1919 (5 Feb) cover sent by a member of the Russian Railway Service Corps in Russia (RRSC), placed in the Civilian Mail, as confirmed by the Vladivostok cds, as well as purple Japanese censor marking struck in the center, four-line Censor cachet and "Opened by Censor No.21" seal at left. The Russian Railway Service Corps was a semi military organization of American railway engineers and technicians formed by the Department of State in September 1917 at the request of the Provisional Government of Russia to operate the Trans-Siberian, Chinese Eastern, and Ussuri Railways. The first contingent of 350 men under the command of Colonel George Emerson arrived in Vladivostok on December 14, 1917. Shortly after, they left for Nagasaki, Japan, because of unsettled conditions. In March 1918, the Corps returned to Russia and began its work under the direction of John F. Stevens, Chairman of the Advisory Commission of Railway Experts to Russia and later President of the Interallied Technical Board. Evacuation of the entire Corps from Siberia was completed by July 1920. The RRSC did not enjoy free-franking privileges, therefore the cover was taxed "T" and the 3c stamp was added on arrival in Fresno. There is an accompanying letter ("nearly all men are blue, sick and disgusted and its got me so bad that at times I feel as I would go crazy") (Image)

Est.US$500