Asking For Assistance - 1888 Registered Cover To Bayern And Returned To Writer

Dear experts,

I recently acquired this 1888 registered cover from Omaha to Bayern, Germany, possibly forwarded and then returned to the writer via the Dead Letter Office, as an addition to my Returned-to-Writer cover collection.



The original address is crossed out with a pen, and two sets of handwritten text (underlined) shown below are added. I have tried to decipher them, but I haven't had any success so far. Can somebody help me with this?





The reverse side of the cover is a very busy one, including an oval "REGISTRY BRANCH / NOV 2 / DEAD LETTER OFFICE", and numerous date stamps, which I am still working to decipher.

I also remember a dedicated topic/thread about the circular handstamp akin to the "U / 10 2 / 88" handstamp, which I understand is relevant to registered letters, but I can't find the topic/thread. So any information on this handstamp is also appreciated.



Thank you very much in advance, and any suggestion are welcome!

Cheers,
Hironobu

I can't help with the translation, but the circular mark with the "U" 10-2-88 is a handstamp mark used by a clerk in the Registry Division at the GPO in New York. It significes that the clerk has checked the back of the cover and verify that the flap is sealed properly. It is found on both foreign and domestic mail passing through the NY GPO.

A one frame exhibit with some information about these marks is available on Richard Frajola's Philamercury Exhibits page, and here is a link.

https://www.rfrajola.com/WS19/WS3.pdf

Mike L

Hello Mike, thanks so much for the detailed information on the Small Circular Design Examiner Markings. The one-frame exhibit on Frajola's website is superb, and I can now add a few lines to my album page!

- Hironobu