SOUTH SHETLANDS - DECEPTION IS. "NAVAL PARTY 475" COVER + CO...

SOUTH SHETLANDS - DECEPTION IS. "NAVAL PARTY 475" COVER + CONTENTS TO PORT STANLEY; 20/22 Mar. 1944 env. (with contents) ex Deception Island Base B to Port Stanley with S. Shetlands ½d pair tied by fine purple "South Shetlands" cds's and while having no Naval censor mark or label, signed on the front by "W.R. Flett, a/c magistrate" on the front; with mainly very fine 2-ring P. Stanley backstamp (8 Apr). Sent by the Base's meteorologist, Sub. Lt. "Gordon" Hawkins. The contents headed "Naval Party 475, c/o GPO London" include thanks for help obtaining warm clothing when briefly in P. Stanley and; "...I've learned enough to know that you won't be keeping the Stamp on this letter. Sorry I wasn't able to write to you both and so provide you with a stamp each, but they are strictly limited and only essential letters are allowed." Rare thus. Cross Reference: FALKLAND ISLANDS DEPENDENCIES, MILITARY - P.O.W. MAIL