An Interesting WWII Cover

This is one of the cheapest covers I've ever bought, but I think it's beautiful.

Sent from Halle in Germany, to Bourges in France, 13 June 1943.

Why do I like it? Firstly, the franking, a nice combination of colours, paying the correct rate. Secondly, it's registered. Thirdly, it has an as yet unidentified marking ("Ae"). Fourthly, it's addressed to one of the state-owned aircraft manufacturers in France. And last, the sender has a French-sounding name.

I wonder what stories this cover could tell? I've done no research on it at all yet, but I'll add it to he list of things to get around to!

jubillee
check out this on Google.
Gabriel Poulaine
Other searches reveal a socialist political background.
very interesting

I'm going to get sucked into looking at buying covers more and more, I just know it. I can't make it through all the stamp dealers at a bourse; how am I going to add in the cover dealers, too?

Curse you, Red Baron!

Covers like this pop up from time to time, and I think that only those collectors who are into social history as well are attracted to them. Until proven otherwise, this cover is virtually worthless, but it's visually appealing and seems to have a story to tell.

I'd say that was a VERY interesting cover. Occupied France from Germany to what looks like a French military officer (Vichy?). Bourges appears to be an administrative centre, thereby adding to the possible significance of this transmission. Registration was then - as now - expensive - and almost always involved important documents or money. It would be interesting to check out "Halle."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bourges

SNCAC was the Societe Nationale de Construction Aeronautique du Centre, and was based in Bourges. It was a French aircraft manufacturer created when the aircraft manufacturers Farman, Hanriot and Loire-Nieuport were nationalised in 1936. It was under German military control during World War II, and in 1943 would have been producing the Siebel Si 204s light transport plane for the Luftwaffe - after liberation the French continued manufacture but redesignated the plane the NC700. SNCAC was liquidated in 1939 and its assets distributed to other nationalised manufacturers (such as the SNCAN..."...du Nord")

Halle (Saale) is the town in in Germany also called Halle an der Saale (Halle on the River Saale).

The "Ae" cancellation is the indication that the censor has censored the mail inside - see http://www.warcovers.co.uk/shop/194...UR-Camp.html.

Indeed, an attractive cover,
Is that Montgolfier's balloon as a paper watermark under the address?
Very unusual.

That is great info re the "Ae" and very much appreciated. I was wondering why the darn thing wasn't censored! Also, thanks for the link to the war covers site, which is now bookmarked for posterity. I would guess then, that my cover is worth more than the £1 I paid for it!

Superbly spotted Rod. I have to say I didn't see that. although I saw the "Balon" on the reverse. Is that perhaps a French "statement" being made?

I wonder if ever there was a stamp issued with A.Hitler facing full front.. all his stamps seem always on a side-view, like a mug shot?

To the best of my knowledge, no there wasn't. But, to keep historical perspective, neither was there one for Queen Victoria, King Edward VII, King George V, King Edward VIII, King George VI or Queen Elizabeth II!

I dare say there were none for American presidents either.

Full-face, frontal portraits have never been in favour. However, I accept the point that some subjects deserve "mug-shots" more than others!

I'd say that is rather appropriate!

Cher is the prefect in which the city of Bourges resides.

Germany Scott B102 is the closest stamp with Hitler facing front. It's not a full frontal view, but you can see both eyes at least.

The U.S. McKinley postal card with him facing front is an expensive ticket item. I believe his wife didn't like it and most were destroyed.
Will

That is a very interesting historical people preference jubilee.
Aside from them not prefering frontal features, perhaps there are some political or vain benefits to having side views of their heads only?
Interesting to note all those VIPs had prefered only side views

I think one side of MY head is better than the other, so perhaps they do to!