At Bobgggg's request, Canadian "Blackout" Cancels.
The longest battle of WWII was The Battle of the Atlantic. From 1939-1945, the RCN was tasked with protecting merchant shipping convoys crossing the North Atlantic, from the feared German U-Boats.
Convoy operations were Top Secret, and everything was done to protect the known whereabouts of ships. Remember "Loose Lips Sink Ships!". As well, it was important for ships that were sunk (and if the Germans subsequently recovered their crew and/or cargo) their identity was hidden as much as possible. Thus, things like the cap tallies of RCN sailors no longer read their ship (H.M.C.S. Restigouche, or example), but rather, just H.M.C.S.
As merchant and naval shipping carried mail, too, the Canadian Post Office Department introduced hand and machine cancellers, that lacked the city and Province, from which the mail was posted. The purpose was that if the ship was sunk and the Germans recovered the mail, they could not tell from which port that ship was despatched.
The blackout cancels were used in cities on both coasts from November 1942-October 1945. Their use was officially discontinued in September 1945. I have never seen, nor has anyone I have spoken with, a November 1942 blackout cancel. My earliest cover dates from May 13, 1943; with a return adress in Rimouski, PQ.
Here are the first type of hand cancellers:
This is the second type:
Note the absence of a City or Province name.
The above type is sometimes referred to as a "whiteout" cancel. This is an incorrect term.
All of this high security works great, except when there is a return address. Like this:
Bad for National Defence, good sixty-five years later in helping collectors acertain which machines and hand cancellers were used in which cities and towns.
Here's a nice cover from 1944 with a wavy line cancel on Hotel Vancouver stationery... airmail no less! This type of machine cancel was used in Vancouver, and those who study them have confirmed that to me.
Slogan machine cancels, used on regular mail, was also used on blackout cancellers as well. Here's a nice one posted from Vancouver.
Port cities in Quebec used bilingual slogan cancels, and they are difficult to get. Here are two:
So keep your eyes open for Blackout covers and cancels, boys and girls!
David
Posted 01/03/2010 1:24 pm
