Samoa, Pago Pago, Samoa, Aug 18, 14. Duplex postmark tying U.S. 1911, 5¢ blue on merchant corner card cover to Apia, Samoa, reverse with backflap slits and two German "Kaiserliches Gouvernment von Samoa" Official seals sealing, additional purple manuscript "Unter Krieghsrecht geöffnet" (Opened Under Martial Law) notation below, "Apia, 20.8.14" cds alongside, Very Fine, an extremely rare German Provisional Censor usage found on incoming mail shortly after the start of World War I, One of Nine Such Usages Known. Estimate  $2,000 - 3,000. On August 1st, 1914 World War I started. Because of the distance of Samoa from Europe, news of the outbreak of hostilities did not reach the Colony until August 6th. On August 12th, the Imperial German Governor issued regulations regarding the postal service to and from the Colony of Samoa. On August 20th the last known incoming mail arrived at Apia on the "Mulifanua" from Pago Pago. Since this mail violated a part of the newly enforced postal regulations, the German Postal Authorities decided to institute censorship procedures. It is very likely that these letters were the last items of mailed handled by the Imperial German Post Office in Samoa before the occupation of the Colony by New Zealand forces on August 29, 1914. . $0 (Image)