Our monograph series continues with some very exciting publications. Released today (10 September) is:
Postal Stationery of the AEF in WWI
by Peter Burrows
This book is a catalog of (mainly) government-issued postal stationery produced by and/or for use by the members and units of the American Expeditionary Forces that served in Europe during WWI. For the most part it does not include the myriad postcards and envelopes provided by the many Service Organizations ranging from the American Red Cross to the Loyal Order of the Moose. The exception to the exclusion of the Service Organization stationery involves the cards used by members of the AEF to announce their safe arrival overseas and, at the end of the war, return to the US. Because the Service Organizations produced the vast majority of such cards, they are included here along with the government-issued cards. (And because the Service Organizations also produced Safe Arrival cards specifically for sailors, who were not part of the AEF, those cards are treated here as well, in an appendix.)
Information and access to this monograph:
Previously released:
U.S. Postal Censorship during World War I
by John Hardies and Bill (Wilfrid N.) Broderick
This monograph covers the distinct systems of postal censorship used to protect the American Expeditionary Forces in Europe. It organizes and incorporates previously published data with more recently acquired and analyzed material, together with documentation from the US National Archives.
Both AEF postal censorship and censorship governed by the Censorship Board are included. In addition, the monograph covers postal censorship of the American Occupation of Germany, and censorship activities that closely related to US censorship.
Information and access to this monograph:
In addition, MPHS released The Ahmednagar Prisoners of War Camps, India 1914-1920: A Postal History
by Robert Gray
This monograph details the creation, development and closure of the Ahmednagar camps, with views into the lives of its German and Austrian inmates gathered from India, East Africa and Siam. The postal history includes the related rest camps at Dagshai and Ramandrug and associated civil camps at Ahmednagar and Yercaud. Examples of inbound, outbound and intercamp mail are illustrated. The monograph includes a guide to the handstamps and specialized camp postal stationery. The prisoner of war camps at Ahmednagar, India included Camps A, B and Parole as well as a nearby civil internment camp.
These camps were like none other in World War I. In addition to the necessary barracks, laundries and sanitation facilities, the camps included sports fields, a library, hospital, theatre, canteens and cafeterias. Alcohol was also available, and certain prisoners were allowed parole outside the barbed wire surrounding the camps A and B.
Information and access is at this link
As a member of the MPHS, you have already been polled as to your preference for receiving free monographs (e.g., print, electronic, or no monographs at all). If you have “opted in” on this important project, you will receive an email containing the necessary information for receipt of your copy of the monographs.
The Society has set a goal of publishing two Monographs each year and we encourage you to consider sharing your knowledge, collections and research with all philatelists via this medium. The established criteria for our Monograph series includes:
· New research, previously unpublished material
· Between 8,000 and 25,000 words with appropriate illustrations
· Length, ideally between 60 and 96 pages in length (with some flex on this)
· A strong theme linking to aspects of military postal history
· Willingness and/or ability to engage in a peer review of the manuscript
Proposals for future Monographs are welcome and should include the following:
· Title of the Monograph
· Short summary (150 words)
· Identify aspects of original research to be shared
· Note any previous philatelic writing experience (not essential)
· Indication of anticipated timeline for completing a ‘draft’
Those with interest in learning more and who are considering submission of a proposal should email to monographs@militaryphs.org