Ship Mail from ca. 1930 to WW II
Mail cancelled with the ship-based cancellers.
Ship Mail
A picture of this K.P.M. ship:
Le Maire
Le Maire 1908 - 1942. Image thanks to >A href="http://members.optusnet.com.au/ordu_4/javaaustralialine.htm" target=new>The Java - Australia Line
This is a typical news paper note in 1934 announcing the newly arranged island cruises.
Click to close
Source:Trove Australia
Do you want to know more about 1930s Islands Cruises?
Read this paper Jeff Blinco provided.
ORONSAY:
Image thanks to Wikipedia
Compagnie Coloniale des Îles Banks
Co. Col. des Îles Banks
Compagnie Coloniale des Îles Banks
Burns Philp & Co. Ltd.: MORINDA
MORINDA
MORINDA Image thanks to the book "The Main Line Fleet of Burns Philp" by Wilkinson / Willson, Camberra 1981
14 March 1930
(new 3/2020)
50c cancelled with PM5C on a cover to France. Correct colonial letter rate. Backstamped St. Laurent du Var 27-4-30, manuscript "Rivière Palace 29-4-30"
(Klinger coll.)
14 March 1930
1F50c or 1/3d correct registered letter rate to France cancelled PCH 84. Unrecorded "Sce Maritimes Nelles Hebrides" (Maritimes with an "s" !)
registration cachet. The envelope has the printed name & addresse of the sender on the reverse:
O M Thorveit of Epi was Norwegian and married Alice, the daughter of Auguste Lançon, a major plantation owner
on Epi, about 110 km north of Vila. ("JGI" coll.)
18 April 1930
Printed matter to Philadelphia USA posted on board RMS NIAGARA (NZ).
The 5c, 10c and 10c/5d tied by rectangular cachet PACKET BOAT and
circular MARINE POST OFFICE - R.M.S NIAGARA - NEW ZEALAND 18 AP 30. (Union Steam Ship Company) Niagara left Auckland on 8 April via
Suva, Honolulu, Victoria (B.C) to Vancouver.
Underpaid 5c : the non colonial printed matter rate was 30c. ("SeSi" coll.)
26 December 1930
Registered letter from "Suranda", Espiritu Santo, to Vienna. The three
British 5d and the three French 1F stamps are tied with PCH type 84, the
36 dash Service Maritime cancel. Some addressee's handwriting on the
front. This plantation of the Société Française des Nouvelles Hébrides is
called Suranda here and on the letter to Vietnam below "Surunda", which is
a name still existing. The registration mark on the reverse gives me some
headache as it seems unreported so far (and has an "s" too much).
(Klinger coll.)
26 December 1930
26 December 1930
26 December 1930
And here's what you shouldn't do: letting your miniature pinschers jump on your
stamp desk and play with the covers!
Registered letter to Annonay France with PCH type 84 in blue and
registration mark Sce Maritimes unreported. The stamp ripped
out by a savage! Joined Naval Commission is investigating. His Excellency the
Governor of Queensland conformed that a report will be forwarded.
Backstamped Annonay 15-2-31. ("Sesi" collection)
21 December 1931
Nauru 1924 ½d and 1d (Michel #15/16) tied by
PCH type 8 dated 21 Decembre 31 and two ship marks "S.S. Le Maire, * Koninklijke Paketvaart * Maatschappij".
The "Le Maire" was a ship of the Dutch Royal Packet Navigation Co. (K.P.M.) which
maintained a packet service between Saigon and Australia since 1930. (Goron coll.)
Picture of "Le Maire" below and at left.
Le Maire
Le Maire
21 December 1931
Nauru 1924 ½d and 1d (Michel #15/16) tied by
PCH type 8 dated 21 Decembre 31 and two ship marks "S.S. Le Maire, * Koninklijke Paketvaart * Maatschappij".
The "Le Maire" was a ship of the Dutch Royal Packet Navigation Co. (K.P.M.) which
maintained a packet service between Saigon and Australia since 1930.
Picture of "Le Maire" at left. Image thanks to Prestige Philately, Australia
21 December 1931
1924 ½d and 1d (Michel #15/16) to England tied by
PCH type 8 dated 21 Decembre 31 and two ship marks "S.S. Le Maire, * Koninklijke Paketvaart * Maatschappij".
Type 8 phased out at the end of that year. 1½d was the correct rate from Nauru to England at that time.
The "Le Maire" was a ship of the Dutch Royal Packet Navigation Co. (K.P.M.) which
maintained a packet service between Saigon and Australia since 1930. ("JGI" coll.)
21 December 1931
21 December 1931
26 February 1932
(new 2/2019)
Cover from Hog Harbour, Santo to USA franked 50c cancelled with PM8. Non colonial letter rate was 1F 50c therefore taxed.
Image thanks to Gaertner Auctions Germany
26 February 1932
(new 2/2019)
reverse: sender
19 May 1932
Registered envelope to Phu Lang Thuong, Tonkin, Indo China from the Surunda plantation,
Bay of Palekula, Santo, franked three 50c tied by PCH type 87 and registration cachet R55.
Backstamped Hai Phong 5.7.32 and Phu Lang Thuong 7.7.32. (Clemens Albert coll.)
19 May 1932
19 May 1932
This cover at left shows the first use known to me of PM8, the English
INTERISLAND SERVICE postmark.
In use on S.S. LA PEROUSE from 1932 to 1936.
25 June 1932
25 June 1932 postcard (Unis France - MP.Catal Frères, Paris): Ile Vaté - Plage de Mélé. Overpaid 10c as the colonial long message postcars rate was 40c.
Cancelled with GK type PM8. this postmark was on board S.S. La Perouse, which made the Sydney-Nouméa-New Hebrides run from 11 June 1932 until
6 July 1932. (coll F. Petit)
25 June 1932
17 October 1932
Letter to Australia, the stamp is cancelled with PCH type 87. ("Aore" coll.)
23 November 1932
Letter to Paris, the 50c stamps pays the colonial letter rate and is cancelled with GK type PM( (S.S. La Perouse). Sender was the
settler on Aore island Édouar Deplanque. Backstamped Vila 26VO32 with GK type PM7B. (ex Millet coll.)
23 November 1932
1 January 1933
Ship letter to Marseille, the 1F50c cancelled with GK type PM8 (LAPEROUSE - arrived in Sydney on 11 January). Colonial letter rate 50c and colonial registration 1F.
Registration cachet GK type NR11B. ("SeSi" coll.)
27 March 1933
Letter from Hog Harbor, Santo to Sydney.
The French 50c stamp cancelled on arrival with the Sydney 20 cds supplemented by the circular
LOOSE SHIP LETTER SYDNEY cancel 27MR33. On 27 March the Burns Philp & Co. steamer MORINDA arrived from the New Hebrides
via Norfolk Isld. and Lord Howe and brought this letter. ("SeSi" coll)
29 July 1933
Registered cover to Paris. 1F50c cancelled with Goyns-Klinger type PM8 (on S.S. La Perouse). Registration handstamp type NR11 used from
1932 to 1937 first on La Perouse (later on Pierre Loti). Redirected from Paris to Cannes, backstamped Paris (9.9.) and Cannes (11.9.).
Image thanks to Stanley Gibbons
28 October 1933
Letter from Vila to Paris XVI. Remarkable that a French 50c paix stamp was used cancelled with GK Type PM7B. Backstamped with machine cancel PARIS XVI RUE SINGER 9 DEC 33 on arrival.
It is a Messageries Maritimes cover and according to the date it must have been carried by the steamer LAPEROUSE (4885 tons, Capt. Corenwinder) which left Sydney on 19 October 4:42 p.m.
and returned on 4 November 11:00 a.m. via Port Kembla.
As the trip Vila - Noumé takes about 1 day the letter should have reached the steamer "LE VILLE DE VERDUN" there which left Nouméa on 30 October via Panama Canal arriving at
Marseilles on 6 January 1934. Ooops! That doesn't fit at all.
How did this letter arrive nearly a month earlier in Paris?
The ADVOCAT (Burnie, Tasmania) tells us on 12 December that LA VILLE DE VERDUN passed Panama on 10 December. The letter had been in Paris by that time.
I'm a bit at the end of my Latin. There was Air Mail Sydney to London. Air Mails too about 17 days. Maybe, but shouldn't this cover show some sign of this?
The P & O Royal Mail steamer MOLDAVIA left Sydney on 3 November and was in Melbourne on 6 November. Mail would have been carried by train from Sydney to reach MOLDAVIA
in Australian ports. MOLDAVIA sailed from Port Said to London on 5 December 1933 says the ADVOCAT. Daily News (Perth) on 9 December quote a cable saying that MOLDAVIA arrived in Marseilles
on 8 December. The ARGUS (Melbourne) writes that the MOLDAVIA mail arrived in London on 9 December.
This could be an easy fit for Paris - one day by train to Paris is no problem. [Roland] ("SeSi" coll)
28 October 1933
10 February 1934
Please see this special page about this cover.
Registered letter to Paris, cancelled 10FE34 type GK PM7B and maritime registration cachet (Bucephale) GK NR12 both in violet. An unusual combination: Vila postmark and maritime reg-cachet.
The cover is backstamped with a GK PM7B Vila 14FE34 cancel again in black, has a SFNH seal, and a 31 -3 34 Paris 42 backstamp.
(Image thanks to Gaertner Auctions )
reverse, backstamp, enhanced front postmarks and SFNH seal
11 June 1934
Ship mail from an outer island to NSW.
The 5d stamp tied with a square SYDNEY NSW POSTED PILLAR BOX cachet
and slogan "ADDRESS MAIL TO / PRIVATE BOX NUMBER / IF EXPEDITES
DELIVERY" on arrival. ("SeSi" coll)
30 June 1934
Ship cover to Nouméa. The 50c stamp paid the colonial letter rate and is cancelled wit GK Type PM10 in violett. The cancel was on the BUCEPHALE
at this time. This ship did the long inter-island runs for Messageries Maritimes. Backstamped at Vila Post Office on 5 July 1934 with GK Type 7B and Nouméa 16 7 34.
Image thanks to Lugdunum Philatélie
30 June 1934
4 December 1935
16 December 1934
Letter from Santo to Noumea with the correct rate 50c cancelled with PCH type 87.
Backstamped Noumea 21.12 - travel time 6 days.("JGI" coll.)
29 January 1935
Registered letter to France, correct postage 1F50, cancelled with PCH type 93. Registration label
PCH type R57. The type 93 INTER-ISLES cancel was used on the Messageries Maritimes ship BUCÉPHALE from
1934 to 1937, when she ran aground on 14 June 1937 in the bay of Teouma near Vila. The R57 registration cachet was then
transferred to the replacement ship PIERRE LOTI. ("JGI" coll.)
22 March 1935
Registered ship letter to Paris, the three 50c stamps cancelled with PM8, registration label NR10B.
Colonial letter rate was 50c and registration fee 1F - so correctly paid. Arrival date at the company: 4 May 1935.
Image thanks to Lugdunum Philatelie
18 June 1935
Letter to the U.S. franked 3 ½d. in British and 20c in French 1925 stamps cancelled Type 87.
Why it has been taxed is not clear. (Goron coll.)
14 June 1935
Letter to France, the English 50c stamp cancelled with GK type PM10. Backstamped Clamar 3-8-35. Sender: Guillaume, Melsisi, Pentecost, a French missionary.
Image thanks to Lugdunum Philatelie
14 June 1935
22 June 1935
Letter to England, the French 50c stamp cancelled with PCH type 87. Image thanks to Compustamp, Santa Fe
21 July 1935
Letter to New Zealand, the letter rate paid by the 50c stamp which is cancelled with the
violet 30 mm INTER-ISLAND cancel similar to PCH type 88 but without the diamond dividers. ("Aore" coll.)
27 July 1935
Letter to New Zealand, the letter rate paid by the 50c stamp which is cancelled in Sydney. I'd say the local letter rate of 20c
means that the cover was underpaid. (ex Millet coll.)
20 August 1935
Shipletter from the French Messageries steamer VILLE DE VERDUN (left Sydney on 8 Aug.). (part, seen in an old auction)
19 September 1935
Letter to USA, the two 50c stamps are cancelled with the INTER-ISLES canceller PM10. Backstamped Port Vila 22 September 1935. ("Aore" coll.)
19 September 1935
(new 3/2020)
Letter to Australlia, the 50c stamp cancelled with the INTER-ISLES canceller PM10. Backstamped Port Vila 22 September 1935. (Klinger coll.)
4 December 1935
Registered ship letter from an outer island via Port Vila to France. The 1925 French 1f and 50c stamps are cancelled with PCH type 87, "INTERISLAND SERVICE"
which was supposedly used on the successor of the MAKAMBO (which sprang a leak off Vila in Sept 35), the MIRANI. Registration cachet is the mixed English-French PCH type R55 known from 1935 to 1940. The cover is backstamped on
transit in Port Vila with PCH type 9 and on arrival Grenoble Isere 18(?) 1 36. This is a rather short travel time, maybe part of the way was accomplished by plane.
50c letter rate and 1f for registration is however the correct rate for surface transport. Image thanks to Gary duBro from www.compustamp.com.
4 December 1935
4 December 1935
26 February 1936
(new 10/21)
Letter to the U.S., the total of 1F50c French 1925 stamps which is cancelled with the
GK type PM8 cancel. Address area graphically enhanced.
Image thanks to Steve Drewett Postal History
26 February 1936
Letter to the U.S., the total of 2F75c French 1925 stamps which is cancelled with the
GK type PM8 cancel. Two impressions on the reverse too.
Image 36FE26 thanks to Prestige Philately, Australia
26 February 1936
Letter to the U.S:, the total of 1F50c French 1925 stamps which is cancelled with the
GK PM8 cancel. Three impressions on the reverse too.(coll. Petit)
26 February 1936
(new 2/2020)
Part of a John G. Walker cover, backstamped with the samepostmark GK PM8. (Klinger coll.)
18 April 1936
An overpaid Letter to Seattle, USA with 1925 French 30c, 40c, 50c, 75c
and 1Fr stamps tied by
PCH type 93. At left a ship cachet "Services Contractuels des Mess. Mar.,
S.S. Bucephale", overwritten in inked initials.
The cover was posted on the 'Bucephale' of Messageries Maritimes on an inter-island run.
Backstamped with PCH type 10A 19 April 1936. (Goron coll.)
The "Bucephale" was a 1200 ton mixed cargo ship of the Messageries Maritimes, former
"Saint-André" of the "Maison Ballande". She sank on a coral
reef of southern Vate on 14 June 1937 and was replaced by the "Polynesien" in 1938.
18 April 1936
Letter to Seattle, USA with 1925 French 5c, 30c, 40c and 75c stamps tied by
PCH type 93. At left a ship cachet "Services Contractuels des Mess. Mar.,
S.S. Bucephale". Backstamped with PCH type 10A 19 April 1936. (Ruecker coll.)
8 July 1936
Interisland Service to Minnesota, U.S.A. franked 1F50c.
Image thanks to Zirinsky Stamps.
22 August 1936
Interisland Service to Nelson, New Zealand redirected to Omaru, N.Z. The 50c stamp is cancelled with GK type PM8. Some pre-owner wrote
"This stamp is obsolete and at time of posting cost 2" - no idea what he wanted to say. Backstamped Omaru 14 SEP 1936.
Image thanks to Lugdunum Philatelie
Reverse
25 September 1936
(new 2/2019)
Cover to France correctly franked 50c cancelled with PM9A. Colonial letter rate was 50c.
Image thanks to Gaertner Auctions Germany
10 November 1936
Inter-Island registered cover to Australia, "SS Morinda" h/s in grey with VF strike of
Inter-Island cds PCH type 88 supplement and registration mark PCH type R55. Franked with
eight 1925 2d/20c stamps on reverse. Sydney arrival cancel 19 10 36. (seen in a 1990's Australian
auction catalogue). The Sydney postmark setting must be erraneous as the only date fitting with the MORINDA's arrival is exactly 19 Nov 1936.
22 March 1937
Registered cover front to Sydney franked 1925 2 ½d/25c (2) 5d/50c(2) cancelled with PCH type
87. The "PIERRE LOTI" overprinted registration label is not recorded in PCH.
(right part of cover in my picture missing, sorry).(seen in a 1990's Australian
auction catalogue)
31 March 1937
Cover to Seattle, U.S.A.: The 1925 French 20c, 30c, 40c and the English 1925 6d
stamps are cancelled with PCH type 93. Bucephale cachet marked "Tanna 30/3/37",
an additional PCH type 91 at lower left, a cachet "SERVICE INTERINSULAIRE
NOUVELLES HEBRIDES" not mentioned in PCH and right part of a registration cachet
(not used) "SERVICE MARITIME NOUVELLES HEBRIDES" at top left, PCH type R57.
("Mele" collection)
16 April 1937
(new 8/2022)
Registered letter to the U.S. Underfranked 1F40c as non-colonial rate was 1F50c and registry 1F50c too. Maybe the sender thought colonial frsnking (1F40c) would do it.
Interesting that in 1937 a SANTO reg-cachet was used (P.O. opened in 1940). It may have been on board the SS MIRANI as corrected by manuscript.
Backstmaped Sydney 7 May, Seattle 5 June and Devils Lake 6 June. SS Morinda carried this cover to Sydney.
There are two similar covers to the same addressee below (dd May 1938). MIRANI was the Burns Philp interisland steamer in 1937, 1938 until ??
Image thanks to David Moss and Northwich Philatelic Society | Northwich, Cheshire.
Here are three covers posted on the Messagerie Maritime steamer "Le Boucéphale" during her last interisland trip in the New Hebrides.
She ran on a reef and was lost on 14 June 1937 in Teouma Bay (south west Efate). Debris of the ship was still lying on the beach there in 2003.
(I don't know if it is still there).
Letters 2 and 3 were written to Jean Paul Destombes (1904-1974), geologist)
10 May 1937
1937 New Hebrides INTER ISLES on a Wallis cover - 1F50c letter rate on a cover to the USA unusually marked in manuscript:
"Remise au navire interinsulaire apres fermeture du sac de Futuna. L'officier chargé de la poste." and bearing a previously unseen
framed two line rectangular cachet (68 x 18½ mm) "SERVICE INTERINSULAIRE NOUVELLES HEBRIDES". The manuscript translates:
"Delivered to the interisland boat after closure of the Futuna bag. The officer in charge of the post."
The cover was cancelled 10 MY 37 with the ship borne English language NEW HEBRIDES INTER-ISLES cds PCH type 93 which is beleived to
have been used - surprisingly - on the French Messageries Maritimes "Bucephale", the boat to which the letter was delivered.
Backstamped in transit Papeete 2 June 1937. ("JGI" coll.)
10 May 1937
Letter from Wallis and Futuna islands to Roubaix Nord France.
The block of 4 Wallis stamps tied by the Inter-isles cachet 10MY37 type GK PM10.
Rare special framed two lines rectangular cachet SERVICE INTERINSULAIRE / NOUVELLES HEBRIDES with the manuscript mention:
"remise à bord après fermeture du sac de Futuna. L'Officier chargé de la poste".
On reverse MESSAGERIES MARITIMES inscription, cachet type PM7A VILA 15MY37 in transit and ROUBAIX Qtier DE LA GARE 23-7 37 in arrival. ("SeSi" coll.)
10 May 1937
reverse
10 May 1937
Registered Messageries Maritimes letter to J.P Destombes 17 rue St Vincent ROUBAIX Nord France delivered to the interisland
steamer " BUCEPHALE ".
Total franking 1Fr90c., the stamps tied by the cachet INTER-ISLES 10 MY 37 type GK PM10 , the registration cachet SERVICE MARITIME NOUVELLES HEBRIDES
type NR12 not used on board but during the stopover in Vila: overprint in manuscript Vila and number 947.
On reverse cachet VILA 15MY37 type PM7B in transit and cachet ROUBAIX PRINCIPAL NORD 16 7 37 in arrival.
It was the last interisland " BUCEPHALE " run, lost on a reef in Teouma Bay (south west Efate ) on 14 JUNE 1937.
("SeSi" coll.)
10 May 1937
reverse
10 May 1937
The text in French:
"MESSAGERIES MARITIMES Mon cher J.P.
Ci joint deux enveloppes dont une pour moi.
Fait timbrer l'envers à Roubaix arrivée .Elles seront rares.
Je t'envoie une "
In English:
“SHIPPING MESSENGERS My dear J.P.
Enclosed are two envelopes, one for me. Let them be cancelled on
the reverse in Roubaix upon arrival. They will be rare.
I send you a ....
10 May 1937
The text in French:
.... autre lettre assez rare partie par la poste
de Futuna direct pour voir si elles arrivent bien.
J'espère que tout le monde va bien.
J'arrive le 17 juillet à Marseille par "Ville de Strasbourg".
Ecris moi (à bord:rayé) 90 Canebière .Je n'y resterai qu'un jour.
J'esèère que tu as reçu le duplicata du chèque, j'ai envoyé
l'original à Londres au paiement.
Bons baisers.
In English:
..... another rather rare letter sent by post
from Futuna directly to see if they arrive well.
I hope everyone is doing well.
I'll arrive on July 17 in Marseille via “Ville de Strasbourg”.
Write to me (on board: crossed out) 90 Canebiè. I will only stay there one day.
I hope you received the duplicate of the check I sent
the original in London upon payment.
Good kisses.
With the cachets :
- framed two lines rectangular special cachet SERVICE INTERINSULAIRE / NOUVELLES HEBRIDES
- registration R/SERVICE MARITIME/NOUVELLES HEBRIDES type NR12
- Sce INTERINSULAIRE DES Nlles HEBRIDES 30 AVRIL 37 type PM13
- NEW HEBRIDES INTER-ISLES 10MY37 type PM10
- NEW HEBRIDES VILA 15MY37 type PM7B.
6 June 1937
Local registered cover from Burns Philp & Co. Ltd. ship "Morinda" which carried
this post office on the run to other islands in the group. Rate 20c internal postage
and 1F for registration? Handstamp "S.S.Morinda", registration stamp PCH type R55.
The violet INTER-ISLAND cancel is PCH type 88 (supplement, NO diamond dividers).
("Aore" coll.)
19 June 1937
Interisland registered letter to Lille France posted on board PIERRE LOTI on 19JU37.
The three 50c stamps tied by PM8, the registration label is the scarce type NR13
with VILA crossed out and PIERRE LOTI hand stamped.
Backstamped INTERISLAND SERVICE 19 JU 37 and LILLE NORD 14-8 37 on arrival.
The sender is H.David Santo. ("SeSi" coll.)
19 June 1937
Two 50c stamps cancelled with GK type PM8 on a registered letter to France. Registration mark GK type NR13.
The letter owuld have been underpaid 50c as the colonial letter rate was 50c and the colonial registration fee 1F.
But at left of the two 50c stamps another stamp is missing, maybe a 50c stamp and the letter was correctly paid.
Image thanks to Lugdunum Philatelie
23 June 1937
Local registered cover from Messageries Maritimes ship "Pierre Loti". The 75c
stamp seems to underpay a registered letter even if the complete address is not to be seen. The
"PIERRE LOTI" overprinted registration label is not recorded in PCH. The sender
"M. Dubain, commerçant Mallicolo" is not recorded in O'Reilly's book. The
stamp is cancelled with PCH type 87. (picture thanks to July 1988 Harmers of
London auction catalogue.) (lower part of cover graphically reconstructed)
23 June 1937
Now it showed up again - image complete now.
25 July 1937
Letter with the correct 1F50 or 1/3d rate for a registered letter to France. The 1925 1F and two 25c stamps
are cancelled with PCH type 87. Registration label is PCH type R55 used between 1935 and 1940. ("JGI" coll.)
The "Compagnie Coloniale des Îles Banks" was part of the "Société Française des Nouvelles Hébrides".
Co. Col. des Iles Banks
Co. Col. des Iles Banks
15 August 1937
Letter to France, the 1925 British 50c stamp - correct letter rate to France - is cancelled with PCH
type 87. Backstamped with the same cancel and with ST SEVER s/ L'ADOUR 2 10 37 on arrival. (Klinger coll.)
9 September 1937
Letter with 1F British postage to England cancelled with Sydney Paquebot and normal Sydney cancel. (Blinco coll.)
22 or 28 Sept. 1937
Registered from Santo to a physician in Devils Lake, U.S.A. The 1925 French 1f and British 5d stamps are
cancelled with PCH Type 87. Registration mark is PCH Type R31 which was used together with manuscript "S.S. MIRANI"
three years prior to the opening of a post office in Santo. Backstamped with a very late use of PCH Type 10A VILA
2 OCT 37, Sydney OCT 13 - the PIERRE LOTI arrived on 8 OCT at Sydney and had taken over the cover at Vila from the interisland vessel MIRANI possibly -, Seattle Nov 19 37 and Devils Lake Nov 22 37.
Dr .John D. Graham was Regional Director of the British North America Philatelic Society in 1947.
(Alain Millet coll.)
22 or 28 Sept. 1937
22 or 28 September 1937
31 December 1937
Paquebot letter to USA, the Australian stam cancelled with PCH type 89, handstamped
31. DEC 1937, Vila, Norfolk Island, Lord Howe Island, New Hebrides, Sydney and
S.S. Morinda. (Treadwell coll.)
Morinda
26 January 1938
Letter to Australia, the double rate stamps are cancelled with PCH type 87. ("Aore" coll.)
10 February 1938
Letter to from Wallis to a person on PIERRE LOTI, Vila, redirected to Sydney. Cancelled Wallis, additionally New Hebrides PM8 and PM11A.
Image thanks to Lugdunum Philatélie
21 May 1938
1938 INTER_ISLAND SERVICE (PCH type 87) cds on registered letter to Noumea: 1F 80c as postage to Noumea.
The cover is cancelled on arrival in Noumea (date unknown). Registration cachet is PCH Type R57
as on the two following covers with blind cancels. PCH 87 and R57 had been on the LAPEROUSE in the first half of the 1930s
and then on the PIERRE LOTI. So this cover must have arrived in Sydney together with the following covers
on May 31, 1938. Image thanks to Compustamp, Santa Fe
dd May 1938
Registered letter to Devils Lake, North Dakota, USA. The mixed franking totalling
2/- and 7½d cacelled by a ring canceller, the registration handstamp is
PCH type R57, known from 1935 to 1940 according to PCH.
Backstamped Sydney 31 May 38, Seattle 1 July and 5 July 38 in Devil's Lake, North Dakota. A very late use of these
stamps.
A handwriting on top of the registration mark says "s/s Mirani". This ship was
built in 1928 by Grangemouth Dockyard Co. Ltd and ran under the Burns Philp
flag until 1940, used in New Guinea costal service until 1936. Then MIRANI served as interisland trader in the New Hebrides.
On 31 May the Messageries Maritimes steamer PIERRE LOTI arrived in Sydney. She must have carried these covers.
The Burns Philp steamer in the New Hebrides service in this year was the MORINDA but she returned on June 6. Dr .John D. Graham was Regional Director of the British North America Philatelic Society in 1947.
(ex Priester coll. now "JGI" coll.)
dd May 1938
Another one: Registered S/S MIRANI letter do Devils Lake North Dakota USA.
The mixed franking totalling 1F05c cancelled on board the MIRANI by a ring canceller. The cover must have been handed over to the PIERRE LOTI at Vila as the registration
cachet is PCH type R57 SERVICE MARITIME NOUVELLES HEBRIDES.
Backstamped G.P.O SYDNEY RS 31MY38 and SEATTLE JUL 1 1938 in transit.
I wonder when reg. No. 146 will show up! Dr .John D. Graham was Regional Director of the British North America Philatelic Society in 1947.
("SeSi" coll.)
26 June 1938
1938 INTER_ISLAND SERVICE cds on Airmail letter to Switzerland. Postage 2Fg70cg. The only ship in the islands at this time was the PIERRE LOTI. She left Sydney on
16 June, called at Noumea on 20 June and reached Vila on 23 June 1938. From there she made the inter island run and was back at Vila on 30 June, Noumea 3 July and Sydney on 7 July.
So she carried the INTERISLAND SERVICE cancel at that time.
Image thanks to Gaertner Auktionen Germany
28 June 1938
French 1925 60c on a cover to Paris. Cancelled with GK Type PM8 (PIERRE LOTI). Colonial letter rate was 10cg, Old stamps could be used with the ratio 6:1.
So this cover is correctly franked. Sender was T. Bourgeau, délégué français à Mallicolo. Image thanks to Lugdunum Philatélie
29 June 1938
British 1938 10c as correct rate on a commercial cover to Paris. Cancelled with Type 87. Old auction.
29 June 1938
(new 3/2021)
British 1938 10c as correct rate on a commercial cover to Paris. Cancelled with Type 87. But not used. So I have the impression that the cover at left
with the same date has its address added later.
29 June 1938
reverse
26 September 1938
Registered ship mail to Sydney, 30cg cancelled PM8, reg.cachet NR11C (Morinda). 20c colonial reg. fee and 10c colonial letter rate - correctly franked.
Backstamped Sydney 5 October 1938.
28 October 1938
(new 6/18)
1938 INTER_ISLAND SERVICE cds (GK type PM10) on Airmail letter to France: 1,50 Franc Gold paid the 10cg colonial
letter rate, 20cg colonial registration fee and 1F20cg air mail surcharge.
The cover is cancelled with PM7B in Vila on 2? OC 38, Sydney Air 10 NO 38 and on arrival in Valence on 22-11-38.
(seen on an internet auction)
This cover seems to proof that PM10 was held on board the POLYNESIEN in late 1938.
28 October 1938
(new 6/18)
revers
29 October 1938
1938 INTER_ISLAND SERVICE cds on Airmail letter to France: 5 Franc Gold as postage to France is not a steal!
The cover is cancelled on arrival in Marseille 21.XI.38. It may have reached Sydney at about Nov 10 as the cover at left so it had a
14 days' travel time to France. This was done via Airmail.("JGI" coll.)
xx October 1938
(new 10/21)
At end of October (28?) 1938 INTER_ISLAND SERVICE GK type PM8 on a cover to France. 50c and 10c and a New Caledonia 5c may have paid the 10cg colonial letter rate.
The 50c stamp is additionally cancelled with GK type PM8 in Vila.
Image thanks to Chris Rainey Postal History
1 November 1938
Commercial cover to Paris. The 1938 French 10 cg stamp cancelled with Goyns Klinger type PM8 - kept on PIERRE LOTI from 1938 to 1938.
The ship arrived in Sydney on 10 November 1938. (ex Millet coll.)
7 November 1938
Commercial registered cover to Nouméa. Must have been a very heavy
cover as the postage is 7F20c, cancelled with PCH type 88. (Merot coll.)
10 November 1938
(new Dec. 2017)
A Thouvignon cover to France. Backstamped St. Sever sur Ardour 12-12-38.(Seen at Delcampe.)
13 May 1939
Paquebot letter from Haiphong to Nouméa, the Indochina 7c stamp cancelled with PCH type 94. Backstamped Noumea 19 May 1939 (?). (Millet coll.)
13 May 1939
backstamp
14 May 1939
Ship letter to New Caledonia. The three 1925 30c and two 1938 10c stamps are cancelled with PCH type 94.
The three 1925 30c stamps represent 15cg so the postage was 35cg. ("RW" coll.)
2 June 1939
80cg ship letter to Paris, nearly correctly franked colonial letter rate 10cg and Australian air mail rate 1/6d (= about 75 cg).
Cancelled with GK Type PM14 (PIERRE LOTI - NH run 1 - 21 June 1939). I have the impression that Vila PO kept this letter until MORINDA
(NH run 15 June - 8 July) went back to Sydney. No idea why!
Backstamped Vila PM11A 3 July 1939. (ex Millet coll.)
2 June 1939
reverse
10 June 1939
10cg ship letter to Nouméa, correctly franked colonial letter rate (until 1950) 10cg. Cancelled with GK Type PM14 (PIERRE LOTI - NH run 1 - 21 June 1939).
Backstamped Nouméa 16-6 / 39.
Image thanks to Lugdunum Philatélie
26 June 1939
(new 2/2021)
Commercial cover from Société Française des Nouvelles Hébrides,
Théobroma Espiritu Santo to Banque de l'Indochine Nouméa.
Matéoulo, Saraoutou, Sunenda, Théobroma were all posessions of the Société Française des Nouvelles Hébrides.
Théobroma must have been a cacao plantation as this is the word for some special cacao.
The 10c.or stamp tied with PM9B Inter-Island 26 JUN 39. (SS Morinda left Vila on June 26).
Backstamped Nouméa 13 7 39 in arrival. ("SeSi" coll.)
26 June 1939
(new 2/2021)
reverse
27 June 1939
60cg in French 1925 stamps would be the pre 1938 Gold Franc letter rate but this cover reached New Zealnd untaxed.
The stamps are cancelled with PCH Type 90. (coll. Petit)
7 July 1939
30cg correct registered rate to France cancelled on board the Messageries Maritimes ship PIERRE LOTI
with the French 'Inter-Iles 7JUL39' cds [PCH 94] and registered with the 3 line boxed 'Inter-Iles" cachet [PCH R58].
Transit Vila 10 JY 39 and arrival Paris VII distribution 19-8-39 (44 days). The Morinda arrived in Sydney on 8 July and
is therefore excluded. The PIERRE LOTI left Sydney on 29 June and would be in Noumea on 2 or 3 July and in the New Hebs
on 4 or 5 July. She returned to Sydney on 18 July.
("JGI" coll.)
8 July 1939
The same ship as the 7 July cover: 10 cg underpaid but not taxed registered letter to Switzerland. Non-colonial letter rate was 30cg and non-colonial registration fee 30 cg.
Cancelled with Goyns Klinger type PM14, reg. cachet NR14 (PIERRE LOTI). Backstamped Vila 10 July 1939 and Zürich Fächer 19. VIII. 1939. (Klinger coll.)
31 July 1939
A horizontal strip of two and one single 1938 French 10c stamp.
Letter to France, Magasins Au Bon Marché Maison A Boucicaut, Paris XI.
Clear PCH type 94 CDS beside the stamps, stamps tied by same type.
Registration cachet PCH type R58 (Merot coll.)
14 September 1939
Interisland letter to the Reverend Basil Nottage at Tongoa. A manuscript "W. Anderson" could mean either sender (Reverend) William
Anderson or to William Anderson c/o Basil Nottage. The 1911/12 (!) French 20c stamp is cancelled with the British
PCH type 90 ship cancel. No backstamp. (Klinger coll.)
about 1940
about 1940
22 December 1939
French 1939 INTER-ILES cds (PCH type 94) on an Airmail cover to France: 80 centimes gold as rate for an Airmail cover to France - a bargain compared with the one on 29 October 1938.
(But the conversion rates play a role too!) The cover was picked up by the Messageries Martimes ship PIERRE LOTI, probably from an island north of Vila on its run to Saigon.
Transit backstamped SAIGON CENTRAL COCHINCHINE 6 -1 40. The cover would then have been flown from there to France. ("JGI" coll.)
16 January 1940
40cg when the letter rate to Australia was 10cg cancelled 'INTER-ISLAND 16JA40' [PCH 90] but not censored when it was in transit
through Vila where it was cancelled 'Vila 28JA 4' [PCH 12] with the block before the 4 in the year. The cover has the Burns Philp Line
logo on the reverse and was probably written on board their interisland boat MORINDA by a crew member. ("JGI" coll.)
16 January 1940
16 January 1940
19 January 1940
Censored ship mail from TAHITI to SAÏGON Indochina.
The two 50c "Etablissements français de l'océanie" stamps tied by type PM7C
VILA 19 JAN 40 in transit (rectangle and 4 for 40). In front violet censor double ring
cachet CONTROLE POSTAL DE L'OCEANIE.
Backstamped NOUMEA 20 - 1 40 in transit and machine cancel SAIGON CENTRAL
COCHINCHINE 24 FEV 40 on arrival. ("SeSi" coll)
19 January 1940
reverse 19 January 1940
8 April 1940
Uncommon SCE Interinsulaire des Nelles Hebrides PCH type 91 with additional Vila / Port Vila
PCH type 13 and 14 strikes. Cover from the C.C.N.H. plantation in Norsup / Malekula
to Paris. Cancelled on board the Messageries Maritimes "Pierre Loti" on the way to Port
Vila, where it arrived on 18 April 1940. It was prepared for forwarding to France
on 21 April 1940 when the 85c mixed language stamps were recancelled with the
English language Vila cds. At this point it was realised that the correct airmail
rate was 1F 50c.
Maybe the company's Port Vila agent arranged for the additional
65c stamps to be affixed. These were cancelled with the French Port Vila cds on
22 April 1940. Note the normal use of English and French cancellers on alternate days.
Censored in Sydney, arrival backstamped Paris VIII R La Boeti 21-5 40. ("Namba 2" coll.)
Pierre Loti
The "Pierre Loti", former L'Empereur Nicolas I was launched in 1913 by John Brown & Co
at Clydebank. Since 1922 a Messageries Maritimes ship, was sent to Sydney in 1936
to replace the "La Pérouse". Since 1940 run by the British Blue Funnel
Line in Australia under the name "Southern Sea". She was wrecked in 1942 or 1943 and the PCH type 91
was supposed to be lost then. Picture thanks to Philippe Ramona.
19 July 1940
(new Dec 2017)
Letter from Nauru to Sydney TRIENZA ship mark on NH 20cg. Cancelled Nauru. Mossgreen Auctions
TRIENZA was a Burns Philp phosphate carrying diesel ship on the Nauru run built in 1938.
2 August 1940
Letter from MAISON BARRAU SUCCURSALE DE SANTO to SYDNEY.
The 10c.or stamp tied by GK type PM16 SANTO -2AUG40. Per S/S MORINDA. ("SeSi" coll.)
2 August 1940
Cachet
4 August 1940
SCE INTERINSULAIRE DES NLLES HEBRIDES cds on a registered cover to Sydney: 50 mixed franking gold cent, the French stamp cancelled with PCH type 91,
the British language stamp with INTER-ISLAND PCH type 90 and registered with PCH type R57 SERVICE MARITIME. Additional cancels on front, backstamped in transit VILA 7 AUG 40 and on arrival
GPO SYDNEY 22 AU 40. New Hebrides censor cachet on front. ("JGI" coll.)
27 November 1940
The PIERRE LOTI used this SCE INTERINSULAIRE PCH type 91 introduced in 1939 and lost with the PIERRE LOTI.
The addressee is Fred Louis Jones of Vanikoro. ("JGI" coll.)
27 November 1940
Inter-Island registered letter to Santo, the French 10cg and British 30cg stamps are
cancelled with PCH type 90. In Santo the letter was handstamped with PCH type
38 on 24 December 1940 and forwarded to Vanikoro, Solomon Islands, where the
addressee, Mr. Frederik L. Jones, the owner of the ship "Quand Mème"
operated a trading station at Peu. (Goron coll.)
6 October 1941
SCE INTERINSULAIRE DES NLLES HEBRIDES cds on a registered cover to Sydney: 30 French franking gold cent with "FRANCE LIBRE" overprint cancelled
with GK PM13 and registered with PCH type R8 "PORT VILLA". Backstamped in transit NOUMEA 13 OCT 41 and on arrival
SYDNEY 21 OCT 41. New Hebrides censor cachet on front. ("JGI" coll.)
6 October 1941
SCE INTERINSULAIRE DES NLLES HEBRIDES cds on a cover to Santo. 5gc French franking with "FRANCE LIBRE" overprint cancelled
with GK PM13 nad taxed 10cg cancelled on 10 October at Santo GK type PM16. Image thanks to Chris Rainey
13 January 1942
INTERISLAND SERVICE cancel ( PCH type 87 ) on three mixed language 10c stamps on a censord letter to the U.S.A.
This cancel was used on board the Burn Philp interisland boats MAKAMBO 1934 until Sept.1935 and the MIRANI (renamed BULIMBA in 1941 after
having been sold to Australasian United S.N. Co., Brisbane) or the PIERRE LOTI up to 1942. ("JGI" coll.)
Image of the MAKAMBO thanks to Wilkinson/Willson "The Main Line Fleet of Burns Philp", Canberra 1981 - No MIRANI image, sorry.
Makambo
Makambo
9 March 1942
Censored cover to Mr. Martin in Santo, INTER-ISLAND cancel (GK type PM9B) on two 10cg stamps and taxed. A complete set of 1941 Chiffre Taxe and a 1938 5cg Chiffre Taxe
stamp all cancelled Santo with GK PM16 and a GK type PM15 below the stamps.
Image thanks to Grosvenor Philatelic Auctions
18 April 1942
INTER-ISLAND SERVICE cancel (PCH type 90) on registered cover to Sydney, registration cachet PCH type R56. Both covers bear a complete set of the "France Libre"
overprints. New Hebrides censor cachet on reverse and Sydney arrival cancel 1 May 42. ("JGI" coll.)
18 April 1942
INTER-ISLAND SERVICE cancel (PCH type 90) on a registered cover to Sydney, registration cachet PCH type R56. Postmark and cachet held on board the MORINDA.
Normal Vila postmark & a New Hebrides censor cachet on reverse and Sydney arrival cancel 1 May 42. (Image thanks Lugdunum Philatélie"
18 April 1942
9 June 1943
Cover to Australia marked "Air Mail" but cancelled with the shipmail GK type PM9B. 10cg overpaid but highly underpaid for air mail.
Image thanks to Caphila, Paris
1 August 1944
English 10cg stamp on a "Paul A. Dorn" cover to the U.S.A. The stamp is cancelled with GK Type PM9B, the three letter month INTER-ISLAND cancel.
Franked at the colonial letter rate of 10cg instead of the non-colonial one of 30cg hence taxed.
Sent by John Leslie Mitchell most likely.
Normal Vila postmark & a New Hebrides censor cachet on reverse and Sydney arrival cancel 1 May 42. (Image thanks Gaertner Auctions)
1 August 1944
17 November 1944
A French 30cg and an English 40cg stamp on a "Paul A. Dorn" cover to the U.S.A. The stamp is cancelled with GK Type PM9B, the three letter month INTER-ISLAND cancel.
40 cg overpaid.
25 January 1945