Postmark Calendar

October 24, 1961 ...

and a CDS from Gaza was applied to this FDC with two UAR issued occupation stamps. The United Arab Republic was a short-lived union of Egypt and Syria between February 22, 1958 and September 28, 1961 when, following a coup d'etat in Syria, the union was ended. However, Egypt continued to be known officially as the UAR until it was formally dissolved in September 1971.

This cover, therefore, was cancelled after Syria had pulled out of the UAR. 

The UAR stamps, also issued on this date, celebrated the UN Technical Assistance Program (UNTAP) and the 16th Anniversary of the UN. The stamps on the cover, however, which were printed in different colours, are the 'occupation' version of the stamps and were produced for use in Palestine (Gaza). Egypt had occupied the Gaza strip since 1948. 

Stamps:
UAR - UNTAP / World Refuge Year (Occupation Series)
Issued on October 24, 1961

10m, Dark Blue and Orange
Sc. N81

35m, Vermilion and Black
Sc. N82

Postmark/Cover of the day
25 October 1978
Liverpool Cathedral Dedication Liverpool
Geoff (GBCC) www.gbcovercollector.co.uk

Postmark/Cover of the day
26 October 1979
Souvenir London Championship Show Alexandra Palace London N22
Geoff (GBCC) www.gbcovercollector.co.uk

A First Day Cover for a Finland Semi-postal 3-stamp set issued 26 October 1951 to aid in the prevention of tuberculosis. Three European birds are featured on the engraved stamps: the Eurasian capercaillie (a very large grouse), the Eurasian crane (the only common crane in Europe), and the Caspian tern (the largest of the terns with scattered populations breeding on five continents). The Scott catalogue lists the current values of either mint or used stamps, regardless of denomination, as US$2.75. Scott B107 SP87 7m + 2m dark green; B108 SP87 12m + 3m rose brown; B109 SP87 20m + 5m blue. This is another FDC from my Dad’s philatelic materials.

October 27, 1945



A strip of 4 from the definitive series depicting King Gustaf V. Postmark is a Type 33 from Mangen, located in the landscape of Värmland.

October 27, 1915 ...

and an Imperial German Army feldpost cancel was applied to this real photo postcard (RPPC) being sent to Klein-Laufenburg -- a town in Baden on the German side of the border with Switzerland.

The correspondent was in the 12th Landwehr Division. This division was formed in April 1915 with elements of the Landwehr along the front in the west of France. At the time this cover was sent, they were on occupation duty between the valley of Munster and Cernay. A Landwehr division had 3rd level troops that had passed from active or reserve status, and older men, and was usually not intended, unless required, for heavy combat. 

There is a blue censor handstamp of the 14th Army Corps --  essentially the army of the Grand Dutchy of Baden long since incorporated into the Imperial Army.

Presumably, the men in the photo are the correspondent and a couple of comrades. Or, maybe just friends. The message on the card might explain who they are but I need to work on deciphering the handwriting.

Indeed it is, thanks for pointing it out. 

It helps with the context and fills in a few gaps. General Gaede was the deputy commander of the 7th Army at the start of the war. After the Battle of Lorraine, the rest of the army moved west. General Gaede was left behind with three Landwehr Brigades under his command. Initially, as Army Group Gaede [Armee-Grouppe Gaede] in September 15, 1914. Then, from January 30, 1915, as the commander of Armee-Abteilung Gaude. The difference being that in the first case he still reported to the commander of the 7th Army. In the second, his detachment was independent, an army unto itself. 

The extreme left of the German front (where Baden meets France and Switzerland) was not very active ... hence the Landwehr troops. General Gaede was 63. He died in 1916 and the detachment was renamed Armee-Abteilung B and, under that name, continued to occupy the front lines near Switzerland.