GB Offices Abroad: Middle East Forces (M.E.F.)

I'm a new member and I've been exploring the site. There hasn't been any posts on this GB M.E.F. thread since 2017. So, if any of the administrators think my reply should be moved somewhere else, please do so with my apologies. 

M.E.F stamps, however, are quite interesting. Just one example, from August 23, 1950 any unused M.E.F. stamps were permitted for use in the UK. Before then, they were only used and postmarked outside the country. 

Here is an example of a 3d George VI M.E.F. stamp (Sc. 4) posted on a January 26, 1955 cover from Woodford Green in Essex to Los Alamos, California. (wait for it!) 

At some point, someone (presumably a US postal worker) crossed out California and wrote in New Mexico. They also stamped the evelope four time front and back with an "Advise correspondents or publishers of your correct adress". The thing is, someone must have at some point realized that there is, in fact, a Los Alamos in California as well. The arrival stamp on the back of the cover is from Los Alamos, California on February 15. There is no stamp from New Mexico. 

Of course, the other possibility is that it did indeed go to Los Alamos, California in the first place. Today, in 2024, the population of Los Alamos California is about 1,800 people. I assume in 1955 it was even less. So, it may be that the item was then stamped with the "Advise" notice, the state was changed, and the item was forwarded to it's intended recepient in New Mexico. And, no New Mexico arrival stamp was used. 

Who knows? What is known is that Los Alamos was a closed town until 1957. Until then, when the AEC pulled back the security perimeter, no visiters were permitted without a permit. 

MEF
My enquiry from 2003

I should have thought of that ... great, thanks. 

That would argue that the letter really was meant to go to to New Mexico in the first place and the sender just put down the wrong state. In which case, it went to California, to a small town that just happend to have the same name, ended up with an arrival postmark in Los Alamos CA, and was then forwared to New Mexico.

During the war mail to Los Alamos used the mailing address PO Box 1663, Santa Fe, NM. Even though it was still a 'closed' city, it's existance had been made public in August of 1945. So, I assume in 1955 mail was being sent directly.

Covers can be fascinating. 

Very Nice, but I would have liked to see a separate page, of the cancelled stamps which you have wisely saved.

Nowhere, have I come across an  MEF postmarks discipline.
Like your 5/- LONDON parcel
and your "corrispondenze"  (sic) strike.    (Solved = ERITREA =Double ring Bridge CDS  ASMARA CENTRO / CORRISPONDENZE E PACCHI  ) seen on cover 1944 to BUEA   (English Cameroons)
GHIND ?

Eritrea   DECAMERE (Decemhare)




ASMARA CENTRO ERITREA

Fabulous.  Thanks Hugh.
GHINDA indeed  (I assume a favour cancel)

link

gstamps

Nice one !   (The perfect S.O.N.) ? 
VAGLIA = Money Order

a year or two back I was besotted with these WW II British Military ovpts. - sadly, as with most of my collection they lack order and proper curation. But just to add a little to this conversation am attaching pix of a few that may be of possible interest.

Another intriguing cover from my dad's philatelic materials that have been in boxes since his death in 1957. There are postmarks 15 May 1957 (presumably a London postmark) and 20/21 May 1957 Tacoma, Washington. I suspect it was mailed from London (perhaps from J.A.L. Franks, 180, Fleet St., London E.C.4 based on a similar postal envelope). I think there are 15 different stamps on the envelope, but none from later than 1952. Below I have listed what I think are their Scott numbers and their values (unused/used), and many appear to be moderately valuable. I have three questions for the experts in the group: (1) Did all these stamps contribute to the postage? (2) If not, were some of the stamps affixed simply so they would receive cancellation marks and increase their value? (3) Does the date of cancellation matter for used stamps (other than for a First Day Cover)?

FRONT OF ENVELOPE
Top row (left to right): Great Britain Offices Abroad (GBOA):
(Morocco) 1949 #531 A101 2p lt org (II) 8.00/10.50
(Middle East Forces) 1943 #11 A101 2p light orange 2.25/1.25
(Morocco) 1949 #249 A101 2p lt orange 3.50/12.50
(Middle East Forces) 1942-43 #2 A101 2p orange 3.00/6.00
Embossed 6p stamp integral to a “Overseas Registered” Great Britain Postal Envelope

Left side
Upper stamp:
(Morocco) 1950-51 #553 A101 2p lt red brn 1.10/4.50
Lower stamp:
(Middle East Forces) 1942-43 #2 A101 2p orange 3.00/6.00

Lower right side, left to right:
(Morocco) 1951 #266 A101 2p lt red brown 2.25/7.75
(East African Forces) 1943 #2 A101 2p light orange 1.75/1.75

BACK OF ENVELOPE
Single 2p stamp: (Morocco) 1950-51 #553 A101 2p lt red brn 1.10/4.50
1 1/2p stamps:
Overprint Morocco Agencies:
1949 #248 A101 1 1/2p lt red brown 3.00/9.50
1951 #265 A101 1 1/2p green 2.00/12.50
1952 #272 A126 11/2p green .25/.25 (QE II)
Overprint Tangier:
1937 #517 A101 1 1/2p red brown (Blue overprint) 2.50/.75
1936 #513 A99 1 1/2p red brown .25/.25

Great Britain 1939 #245 A103 8p 3.00/.85
Great Britain 1938 #242 A102 5p 1.80/.95