Monthly Archives: November 2019

1991 – Russia – New beginning

1991 – The Salvation Army starts anew in Russia

The Salvation Army initiated work in Russia in 1910. After the Feburary 1917 revolution the work flourished, Russia became a distinct command and reinforcements arrived from Sweden. However, as result of the October revolution they had to be withdrawn at the end of 1918, leaving 40 Russian and Finnish officers to continue the work under extreme hardship until the Army was finally proscribed in 1923. Salvation Army activities were officially recommenced in Eastern Europe in July 1991, with the arrival of Lieut-Colonels John and Bjørg Bjartveit from Norway, beginning in Leningrad (St. Petersburg). The present cover commemorates the new beginning. Limited edition (250 ex). Source: https://www.thesalvationarmy.ru/about/history

1965 – US – Ben Kraft FDC

SA 4 – Handpainted Ben Kraft

This Ben Kraft FDC was just discovered on Ebay. Ben Kraft is known for making handpainted add-ons on US FDCs. His covers spans from 1940 – 1980s and he often had a humorous touch to his paintings. Some of them are still possible to obtain for affordable prices, others are quite rare and expensive.  The SA cover is quite rare and has a picture of Mickey Mouse as Santa Claus with a Salvation Army Christmas kettle, an illustration that actually has been seen also on a later Grenada 1983 FDC. The cover is unlisted in the SA FDC catalogue.

General info about add-ons: Uncacheted First Day Covers that have an added cachet is usually called an “add-on” cachet.  These are done after the stamp has been issued – usually several years later.  This cachet can be either hand painted – hand colored, computer generated,  rubber stamp ink, sticker added or even printed on a press.  However created, the cachet “enhances” the cover and usually makes it quite attractive.  These add on cachets are usually done in small quantities and thus are really quite scarce!  The value of an add on cachet FDC is simply determined by the market place – what one will buy.  Many artists are now painting cachets on older issues and have quite a following.  Auction prices can be quite high! (Source: US FDC seller dwa7)

1932 – Netherlands Indies FDC

SA 1.1 – SA Community welfare 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

1980 – Birds FDC – Harwich citadel

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.

1989 – Norway Polar Post

1989 – Antarktispost Ganovex

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!