| Cover described
as: Front only of a registered cover mailed mailed on September 26,
1944, to the Civil Service Office, Manila, ex somewhere in ILOCOS NORTE.
Apparently, this was un-delivered for some reason, and certainly received
no postal markings at that time, the stamps being cancelled by pen. It
appears to have been consigned to the Dead Letter Office in Manila, for
the rest of the Japanese Occupation (see "D.L.O." boxed cachet, in purple,
at TR with ms "OR-1172" inserted). After the Americans re-took Manila it
received a number of U.S. censor markings (including at least two clear
tape "OPENED BY CIVIL MAILS" at top) and, finally a clear "FORWARDED" in
purple under the address, plus the date "10/31/46" in ms. So, a letter
posted during the Japanese Occupation was finally delivered after the relief
of Manila - albeit somewhat late.
I read the
origin of the cover as MUNICIPALITY OF BANGUI, ILOCOS NORTE. I am
inclined to think that the "D.L.O." boxed-in marking of the above cover
was not applied in Manila but in Ilocos Sur. This cover never reached Manila.
If it did, there is no reason on why it should not have been delivered,
as addressed, since the Manila post office at that time was still functioning
. |
