Today in Postal History
Indo-China to India
February 27, 1934
This cover was sent to a stamp dealer so it might
be classified as 'philatelic'
although in all other respects it is a normal commercial cover.
It doesn't look like much effort went into making it special.
It was postmarked with two single ring CDS from
Saigon.Commerce . Cochinchine.
I'm not sure what the Commerce signified although it sounds
like it might be a branch of the post office in a commercial district.*
Anyone know?
The stamps are from the 1931 regular issue;
one 10c dark blue planting rice (Scott 158) and one 5c
deep violet Tower at the ruins of Angkor Thom (Scott 154).
From 1919, stamps in Indo-China were denominated in cents and piastres
and not in French centimes and francs, as they were earlier.*
This occurred because of the rapid appreciation of the piastre over the
franc.
On first glance, it might seem that a stamp is
missing
to the right of the two stamps but I doubt if it is anything more than
streaks of dirt.
There is no cancel for a missing stamp.
The Indo-China foreign rate was 15 cents from 1 July 1933 to 7 June
1938.*
All in all, a neat cover between two exotic locations not often seen.
*Thanks to Paul for the comments expanding these
subjects.
He agrees with the liklihood that Commerce indicated a post office in
a commercial district.
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