I have just collected six U.S. Salvation Army combo First Day Covers, primarily attributed to Frank Krieger, who skillfully assembled them. Each cover is authentic to its date of issue, complete with postmarks on the stamps. These are rare finds, not seen before in these combinations.
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A rare find: the Canadian Salvation Army Centenary First Day Cover (FDC), issued on June 25, 1982. This remarkable cover features a unique handpainted cachet by artist Endel Toiger from Scarborough, complemented by a Scarborough meter postmark and a single SG 1046 stamp. This extraordinary cachet has not been seen before and is potentially one of a kind.
SA 8b – Barbuda 1978 – 10th Anniversary statehood. Salvation Army motif: Vere Cornwall Bird, Prime Minister of Antigua, former Salvation Army Officer. Overprinted “Barbuda” on Antigua Anniversary stamp set. Issued two months after the Antigua set.
The SA 50th Anniversary (Golden Jubilee) was celebrated with a special commemorative item issued on June 5, 1987. This item features a cachet displaying a dark blue Jubilee logo and includes a single stamp (SG 2029). It is signed by Commissioner Earl Maxwell who was Territorial Commander in the Philippines at that time.
In Peru, on November 3, 2000, a special commemorative stamp was issued to celebrate the 90th Anniversary of SA. This postcard FDC bears a single stamp (SG 2075). I’ve not seen this on eBay before, indicating its rarity. The postcards were created using designs from the SA Int’l Heritage Centre in London and include at least four distinct frontsides:
The 90th Anniversary of the Salvation Army in Peru was marked with a special stamp issued on March 11, 2000, postmarked in Lima. Two maxicards showcasing the “Children’s Home” were released by the Post Office. These maxicards are considered rare, as they seldom appear on platforms like eBay. I have encountered them only once, but unfortunately, they were sold before I could purchase them. Therefore, this is a reference cover and not part of my collection.
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A very scarce Svalbard postal item recently obtained on a Norwegian auction site. It commemorates the Salvation Army centenary in Norway and was issued on 18 February 1988, the official first day of issue. The piece carries the 9176 Bjørnøya postmark paired with the Longyear POLAR Filateli meter slogan—an unusual and rarely encountered combination.
The 160th anniversary of the international Salvation Army was commemorated on an issued by the Central African Republic in 2024 (half a year too early). The motifs were SA’s Red Shield services & William Booth. The issued was made by Stamperija (a motif stamp issuer) on behalf of the postal office of Central Africa. Remark: These are numbered proofs signed by the post office services (no. 001!!!)
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This NRC Canadian First Day Cover, adorned with the traditional Canadian Maple Leaf, showcases a rare postmark canceled at the House of Commons. I have not come across one with this cancellation before.
Switzerland 1987: Flood Relief w/ Helping Hands overprint
These cachets feature the “Helping Hand” overprint, a Salvation Army logo from the 1982 issue, on the “Unwetter in der Schweiz” issue, dated September 7, 1987. Both items are postmarked in Zurich. Each cachet includes the SG 1138 (Helping Hand overprint on SG 1109) along with the original SG 1109 stamp. Notably, one of the cachets includes a four-block arrangement, likely crafted by an enthusiast.
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Salvation Army Centenary in Canada, 1982. Cachet featuring a hand-painted cross with the text: “A Century in the Lord’s Service.” Includes a combination of Canadian SG 1046 and US Salvation Army stamp (Stanley Gibbons 1249). Remark: This rare cachet is likely unique and has not been seen before!
Suriname 1987: Celebrating the Salvation Army Centenary & International Year of the Homeless. This special cover features gutter pairs adorned with three-colored stars, which are rarely seen on this issue. This issuance serves as a valuable reminder of the centenary celebration while highlighting important social issues.