1918, from SANTIAGO, Dominican Republic to LOUISVILLE, Kentucky, 3
cent violet Washington definitive, tied by blue violet S.M.C
1918, from SANTIAGO, Dominican Republic to LOUISVILLE, Kentucky, 3
cent violet Washington definitive, tied by blue violet S.M.C BR.
SANTIAGO N.Y. SEP 27 1918 cancel, manuscript censor marking
CENSORED with signature Capt. Abel E. Le Blanc U.S.M.C., sender's
note Santiago Dominican Republic c/o Postmaster New York, carried
through U.S. military postal channels established during the U.S.
occupation of the Dominican Republic (1916–1924), U.S. stamps
required and accepted for mail routed via New York through the
naval mail system, scarce World War I Marine Corps usage from the
Caribbean with civilian franking and local censorship, historical
usage from the period of the First U.S. Occupation of the Dominican
Republic, initiated under President Woodrow Wilson as part of U.S.
interventions in the Caribbean to stabilize the region and secure
strategic interests, military governance imposed by U.S. Navy Rear
Admiral Harry Shepard Knapp, commander of U.S. forces and later
military governor, resistance and unrest from Dominican nationals
including figures such as Francisco Henríquez y Carvajal and
Desiderio Arias, postal history reflecting unique intersection of
civilian correspondence and military control, mail processed
through the naval branch of the U.S. Marine Corps postal system,
Capt. Abel E. Le Blanc identifiable as a Marine officer involved in
censorship duties during this occupation, his endorsement
signifying in-theatre review and clearance for transmittal to U.S.
mainland, usage of the Washington definitive indicative of U.S.
postal administration and the necessity for U.S. postage despite
foreign origin, early usage of S.M.C BR. (Sea Mail Cancel Branch)
Santiago N.Y. type handstamp in blue violet ink, highly collectible
postal artifact illustrating the geopolitical entanglement and
American military infrastructure in the Caribbean during World War
I, ex Kugel, XF! Estimate 600€.
