INDONESIA
The two seals below are from Dutch colonial days so #2 is also probably pre-1940.
Interestingly #2 seems to have been used in both the Netherlands and in the Dutch East Indies. More information is needed.
| Updates. The above was written by Steve Hiscocks. I have had to re-number from the beginning, and have tried to obtain colour images. No pricing as yet. |
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| #1 1919 |
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| #2 1921-9 | #3 1923 smaller scallops | #4 1930, 26.5mm larger lettering, closely spaced |
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| #5 1936, 25.5mm | #6 1937-9, 25.1mm smaller lettering | #7 28mm (no dot on end ?) |
My Note: Under Netherlands, Hiscocks lists one very similar to #7 but given as 26mm, and dates it as 1920.
I have listed one like #1 there also. #2 is from a November 1921 telegram and is similar to types of the Netherlands.
#3 is from an August 1923 telegram of Balikpapan(I have another used in February), and is virtually identical to a type of the Netherlands.
| RH # | Type. | was | Description | Mint | Used | On telegram |
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| RH1 | 1 | 2 | 1919? Scalloped. Red. | - | - | - |
| RH2 | 2 | - | 1921-9 Scalloped. Red. | - | - | - |
| RH3 | 3 | - | 1921-9 Scalloped. Red. | - | - | - |
| RH4 | 4 | - | 1930 Scalloped. Red. | - | - | - |
| RH5 | 5 | - | 1936 Scalloped. Red. | - | - | - |
| RH6 | 6 | - | 1937-9 Scalloped. Red. | - | - | - |
| RH7 | 7 | 1 | Date? Scalloped. Red. | - | - | - |
IRAQ
I have so far only seen one seal of Iraq that was likely used on telegrams.
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| RH1. 1933, 24.5mm across text |
This was on a bulk airmail packet from Baghdad Bureau to Akyab Bureau.
| RH # | Type. | was | Description | Mint | Used | On telegram |
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| RH1 | 1 | - | 1933? grey on white. | - | - | - |
ITALY
Italy had few types of seals since for most of the telegraphic era, the telegrams had sealing flaps.
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| House of Savoy Note the 'FERT'. |
1861-1946 (with modifications) Kingdom - note the star. |
1944-45 Social Republic. |
1948 onwards Republic. |
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| #1 1881-2, dark green | #1 1882, 24.5mm (whole seal) |
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| #2 1883-87, 25mm (Italian arms) | #3 1888-90, 38.5mm |
The coat of arms of Italy included the 'Shield of Savoy' (White cross on red shield) from 1870.
| RH # | Type. | was | Description | Mint | Used | On telegram |
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| RH1 | 1 | - | 1881-2, Imperf. Dark Green on white. | - | - | - |
| RH1a | 1 | - | 1882, Imperf. Lighter Green on white. | - | - | - |
| RH2 | 2 | #2 | 1883-87, Perf. 15½ x 15. Blue (slight shades). | - | - | - |
| RH2a | Perf. 15.8 | - | - | - | ||
| RH3 | 3 | #1 | 1888-90, Perf. 14. Grey on white. | - | - | - |
Hiscocks added the following note. [I have altered the numbering to match my re-numbering]:
| Note. #2 is quite scarce in my experience and was used to seal the flaps of 'letter telegrams' or envelopes, while #1 is fairly common, usually in mint condition but often damaged because it is printed on a thin, rather hard, brittle paper. #3 shows variable shades and variable margins although always perforate. |
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| #4 1908, 27mm (Italian arms) | #5 1942? 13mm (House of Savoy) |
| RH # | Type. | was | Description | Mint | Used | On telegram |
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| RH4 | 4 | - | 1908, Perf. 11½. Black on white. | - | - | - |
| RH5 | 5 | Slov #1 | 1942 ? Imperf. Black on white. Emblem of house of Savoy. | - | - | - |
Steve Hiscocks listed #5 as #1 of Slovenia but it turns out that this is Italian.
The letters 'FERT' at the bottom is the motto of the Royal House of Savoy, Italy, though the meaning is a matter of controversy.
This Monarchy ruled from 1861 to June 1946.
I have seen a similar logo on telegrams of Italy dated between 1934 and 1941.
I think the full range is 1932 to 1945. Most telegrams of these years did not need seals however as they had gummed seals as part of the flaps.
In addition there is nothing to indicate it is a telegraphic seal, though may have been used as such.
Italcable
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| #1 1930, CICTS | #2 Date? | #3 Date? New Logo |
| RH # | Type. | was | Italcable seal Description | Mint | Used | On telegram |
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| RHIC1 | 1 | - | 1930, Perf. 10¾. Purple, red and black on white. | - | - | - |
| RHIC2 | 2 | - | Date ? , Perf. 10¾. Orange, red and black on white. | - | - | - |
| RHIC3 | 3 | - | Date ? , Perf. 11½. Multicoloured.. | - | - | - |
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An Italcable delivery envelope dated in 1930, with Form Number "Mod. 151•500'000-5-1928" The label on the back does serve as a seal, though seems primarily to be for advertising purposes. Across the top it says "COMP. IT. CAVI TELEGRAFICI SOTTOMARINI" (CICTS) or "Company Italcable Submarine Telegraph Cables". "CICTS" is repeated in the top corners. Below that is "Se il Mittente di Questo Telegramma Attende Risposta Inoltratela 'via Italcable'" (If the sender of this telegram awaits a reply, forward it 'via Italcable') Right at the bottom is "GLI FARETE COSA GRADITA" or "YOU WILL DO WHAT YOU WANT". These images come courtesy of Bill Glover. |
If anyone can provide scans to help with this, I am happy to give appropriate credit.
