Description

1940 (Jun 4) Plain envelope with burn signs to edges & vertical creases to business address in London via Air France bearing Gold Coast 3d & 1/- tied Takoradi cds & with Gold Coast Censorship label & handstamp..On 10 June over Ouistreham (Calvados) The French Air Defence shot the plane down killing the Radio Operator but the Pilot survived as did some mail. This letter bears violet Detained in France During German Occupation & a later unframed SERVICE POSTAL FRANCAIS /Correspondance Retarde / par accident d’ Avion /Priere de ne Pas Taxer ( translates to French Postal Service correspondence delayed by Plane crash do not Tax) Interestingly the reverse as well as having senders details has in red ink “Rec’d in this condition, Cheque 15/- Initials, 14/6/45….

An extraordinary item 5½ years in transit… Nierinck devotes all of page 138 to this item listed as 400610 yet leaves it unpriced !! a rarity & full of character & intrique