Arafura Liner, Paquebot Cover

I tried some research, but could only find that "Arafura" was from the E&A Lines. This cover has an interesting Paquebot cancel, and is backstamped June 12, 1956, Sandakan, North Borneo. Any other information would be helpful.

Something odd about that cover,
No US receival markings?

Australian Paquebot cancels, for me, are scarce
I do not recall any journalism on them
I only have one instance of a strike on Willis Island

The strike on your cover is unusually long.
I would suggest it was struck on board, so it would not be
recorded anywhere, but that's just speculation.

The catalogue is not in my posession.

PS It is helpful, if you include links from your research, that helps us all,
and avoids dual work from parties trying to assist.

The ARAFURA is listed as leaving Sydney New South Wales on 12th April 1956
(Trove)
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/...7149/6569423

Sandakan is a very interesting place, back in 1942 the Japanese had a POW camp there that housed many Australian prisoners, my uncle was there, he was aged 23 when he was stood up against a tree and shot just days prior to Japan surrendering.

The only Shipping Route that satisfies the cover
(in my opinion) is......
Whether that route involved the Arafura in 1956 cannot be confirmed.

The Fleets
Eastern & Australasian Mail Steamship Co.

Arafura (2) Built 1954
Arafura (2)1954 1970 renamed Tanda, 1971 transferred to British India S.N. Co.
https://www.theshipslist.com/ships/...s/bisn.shtml
British India Steam Navigation Company
London - Java - Queensland. London - Australia - New Zealand.

Good point. I initially googled Arafura, and came up with this link:

http://www.timetableimages.com/mari...mages/ea.htm

Unfortunately, the timeframe I'm interested in is not shown. However, there is one picture of the ship, and two views of Sandakan.




And I also agree that the cover appears very odd. Almost too clean, and missing several markings. The Paquebot is just barely tied to the cover, and looks almost too perfect, not seen in the catalog. The SB4-2 on the back is also a little odd.

So, nice, and a keeper, but still a smidge odd.

Great pics and links, Thanks Steve.

Agree with your observations.

https://www.shippingtandy.com/features/arafura/

Arafura


Aug 20, 2016
She was a common sight in the Far East in the fifties and sixties. However, at the moment I am at a loss as to the names of the other E&A ships on the same run. Nan-something? Nick
https://www.shipsnostalgia.com/medi...mment-717164

The three ships were Arafura, Tanda, and St. Albans. The earlier note about Arafura being renamed Tanda is now confusing.

There were 2 ships called Arafura

http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/l...lasian.shtml

Thanks for the reference. I see that there was also two ships called Tanda, which now pulls everything together.

This "PAQUEBOT" marking is listed in Hosking.

Used at Sandakan in 1955-56.

Scarity rating "D" - rare.

Cover is genuine, a philatelic production typical of many post-WW2 Paquebot covers.

Thanks!
Just to confirm, what country is the strike attributed to, please.

That would be Sandakan in what was then known as North Borneo

Thank you.

Thanks for the follow-up. Rare cancellation but a common creation at the time. Does the "SB4-2" indicate anything? Since it was probably a creation, I would think a tracking number, like the second one created for this customer. Just wondering.