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Auction: 8021 - British Empire Stamps and Covers
Lot: 762

Gilbert and Ellice Islands Covers and Cancellations Official Mail Undated envelope from Lt. A. Taylor, a New Zealand Coastwatcher in the islands, showing very fine circular "official paid/on/active/service" cachet (Type P9) with Type C1 Censor cachet alongside, both in violet; the envelope with some minor peripheral tears. Extremely rare, only two covers are recorded from the coastwatchers. Photo Estimate £ 1,000-1,200 Note: The Japanese never reached the Ellice Islands, and all coastwatchers there survived. In the first small raid on North Gilberts, three coastwatchers were captured and immediately sent as POWs to Japan; they survived. All the other Gilbert Island coastwatchers were captured and murdered by the Japanes. Taylor´´s name is on the Tarawa War Memorial.

Sold for
£950