Description
Striking World War II patriotic cover featuring the Walter T. Poppenger (Akron, OH) cachet “Wake Island Marines Now in Jap Prison Camp” with the slogan “America is not free till they are freed!” Mailed as a soldier’s “Free” letter and canceled U.S. Army Postal Service, A.P.O. 525, Aug 9, 1943-right in the Sicily campaign window. Clear magenta boxed censor marking “PASSED BY U.S. EXAMINER 10094.” Addressed to Dayton, Ohio.
Highlights
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Bold Poppenger Wake Island/Uncle Sam patriotic cachet (popular WWII design)
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APO 525 cancel dated Aug 9, 1943 (in-theater Sicily period)
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Soldier’s Free franking with legible U.S. censor handstamp
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Powerful home-front theme referencing the Wake Island POWs
Condition notes
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Clean, legible APO cancel and censor; cachet colors strong
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Light toning/handling consistent with age; corner/edge wear; pencil notations present (see photos)
A compelling intersection of home-front propaganda art and front-line postal history. Please view all photos for the best assessment of condition. We offer combined shipping on postal covers.
#49
