This is from the opening page of my WWI American Expeditionary Force postal history collection.
This soldier's letter was mailed from an American soldier to his family in Tipton, Iowa. There are no postal markings on the front or back of the cover and there is also no return address given. Considering all this, one might say it is not a very attractive item from a postal history point of view.
However, the corner card reading "A Message to You from His Majesty King George Vth" should catch the collector's interest. What does that mean?
Well, these covers -- and more so such covers' contents -- are known as "Welcome Letters". They were presented to American soldiers arriving in England in transit to the French battlefields. Here is the letter:
Under a Windsor Castle letter head, it reads:
Soldiers of the United States, the people of the British Isles welcome you on your way to take your stand beside the Armies of many Nations now fighting in the Old World the great battle for Human Freedom.
The Allies will gain new heart & spirit in you company.
I wish that I could shake the hand of each one of you & bid you God speed on your mission.
/s/ George R. I.
April 1918
Soldiers' quite frequently sent these typographed letters back home to their families. And such is the item that I am showing here. These covers are not rarities. I got mine for $10 (and felt I had overpaid at the time).
I know, this is just random stuff. However, given the increased stamporama picture posting capabilities, which I was always missing, I feel like sharing a couple of interesting pieces from my various collecting interests with an eye to potentially sparking some stamp related discussions. After all, stamporama is not just all about our auction, folks.
(Message edited by rhinelander on December 10, 2008)
(Message edited by rhinelander on December 10, 2008)