ceylon airgraphs: synopsis - collectors club of chicago · ceylon airgraphs: synopsis ho. 3t«...

17
Ceylon Airgraphs: Synopsis Ho. 3t« AIRGRAPH T Airgraph Envelope Logo References Consulted: Ordered by amount used. Primary Source: Airgraph by E. H. Keeton and site: http://www.airgraph.com/ keeton_5.html Berman Postal History Site: Alan.berman on line. Airgraphs Alphabetilately: http://alphabetilately.com/ airgraph J^tml Airgraphs Malcolm Sanders: http ://w ww. kg6gb. org/ airgraphs.htm Airgraphs British Postal Museum: www.postalheritage.org.uk/ collections/news/) GPO Press Notice PN1751 Airgraph Novel and Speedy Letter Service, 1941. Airmail Operations During World War II by Thomas H. Boyle, Jr: Airgraph and Ceylon reference pages British India Postal Stationery by Derek Lang pl53-156 Post Dates by Kenneth Wood: July 31, 1945 Entry, British Airgraph Service Ended. Exhibit & Scope: This is a postal stationery exhibit of Ceylon Airgraphs used by forces in Ceylon during World War II. The exhibit studies Ceylon's single 20c rate Airgraph form, highlighting fine differences in this form found in use. Ceylon troops correspondence was processed in Bombay, India until late in the war, and Airgraphs from the Ceylon troops are found written on Ceylon and Indian Airgraph forms. Both are shown here. Examples of privately made artistic greetings on standard forms are iconic of symbols of the Airgraph are included, as are the limited forces Commercie Airgraphs. This exhibit draws out quotes from the actual Airgraphs shown, and includes a few photos and a number of Airgraph envelopes to expand the overall interest of the exhibit. The island of Ceylon was a key stronghold for Allied troops in keeping back Japanese forces, although very limited Airgraph communications remain to be collected. Airgraphs played an important role in wartime correspondence. Axis control of airspace made communications from the far eastern back to Europe especially delayed. Airmail was processed by sea vessels going around Africa, and costly airmail letters could take up to four months to arrive. Airgraphs service for Ceylon was established in March of 1942, a year after service implemented elsewhere in the British Commonwealth. For Ceylon, Airgraph service greatly improved communication reliability and speed. This exhibit provides specific quotes from servicemen comparing mail service. As the war drew down, regular Airmail services resumed and lower rates were established. Airgraph use was discontinued in July, 1945. What you will not find: Interesting Airgraph items such as: original Airgraph form artwork, a box used for shipping film from Ceylon, a photograph sent in Airgraph—each of these would be interesting to see, but are not known from Ceylon. While island bases were active in the war, the role and number of troops were limited. Because Ceylon's Airgraph service started relatively late, in March of 1942, even the early envelopes types are not seen on Ceylon Airgraphs. The many censor markings used on Airgraphs in Ceylon is a broad topic and beyond the scope this single frame. This exhibit is on Forces Airgraphs, the 50c rate civilian form and related 50c civilian use is not included. Original Research & Findings: Form Varieties: While the primary reference on Airgraphs, written by E.H. Keeton, suggests eight Airgraph form types found on forces mail from Ceylon, personal research shown here presents eleven form types. Through careful investigation of the form itself, its printing, the process used to print the full sheets of multiple forms and cut those down to the forms actually used, the identification of varieties work is done. This exhibit's research updates Keeton's findings, especially in the area of left margin text form differences. Envelopes: This exhibit shows all envelopes types used for Ceylon Airgraphs processed, describing logos and cancellations found. As Ceylon Airgraph services started in March of 1942, earlier variety envelopes were not used. Foreign Form Usages: With Ceylon's proximity to India and war time troop movements and challenges, Airgraph; from Ceylon forces are found on India Airgraph forms. Indian Airgraphs are found on over forty different form types. Interestingly, certain of these forms have been identified as made for use only by Ceylon forces. Of particular rarity, four Ceylon Airgraphs on these specific Indian Stationery Forms are presented here. In Keeton's text, these are marked as forms IN5A, IN8A, IN15A, and IN 27A identified as used in Ceylon and as "Not Seen", these form types used in Ceylon are each presented here, these are only known usages. Rarity: Limited troops were active on the island of Ceylon, and, as a distant and remote outpost, Airgraph service came latei for these servicemen. The final processing center for Airgraphs was opened in Colombo, Ceylon just as the war was ending. Fewer Airgraphs were sent and remain for collectors. This exhibit is comprised of original holdings from the Keeton collection used for illustration in his definitive text. The exhibit also includes as significant items from long collectors Berman, Cosentini, Stendel and other materials collected overtime. No rarity boxes around items are shown, instead just specific text describes the items. The original forms and Indian only known usages are of note. Format: Headings and form variations are bolded. Quotes from these Airgraph letters are shown in Arial italic gray. Original research is typed in maroon and underscored. The exhibit is ordered by Airgraph type and use following a general chronology as description best allows. Highlights Include: Two Original Blank Forms Eleven Form Varieties An Offset Impression Variety Four Unique Ceylon Airgraphs Sent on Indian Forms Airgraph Stationery Holiday Greetings An Airgraph Form Mailed Shortly After Use Ended

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C e y l o n A i r g r a p h s :

S y n o p s i s

Ho. 3t«

A I R G R A P H

T

Airgraph Envelope Logo

References Consulted:

Ordered by amount used.

Primary Source: Airgraph by E. H. Keeton and site: http://www.airgraph.com/

keeton_5.html

Berman Postal History Site: Alan.berman on line.

Airgraphs Alphabetilately: http://alphabetilately.com/ airgraph J^tml

Airgraphs Malcolm Sanders: http ://w ww. kg6gb. org/ airgraphs.htm

Airgraphs British Postal Museum: www.postalheritage.org.uk/ collections/news/)

GPO Press Notice PN1751 Airgraph Novel and Speedy Letter Service, 1941.

Airmail Operations During World War II by Thomas H. Boyle, Jr: Airgraph and Ceylon reference pages

British India Postal Stationery by Derek Lang pl53-156

Post Dates by Kenneth Wood: July 31, 1945 Entry, British Airgraph Service Ended.

Exhibit & Scope: This is a postal stationery exhibit of Ceylon Airgraphs used by forces in Ceylon during World War II. The exhibit studies Ceylon's single 20c rate Airgraph form, highlighting fine differences in this form found in use. Ceylon troops correspondence was processed in Bombay, India until late in the war, and Airgraphs from the Ceylon troops are found written on Ceylon and Indian Airgraph forms. Both are shown here. Examples of privately made artistic greetings on standard forms are iconic of symbols of the Airgraph are included, as are the limited forces Commercie Airgraphs. This exhibit draws out quotes from the actual Airgraphs shown, and includes a few photos and a number of Airgraph envelopes to expand the overall interest of the exhibit.

The island of Ceylon was a key stronghold for Allied troops in keeping back Japanese forces, although very limited Airgraph communications remain to be collected. Airgraphs played an important role in wartime correspondence. Axis control of airspace made communications from the far eastern back to Europe especially delayed. Airmail was processed by sea vessels going around Africa, and costly airmail letters could take up to four months to arrive. Airgraphs service for Ceylon was established in March of 1942, a year after service implemented elsewhere in the British Commonwealth. For Ceylon, Airgraph service greatly improved communication reliability and speed. This exhibit provides specific quotes from servicemen comparing mail service. As the war drew down, regular Airmail services resumed and lower rates were established. Airgraph use was discontinued in July, 1945.

What you will not find: Interesting Airgraph items such as: original Airgraph form artwork, a box used for shipping film from Ceylon, a photograph sent in Airgraph—each of these would be interesting to see, but are not known from Ceylon. While island bases were active in the war, the role and number of troops were limited. Because Ceylon's Airgraph service started relatively late, in March of 1942, even the early envelopes types are not seen on Ceylon Airgraphs. The many censor markings used on Airgraphs in Ceylon is a broad topic and beyond the scope this single frame. This exhibit is on Forces Airgraphs, the 50c rate civilian form and related 50c civilian use is not included.

Original Research & Findings: Form Varieties: While the primary reference on Airgraphs, written by E.H. Keeton, suggests eight Airgraph form types found on forces mail from Ceylon, personal research shown here presents eleven form types. Through careful investigation of the form itself, its printing, the process used to print the full sheets of multiple forms and cut those down to the forms actually used, the identification of varieties work is done. This exhibit's research updates Keeton's findings, especially in the area of left margin text form differences.

Envelopes: This exhibit shows all envelopes types used for Ceylon Airgraphs processed, describing logos and cancellations found. As Ceylon Airgraph services started in March of 1942, earlier variety envelopes were not used.

Foreign Form Usages: With Ceylon's proximity to India and war time troop movements and challenges, Airgraph; from Ceylon forces are found on India Airgraph forms. Indian Airgraphs are found on over forty different form types. Interestingly, certain of these forms have been identified as made for use only by Ceylon forces. Of particular rarity, four Ceylon Airgraphs on these specific Indian Stationery Forms are presented here. In Keeton's text, these are marked as forms IN5A, IN8A, IN15A, and IN 27A identified as used in Ceylon and as "Not Seen", these form types used in Ceylon are each presented here, these are only known usages.

Rarity: Limited troops were active on the island of Ceylon, and, as a distant and remote outpost, Airgraph service came latei for these servicemen. The final processing center for Airgraphs was opened in Colombo, Ceylon just as the war was ending. Fewer Airgraphs were sent and remain for collectors. This exhibit is comprised of original holdings from the Keeton collection used for illustration in his definitive text. The exhibit also includes as significant items from long collectors Berman, Cosentini, Stendel and other materials collected overtime. No rarity boxes around items are shown, instead just specific text describes the items. The original forms and Indian only known usages are of note.

Format: Headings and form variations are bolded. Quotes from these Airgraph letters are shown in Arial italic gray. Original research is typed in maroon and underscored. The exhibit is ordered by Airgraph type and use following a general chronology as description best allows.

Highlights Include: • Two Original Blank Forms • Eleven Form Varieties • An Offset Impression Variety

• Four Unique Ceylon Airgraphs Sent on Indian Forms • Airgraph Stationery Holiday Greetings • An Airgraph Form Mailed Shortly After Use Ended

a i r g r a p h

[ H ^ M T

C e y l o n A i r g r a p h M a i l

A I R G R A P J f

Airgraph From: Ceylon To: Glasgow, Scotland April 21, 1942 Sent from Ceylon within a month of service beginning on the island.

Phi latel ic P lan of Exhib i t

1. Introduction to Ceylon Airgraphs 2. Airgraph Mail Use & Process 3. Ceylon Airgraph Form & Variations 4. Ceylon Airgraph Printing Variations 5. Ceylon Airgraphs on Indian Forms 6. Commercial Airgraphs from Ceylon 7. After Era Use and Conclusion

1

2 -6 -10 11 14 15

5 9

-13

-16

Exh ib i t & Scope This is a Postal Stationery exhibit of Airgraphs, microfilmed correspondence, sent from Ceylon based servicemen during World War II. Ceylon Airgraph service began March 27, 1942, and ended July 31, 1945. Airgraphs were processed in Bombay, India until late in war when processing began on the island itself. This focuses on the specific Airgraph forms used by Ceylon based troops.

Known variations found on the Ceylon Airgraph form, as well as new variations not identified in prior works are shown here. This includes the unusual Airgraphs from Ceylon written on Indian Airgraph forms. Near to the end of the war, Airgraph service was opened to a limited extent to commercial use, these examples are also provided.

The appeal of these Airgraph letters lie in the veiled look into the life of British forces serving in Ceylon during WWII. The letters reveal the importance of mail during the hardship and loneliness of war. To add to viewer interest, the exhibit highlights text from the Airgraphs themselves.

His tor ica l B a c k g r o u n d British Navy and Air Force troops were stationed in Ceylon during WWII because of the island's strategic importance in preventing Japanese advances. Restricted airspace and cargo space shortages caused Airmail service to take over four months in transit from Ceylon to England. Airgraphs cut that delivery t ime to weeks, not months, and cost less to send.

Airgraphs were used by British forces from April 21, 1941 to July 31, 1945.

Ceylon 's service began later, on March 27, 1942. Airgraph mail used the same microfilming technology as V-Mail, developed by the Eastman Kodak Company and used for military mail in World War II.

Ceylon, now Sri Lanka, located just below India.

I

1

Standard Ceylon Airgraph Form

For Service and not Civilian Use

Fewer than Ten Blank Ceylon Airgraph Forms Known

•Mttfel HMWi Ml Vi".1:> htln'i l * ,;i .

Image of Reverse Side, reduced

Forms Printed first in blue, later in gray.

Image of document front reveals forms "cut line" in design on right. Forms printed in large sheets.

t

1

I

i

For use ot Services only

For use ol Serv

A I R G R A P H C O R R E S P O N D E N C E .

be written on this side of the paper. The whole of the message should be wri

rovided.

> and sent by air

should be written very

must be completed and the name and

ess of the sender and of the addressee must be inserted on each form in the •anal way.

(4) The original will be by the Post Office and eventually

2 . A i r g r a p h M a i l P r o c e s s A . W h y A i r g r a p h s & H o w t h e P r o c e s s W o r k e d

A i r g r a p h I n n o v a t i o n I n t r o d u c e d to : • Handle Large Volumes of Wartime Mail

• Free Airplane Cargo Space • Avoid Standard Airmail Delays • Address Military Security Needs

C e y l o n A i r g r a p h S t a n d a r d F o r m

C o m p a r i n g M a i l Services:

i r g r a p h

i r L e t t e r

i rmai l

How Sent All Air,

1st Priority

Normally by Air

By Sea & Air

W e i s h t lOOx lighter

% o z

Vioz

T r a n s i t Two Weeks

Weeks to Months

3 to 4 Months

a i r g r a p h

From this Airgraph Text -> "I'm sorry about the Airmail, but I haven't given

up hope yet. It takes a hell of a time for some of it

to get here."

A i r g r a p h Sys tem Process : • Forms Given Free to Troops, 20 cents to Mail • Completed Airgraph Passes Censor and Serialized

• Completed Forms Sorted & Photographed • Film Rolls Sent by Air to Destination, Saving Space

A i r g r a p h Film Process : • Film Arrives at Destination and is Printed • Letters Put in Envelopes and Distributed

7 \ $

/?'*#** CCr/, *mi

— Snd„: v.„ ....1 .u,i,... /$S/rs /-#/* ^ v ^ -

yy

y -&y S ^S^^yra^, •e***r • ia/cy ^C^. <y<>*< . y".

s<» -*+~«/\ y y&, a&y yUuf • 6iC*y .*yC^f ytC ^*~~~.++ ^<lv |

&t* *0 1^,/H.. A/* y>~., . &- +± ajtLrmy^ -*&£, . A«I •&** ^r£i*f. -& - W«w, -^yCmy ~y2Ce &a**xi-.

' '*~*^' "^^ y^S-^-^y <J y£** -y**y~*& 4 & +i a ~£y- y*C<>4 fsay,y.

air*,/- &eS /**~oy <*<~y ~y/n.* ,<sx.,. ya*^ ^e«^--t

au ~/6t^C 6</t. jfjuf A*y ^my t& A++J y$tC*y - fe— «** . *»*y ~*o -CJ*£T a+<***. s>(. ? •y/^y' >«w A,/ ^yit^.f

s*4s. ^ „ js^jt** &c» ' y)^ //ii^s i-y~> -<yyy i?*^ ^g ^ ayy^Ct .***> * #<!w.-^y>4

y<^~. -<f~ yf^y-ysiuj^'Jz^st.' y ~y&»tp* 1

From: Ceylon To: Berks, England October 15, 1942

A i r g r a p h F o r m s f rom Different C o u n t r i e s : • Look Similar, but are Not Alike • This is Ceylon ' s Standard Form on the Front Side • The 20 cent Postage and Instructions are on the Reverse

<- Microfilm Letter Small film reduction from full page original

2 . A i r g r a p h M a i l P r o c e s s B . C a r r y i n g t h e A i r g r a p h M a i l

I

6-uii.OFoKJ

1

<t?Z>y. KOutarn.n- n

^ &

P rk_ ^ • i l

H*Ttf At J rift 0cy$

From: Colombo, Ceylon To: Surry, England Christmas, 1942 Holiday Greeting drawn on Standard Ceylon Airgraph stationery form.

Forms were mechanically reproduced and preprinted with "Base Post Office Colombo Ceylon" imprinted.

R o u t i n g Ceylon A i r g r a p h s wi th Del ivery via t he B O A C E m p i r e Hor se shoe R o u t e

1. From Ceylon to Karachi, Karachi to Cairo, on to London via BOAC direct route along the north African coast.

2. From Ceylon to India and Persian Gulf, on to Cairo, then via Khartoum to Lagos, and via the African west coast to England.

Wart ime flights flown by the Royal Air Force (RAF).

J 2 i

RAF. «5ICNALS CENTRE

£ A N £ 0 3 A W | L U 1 , 10 OR SO

MILES FflOM COLOH&O,

Original Photo Tag

^, r^b

C i ut*zjrrt*^J\\*iKz tJi,

fntMrsu /

1 LtrtB« ,\

iff.e^iK'

: gL,Hf» \

j /-y

t ""'•' *""*

' w~s~ ' "

\ ^V.,2 ~"':-y \ x»w»vj'f£r •• \ s~ *rhi-u»«5'*ii--.

Ceylon's Location on the Empire Horseshoe Route

Ceylon Original Photo. Signal Centre handled Airgraph communications.

2 . A i r g r a p h M a i l P r o c e s s C . A i r g r a p h D e l i v e r y & t h e A i r g r a p h E n v e l o p e

No. 2 4 3

A I R 6 R A P

a i r g r a p h

a i r g r a p h

A i r g r a p h Del ivery:

• Film Arrives at Final Destination Images Printed and Cut from Roll Airgraph Folded, Put in Envelopes Original Eventually Destroyed

Cloud Logo Envelopes: Vary by Window Size & Preprinting of Datestamp

A i r g r a p h Enve lopes :

• T w o Different Logos • Varied Paper Quality & Color

• Postmark Differences

F ine Differences: • Envelope Overall Size

• Window Size & Shape • Flap " V " or Curved • Opening " V " Shape • Fine Printing Varieties

John Dickerson & Co., London provided a mechanized operation to insert Airgraphs into envelopes. The envelopes they manufactured bore this "Airgraph in the Cloud" logo.

Fo lded A i r g r a p h in E n v e l o p e - *

a i r g r a p h

3 . C e y l o n A i r g r a p h F o r m V a r i a t i o n s V a r i a t i o n s O n e T h r o u g h T h r e e

1

Re \ E n l-jn.v. »*i —&U -ft wv

r , . .

\ -A* V j4# Vldl.'** I* WT1J4 ,MA^ Wi "0 V I '«' juoJ . ^ U-i. L,.^J, i 6 r. tWi Ik) *i»« "- ,, ., Ii ...

«i. »< tWwjt v - W»*J ^ >-k w t>-« '• • .- *•<-••

bw*J t)k

tV*0 "\ V*. CX/,

• k^tdl ft

.».>. i%A l.

I n t r o d u c t i o n t o A i r g r a p h V a r i a t i o n s • Wording differences in instructions • Alignment differences between text sections

• Eight previously identified variations • Three new findings, shown with maroon text

Where Form Differences Occurred • Individual forms created to make a large printed

sheet. For these Airgraphs, 12 forms per sheet.

Four Across Three Down

4 - V a r i a t i o n O n e : "Sender ' s Address" instead of "Sender ' s Name and Address"

.1

. ^ UTw C W ft V'-M '* *~'U * W '

$hv*J

i> c^OV **.*H< • J. , l~ • ' W«^ ***** (*»»>»• '"* "ft

M

From: Colombo To: Newport, England April 17, 1942 Airgraph variety used within one month of service starting.

V a r i a t i o n T w o : - >

Missing "e" and no period after address.

~ i S m i^^^m- win..»•

«TftU*» •*

V a r i a t i o n T h r e e : - >

Alignment of the " S " of Sender below the

" m " of "message".

On the Standard Form "S" of Sender is below "t" of the.

T 2 L s~s -s-' s™'

^>

' - • i r ^

- 6 .

u -t* +0* flmj yo* &<?&( f"- /*>+* rfr^nm • sT t/^t~. -7

From: Colombo To: Berks, England September 30, 1942 With envelope used for this Airgraph. Single circle eds cancel.

3 . C e y l o n A i r g r a p h s F o r m V a r i a t i o n s V a r i a t i o n s F o u r & F i v e

V a r i a t i o n F o u r : >U The "S" of Sender below the "e" of "Write".

Envelope used for this Airgraph: Blue Postage Paid pre-printed CDS, 1943 with no date indicated. This was done for faster processing.

S-SifSiV &#4i* Sstl H!'<5-

SmUmr'B Stmt amd AMnu /fl O 7

*:

, n F/eiJ> &T 7

dor

a-

**yyu* -*^yy

*y= oJJ *»*<y ^ * ST**** * $ - *ZT^

st4 flvr v _

From: Ceylon To: South Wales, England April 28, 1942

V a r i a t i o n F i v e : - > The "S" of Sender below the "h" of "the".

i

WrtteUwswsM, l» very pUlnljr below «hh tins.

.V<w ami Addttm i +ysfr From: Colombo To: Cheshire, England August 13, 1943

3 . C e y l o n A i r g r a p h s F o r m V a r i a t i o n s V a r i a t i o n s S i x T h r o u g h N i n e

70 UK e. S/fts

/tiSCA

civ f/etp ur? f/tr MM> R £ ( r ftA

am C/oOAiC ftOSTOFffCC

yy*~*. u> *vt*/ttM^. ^/o-t-t cJU. t / i &^-o~_J\ tkaJc rjUot- f * u - -eS^x ^^M. -p**** -pr* <**

y»x / U+* *4^C 4Mr» 7^A» * - <tJby&Mt~ /•*«> « < e < U - ^ *f " A - * -&"* ^ t s / W ^ - « -

« U .*. fi^dc^ An . Z i ^ ^ o of -4*

< rx< ^><~ -^"-<. W 1 ^ T^U. O ^ ? . 4?

TL* I C~~ *•*#- -^»** tJU^lt- A ^ c < f t < ^ ^

From: Ceylon To: South Wales, England August 16, 1942

V a r i a t i o n s o n t h i s A i r g r a p h : - >

V a r i a t i o n S e v e n : "S" of Sender below "te" of Write.

W -j'j 'ss swMSf tsry plainly lMi«« :&» Bas.

8«Mtof'» N«»>i«

W h y the Form Variations? Forms Retyped

Alignment Differences Missing Characters & Changes

Forms Reprinted Characters Faded or Misprinted

Wartime Haste & Carelessness Supply Stock Variability—Paper & Printing

< - V a r i a t i o n S i x : "Name and Address" instead of

"Sender's Name and Address"

Example of Form Retyped Variation

From Airgraph Text Below: "I'm glad your Airgraphs are showing up regularly now."

Ml*. ^ T r V O < S o ^

^OrKfr*TP>

1 1

*«l'l,'*M

1 •hwW it* wniisn M i*r>j. as ;«MMtil« in BLOGst bM»«i**% wholly wittu»

•i»«»I m ' «

IN viitmmust NOT

;>* itaswrtttM.

V a r i a t i o n E i g h t : Missing "e" in The & "." Added after address

~~ V a r i a t i o n N i n e : Broken "e" in letters Newly Identified Variation

w >»IM •mm fry p 'T»»JQ

K

;

< * </ /- f *-* A#

J(jty£/V

*«J- —J>AMS#* •« W 1 From: Colombo To: Glasgow, Scotland November 12, 1942

3 . C e y l o n A i r g r a p h s F o r m V a r i a t i o n s V a r i a t i o n s T e n & E l e v e n

Var i a t i ons on th is A i r g r a p h ->

V a r i a t i o n T e n :

The "S" of Sender below the "e" of " the"

V a r i a t i o n E l e v e n : Printing at left, "should be written as" lightened.

Newly Identified Variation

mmm •• •w—

•!•

I

< /f/ss n actio

g* SpOC/r JLAfi/t

WAiSAU

1

I l i s

i

HIUH ittteer CH£ttt*/«l flucKt £N<,iANy

Wrlis ihs SMMSfp \*TJ Mlal» Ms

Rfl.ftnfi.'

i

/y£T ''+*<%?,*~j.f*~^ c^uZt-

. l£r~y< * * - = — « . 1 * * » » y r * ^ ^

/ M -CM*. iuj% j/L* j JL-.^ u, llf 4JLU, U-^t ft*yi

I

A\wlt /1*U,, e^^i^i y , ^ ~ ^

^ - j j ^ ! ^ '

W i * w »***/*,•*<*. ym%*+* tz+dj ~**¥* (*+

From: Ceylon To: Burks, England May 28, 1944

1 s From this Airgraph Text: "I'm back from my leave in the hills. I've seen some of the Lipton 's... I will try to visit again next time I go 'up Country'. "

ir W a r Ar t i s t D r a w n Hol iday G r e e t i n g • Added Graphic on Censor Area • Graphic Added to Address Box • RAF Censor Marking Preprinted • N o Message Space Provided • Imprinted "RAF Postal Service, Ceylon"

at form bottom right

Ceylon Holiday Greeting professionally printed onto Airgraph Standard Form

4 . C e y l o n A i r g r a p h s P r i n t i n g V a r i a t i o n s

Offset Impression of Reverse Side of Form -> Reverse image of form revealed on printed Airgraph: • Two 10c KGVI stamps at left • "For use of Services only" and Correspondence block • Form Use Directions over Correspondence block

Newly Identified Film Printing Variation Impressions from reverse attributed to photographing process.

•&Zg*Ke STREET. ,

m

imrwm M

large** POMsWHI Ml BLOCK fctum

MOT

Why did this happen?

Image of stamps shows from reverse

• Bright light used • Poor film setting • Thin paper form

Lithograph Print Showing Through

S.e.t.d.

*-P"*"""y«* i * * * * !

f f I It III SB//JJL •'*' <*« J. *.s*y

/ctt »//** 'tisjtr

***, ,4,. Ac,^, (

aec^y^kyiM^ Hyrt^r <\/s£.t' yy> -/«T* ^ - U yo ^c^f^f-^J^f & **' *.ly>^cero-*y fL*yt^ct -i* **** w f

y jJiotric yt^ryrr^ V ^ f i X ^

^utU ^*&y fe c*r>y r/u

<*. -tit cf dt £*6*-"3 1~ CsfsJL

/P From: Ceylon To: Dumfries, Scotland May 4, 1943

Two Drawn Greetings on Standard Forms. Above form with no impression from reverse side, to the right with a trace impression.

5 . C e y l o n A i r g r a p h s o n I n d i a n F o r m s F o r m D i f f e r e n c e s

India

Note proximity of Ceylon to India

These Airgraphs were sent from Ceylon based troops, but on Indian Stationery forms. Four Indian Airgraph forms were exclusively used for Ceylon Airgraph mail. The reason for this is not known, however, Ceylon Airgraphs were processed in Bombay, India until close to the end of the war. Troops moved between India and Ceylon as war conditions required. The Airgraphs shown here are the only recorded uses.

Differences Between Indian and Ceylon Airgraph Forms:

Ceylon Forms: • Centered Message Line • Side Bars Diagonal Hatched Lines

f y f t w / * ^ , ^

Indian Forms: • Left justified Message Line • Six Side Bars Vertical Lines,

- •«*•• ***7 alaity W»* i*i* as*

•md4..9.Hi *+****• y9f*t* )

From this Airgraph Text: "We have no pleasure of any description except the cinemas ten miles away in CENSOR."

Censor removal of town name, as shown below.

From This Airgraph Text:

" / have to say life here is pretty ghastly. " "With mosquito bites, heat bumps, life seems to be one eternal scratch... Right behind my billet, in the jungle, snakes of the poisonous variety are in abundance.''''

9 1 ft-o/,

lute rts-94-is <->A*n

V*~t V 4-*,^ ^», Sty ^ V UK,A* ,.y^ £i ikJfAm*

j*'* .y

«/ <nc ^(i^i /*—, *y**

A., < ~ £ T 4 « -> A ~ ?

J-M « t 4L~a v At*

v<v 4lc £* ** *-g A\M

ft ft*/ C** *4Y\*<i.t Jifi<x4fa y*.a*0* \/ fate*-. a •^ »t*y £ J .> CJ *£„ u* / & - • Sf 4&/U+-4

iyt/ teA^U Ay IU&/ 9 Jiu^&r V £ /%y^~,

MaJl^ t+y i < , <*Ut C/ £ '+.J4 ft KA AM jC^fu.

Kof JL~ C*C- *fb jf—A^*-?^****- tyf***

From: RAF Ceylon To: S. Wales England July 7, 1942 India form, this one with a long thin arrow pointing at the address box. Only Recorded Use known.

5 . C e y l o n A i r g r a p h s o n I n d i a n F o r m s

a i r g r a p h

» ^ O T H ^ ^ ^ Y^-^VvS

113

l ate .mm T—r llnHi tekw fkto I FIMM ••• taMnrtI*** «

l a p ^ J>3»csI

CfT LOM. COMMAND X'MAS ltd

g p t i l i D N ^

f r o m

C E Y L O N

I

C H R I S T M A S

1 9 4 3

I

£ t ^ , V

<- 1943 Envelope with closed date slug. Christmas Greeting from Ceylon on an Indian Airgraph form.

t• 1 T« t... •• .7 Ws*v t*>:« I

3f-

-****

H*Pf»s N-^*A%Af

"J *>ru*ll rv- (rfoufct -vrM^

• t t f l l n f dfeuJoT,

't'From: Queen's Royal Regt. Colombo To: Berks, England October 20, 1942 India Form with "Corr.64" at top right. Only Recorded Use known.

<r H.M.S. Ceylon: This Light Cruiser launched July 30, 1942, the H.M.S. Ceylon bombarded Japanese held territory.

RPPC Split Back Card. Printed by R.A. Fisk, Official Photographer for H.M.S. Fleet.

5 . C e y l o n A i r g r a p h s o n I n d i a n F o r m s

F o u r I n d i a n A i r g r a p h forms w e r e exclusively used for Ceylon A i r g r a p h mail . The reason for this is not known, but form likely were made for the separate Ceylon use, and the slight differences set them apart.

I n d i a n A i r g r a p h F o r m a t Shown Below: Instructional Text Left Justified Alternating Vertical Side Bars

II '•*• «*• »mn» «M7 ataarir *"*»* tfcl* BM>

**A*9.+jt tmi**Um» ftflti

a i r g r a p h

Wit* 7?# X V rU»

&~< Ly

t j - s ? Z L **J~"J r > K -A*

*TBU&f: •><a>«Ml

&

From: Colombo, Ceylon To: England September 24, 1942 India form "Sender's Address" in text box and "be Typewritten" on instruction box centered, shown below. Only Recorded Use known.

TH • i in

w « • *«

_ 1 fHl

Wit* /?' A /

LJ

^ f1i$% rl CftRTkR. ffyliTkSi ^tTTiaSk.

y \ *

•mssr

310642

r*i».•»•. *,. itm.i

w w y k $ M I3-//-4.Z

jiJeax $*.

Tut yJLy-

'&l<0*i

/ft

d**' Je^La y f .

A t . v you ?H*uy CLU^LT Vet,

-&y ?#«'/•*&

fc An^f J*.p yt-M. i v .

From: Colombo, Ceylon To: England November 13, 1942 India form with India Field and Unit Censor. This form has instruction box text size reduced, and spacing changed. Only Recorded Use known.

6 . C o m m e r c i a l U s e A i r g r a p h s f r o m C e y l o n

Businesses encountered delayed mail service during wartime, when prior air routes were changed to avoid "no fly" zones. When Airgraph service was extended to Commercial Correspondence, new forms were used. Airgraph use was welcomed, as it provided quick and inexpensive mail service.

C o m m e r c i a l Use A i r g r a p h F o r m s C o m m e r c i a l Use A i r g r a p h F o r m T y p e 1943 0 n l y ^ t y p e s j ^ o w n , as shown. • Larger feathered arrow, top left • Left at bottom line, "CAC Press Colombo" • "CAC Press Colombo" - Commercial only

Bleu K Inw,

THE SECRETARY, THE SEA INSURANCE CO., LTfc, EXCHANGE BUILSlNfiS, L IVERPOOL.

j^ ,3«3

t» ltn»HIW

.M»'i»«a<«te; *.o. aox so. U,

t*» tdtk o«%ri t«4).

Oolor.bo

B - j j . £ B , « a « « , » 8 a n a u e i a -

•». tew- n , -Jjltkfulijr,

BTiW, < I I I I •,

From: Ceylon To: Liverpool, England

Ex Keeton

October 28, 1943

C o m m e r c i a l A i r g r a p h F o r m T y p e 1944 vp • Instruction text above address box, centered • "To:-" added to address box • Space and italic ":" after "Sender's Name and Address" • Follows format of British Airgraph forms

p p - r

TO:-

A/A»S#AJ-I.'S TEA MACHINE*/

GAincftuiMiaH, £ft<SL»Nj>

To fc»

Mfutra >'••« n-rf Addr—*t fl'.T., *t—*»,

. --jallty- dn- --ml eorrfi'.l n* :-. I N« *r* ;uit« Mtl«fl*d witb that r*«ult. I

i "inaw! Mr tt *nd »I1 that MU •xpaoted. I am afraid '. bad tuita a long tirao but It la wry •

t*sTt«d. Things ar« la baylnnin,; apaae Ifl the west now and •far/bo-', • '!;-.(• SB pSTKlt

'r"ou>» |j

V -

Ex Keeton

Tea Industry Mail: " Marshall's Tea Machinery Co. Ltd." with F r o m : C e y ! o n T o : Gainsborough, England September 30, 1944 Production Details: Equipment dried tea at 350 pounds an hour.

'p From this Airgraph Text: "Things are going on apace in the west now and everyone here is beginning to feel more hopeful of prospects of leave...people will be going now as circumstances permit. "

7 . C o n c l u s i o n & E p i l o g u e C e y l o n A i r g r a p h s S e r v i c e E n d s

The End. On July 31, 1945, Airgraph service ends worldwide as WWII draws to a close.

E a r l i e r A i r S e r v i c e s T a k e U p

A i r g r a p h M a i l R o l e

The Air Letter, already in use, replaced the Airgraph. It needed no filming but still required censorship. On reverse:

• I

FOR USE OF H. M FORCES ONLY Written in . £ r (Language)

No.

er"s ]Sa!

Narr, NOTE: This airmail letter card need not be censored

Regimentaily. It is subject to censorship at the Base. The following certificate must be signed by the writer:—

I certify on my honour that ihe contents of this airmail letter card refer to nothing but private or family matters.

Signature.

S E C U R I T Y : THINK' B E F O R E Y O U W R I T E ! ! mmml

B Y A I R M A I L

If ANYTHING IS ENCLOSED THIS CARD WILL BE SENT

BY ORDINARY MAIL

ft ^ - n ^ b

<$>,,

A I R L E T T E R

I. A. F. F.

V I A A I R (?TT. CLcy+v*. e5%WYi3Z..

y , -»-» yy^ly * \

f& ZZ. *. te.w. SOTS (Emriuh) GREEN ENVELOPE low

s .

<r Faster "On Active Service" Airmail processing returned as cargo constraints eased. This cover: October 4, 1945

A.F.W. 3«7S (English)

A C T I V E

U.S. ex. 'amen^t^^s^hmmmMmmmAmkAaniifimiStm

Honor Mail "Green Envelopes" -> Eased the process of censoring. This cover: November 14, 1945

•*?.!#£ t ^.Jfe.

This envelope must not be used coin or valuables. It cannot be pteAfor registraiion.

4

Reverse of cover below, note Section Number cut out by censor.

,- Correspondent in this envelope i ...nof'.'Jit censored Regimentally.

fconi-etits are\ liable to examina-i A at'trfe-/ ' "' (Ihe / Certificate must be

ie34i£tlfe MRfeT :— v •"-/'v?," / ^ certify f on my honour (hat »_, ** cogttntsj of this envei-.thi • • nothing i'but, private and ft ^•*.jtcrs. _y i" :, > i y ^ ^ X ame onfy 7 , .

family

M.l.P.-G 402-I3

HmmraHmm*m*mtKt^mm$vm [Up to three l<fttgps*"'may ht

forwarded in this Cover, but thest must be all from the tame writer The cover should bt addressed m such case to the Bos* Censor.]

f ^ M Z

^zgy-jzf. * £?> &<t*f£?t/sf*4r.

5<&&. f

5 ^

The address-' should be written ae largo as possible in BLOCK letters wholly within this panel ** •

The address must NOT

be typewritten.

• -ivr-i ifimiiinf-n—'ii'i-n iwiiimii" nmmmn-Q;

5 . l _ o R E r v Z £ : * < % ,

S ' O U T r y / - j u s T R f t U n A

Write the message very plainly below this line.

Sender's Name and Address fcolombc Broadcasting Unit, Far Eastern Bureau, 229, Turret Eoad, Colomho, CEYLON.

DaUi August 3rd, 1945.

Bear Sir,

I hare to thank you for your very interesting monitoring

report of our Station dated June 22nd, 1945. I have checked it

with our log "book and found that all the items monitored by you tally

with our programme, broadcast on that day. I am passing your report

to the Engineering Section, who, I am sure, will be interested to

read it as well,

I thank you once again for the interest you have taken in

our broadcast and wi good llgtBnjwg.

From;- (JolomboJroadcasting Unit, * 229, Turret load, Colombo.

jjrfl faithfully,^ p

Offi cer~in~Charge.

After Era Use:

."••*•>. i

K

: 'I -

' V , '

. -•>-..

! & V

• :

^ W* *

i

c

Airgraph Sent by Airmail.

This Airgraph was sent three days after all Airgraph service ended worldwide. Backstamped August 3rd. Franked 16c for international postage.