**** UNION-CASTLE STEAMSHIP COMPANY ****
Rare & Probably Unique Vintage "LLANSTEPHAN CASTLE" Artist Post Card
Written & CENSORED in France just weeks before Armistice
A.E.F. 346TH (ACORN) DIVISION IN FRANCE 1918-1919
*********************************
AMERICAN MILITARY CENSOR MARK ON BRITISH COMPANY POST CARD USED BY TRANSPORTED AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES (A.E.F.) IN FRANCE in 1918.
******************
AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCE (A.E.F.) 346TH DIVISION - the ACORN DIVISION - was raised in Minnesota, Arkansas and Tennessee. They trained at Camp Pike, Little Rock, Arkansas. They were sent east, where they mustered in at Camp Dix, to await their transport from Hoboken (New Jersey) to the War in France, in September 1918.
ORIGINAL ARTIST COLOR POSTCARD "UNION-CASTLE LINE EAST AFRICAN STEAMER LLANSTEPHAN CASTLE (11,293 TONS)" was issued by the British Union-Castle Mail Steamship Company when the vessel was completed in January/February 1914 in Glasgow by Barclay, Curle & Co.
As soon as she was delivered, RMS Llanstephan Castle departed London on
her maiden voyage to East and South Africa. However, during her second
voyage on the homeward sailing, a report came to the captain that the
German cruiser “Konigsberg” was in the vicinity. The ship was
immediately turned around, destination Durban, South Africa. Upon her arrival, the Union-Castle Company transferred her to the London, South African West
coast service. In 1917 she was requisitioned for the war effort. After conversion to a troop transport, she was
placed on the North Atlantic run.
The divided-back postcard is addressed to Memphis, Tennessee, and across the stamp box (top right) is written "Officers Mail"*. The card was censored by "1st. Lt. Neil Kallaghan(?) 346th Inf. A.E.F.", and his written message "Some trip !" Below is a partial and slightly-smudged U.S. Military Censor Mark type 3.2 (or 3.3), struck in purple ink.
* U.S. Military mail in WW1 was delivered free of charge, thus no postage stamps were required for mailing.
Good to Fine condition - highly collectable - soft corners & edge wear - RARE USAGE (see images) of a British ship used as a Military Transport for American troops to France.
AMAZING, RARE (POSSIBLY UNIQUE) VINTAGE 100-YEAR-OLD CENSORED POSTCARD OF MILITARY, SOCIAL & HISTORICAL IMPORTANCE.
SHIPPED IN A TOUGH, CLEAR,POSTCARD HOLDER
PLEASE NOTE SHIPPING RECOMMENDATIONS
==========================================================
SCANNED IMAGES ARE PART OF THE DESCRIPTION : PLEASE NOTE : WHITE POSTCARDS :
==========================================================
Any yellow, light brown, or lemon-color areas are from my scanner unless described as "FOXING" or 'YELLOWING". ALL postcards are FULLY described. Any silver or white vertical lines are likewise from my scanner or from clear plastic coverings. Small faults are likely on VINTAGE POSTCARDS. Thank you.
VERY SCARCE vintage postcard in very fine condition !! It has been stored in a smoke-free atmosphere. WE COMBINE SHIPPING FOR MULTIPLE PURCHASES.
See all UNION-CASTLE SHIP POSTCARDS (1900s - 1970s) on offer in our eBay Store !!
KINDLY NOTE
WE SELL SHIP POSTCARDS, COVERS, AND STAMPS OF THE BRITISH COMMONWEALTH and FINE WORLDWIDE TOPICAL/THEMATIC ISSUES.
PITCAIRN ISLANDS
WE HANDLE ALL ASPECTS OF PITCAIRN'S POSTAL, PHILATELIC, AND SOCIAL HISTORY, INCLUDING WORLDWIDE PITCAIRN-RELATED ISSUES
SHIPPING/HANDLING _________
WE COMBINE SHIPPING ON MULTIPLE PURCHASES
U.S.A. : FIRST CLASS MAIL $2.95 :: INSURED MAIL $6.95 with tracking
WORLDWIDE : AIRMAIL $4.50 NO TRACKING
REGISTERED AIRMAIL $22.95 with tracking is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Items are always well packaged, to prevent any damage in the mail
_____________________________________________________________
PLEASE CHECK OUR EXCELLENT POSITIVE FEEDBACK RATING, AND BID WITH CONFIDENCE. PLEASE ADD "GALASALES" TO YOUR LIST OF FAVORITE SELLERS, AND VIEW ALL ITEMS WE CURRENTLY OFFER ON EBAY, AS WELL AS IN OUR EBAY STORE. KINDLY ARRANGE PAYMENT WITHIN 7 DAYS OF THE END OF THE SALE. WE LEAVE FEEDBACK NOT LATER THAN THE DAY WE SHIP OUR ITEMS. THANK YOU.