1914 GRI Overprints '3 Shillings.' on 3mk & '5 Shillings.' on 5mk as SG 113-4, well centred, forged Kilian or Dr Dub guarantee handstamps, Cat £2600 if genuine. (2)
REVENUES - STAMP DUTY: Surcharges on 1983-84 Fruit comprising Seriffed '30 sene' on 1c & '$50' on 1c, plus Sans-Serif '$1.00' on 1c, '$50.00' on 2s, '$100.00' on 2s & '$500.00' on 2c horizontal pairs from the right of the sheets, unmounted. Very scarce.
(Qty 6 pairs)
POSTAL HISTORY: 1917 (May 23) cover with Henry Bull & Co imprint on the flap with Australian Kangaroo 2d grey tied by Sydney cds, manuscript "PBC" (= Passed By Censor) at L/R, minor blemishes & repaired opening tears at the base. Unusual.
POSTAL HISTORY: 1948 (Dec 15) commercial usage of 'NZ AIR MAIL/LETTER CARD' from a teacher at Apia to family in Auckland with '3d' on 1½d Chief paying the concessional inter-island rate tied by 'APIA' cds, readdressed on arrival, central vertical fold & minor blemishes that may be related to disinfection.
The all-too-topical letter speaks of the poliomyelitis epidemic that hit Samoa in late-1948: "...The Samoans are terrified of the paralysis and have had the island well and truly isolated. We have not had a plane in for a month...all connection between here and Pago has been prohibited...a plane coming in tomorrow bringing two or three doctors [who] are to go into strict quarantine for a fortnight and our mail must all be fumigated..." He goes on to speak about the many upcoming changes to teaching personnel.
