Lot #457 WWII Censors: NORTHERN TERRITORY - ALICE SPRINGS: 1941 (Apr 21) airmail cover to Montana at 4/8d rate via Hong Kong + 3d registration (overpaid 1d) with manuscript "HMAS Melville" on provisional registration label but the stamps cancelled with small 'DARWIN NT/AUSTRALIA' cds, red/white 'OPENED BY CENSOR' label tied by ' 7 / PASSED/BY/CENSOR/ 1 ' cachet in violet, two strikes of the 'Collector of Customs' cachet, boxed 'NOT OPENED/BY/CENSOR' cachet applied at Hong Kong, transit b/s of Honolulu,

Description:

NORTHERN TERRITORY - ALICE SPRINGS: 1941 (Apr 21) airmail cover to Montana at 4/8d rate via Hong Kong + 3d registration (overpaid 1d) with manuscript "HMAS Melville" on provisional registration label but the stamps cancelled with small 'DARWIN NT/AUSTRALIA' cds, red/white 'OPENED BY CENSOR' label tied by ' 7 / PASSED/BY/CENSOR/ 1 ' cachet in violet, two strikes of the 'Collector of Customs' cachet, boxed 'NOT OPENED/BY/CENSOR' cachet applied at Hong Kong, transit b/s of Honolulu, San Francisco & Great Falls (Mon) plus arrival b/s of 'GOLDBUTTE/MAY/23/1941/MOB'. A remarkable naval cover combining elements of registration/customs/mining/money orders etc.