from Santo to the U.S. 65c gold and a 1925 10c stamp - which is worth 1.7c should pay Air Mail to
Los Angeles? I don't think so!
As this cover is cancelled in Vila with PCH Type 12 and has a printed registration label from Vila
but a Santo registration handstamp too with the same number in manuscript it is not impossible that it
went by air maybe with some U.S. air facility from Vila to Santo and then to the U.S.
Backstamped San Pedro Feb 7 1946, Los Angeles Feb 7 1946, Los Angeles Wilshire La Brea Sta. Feb 8 1946.
(Seen in an old auction)
27 February 1946
Air Mail letter to New Zealand. I doubt that 15cg instead of 10cg was enough to
pay the AM rate. Cancelled with PCH type 12 in violet. (Klinger coll.)
19 November 1946
Registered letter from Santo to Sydney. The French 20c, 30c, 40c and 50c stamps
are tied with PCH type 37, the R14 Vila registration label has not the manual
amendment to "SANTO" it should have and additionally R31 is also applied. Backstamped
Nouméa 23 December 1946 (quite a time from Santo to NC!), G.P.O. Sydney 116
on 26 December 1946 (that's a far better time!) and William Street 27 December 1947. (Klinger coll.)
19 November 1946
Identical cover but now with reg.-number 388. (Klinger coll.)
19 November 1946
19 November 1946 - reverse
4 January 1947
Cover from Santo to Portland. Somebody in Santo may have needed a fork lifter to move the
U.S. Forces debris. (Hyster Co. produced forklifters). The French 20cg stamp is cancelled with PCH type 37.
Image thanks to Gärtner Auktionen, Germany
15 January 1947
Small cover to Nouméa, the British 10cg stamp is cancelled with PCH type 12. (Merot coll.)
28 February 1947
Registered letter from Santo to Sydney. The British 5c, 10c, 15c and 20c stamps
are tied with PCH type 37, the R14 Vila registration label has not the manual
amendment to "SANTO" it should have and additionally R31 is also applied. Backstamped
the William Street N.S.W. arrival cancel on 18 March 1947. (Klinger coll.)
3 March 1947
30c in mixed 1938 issues as correct rate to the U.S. cancelled with Type 11. (old auction image)
26 March 1947
(new 4/2021)
Cover front Vila - Manchester, travel time 4 months! 10cg colonial letter rate.
14 April 1947
1938 English 10c stamp on a "Paul A. Dorn" cover to the Dominion Colonial and Overseas (D.C. & O.) Library in Los Angeles.
The stamp cancelled with GK Type PM16. Non-colonial letter rate was 20c hence underpaid and taxed - but not collected maybe.
Image thanks to Steve Drewett & Empire Stamp Auctions
9 May 1947
Letter to Walnut Creek California USA from Vila to amateur radio W6DUB
with QSL card YJ1AB. The 5c., 10c., 15c.or stamps tied by PCH type 14.
("SeSi" collection)
9 May 1947
9 May 1947 - QSL card
28 May 1947
Surface to U.S.A. Correct 30gc rate. Cancelled PM7D in blue.
7 June 1947
Nice commercial cover to the USA, supposedly a printed matter as it is franked
with a 10c stamp only. The stamp is cancelled with a verly late use of PCH type 11. (Treadwell coll.)
19 August 1947
10 cg on a letter to Australia cancelled Goyns Klinger type PM7D. (Klinger coll.)
20 August 1947
Postcard "Grand Chef indigène des Big Nambas" from Port Vila to Nice France.
The 5c.or stamp tied by GK type PM11B in blue. Underpaid 5c.or but not taxed.
2 September 1947
Letter to Framingham, USA. The British 30cg stamp is cancelled with PCH type 13.
(Ruecker coll.)
24 November 1947
Registered OCS letter from Vila to Assisi Italia. The 20c.or and two 5c.or cancelled with PCH type 9B
the 40c.or and two 10c.or cancelled with PCH type 14. The registration label is PCH type R14 (reported
1935-1939 in PCH). Total franking 90c.or.
Backstamped VILA 24NO47,SYDNEY AIR 30NO47, ROMA FERROVIA - POSTA AEREARACO SEZ-B
9 12 47 and ASSISI CENTRO PERUGIA -9.12.47-18 on arrival. ("SeSi" coll.)
24 November 1947
24 November 1947 - reverse
27 November 1947
1938 English 10c stamp on a cover to the Dominion Colonial and Overseas (D.C. & O.) Library in Los Angeles (not to "Paul A. Dorn" this time).
The stamp cancelled with GK Type PM16. Non-colonial letter rate was 20c hence underpaid but not taxed.
Image thanks to Steve Drewett & Empire Stamp Auctions
13 December 1947
(new 1/2019)
30 cg letter to U.S.A.
22 December 1947
(new 2/2019)
Letter to France - air surcharge 45c, colonial letter rate 10c = 55c. Underpaid 5c.
1 March 1948
(new 1/2021)
Letter to USA with 1938 a 30cg French stamp = non colonial letter rate tied by GK type PM11B.
19 March 1948
Letter to Sydney with 1938 15cg British stamp tied by PCH type 9b. (Klinger coll.)
I don't know who was Vila Postmaster in April 1948 but the July letter at left may have the signatue of O.E. Richards. (But a newspaper article in 1950 says that Richards
just became Vila postmaster. Anyway:
In his letter to Sweden he tells us the money exchange rates in the New Hebrides.
The face value of the stamps is expressed in Gold Francs. The exchange rate may change but is fixed at the moment to 16. This means that
1 Franc Gold equals 16 New Hebrides Francs. The NH Franc has the same value as the French Pacific Colonial Franc which equals 4,32 French Francs at the moment.
There are three currencies in use in the New Hebrides: the New Hebrides Franc, the Pound Sterling and the Australian Pound.
The exchange rates at the moment: 200 FrNH = £Sterling 1-0-0 = £Austr. 1-5-0.
The second letter tells us the rates to Europe: letter 30cg, Air Mail 55cg per 5gr and postcards 15cg.
28 March 1948
Registered letter to France, 10 cg colonial letter rate & 20 cg registration fee. Cancelled with Goyns Klinger type PM11A in blue.
So far the latest known use of this postmark. Regitration cachet Goyns Klinger type NR9. (Klinger coll.)
20 April 1948
(new 2/2019)
Postmaster cover to Sweden. The total of 50cg (= non-colonial letter rate 2nd weight class )cancelled PM7D.
20 April 1948
(new 2/2019)
reverse
7 May 1948
Letter from Port Vila to Detroit with 1F 20c postage of the French 1938 definitive series,
cancelled with GK type PM7D. It was sent by a crew member of the
Brigantine "YANKEE". Captain of the Yankee was Irving Johnson. He was the man who
removed The Bounty’s vice and anvil in 1937 which are now in the Mariners
Museum in Newport News, Virginia and raised the Bounty anchor in 1957.
This letter was sent during his fourth great world voyage from 1946 to 1948, the first one on the former German schooner Duhnen. (Klinger coll.)
There are three more covers from the fifth voyage dated 8 May 1951 below.
7 May 1948
Letter from Port Vila to Torino, Italy. Two 15 cg stamps cancelled with GK type PM7D. Correct 30 cg non-colonial letter rate postage.
Backstamped Cavagnolo 9.7.48. (ex Millet coll.)
7 May 1948
10 May 1948
Letter to Vanikoro to Fred Louis Jones, a local trader in Peu, Vanikoro. The
10c stamp is cancelled with PCH type 13, cover backstamped Honiara 24 May 1948. ("Aore" coll.)
9 July 1948
Air mail letter to New Canaan Conn. USA, forwarded to CHUGUICAMATA CHILI.
The 20 and 30c.or stamps cancelled with PCH type 14.
Backstamped NEW CANAAN.CONN AUG 2 1948 and SANTIAGO machine cancel 4 AGO 1948 .
("SeSi" collection)
9 July 1948
9 July 1948 - reverse
20 July 1948
Australian air mail cover to Nouméa. The French 10c.or tied by PCH type
13: 20 JUL 48. Backstamped NOUMEA 20-7-48 on arrival.
Sender is Roger Clavel (well-known family of settlers in NC) to Monsieur
Herman Mallet (member of the family Mallet : Auguste François Mallet is
the pilot who founded the Santo flying club). Unrecorded flight Vila-Nouméa .
("SeSi" collection)
20 July 1948
20 July 1948 - reverse
21 July 1948
(new 2 March 2018)
Air Mail letter to San Francisco. 60 cg is too much for surface mail (non colonial: 30 gc) and not enough for Air Mail (surcharge: 60 gc per 5g) (Klinger coll.)
27 July 1948
Letter to Nouméa with 1938 10cg French stamp tied by PCH type 14.
Backstamped on arrival Nouméa, 3 August 1948.
(Not too fast for
an "Air Mail" [grin].) (Klinger coll.)
10 August 1948
Air Mail letter to the French ship "Dumont d'Urville". (Merot coll.)
17 August 1948
Air Mail cover from Santo to Nouméa. Cover with three
French 10cg stamps cancelled with PCH type 38. Maybe this letter was carried
by the TRAPAS service Noumea - Santo - Vila, in their own Catalina, which had
begun in December 1947. Normal postage would have been 10cg. (Merot coll.)
24 August 1948
Registered letter to Australia with French 1938 20c and 30c stamps tied with
PCH type 38 (known there from 1940 to 46). The PCH type R14A registration
label shows "SANTO" applied by handwriting so this should be a new type R14B
with the "SANTO" handstamp. Backstamped Port Vila, 29 August 1948, Sydney,
4 September 1948 and Burwood, 4 September 1948. (Goron coll.)
24 August 1948
24 August 1948 - reverse
6 September 1948
Registered letter to the US with British 1938 5c/10c/15c/20c/30c stamps tied with
PCH type 14 in black. The PCH type R14 registration label would be a very late
use for Port Vila as PCH report it for Port Vila from 1935 to 1939. I suppose
that the registration label was applied in Santo without the manual amendment, but the letter cancelled in Port
Vila. A later 1953 letter from Mitchell was sent from Santo too. Backstamped
Port Vila, 6 September 1948, Sydney 16 September 1948, Seattle 9 October 1948,
Los Angeles Terminal Annex 11 October 1948 and Los Angeles, La Brea Station 11 October
1948. (Klinger coll.)
6 September 1948
6 September 1948 - reverse
22 September 1948
Air Mail letter to Saigon. 30 cg cancelled with GK type PM11B. Possibly underfranked 5 cg. Backstamped Saigon 1 OCT 48. (ex Millet coll.)
22 September 1948
22 September 1948 - reverse
22 September 1948
Air Mail letter to Saigon. 30 cg cancelled with GK type PM11B. Maybe the air mail surcharge to Saigon was on 20 cg. Colonial letter rate was 10cg.
(ex Millet coll.)
22 September 1948
22 September 1948 - reverse
1 October 1948
Air Mail letter to Saigon. 30 cg cancelled with GK type PM11B. Maybe the air mail surcharge to Saigon was on 20 cg. Colonial letter rate was 10cg.
Backstamped Saigin 14.10.48. (ex Millet coll.)
1 October 1948
1 October 1948 - reverse
4 November 1948
A Christmas postcard from the famous Père O'Reilly to Paris cacnelled GK type PM11B. I think it's underfranked 5cg as the 5cg colonial postcard rate started in 1950.
(ex Millet coll.)
4 November 1948
reverse
2 February 1949
(new 11/2021)
Anothe Desestre cover: Air mail letter from Port-Vila to Paris 18.
Total franking 1gF 10gc : letter colonial rate 10gc , air mail fee 1gF ( 6-10g ).
The stamps tied by PM7B. ("SeSi" coll.)
7 April 1949
Postcard written at Espiritu Santo on 1st April 1949 to Avenue des Champs Elysées
Paris 8 France with mention "airmail" , entrusted unfranked the inter-islands steamer
wich handed it to the Vila Post Office on 7 April 1949 (cachet type PM7D) .
Downgraded to surface mail with the scare rectangular cachet :
NOT ELIGIBLE FOR / AERIAL MAIL . FEE / DEFICIENT / Vila No.1 (NH) in violet .
(first postcard seen) . No taxing tracks : usual rate for air mail colonial postcard 60 gc .
Nice impression of the metallic handstamp 48 mm x 17 mm. ("Sesi" coll.)
7 April 1949
reverse
1953/54 cachet
Only seen three times so far
10 March 1949
(new 4/2021)
Air cover front Vila to Scotland. 50cg colonial letter rate. 10cg colonial letter rate and 50 cg air surcharge - underpaid 10cg.
10 March 1949
Sender
9 May 1949
(new 10/21)
Cover with a 20cg stamp cancelled GK PM7D to Washington, U.S.A., underfranked 10cg. It is interesting that there is an identical cover
sent on 9 May 1943 (see 1938 postal history up to 1945)
Image thanks to Steve Drewett Postal History
2 July 1949
(new 11/23)
Registered air mail letter from Port-Vila to Avignon Vaucluse France.
Total franking 85 centimes or, stamps cancelled with PM7B ( very late use ,
registration label NR19A (early use).
The rate was : colonial letter 10 gc , registration 20 gc , air surcharge 50 gc per 5g.
So overpaid 5 gc.
Backstamped VILA 2 JY 49 , Sydney illegible in transit and AVIGNON 15-7 1949 in arrival. ("SeSi" coll.)
2 July 1949
(new 11/23)
reverse
13 August 1949
Bag label from Vila to Rouen (Seine Inférieure) France.
The 40c. and 2Fgold (2) stamps tied by PCH type 13.
("SeSi" collection)
13 August 1949
13 August 1949 - reverse
19 August 1949
Nice interisland commercial cover from Burns Philp (New Hebrides) Limited in Vila
(company sign on reverse) to Mr. Bannister in Tanna. The 10c stamp is cancelled with
PCH type 13a. ("SeSi" collection)
2 September 1949
(new 11/2023)
Air mail to Cavagnolo, Italy. 1Fg 65cg pay the 20cg non-colonial letter rate, the 30cg reg-fee 1,20cg with a 5cg underpayment.
Arrival postmark 12.9.49 on reverse.
12 September 1949
Air mail from Vila to Italy. The total of 1F65 cancelled with PM7D. 3 x air surcharge 45c for a 15g letter plus 30 c non-colonial
letter rate = 1,65F - correctly franked
13 September 1949
Registered air mail letter to Nouméa NC. The French 30c.or stamp tied by PCH
type 14. The registration label is type R15 (early use:known october 1949).
Backstamped Port Vila 13 SEPT 49 (type 14) and Nouméa 15 SEPT 49 on
arrival. ("SeSi" collection)
13 September 1949
13 September 1949 - reverse
23 September 1949
Air Mail letter to California. The two British 1938 30 cg stamps are cancelled with PCH Type 14.
Sender on reverse: "Mme. A. Rossi - Port-Vila". (Klinger coll.)
23 September 1949
23 September 1949 - sender and wrong colour image of date
3 October 1949
Air mail letter from Vila to French military zone in Germany. The 15c. and 20c.or
stamps tied by PCH type 14, the 5c. and 15c.gold stamps tied by PCH type 13.
Backstamped HAMBURG 20.10.49, German handstamp BESTIMMUNGSORT FEHLT (no town
of destinataion given) with labels: UNGENÜGENDE ADRESSE / INSUFFISANCE D'ADRESSE
UNBEKANNT / INCONNU. Returned to NH: backstamped PCH type 38 SANTO 11AUG50 ,
readdressed to Nouméa NC: backstamped NOUMEA 12-9-1950 and returned
from NOUMEA RP 15-9-1950 to VILA. The sender is Christian Demangeot (Painter).
Travel-time: nearly one year. ("Sesi" collection)
3 October 1949
3 October 1949 - reverse
23 November 1949
(new 4 March 2018)
Air Mail letter to Switzerland. The 55 cg stamps cancelled with PM7B (a very late use of this type). Surely underpaid as air mail as the
surcharge was 45 cg and non colonial letter rate was 25 cg. Nobody objected. (Clemens Albert coll.)
29 November 1949
(new 4/2020)
Locally addressed cover - last day of postmark.
29 November 1949
How should I call this: A LDC for the GK PM9b canceller? Last day of known use of this CDS. (Treadwell coll.)
29 November 1949
29 November 1949
How should I call this: A LDC for the GK PM9b canceller? Last day of known use of this CDS. (Merot coll.)
29 November 1949
(new Dec 2017)
29 November 1949
Another LDC for the GK PM9b canceller? Last day of known use of this CDS. Steve Drewett
29 November 1949
(new 4/2020)
29 November 1949
Another LDC for the GK PM9b canceller? Last day of known use of this CDS. Cover to AUstraiia. ("SeSi" coll.)
13 March 1950
Letter to Paris 16. The British 5c.gold (2) stamps tied by PCH type 13.
("SeSi" collection)
18 March 1950
(new 2/2020)
Letter to Marseille. Air Mail label but heavily underpaid as air mail. Air surcharge was 50 cp per 5g. Surface rate was 10cg up to 20g.
Cancelled with GK type PM7B.
24 March 1950
Commercial air mail letter to Paris VII. The French 40c. and 15c. stamps
tied by PCH type 15A. ("SeSi" collection)
10 May 1950
(new 2/2019)
Plain cover to England - 10cg cancelled PM7B. - late use! - Correct colonial letter rate.
24 May 1950
(new 2/2019)
Plain cover to U.S.A. - 30cg cancelled PM7D. Correct non-colonial letter rate.
10 EME ANNIVERSAIRE / DE L'APPEL HISTORIQUE / DU 18 JUIN 1940
18 June 1950
Local letter to Monsieur Maurice De Gallande (Vila postmaster).
The 15c.or stamp tied by PCH type 14 and handstamp type 234:
10 EME ANNIVERSAIRE / DE L'APPEL HISTORIQUE / DU 18 JUIN 1940. ("SeSi" collection)
18 June 1950
Registered Letter to Nouméa remembering the 10th anniversary of the France Libre
movement. Two 1938 Fr. and Br. 5c stamps are cancelled with PCHs type 14 and 13, a 5c France
Libre stamp tied by PCH type 14 and a 1938 Fr. 15c stamp cancelled by the slogan stamp.
Registration handstamp is PCH type R8. Normal letter rate to NC could have been 10c in
1950 and registration 20c. The cover is backstamped PCH type 14 18 JUN 50 and Noumea
21 Juin 1950. (Klinger coll.)
18 June 1950
Letter to Santo. The 5c. and 15c.gold, the 10c.or stamps tied by PCH type 14
and handstamp type 234 10 EME ANNIVERSAIRE / DE L'APPEL HISTORIQUE / DU 18
JUIN 1940. ("SeSi" collection)
18 June 1950
Letter to Sydney. The 1938 5c. and 1949 10c.gold tied by GK type PM11B
and handstamp type 234 10 EME ANNIVERSAIRE / DE L'APPEL HISTORIQUE / DU 18
JUIN 1940.
Image thanks to Caphila, Paris
18 June 1950
Letter to the U.S.A. with 1938 50cg stamps tied by PCH type 14
and handstamp type 234 10 EME ANNIVERSAIRE / DE L'APPEL HISTORIQUE / DU 18
JUIN 1940. (Millet collection)
18 June 1950
Air Mail letter to France. The 1938 70cg stamps and the 1949 10 cg tied by PCH type 13
and handstamp type 234 10 EME ANNIVERSAIRE / DE L'APPEL HISTORIQUE / DU 18
JUIN 1940. (Clemens Albert coll. ex Millet coll.)
19 June 1950
Air Mail letter to Queensland, Australia. The 1938 50cg stamp is tied by PCH type 9
and handstamp type 234 10 EME ANNIVERSAIRE / DE L'APPEL HISTORIQUE / DU 18
JUIN 1940. One day late! (seen on Ebay)
18 June 1950
Air Mail letter to Sydney, Australia. The 1938 15cg stamp is tied by PM7D.
Handstamp type 234 10 EME ANNIVERSAIRE / DE L'APPEL HISTORIQUE / DU 18
JUIN 1940. (Clemens Albert coll.)
18 June 1950
Air Mail letter to France The 1938 40cg & 25cg stamps are tied by PM7D.
Handstamp type 234 10 EME ANNIVERSAIRE / DE L'APPEL HISTORIQUE / DU 18
JUIN 1940. (seen at Delcampe)
18 June 1950
Cover to U.S.A. The English 1938 50cg stamp is tied by PM7D.
Handstamp type 234 10 EME ANNIVERSAIRE / DE L'APPEL HISTORIQUE / DU 18 JUIN 1940. Image thanks to Sandafayre
19 June 1950
(new 12/22)
Local letter from "Burns Philp ( South Sea ) Coy. Limited VILA" to
Mrs. S.G. Jones Vila.
The British 30 cg stamp (up to 100 gr !) tied with PM7D
NEW HEBRIDES - VILA 19 JUN 50. Aside the handstamp type 234
10 EME ANNIVERSAIRE / DE L APPEL HISTORIQUE / DU 18 JUIN 1940.
Unusual combination one day late! ("SeSi" coll.)
19 June 1950
(new 12/22)
part of reverse
And here the only two "APPEL" covers known so far which were cancelled in Santo:
18 June 1950
Lettre par avion de Santo à Port Vila. Le 10cg UPU oblitéré par le type 37 SANTO 18 JUN 50
et le type 234 10 EME ANNIVERSAIRE / DE L'APPEL HISTORIQUE / DU 18 JUIN 1940 .
Monseigneur Jules Halbert (1886-1955) sera Vicaire Apostolique des Nouvelles Hébrides
du 11 juillet 1929 au 11 mars 1954. Il fut un soutient actif au mouvement de La France Libre:
C'est dans la salle de la Mission catholique de Port Vila que le gouverneur Sautot rallie les NH
à la France Combattante le 20 juillet 1940.(O'Reilly: Hébridais). ("SeSi" col.)
It is interesting that in spite of the French slogan and the French postmark they used an English stamp. (Roland)
18 June 1950
(new 4/23)
Air Mail cover from Santo to the somewhat strange address "R.F. Wurth / Differ. / Luxembourg / - Belge" (possibly "Differdingen", a city in Luxemburg).
Franked with 10cg & 15cg of the English UPU issue cancelled PM16 and a "APPEL" cachet and a group of a French 20cg UPU stamp together with two
1938 5cg French stamps also cancelled PM16 and a second "APPEL" cachet. This is the only cover here with two "APPEL" cachets.
The rate for a non colonial letter was 20cg and air surcharge was 60cg so the cover seems underpaid but a written information of the Vila postmaster from July 1948
tells us that air mail to France was 55cg per 5gr so if this was still true in 1950 the cover was correctly paid for assuming additional 10cg postage for a
non-colonial destination. The handwriting seems to be the same as on the other Santo cover.(RHM coll.)
7 June 1950
Registered Air Mail cover to Nouméa, the two 20cg stamps pay a normal
registered letter. They are cancelled with PCH type 14, registration label PCH R16.
(Merot coll.)
12 August 1950
COFFEE-BAG LABEL. On front custom label : nature of merchandise: café vert 2kg800
and 40c.or stamp tied by PCH type 14. On reverse 25c.gold stamps (4) tied
by PCH type 14. Franking 1F40c.or. ("SeSi" collection)
14 August 1950
Air mail cover to New York . The 2 French 30c.or tied by PCH type 13.
Backstamped Aug 21 1950 in arrival with private cachet. ("SeSi" collection)
14 August 1950
14 August 1950 - reverse
6 September 1950
(new 11/22)
Air mail cover from Vila to Hirtshals, Denmark. The French 40cg and English 30cg stamps are cancelled with GK type PM7D. Non-colonial letter rate in 1950 was 30cg, each
additional 20g 20cg and air surcharge to Europe was 60cg (per 5g !!) via London. So the cover was either an up to 60g cover and travelled by surface mail or it was
underpaid 20cg as a 5g air mail
cover (I think it had more weight). We will not know which is correct. (Clemens Albert coll.)
29 September 1950
Post Office Air Mail letter to New Calédonia, the 15 cg paying for the
additional Air rate? Cancelled with PCH type 13. The stamp has two holes
in it (sign for postmasters stamps?) (Merot coll.)
15 November 1950
(new 8/2019)
Registered air mail letter from CSB (Commonwealth Savings Bank of Australia) Vila agency
to Sydney. Correct 2gF.30gc franking : 30gc letter up to 100g, 20gc registration, 1gF80gc air surcharge 56-60g. Backstamped Port-Vila 15 NOV 50 and Sydney 19 NO 50 in arrival.
("SeSi" collection)
15 November 1950
(new 8/2019)
reverse
16 November 1950
(new 8/2022)
20 November 1950
Air mail letter from Santo to Paris 1. The 30c. and 40c.gold stamps tied by
PCH type 37. ("SeSi" collection)
dd December 1950
Air mail letter to Lyon (Rhône) France. The 40c. (2) and 15c. (2) tied by PCH
type 13. Eugène Courtais : religieux mariste, missionnaire à
Mélé en 1903 et à Port Olry en 1904-06 avant de devenir
Procureur de la Mission à Port-Vila (1906-1914), puis procureur des
Missions à Lyon de 1932 à 1951. (O'Reilly). ("SeSi" collection)
13 December 1950
(new 1/2019)
Postmaster air mail to U.S.A.
9 January 1951
(new Feb 2018)
Simple cover to England, the British 10cg cancelled with PM7D. (Klinger coll.)
9 January 1951
9 January 1951 - reverse
10 January 1951
A small cover used to enclose greeting cards or the like from Vila to Tanna.
The British 10cg cancelled with PCH type 13. (Yeomans coll.)
10 January 1951
10 January 1951 - letter
20 January 1951
Registered air mail letter from Santo to Nouméa. The 20c.gold (2) stamps
tied by PCH type 37. The registration label is type R33 (early use). Backstamped
SANTO 20 JANV 51 (type 37) and NOUMEA 25 JANV 51 on arrival. ("SeSi" collection)
7 February 1951
Registered air letter from Santo to Nouméa. The 15c.gold and 20c.or
stamps tied by PCH type 37.Registration label is type R33.
Backstamped SANTO 7 FEB 51 and NOUMEA 8 FEVR 1951.
("SeSi" collection)
30 March 1951
Registered air mail letter from Norsup, Mallicolo to Maison Thiaude Paris 11.
The 40c.gold (2) and 1Fgold stamps tied by PCH type 37. Registration label is
type R33. Backstamped SANTO 30 MAR 51, SYDNEY AIR7 1 AP 51 in transit and
PARIS 2 DISTRIBUTION 9-4-1951 on arrival. ("SeSi" collection)
27 April 1951
(new 4/2020)
Commercial Air mail letter from Vila to Buenos Aires, Argentina. Non-colonial letter rate was 20cg per 20gr and air surcharge 40cg per 5gr. The cover
may have been overpaid 20cg.
27 April 1951
(new 4/2020)
Backstamped May 17 1921
4 May 1951
Air mail letter from Santo to Nouméa. The 15c.gold stamp tied by PCH type
37. Backstamped Nouméa 7-5-1951. ("SeSi" collection)
8 May 1951
Letter from Port Vila to Detroit with 1F 60c mixed postage of the 1938 definitive series,
with the British and French cancel from a crew member of the
Brigantine "YANKEE". Captain of the Yankee was Irving Johnson. He was the man who
removed The Bounty’s vice and anvil in 1937 which are now in the Mariners
Museum in Newport News, Virginia and raised the Bounty anchor in 1957.
This and the following letter were sent during his fifth great world voyage
from 1950 to 1952. (Klinger coll.)
8 May 1951
Mr. James B. Ford liked to send letters:
Air mail letter from him on board brigantine Yankee in Port-Vila
to Detroit Michigan. The 10c. and 1For and the 50c.gold
stamps tied by the French PCH type 14 and the Britsh PCH type 13.
"SeSi" collection)
9 May 1951
Maybe Mr. James B. Ford didn't trust the New Hebrides Mail system, so he sent this
letter from Port Vila to Detroit with 1F 60c mixed postage of the 1938 definitive series
a day later. (Klinger coll.)
15 May 1951
Air mail letter from Santo to Detroit Michigan USA.
The 2F and 1For stamps tied by PCH type 37.
The sender is James B. Ford a crew member of the brigantine "YANKEE".
The letter was sent during her fifth great world voyage from 1950 to 1952.
("SeSi" collection)
18 May 1951
Air mail letter from brigantine YANKEE in SANTO to Detroit Michigan USA.
The 30c. and 40c.gold stamps tied by PCH type 37. Busy as a bee, this James B. Ford! ("SeSi" collection)
24 May 1951
Registered air mail letter from Santo to Nouméa. The 15c.gold and the
20c.or stamps tied by PCH type 37. Registration label is type R33.
Backstamped Santo 24 MAY 51 and NOUMEA 26 MAI 1951. ("SeSi" collection)
27 May 1951
Letter from Santo to Dunedin NZ. The 30c.or stamp tied by PCH type 37.
("SeSi" collection)
2 June 1951
Air mail letter from Vila to St Denis (Seine) France.
50c.gold and 5c.or stamps tied by PCH type 13. ("SeSi" collection)
14 June 1951
Registered letter to Nouméa with British 1938 15c/20c stamps tied with
PCH type 37 in black. The PCH type R33 registration label would be a very early
use as PCH reports it for the years 1960 to 1965. (Klinger coll.)
14 June 1951
14 June 1951 - reverse
20 June 1951
Air Mail letter from Santo to California, 1 Fg French and 2 x 30 cg British tied with
PCH type 37. (Treadwell coll.)
6(?) July 1951
(new 10/21)
Air mail letter from Santo to Suva, Fiji. The 1938 French 5cg and English 30cg stamps are cancelled with GK type PM16.
I think overpaid 5cg.
Image thanks to Steve Drewett Postal History
27 July 1951
Air mail letter with 5c and 50c French issue from Vila to Saint Denis, France. (Klinger coll.)
7 August 1951
(new 8/2020)
Incoming cover from the biggest warehouse in these times in Australia, Antony Hordern & Sons, Sydney to the well known Monsieur
Gabriel Gomichon des Granges (1904-1971) in Vila. Taxed 15cg cancelled with GK type PM11B (Clemans ALbert coll.)
reverse - GK type PM11B and PM7D -- The warehouse
8 August 1951
Registered letter from Santo to Nouméa. Two British 1938 15cg and a French
20cg stamps are cancelled with PCH type 37, the registration label is PCH type R33.
(Merot coll.)
21 August 1951
Registred letter from Maurice Lenormand's VILA DRUG STORE to Toulouse France.
The British 25c. and 50c.gold stamps tied by PCH type 14. Registred label is
type R12. Backstamped Port-Vila 21 AUG 51, SYDNEY 131 23AU51 in transit and
TOULOUSE 30-8-1951 on arrival.
Maurice Lenormand was pharmacist, planter and politician. Elected as deputy
for NH in 1951, reelected in 1956.
("SeSi" collection)
21 August 1951
Le Normand
3 September 1951
(new/2020)
Printed matter cover to U.S.A. The non-colonial rate to the U.S: was 20cg anyway.(Klinger coll.)
25 October 1951
Complete French set on 2 registered air mail covers to Ablis (Seine et Oise)
France. 5, 10, 15, 20, 25c. and 10For stamps tied by PCH type 14.
30, 40, 50c., 1F, 2F, 5For stamps tied by PCH type 14.
Registration label is type R12. Backstamped Port-Vila 25 OCT 51,
GPO SYDNEY 131 27OC51 in transit and ABLIS 2-11-51 on arrival.
("SeSi" collection)
25 October 1951
Complete French set on 2 registered air mail covers to Ablis (Seine et Oise)
France. 5, 10, 15, 20, 25c. and 10For stamps tied by PCH type 14.
30, 40, 50c., 1F, 2F, 5For stamps tied by PCH type 14.
Registration label is type R12. Backstamped Port-Vila 25 OCT 51,
GPO SYDNEY 131 27OC51 in transit and ABLIS 2-11-51 on arrival.
("SeSi" collection)
29 November 1951
Air mail letter from H. Tailleur délégué français
à Santo to Monsieur Bouchenny administrateur des colonies à Paris.
1 Franc or stamp tied by PCH type 37.
("SeSi" collection)
10 December 1951
Airmail letter with combination franking to Fiji, the 10gc value paying 10gc inter-colonial surface letter rate. From
1947 to 1962 the Condominium Post Office surcharged 25gc airmail rate from Vila to Fiji.
Crown on reverse signifies British Residency correspondence. (Ruecker collection)
10 December 1951
Crown on reverse : British Residency
11 December 1951
Air mail letter to Paris. The French 10 and 50c.or stamps tied by PCH type 13.
("SeSi" collection)
12 December 1951
Letter to USA, the 20cg stamp cancelled with PCH type 14. (Klinger coll.)
17 December 1951
Incoming "Schreiber cover", poste restante, from Montserrat, taxed 45cg cancelled with a late use of PM7D.
Image thanks to Chris Rainey
17 December 1951
And another one.
17 December 1951
(new 10/21)
Incoming "Schreiber cover", poste restante, from Baghdad, taxed 1Fg cancelled with a late use of PM7D.
Image thanks to Chris Rainey
17 December 1951
(new 8/2022)
19 February 1952
(new 4/2019)
Registered air mail picture postcard to U.S.A. The 1F45cg stamps cancelled with PM19a (very early usage). Cancelled Fresno 28 March and Fresno Barton St. 29 March 1952.
Postage should have been non-colonial postcarard rate 10cg, non-colonial registration 30cg and air surcharge 60cg per 5g and as the postcard was surely
heavier than 5g it is underpaid.
19 February 1952
reverse
17 April 1952
(new 2/2019)
Air mail letter Santo to Kolding Denmark. The four 1938 25cg stamps cancelles with Santo PM21 and Vila PM18A on the same day.
For a letter of about 17g air surcharge would have been 75 and non-colonial letter rate 20c = 95c - overpaid 5c.
17 April 1952
reverse
24 April 1952
Complete French set on 2 registered air mail covers to Ablis (Seine et Oise)
France. 5, 10, 15, 20, 25c. and 10For stamps tied by PCH type 14.
30, 40, 50c., 1F, 2F, 5For stamps tied by PCH type 14.
Registration label is type R12. Backstamped Port-Vila 25 OCT 51,
GPO SYDNEY 131 27OC51 in transit and ABLIS 2-11-51 on arrival.
("SeSi" collection)
24 April 1952
24 April 1952 - reverse
21 May 1952
(new 2/2019)
Registered air mail letter from Vila to Saigon. The 1F30c stamps cancelled with PM18A. Let's say the letter had 60g then 3 x air surcharge
was 75c, reg. fee 20c, and heavy colonial letter rate was 30c - o.k. - overpaid 5c
21 May 1952
reverse
26 May 1952
(new 4/2020)
Air mail letter from Wallaha, Aoba, to Kolding, Danmark, redirected to Berlin, Germany. The cancel could be Vila PM18A. Overpaid 10cg as non-colonial
letter rate was 20cg and air surcharge for 10gr was 90cg.
26 May 1952
reverse: sender Inger Christensen, Wallaha, Aoba. I think he was a missionary of the Apostolic Church.
25 June 1952
Air mail letter from H. Tailleur délégué français
à Santo to Monsieur Bouchenny administrateur des colonies à Paris.
1 Franc or stamp tied by PCH type 40.
("SeSi" collection)
25 June 1952
Le Normand
8 September 1952
Cover to Philadelphia, Pa, USA, redirected Newton, Kansas. The British 20cg
stamp pays the surface rate to there and is cancelled with a PCH type 16. Philadelphia
recieving cancel 29.11.52 on reverse and brown paper repair strips 'received in
damaged condition' single line strikes in purple. This is one of the few New
Hebrides covers where the sender is given: M Cranstoun at the Australian
Presbyterian Mission in Aulua, Malekula Island. (Yeomans coll.)
8 September 1952
8 September 1952 - reverse
8 October 1952
Air mail cover to France, 1Fg cancelled with Santo PM21.
Image thanks to Steve Drewett>
28 October 1952
Postcard to Paris 16. The 5c.gold and 40c.or stamps tied
by PCH type 16. ("SeSi" collection)
4 November 1952
Nice Air Mail cover to Switzerland. The 1F 10c stamps cancelled with PCH Type 40. (Albert coll.)
7 November 1952
Even the postmaster still used 1938 stamps in 1952: Cover to Chicago, Ill., USA.
The British 15cg and 5cg stamps pay the surface rate to there and are cancelled
with a PCH 16, extra impression on reverse.(Klinger coll.)
13 November 1952
(new 2/2019)
Air mail to Kolding, Denmark. 90c on the front and another 30c on reverse cancelled with Santo PM20. 2 x air surcharge 1st class )2 x 5gr) = 90c and non-colonial
letter rate 30c = 1,20F so correctly franked.
13 November 1952
(new 2/2019)
reverse.
20 November 1952
Air mail letter to Villeneuve la Garenne (Oise) France. The 5c. (3) and 40c.or
stamps tied by PCH type 16. ("SeSi" collection)
8 January 1953
Air mail letter to Fiji, the total of Britisch 1938 60cg is cancelled with PCH type 40.
Image thanks to David Holmes, New Zealand
12 January 1953
(new 5/21)
Letter from Vila to Lyon (Rhône) France.
The 10c.or stamp tied with PM18A. The sender is Père Robert Janique
of the Mission Montmartre at Vaté.
"Né à Lyon le 22 mars 1923, profès dans la Société de Marie le 2 février 1945.
Ordonné prètre le 25 février 1951 il arrive aux Hébrides le 15 novembre de la
même année et est nommé à l'école des catéchistes de Montmartre où il est
chargé de la direction des garçons jusqu'en septembre 1955". O Reilly. ("SeSi" coll.)
12 January 1953
(new 5/21)
Adresse
26 February 1953
(new Feb 2018)
Air mail letter from SANTO to KOLDING Denmark. The 7 stamps 20c.or (2 on back) tied by GK type PM21.
Franking 1Fr40c.or : correct rate for a 10 gr air letter to Europe. Letter rate 20c, air surcharge 1,20Fr. ("SeSi" collection)
26 February 1953
(new Feb 2018)
reverse
11 March 1953
Air mail letter to Paris 19. The 25c. and 20c.or stamps tied by PCH type 16. ("SeSi" collection)
13 March 1953
Air mail letter from Santo to Los Angeles USA. The 30c.gold (3) stamps tied by PCH
type 40 SANTO 13III.53 ("SeSi" collection)
1 April 1953
(new 2/2019)
Full set registered from Vila to London.
Image thanks to Sandafayre
30 June 1953
(new 11/2019)
Taxed air mail letter from Santo to Sydney.
The 10gc tied by the French PM21 and the 10c.or by the British PM20.
Underpaid 10gc : colonial letter rate 10gc, air surcharge 20gc.
T 20c.or in red manuscript in NH, rectangular cachet T 7d in violet and
2 postage due australian stamps (4d and 3d) tied by a Sydney cachet.
Backstamped GPO Sydney 123 -3JY53. ("SeSi" coll.)
30 June 1953
(new 11/2019)
Sydney cancel on reverse 3 July 1953
dd mm 1953
"Urgent" Air Mail letter to USA, the 2F 30c cancelled with PCH type 16A.
This cover offered by Peter Singer, USA, (Sorry, no URL available).
1 July 1953
Letter from Hospital Français at Canal Ségond (Luganville, Santo)
to Bedford, MAss., U.S.A. The 1938 French 20c stamp is cancelled with PCH type 40. (Ruecker collection)
7 July 1953
Registered air mail letter from Rupert Cornette, greffier et notaire at Port-Vila to Buenos Aires. The 1938 French 1F or stamp is cancelled with
GK type PM19A. The cover may have been underpaid 5cg as non-colonial letter rate was 20cg, non-colonial reg.-fee was 30cg and air surcharge
was 55cg.
Rupert Cornette was appointed as notary for French matters in Vanuatu in September 1981. (Clemens Albert coll.)
3 September 1953
Letter to USA, the French 1938 20c stamp cancelled with PCH type 17. Seen on an internet auction.
3 September 1953
Letter to USA, the British 1938 20c stamp cancelled with PCH type 16. Seen on an internet auction.
3 September 1953
Letter to USA, the mixed 1938 10c stamps cancelled with PCH type 16 & 17. Seen on an internet auction.
6 October 1953
Letter from Santo to Dinan (Côte du Nord) France. 10c.or stamp tied by PCH type 39. ("SeSi" collection)
24 October 1953
(new 4/2020)
"Condominium of New Hebrides celebrates United Nations Day Oct 24, 1953". Whatever this was! Somebody tried to make some money with this day. (Maker of the cover: Arthur Bergen)
1949 British 10c
stamp, cancelled with PM19A. (Klinger coll.)
24 October 1953
(new 4/2020)
"Condominium of New Hebrides celebrates United Nations Day Oct 24, 1953". Whatever this was! Somebody tried to make some money with this day. (Maker of the cover: Arthur Bergen)
1949 British 10c
stamp, cancelled with PM19A. (Klinger coll.)
24 October 1953
(new 4/2020)
"Condominium of New Hebrides celebrates United Nations Day Oct 24, 1953". Whatever this was! Somebody tried to make some money with this day. (Maker of the cover: Arthur Bergen)
1949 British 10c
stamp, cancelled with PM19A. (Klinger coll.)
6 March 1954
(new 20/2020)
Air mail letter from Vila to Penarth GB. The 50cg stamp tied by PM18A.
Underpaid 10cg for an air mail (50 gc) up to 5g cover (10 gc) so taxed 20 gc with T in black triangle.
On reverse in manuscript received on 23 march. ("SeSi" coll.)
1953/54
(new 111/23)
Air mail letter to Albi Tarn with the correct 55 c.or rate for a 5g cover to France
introduced on 1st July 1953.
The letter was exempt from cancellation in NH, the stamps tied by linear cachet ALBI in arrival. No backstamp.
This type of air mail cover was scarcely used in NH and never seen after 1954. Probably the letter was sent between 1 July 1953 and December 1954. ("SeSi" coll.)
16 July 1954
Letter to France with two 1938 25 cg stamps and a 1953 50c stamp cancelled with PCH Type 17. (Albert coll.)
30 June 1955
Letter from Santo to Switzerland, 55 cg cancelled with Goyns Klinger type PM16. Sender is written on reverse: Arthur Fried, Santo. Underfranked 10 cg as non-colonial mail was 20 cg and
air surcharge 45 cg. (Klinger coll.)
12 May 1957
A very late use of the 1938 stamps: Interisland letter to Tanna (to the Société Commerciale
des Îles du Sud, Mr. Bannister?). The two 1938 French 5c stamps are cancelled with PCH type 14. (Treadwell coll.)
14 January 1958
An even later use of a British 1938 30cg stamp on a letter from Santo to Nouméa.
The stamp is cancelled with PCH type 40. (Merot coll.)
9 May 1959
So far the latest commercial use of the 1938 stamps: cover from Santo via Noumea to New Zealand.
The 1938 stamps on front and the two 1957 stamps on reverse are cancelled with Type 41 (here still no break in the line below the date).
Backstamped Noumea 12.5.1959. (Klinger coll.)
9 May 1959
9 May 1959 - reverse with two additional stamps
