Help.1951-2 Military Covers, Fort George Meade, MD. & Other

What would be the story behind the postage due marking?



What is the explanation for difference in cancellation time on the next 2 covers?





There is an interesting story behind all of the covers on this posting. See first reply.

I was given a box and 3 plastic grocery bags full of covers by a new
friend who had learned I am a stamp collector. They were from her aunt's homeFound when cleaning it outafter she had moved into a care center.

These covers were among 75 Between Mr. Keaton and Miss Singleton. They dated for 8 yrs. and he proposed to her several times but she always said "no" and never did marry.

Although the covers are of the 5-10 cent variety, they c aught my attention. Mr Keaton was a relative, deceased yrs.ago, of my mother-in law, and the covers are a record of his military career. I have recently met his brother and had a great time talking about Dorphus.

I had almost sold them off to dealers with out looking at them as I am not really a cover collector.

No matter how mundane such gifts may seem always look through them.
You might find something of interest.

Hi Wil- My guess is that it was probably overweight - is there any indication that the the card / enclosures bulged out the seams of the envelope? Dave

It doesn't appear to have been over stuffed. My thinking is that he turned it in and as he walked away he saw the clerk stamp the postage due. Realizing what he had done, he asked the clerk if he could buy a stamp and affix it to the letter and did so before it went on through the system where it received the cancellation.

I have never been in a military postal facility so it is just a guess.

as far as the difference in cancellation.
The one with the DC postmark was done in DC, he was probably of the base when he mailed.
DC is less then 30 miles form Fort Meade.