Postcard from Yokohama to "Fila". Adressee is Mr. Roxburgh. In January 1893 Hugh Roxburgh was agent on the Australasian New Hebrides Co. Ltd. steamer Croydon and representative of this Co. in the New Hebrides, later a settler on Epi island. The card is stamped Meiji Yokohama ? July 1893, Hongkong July 25 93 and backstamped Sydney AU 23 93.
(Image thanks to Gaertner Auctions )

July 1893

Postcard from Mombasa to Vila "poste restante" and redirected to Epernay, France. Cancelled Mpmbasa 17 February 1911, Aden 6 May 1911. Backstamped Adelaide. (ex Millet coll.)

13 May 1911

Postcard from St Pons (Hérault) France to Port-Vila, forwarded to Vinassan (Aude) France. On correspondence side St Pons 9.8 11 , Port-Vila 22 SEPT 11 (PM2) on arrival in NH and Vinassan 5-11 11 on arrival back in France. It took the card 3 months for the 33000 km FR-NH-FR journey. ("SeSi" coll.)

FIRST WORLD WAR COVER. 1918 FREE FRANKING COVER OF NEW HEBRIDES FRENCH VOLUNTEER IN FRANCE TO HIS FAMILY. MILITARY HANDSTAMP "BATAILLON DE MARCHE DE TIRAILLEURS SOMALIS". DEPARTURE DATE STAMP FROM FREJUS 21-3 18. Here's Alain Millet's write-up:" Lettre de Henri OHLEN, volontaire des Nouvelles Hébrides, engagé à 18 ans et plusieurs fois cité à l'ordre du jour. Président des anciens combattants des Nouvelles Hébrides, il sera planteur, commerçant et deviendra président du Syndicat agricole des Nouvelles Hébrides après la seconde guerre mondiale. ("SeSi" coll.)

First world war poscard " Paris la place de l'Alma " to Vila via Sydney NSW.
Free franking from British Army Post Office S5 on 21 JY 18.
Red rectangular censor cachet Crown / PASSED / BY / CENSOR / No /2955. Army Post Office APO S5 opened in Paris on 22 January 1915. ("SeSi" coll.)

21 July 1918
(new 11/22)

Registered letter from KOBE 10.4.31 to Port-Vila, backstamped SYDNEY -2MY31 in transit. ("SeSi" coll.)

Registered letter from WIEN 152 -9 IV 34 to Roger Desestre Géomètre du Condominium, backstamped REGISTERED - SYDNEY NSW 14MY34 in transit. ("SeSi" coll.)

Registered letter from Hamburg Deutsches Reich to Roger Desestre, Géomètre du Condominium Port-Vila " via Neapel per S/S ORFORD ".
The stamps President Hindenburg, Saar, Nürnberg & Schiller tied by mecanic wavy cancel Hamburg 12 10.01.35 : total franking 55 Pfennig: 30Pfg registration fee and 20gr letter postage 20 Pfg.
Carried to Naples by train then by steamer ORFORD to Sydney; in transit REGISTERED SYDNEY 11 FE 35 ; Sydney - Port Vila probably by MORINDA wich left Sydney on 14 February to NH. ( no Vila date stamp on arrival ). It was the 13rd run of ORFORD to Australia via the Suez canal, Captain A.L Owens whom the return journey on 21.02.35 waS his last on board the ship.
Turned into a troopship ORFORD was bombed and damaged by Luftwaffe aircraft in Mediterranean Sea off Marseille whilst evacuating Allied troops and was beached on 1 JUNE 1940 . ("SeSi" coll.)

10 January 1935
(new 11/22)

10 January 1935
(new 11/22)

Letter from COLOMBO CEYLON stamped with machine cancel COLOMBO 7-PM 9 MAY 35 /TRADE FOLLOWS/THE PHONE to Port-Vila . (Roger Desestre) ("SeSi" coll.)

2d Australian postal stationery uprated with a secon 2d cut out to Ashton Larney, Surveyor-General of the New Hebrides.
Image thanks to Corinphila Auktionen

21 August 1935

Registered letter from AVALLON YONNE 30-9-35 to Roger Desestre Port-Vila. ("SeSi" coll.)

Registered letter from PARIS RP 26 XI 1935 to Roger Desestre Port-Vila. ("SeSi" coll.)

Registered letter from PARIS RP 19 V 1936 to Roger Desestre Port-Vila. ("SeSi" coll.)

Postcard from New Zealand to the YMCA Vila- not known there. The cachet "inconnu" is quite scarce.
Image thanks to Steve Drewett Auction

1937 SPAIN AIR MAIL REGISTERED CENSORED COVER FROM BARCELONA 24 SEP 37 TO NEW HEBRIDES COURT PRESIDENT. TRANSIT DARWIN 5 OC 37, T.P.O.2 SOUTH 7 OC 37 AND SYDNEY 8 OC 37. According Condominium agreement the Court President was spanish. Manuel Bosch was Court president from 1935 to 1939. (ex Millet coll.)

Registered air mail from Dunkerque to Port Vila. 1F50c registration, 65c letter rate and 9F air mail surcharge for a 5 - 10g letter : total franking 11F15c.
Backstamped DARWIN 28DE37, TPO2 SOUTH 28DE37 and SYDNEY RS 29DE37. The addressee is Gaston Jeanson (1873-1948) : avocat et fonctionnaire , juge français au tribunal du Condominium vers 1931. En 1935 sera "Registrar of titles" du Condominium. (O'Reilly) ("SeSi" coll.)

14 December 1937

Airmail from Marseilles to Port Vila. 65c letter rate and 9F air mail surcharge for a 5-10g letter. Backstamped Sydney 8 January 1938. ("SeSi") coll.)

21 December 1937

Air mail cover from Valence France to A(lbert) Peythieux on board s/s Ville d'Amiens Papeete Tahiti readdressed to s/s Polynesien Port-Vila. Backstamped Marseille gare avion 28 V 38, "Compagnie des messageries maritimes/Paquebot/ Ville d'Amiens" circular cachet and Papeete Ile Tahiti 28-7-38 Visitez/Tahiti/perle du/pacifique in transit. ("SeSi" coll.)

26 November 1935

Airmail from VALENCE DROME 4-6-38 16h to Monsieur Peythieux à bord du Polynésien à Port-Vila. with the mention on front via Marseille Gare Avion ligne 600, via Australia shipping on Ville d'Amiens MM. Backstamped MARSEILLE-GARE-AVION 24* 4 VI 1938. ("SeSi" coll.)

28 October 1927 (i.e. 28 October 1938)
The other way round for a change: The letter above maybe was the reaction to this one: Letter to Mr. Peythieux on the Polynésien in Port Vila. The 1F75c French stamps are cancelled in Valence Gare, Drôme. The letter has the exact instruction as to the transport: with paquebot "Commissaire Ramel" from Marseille on June 27. The sender is given as J. Chauvin, 65 rue chateauvert, Valence, only a couple of meters away from the addresse above. (Klinger coll.)

Here's the proof that the Capitain Peythieux did not only write letters but received some too. Air from Valence to Port Vila. (Klinger collection)

1938 'ALL UP' air mail scheme to New Hebrides.
Letter from Richmond Surrey England to Poste restante G.P.O New Hebrides. The 1d. and 1/2 d. stamps tied 24 JY 38 in departure, frontstamped by PCH type 12 VILA 23-SEP-38 with French handstamp RETOUR A L'ENVOYEUR aside. ("SeSi" collection)

1938 'ALL UP' air mail scheme to New Hebrides.
Note the long delay before applying 'RETOUR &Agrve; L'ENVOYEUR' and Vila cds 23SEP38 - two months after despatch from the UK on 23 JUL 1938. There was NO post office in the Banks Islands so the cover was returned from Vila which was the only post office in the New Hebrides in 1938. ("JGI" collection)

1938 'ALL UP' air mail scheme to New Hebrides.
Note the long delay before applying 'RETOUR &Agrve; L'ENVOYEUR' and Vila cds 23SEP38 - two months after despatch from the UK on 23 JUL 1938. ("JGI" collection)

1938 'ALL UP' air mail scheme to New Hebrides.
Note the long delay before applying 'RETOUR &Agrve; L'ENVOYEUR' and Vila cds 23SEP38 - two months after despatch from the UK on 23 JUL 1938. Image thanks to David Moss and Northwich Philatelic Society | Northwich, Cheshire.

Censored letter from Kuala Pilah Negri-Sembilan Malaya to Vila. On front Passed / for / transmission in black. Her husband, A. Larney, R. N. A., was Chief Surveyor, Lands & Survey Dept., Port Vila, New Hebrides. ("SeSi" coll.)

Censored Panair letter from Nouméa to Port Vila. Illustrated handstamp in blue POSTE AERIENNE 1ère TRAVERSEE PAR PAN AMERICAN CLIPPER ENTRE NOUVELLE CALEDONIE ET NOUVELLE ZELANDE, in black PAN AMERICAN AIRWAYS 1er COURRIER NOUMEA Nlle CALEDONIE.
Australian censor tape OPENED BY CENSOR .. and red handstamp PASSED BY CENSOR S 83 . Addressee is Henry Russet (1881 - 1947): Colon arrivé aux NH en juillet 1906, mettra en valeur 600 ha au canal du Second, membre du syndicat agricole des NH, fit partie en 1940 du ComitéDe Gaulle. (O'Reilly) ("SeSi" coll.)

Inward cover from Australia to Land Survey Dept. in Port-Vila. At left the buff bilingual censor tape ouvert par la censure-Nouvelles Hébrides / opened by censor-New Hebrides .Backstamped VILA -2.SEP.40 .(GK type PM7C). Scarce uncensored cover in Australia as usual but in arrival to Vila. The travel time 25 days should be noted. It shows the disruption of the postal service at that time. ("SrSi" coll.)

Letter from National Bank of Australia Melbourne to Madame E. Lançon Vila. The strip of 5 1/2d. kangaroo stamps tied by wavy machine cancel Melbourne Victoria."3 opened by censor" tape at left tied by diamond cachet 3 passed by censor 253 in violet. Cover forwarded on 23 MAR 42 to Melbourne (backstamped Vila type PM7C).
Madame Eugène Lançon was born Mary-Stuart Gibson. Her husband is the son of Auguste Lançon (1878-1936) the main French planter in NH who created the plantations "Les Charmettes" (120 ha) and "Les Allobroges" (536 ha) in the South of Epi. ("SeSi" coll.)

26 December 1941

Air mail from Rarotonga, Cook Islands to Wahroonga NSW forwarded to Seventhy-Day Adventists Mission AORE N.H. Australian censor tape at left with diamond cachet passed by censor 1250 in violet. Wahroonga 9JU43 in transit. No backstamp. ("SeSi" coll.)

Double censored letter from Washington to Vila. At left US transparent censor tape Examined by censor 61357, covered by Australian censor tape and censor diamond diamond handstamp 2 passed by censor 59 in violet. Handwriting in red "unknown return to sender", cachet INCONNU and RETOUR A L'EXPEDITEUR in black with GK type PM7C VILA -6.APR.44. ("SeSi" coll.)

Registered letter from LUXE ( Charente ) France to Henri RUSSET Port-Vila with a 6F franking : letter 2F , registration 4F.
A makeshift registration mark with linear cachet LUXE and in manuscript LR 1779.
The cover was opened by the censorship in Paris : label CONTROLE stamped with the blue-green double oval cachet OUVERT PAR LES / AUTORITES DE CONTROLE / P.A.Y.
On back the sender René Bergeron direction des PTT Angoulême, the censorship label CONTROLE and the circular cachet 486 of the censor. Sydney 105 -6 OC 45 in transit, Port-Vila 29 OCT 45 where the letter was forwarded to New Caledonia. Arrival in Nouméa 5 NOV 45.
The travel time 3 months shows haw heavyly disrupted postal service was at the end of the war in Europa. ("SeSi" coll.)

30 July 1945
(new 23 Oct 2020)

1947 registered envelope from Suva addressed to Tanna New Hebrides. In transit through Sydney "THIS COVER WAS DAMAGED IN TRANSIT / THE ACCIDENT IS REGRETTED / REPAIRED BY / G.P.O. SYDNEY" seal applied.
Image thanks to Chris Rainey

10 October 1947

Registered air mail cover from LEVALLOIS-PERRET (Seine) France to Port-Vila. Franking 60 Francs on 19 january 1948 first day for the Saint Exupéry stamp. Letter forwarded to ROSARIO Colombia then returned to sender in France "no reclamado". On back transit cachets : Nouméa 2 FEVR 48, Sydney 7 FE 48, San Francisco MAR 25 1948, New York 3-29-1948, Tumaco 27 ABR 1948, Rosario 9 JUN 48 with mention "notified and unclaimed by addresse, Tumaco 13 AGO 1948, Levallois-Perret 28-9-1948 in arrival. Travel time 8 months 10 days. ("SeSi" coll.)

19 January 1948

Air mail letter from Paris 13 to poste restante Port-Vila. The French 15F Palais du Luxembourg stamp tied by machine cancel PARIS AVIATION INTERIEUR 10 JANV 49. Cachet in violet FRANCE - UNION FRANCAISE / Ouverture du SERVICE AERIEN / SANS SURTAXE.
Backstamped NOUMEA 21 1 49 in transit and VILA 22 JAN 49 (PM7D) on arrival. The sender Franck Muller is a well known French collector specialised in aerophilately . ("SeSi coll.)

10 January 1949

Lettre par avion de Paris pour Mgr Halbert à Port Vila. La série émise pour le centenaire du timbre poste français oblitérée par le cachet spécial du centenaire le 12 juin 1949. La combinaison avec le bloc du 10F n'était possible que pendant 12 jours: du 01 juin (émission) au 12 juin (retrait) . Au verso cachet de Nouméa du 21 6 49 en transit. ("SeSi coll.)

Letter remembering the opening of an air mail service. (ex Millet coll.)

13 January 1949

Incoming from Iraq and taxed 1Frg in Vila. Image thanks to Chris Rainey Postal History

Incoming from Montserrat and taxed 45cg in Vila. Image thanks to Compustamp

FDC from Port Moresby Papua - New Guinea to Carolyn Richards, daughter of the Vila Postmaster. ("SeSi" coll.)

30 October 1952
(new 11/22)

Incoming letter from Malta to Postmast O.E. Richards - taxed and cancelled with PM18A. Image thanks to Sandafayre - (colors altered a bit)

Airmail cover from LIMA PEROU xx-xx-1954 to the Port Vila Postmaster via British Office in Vila. ("SeSi" coll.)

Air mail letter from Altoona Pennsylvania USA to Mrs Richards wife of the Postmaster at Vila. Franking 25 cents. ("SeSi" coll.)

COCOS ISLANDS to Vila NEW HEBRIDES. Inauguration of domestic postal services COCOS ISLANDS - PERTH AUSTRALIA by QANTAS, aerial service completed - Sydney then Vila NH. The Australian stamp 1/- tied with COCOS ISLAND cachet 23NO55 and special postmarks on front.

Incoming registered air mail letter from Chalon sur Saône ,Saône et Loire, France to Port-Vila poste restante. Handstamps INCONNU and RETOUR on front. Backstamped Port-Vila 11 II. 57 (PM19A) , Vila 12 AP 57 (PM18A) , Port-Vila 21 V. 57 (PM19A) and Chalon sur Saône Ppal S et L 15-7 1957 on return. Note the dot between the month and the year (PM19A). ("SeSi" coll.)

2 February 1957

Incoming mail to Santo to Mr. Chermette who worked with CFNH. (Klinger coll.)

Incoming mail from La Selle ( Saône et Loire ) France to Mr Chermette BUMIFOM (Bureau minier de la France d'Outre-mer) SANTO. ("SeSi" coll.)

Incoming air mail postcard from Switzerland to Santo to Mr. Chermette who worked with CFNH. ("SeSi" coll.)

2d British postcard with reply paid sent to the postmaster Vila on 21 SEP 1957 from Edinburgh . xx XII 57 : Port-Vila to Scotland. The half 2d post card reply and 2 1/2d stamp ER tied by the rare GK type PM10B. In text : "the additional stamp will cover the increased postal rate for cards in Britain after the 1st october" ("SeSi" coll.)

21 September 1957

Incoming OHMS from Australia - taxed NH 1F50c. Image thanks to Abacus Auctions

18 April 1958
(new 2/2019)

Incoming mail to Santo from Mata Utu - Wallis et Futuna. ("SeSi" coll.)

Incoming mail to Vila from Fiji. (Lebourcq coll.)

Incoming mail to Forari from GB. Cancelled Forari on front.

Incoming OHMS mail to Santo from the Solomon Islands. Cancelled Honiara and backstamped with the Sant GK Type PM28A. (Lebourcq coll.)

Incoming "Paule Weber" registered air mail letter from Metz, Moselle, France to mission catholique Aori Mallicolo . Backstamped Port-Vila 25.8.64 (PM31A) in transit. ("SeSi" coll.)

17 August 1964

Incoming mail from the Republic of Central Africa to Paule Weber at Malicolo. Backstamped Santo 5.2.65. Backstamped Santo (ex Millet coll.)

Incoming mail to VAO Malicolo from Saarburg, Germany. Also to Miss Paule Weber at the Catholic Mission Aori. Backstamped Santo 2. February 1965.
Vao or Maka Island is situated at the north eastern cost of Malekula or Malicolo, now Malampa. (Klinger coll.)

Incoming mail from Belgium to Vao at Malicolo. Backstamped Santo 23.3.65. Backstamped Santo (ex Millet coll.)

Incoming mail from Switzerland to Paule Weber at Malicolo. Backstamped Santo 6.1.67. Backstamped Santo (ex Millet coll.)

Incoming mail from Australia to Paule Weber at Malicolo. Backstamped Santo 9.1.67. (ex Millet coll.)

Incoming mail from the Republic of Central Africa to Paule Weber at Malicolo. (ex Millet coll.)

Letter from "bureau de recherches géologiques et minières" , Mission en Nouvelle Calédonie Nouméa to the "Mission de Santo" Luganville. Franking 14F, stamps tied by machine cancel slogan LUTTEZ / CONTRE LES / FEUX DE BROUSSE.
Backstamped SANTO 25 JUL 69 with GK type PM24 on arrival. ("SeSi" coll.)

22 July 1969
(new 10/2020)

Incoming mail from France to Longana - taxed.

Incoming registered G. Barber cover to Lamap, arrived 6 January 1972, PM27B, marked "inconnu" but taxed 20cg on 28 April 1972 PM26B.
Image thanks to Sandafayre Stamp Auctions

Unpaid cover from Stretford Manchester (26 SEP 71) to poste restante LAMAP.
On front LAMAP (PM27B) -6.-1.72 in arrival. Postage due paid by 5 and 20c.or timbre-taxe 1957 issue cancelled LAMAP 30.-4.72 with PM27B. ("SeSi" coll.)

Incoming registered philatelic letter (stamp exchanging) from Meerane, German Democratic Republic. (Klinger coll.)

12 February 1972 from GDR

Unpaid cover from Manchester GB (2 OC 71) to Vila poste restante. The 40c.or timbre-taxe tied by PM31B PORT VILA 10-5 72 --2. ("SeSi" coll.)

Air mail letter from UN ESCAP BANGKOK THAILAND ?to Port-Vila. ( United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific ). ("SeSi" coll.)

Letter from OUAKAM SENEGAL to PARIS FRANCE FORWADED to Port-Vila. Backstamped PARIS 07 18.1.1973 in transit. ("SeSi" coll.)

Incoming air mail cover from Honiara British Solomon Islands to the Seventh-Day Adventist Mission Santo. Backstamped with roller PM25 SANTO 10.1.74. ("SeSi" coll.)

Aerogramme from SUVA FIJI to Port-Vila. ("SeSi" coll.)

Air mail letter from TULEAR MADAGASCAR to Port-Vila . ("SeSi" coll.)

Incoming mail to Port Vila from Burgau Austria from Alain Millet to himself. Taxed 25 cg. on 13.4.1977 ! (ex Millet coll.)

Incoming mail to Port Vila from Burgau Austria from Alain Millet to himself. Taxed 25 cg. on 13.4.1977 ! (Klinger coll.)

Incoming mail to Longana from Fiji. (Lebourcq coll.)

Incoming mail to Port Vila from France from Alain Millet to himself. Taxed 15 cg and 20 FNH on 31.7.1977. (ex Millet coll.)

Incoming mail to Port Vila from France from Alain Millet to himself. Taxed 15 cg and 15 FNH on 31.7.1977. (ex Millet coll.)

Incoming mail to Port Vila from France from Alain Millet to himself. Taxed 15 cg and 15 FNH on 31.7.1977. (Klinger coll.)

Incoming mail from England to an address in Luganville, Santo. As postal service was supended during the VEMARAMA rebellion time of Santo the letter did not arrive there before 11.09.1980. After quite a time it was sent back to England. (C. Albert coll.)

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