Page 80 - 148 Years of the Royal Philatelic Society London

In 1945: WW2 ends; Yalta Conference; Hitler commits suicide; Atomic bombs destroy

Hiroshima & Nagasaki, Japan surrenders; Bob Marley, Debbie Harry, Aung San Suu Kyi born.

At the RPSL: Expert Committee raises charges for the first time since 1926 and stops practice

of accepting obviously genuine but imperfect items, submitted to enhance their value.

RPSL President was J. Hall Baron. Patron H.M. King George VI. Membership 580.

BRITISH POSTAL STATIONERY

FROM OCCUPIED ITALIAN SOMALILAND

From the collection of Mike Sanders.

Member since 2005. Lives in England.

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· REGISTER ED LETTER.

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British forces occupied Somalia in 1941 and subsequently re-opened seven civilian post offices.

Unique amongst the occupied colonies, a range of registered envelopes was ordered from London.

Surprisingly, although intended for civilian use, those supplied were 'Forces' issues (where the printed

and embossed 3d green stamp prepays the registration fee only), also overprinted E.A.F. for East

African Forces. This G2 size envelope has G.B. stamps also overprinted E.A.F. to pay the additional

2d needed for Somalia registration and 1 /3d for the basic air rate. All are cancelled with an old rusty

Italian MERCA circular date stamp on 18th May 1945.