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World War I postcard

National Postal Museum
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Object Details

Description
This postcard is part of a wider trend of sending picture postcards during World War I. The image on the front shows a local church, though it was also common for cards to have a sentimental or propaganda theme. The short message shares reassurances and good wishes between two servicemen brothers.
From the change of address marked in red pencil it can be seen that this postcard was redirected to a field hospital (APO 930 was in Treves, Germany). Redirections such as this were controlled by the Central Records Office, who received reports from all fronts including military bases and field hospitals. Because it was sent by a serviceman it is franked for free postage. The numbered purple censorship stamp indicates that this postcard was censored by a specific organization, probably the serviceman’s unit, before it was mailed.
World War I saw the beginnings of the US Army Post Office, the first postal system in the world to be clearly distinguished from an established government postal system. It became a separate organization following tensions over the War Department’s reluctance to disclose to the Post Office Department the locations of military units, making their task near impossible. Although the branches established during World War I were disabled at the end of the war, a precedent was set for the managing of mail in all future conflicts.
References
Sackett, Richard W. “The Beginning of the American APO”. The American Philatelist 932 (1978): 857-867.
Sanford, Hennen M. The Mail of the A.E.F. American Expeditionary Forces. The American Philatelic Society, Maryland, 1940.
Van Dam, Theo, ed, The Postal History of the AEF, 1917-1923. New York, The War Cover Club, 1990.
February 11, 1919
Object number
0.260305.15.74.1
Type
Covers & Associated Letters
Medium
paper; ink
Dimensions
Height x Width: 3 7/8 x 5 1/2 in. (9.84 x 13.97 cm)
Place of Origin
FRANCE (republic)
See more items in
National Postal Museum Collection
National Postal Museum
Topic
Covers & Letters
Record ID
npm_0.260305.15.74.1
Metadata Usage (text)
CC0
GUID (Link to Original Record)
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/hm8a0e52375-2847-4bcd-9f8c-c35c873d0ac7

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This image is in the public domain (free of copyright restrictions). You can copy, modify, and distribute this work without contacting the Smithsonian. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Open Access page.
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