This site will provide a pictorial overview of Salvation Army (SA) philately. SA stamps have been issued in more than 40 countries since 1932. By 2019, there are 53 main issues with 153 SA stamps from all over the world. FOR DETAILED INFO, CLICK ON THE IMAGES
1932 – Netherlands Indies FDC
The first country to release stamps to commemorate the Salvation Army’s work was the Netherlands Indies (or Dutch East Indies), renamed Indonesia in 1948. The work started in 1894. Like in many other countries there was fierce opposition to the work. Seven years later a disastrous flood led to the government handling over the management of a Beggars’ Colony to the SA, where the natives were taught to earn a living. A set of four charity stamps was issued in 1932 to commemorate the event. There was an add-on on the postal value to support the SA in their work. Only plain FDCs are known from this issue. (Source: Ken Daws. The world of SA stamps, 1996).
1980 – UK – Harwich Citadel Corps Centenary
Very colorful British birds FDC; a Salvation Army cachet issued by Historic Relics. The cover celebrated the Centenary of the Harwich Citadel Corps (“One houndred years of worship and service”) and has a special Centenary postmark. Very rare cover! the Catalogue value is high (£ 110 – BFDC 2018) – Estimated value at least £ 70 (sold for £65 on Ebay Spring 2017). The cover is among the first issued by “Historic Relics”, I’ve traced covers from this issuer back to 1979.
1933 – Netherlands Indies postcard
A nice postcard with a scenery from Malan, Netherlands Indies. Three of the Salvation Army Community Welfare stamps has been placed on the frontside. Postmarked 12.09.1933 (not FDC) in Malan. Must be a rare cover.
1989 – Norway Polar Post
Very nice and rare Antartic cover from the German Antartic North Victoria Land Expedition in 1989. The expedtion was called Antartic Ganovex V with the ship M/V Polar Queen. The cover has the Norwegian Salvation Army centenary stamp on it (“Slum sister” Othilie Tonning) and postmarked “Packet boat”. Signed by the Captain! Very pictorial slogan postmarks!
SA 25 – Norway – Unlisted FDC
An unlisted Norwegian FDC was just obtained. The cachet is a business cover from Trondheim (A. Sivertsen) with 2 x 4 block of the Salvation Army centenary stamps. Cancelled at a local post office in Trondheim (Rosenborg). Very rare cachet, has not seen this before. Must certainly have been issued in limited edition.
SA 3 – Switzerland FDCs w/ singles
The Salvation Army celebrated its 75th anniversary in Switzerland 1958 with the characteristic bonnet pictured on the anniversary stamp. The Swiss FDCs of this anniversary serie was mostly issued with set of four different stamps. Here are a collection of cachets with single SA stamp. I just obtained the SA 3.2 with single stamp and have not seen it before.
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2015 – Belize infosheet
Salvation Army celebrated its centenary in Belize in 2015. Two stamps were issued, one showing a Christmas kettle (25 c) and the other the regional headquarter of the SA in Belize ($2). The territorial HQ is located on Jamaica.
1987 – Centenary Celebration Netherlands
Centenary Celebration in the Netherlands 1987. The ticket had the Centenary Salvation Army stamp of 1987 attached. The Jubileum was celebrated in Utrecht – Irene Hall, 17 October. This is a proof of access to the closing event. The color of the card indicated the space where the holder had a reserved space.
1984 – Christ – Hope of the world
In 1984 the Salvation Army reaffirmed the Gospel of Christ and chose the slogan: “Christ – Hope of the world”. The logo was also pictured on a cachet issued by Historic Relics. In addition to a UK issue, at least two other regions/countries (Isle of Man and Zaire!!) issued the cachet with related Salvation Army stamps.
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US & UK country combo
This months prospect is a Salvation Army world centennial country combo: US cachet Red Shield / text (Farnam – M#12) with US & UK stamps. Cancelled in Preston (UK) on the first day of issue for the UK stamps (09.08.1965). Likely a connoisseur FDC: The US cachet and stamps were issued one month before the UK FDC. Extremely RARE – only two known items issued.
SA 4.22 – Multistamped US FDC
A multistamped US Salvation Army FDC (SA 4.22 – Farnam Red Shield FDC) was just obtained. In addition to commemorating the Centenary of the Salvation Army (SG 1249), it has stamps picturing various other voluntary organizations, for example Red Cross and Scouts. Very RARE combo, has not been observed before, but somewhat similarly stamped as this SA 4.24 combo.
Helping Hands FDC
A Private Espresso cover with the Helping Hands overprint was obtained. Very rare postmark (Ulisba). The cover is Multistamped with 2 x 4 block + 1 Stanley Gibbons 1138 Unwetter in der Switzerland stamp (Helping Hand overprint on SG 1109).