Lot# 908 - 177-180 Auction
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Lot# : 908 New Zealand
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The International Gold awarded one frame Exhibit of NEW ZEALAND PRISONER OF WAR AIR LETTER CARDS 1941 - 1945 formed by Barry Scott FRPSL showing all the recorded types of mint and/or used Air Letter Cards produced by the Government Printers in Wellington, initially issued on Monday Nov. 17th 1941, showing all nine issues with the recorded errors, varieties and wrappers known. The sixteen page exhibit starts each issue with a mint example, 7th issue with a complete set of five mint cards plus wrapper, continuing with earliest recorded usages including 1/6 d. stationery card used on Nov. 18th (2nd day of issue) to Germany, first issue card with un-watermarked variety used to Italy, uncommon usage and only recorded example to a civilian internee in Germany (1942), censored items, scarce 'six pence' double and inverted overprint on 6th and 7th issue Aug. '44 (one of only two known) as well as scarce 9th issue (on sale for a very short period, just six weeks) with one of only five used copies recorded. A magnificent exhibit, viewing highly recommended.
During World War II over 9'000 New Zealand solders were captured by German or Italian Troops. For the Government it was a high priority "... to have reliable, direct and effective air mail communication with the country's Prisoners of War". Special light-weight air-letter forms, today known as aerogrammes, were the solution. These new POW air letter cards quickly proved popular and the postage rate of 1/6d. on the first issue was reduced to 6d. by the 6th issue (August 1944). Today examples of any kind of these cards, whether mint or used are very scarce. Paper was a prime commodity in the camps and was recycled, either used as cigarette or toilet paper. Added to this was the fact that many prisoners were marched across Poland and Germany in front of the advancing Russian Army, carrying only a minimum of personal belongings, thus very few of these letter cards made it back home and survived.
FIP Washington 2006 Gold; FISA Beijing 2009 Gold plus Special Prize.
Starting bid : 50,000 CHFHammer price : not sold