WWI 1916 GB to Finland Registered Cover Russian Censor Tape Trilingual Markings
Item Description (Updated with Reverse Side Details):
Up for sale is a premium-quality World War I registered postal history cover sent from London, Great Britain, to Helsingfors (Helsinki), Finland, dated January 1916.
While the front is exceptionally clean with a 4½d King George V franking, the reverse side is a postal history goldmine, featuring rare Imperial Russian wartime censorship markings and beautiful arrival cancels.
Key Features & Postal Markings on Reverse:
Wartime Censorship: The letter was opened and resealed by the authorities. It features a complete, intact trilingual censorship paper tape on the left edge. The text reads:
- In Russian (Cyrillic): "Вскрыто военной цензурой въ г. Гельсингфорсъ" (Opened by military censorship in Helsingfors).
- In Finnish: "Avattu sotasensuurissa Helsingissä."
- In Swedish: "Öppnat af krigscensuren i Helsingfors."
Censor Handstamps: Features two distinct purple Russian military censor handstamps applied in Helsingfors:
- "Просмотр. военной цензурой... (Examined by military censorship).
- Censor's name/signature stamp: "Г. Люквис..." / "Тюквис..." (Censor Tyukvis / Lyukvis).
Transit & Arrival Postmarks:
- One additional London "REGISTERED / 19 JA 16 / LEADENHALL ST." dispatch cancel.
- Three beautifully clear, bilingual circular arrival postmarks reading "HELSINGFORS HELSINKI" with the date 27. I. 16 (January 27, 1916), including both morning and afternoon delivery markings ("10 f." and "11 e.").
Condition:
Museum-grade condition. The censorship tape is 100% complete and undamaged, which is very rare. All arrival cancels are perfectly struck, dark, and highly legible.
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