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Official service cover addressed to the Secretary General of the Central Council of International Tourism in Paris, dated June 12, 1931 and carried by courier pouch to its destination. UNIQUE 20k gif |
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The League of Nations was based in Geneva, Switzerland but maintained branch offices in Berlin, the Hague, Paris, London, and Rome. Mail posted from the Paris office was franked with French stamps and taken to a local post office to enter the normal mail stream daily. In the case of sensitive or urgent local mail, a courier service was used to deliver mail within Paris. The courier service carried such mail in a pouch and generally used a bicycle to get to the addressee's destination. |
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Surviving postally related items from the League's Paris, France office are limited mainly to souvenirs which never actually went through the mail. These covers are key to a great collection of the League of Nations as mail originating from branch offices outside Geneva is rarely seen. |
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The above service cover is one of two recorded examples of the 'courier service' and has the oval origin marking dated 12 June 1931. The third and fourth recorded service covers were regularly posted with French stamps and cancellations. These four pieces represent the only documented official service mail from the League's Paris office recorded to date. |
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Official service cover mailed by Lt. Joe Newton, an officer assigned to the UNCIO security detail. UNIQUE 64k gif |
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The United Nations Conference on International Organization (UNCIO) was held from April 9 to June 25, 1945. Official Service Covers are rare and each one has its own unique place in the history of the United Nations (see UNCIO Study). The 5¢ stamp of April 25th was initially designed by president Franklin Roosevelt who died only two weeks before it was issued. |
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The Post Office Department instructed the Bureau of Engraving and Printing to modify the design on Roosevelt's death. Due to the limited time available, the text "Franklin Roosevelt" was added above the olive branch to remember the man instrumental in the planning and formation of the United Nations organization. This gem is found in Fran's exhibit "Toward United Nations". |
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e-mail: fran adams |
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copyright © 2000-04 fran adams |
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