MYSTERY COVER #1

This cover was mailed 1 December 1956 from Englewood, NJ, franked by Scott #'s 1038 and 1044 (pair) paying the 25-cent air mail rate to the Philatelic Information and Exchange Center of Israel in Tel Aviv where it was censored upon arrival with Israeli censor tape #1009 tied by purple Israeli censor stamp.

[ From the collection of Roland Austin ]

The question about this cover is, "Why was it censored?"

We received two responses from the membership.....

Brad Arch :  "A partial answer to the question. This is not technically a censored cover, although the label looks like a censored label.  Several countries used this form of closure for some years following WW II to reseal envelopes that were opened during a "CURRENCY CONTROL" inspection, including Israel after its establishment, for about ten years.  I don't have the exact dates that the currency control was in effect, but these type covers are seen fairly commonly from the mid-1950's period.  I also do not know what restrictions were to be passed by the currency control board, perhaps someone with information from the Society of Israel Philatelists would be able to provide a more detailed description."

Ken Lawrence :  "This cover to Israel is censored because there was a war going on.  After the Soviet Union invaded Hungary in the Fall of 1956, Britain, France and Israel invaded Egypt with aims to recapture the Suez Canal for Britain.  Under intense pressure form the United States, which did not want a propaganda liability for the West while denouncing the USSR, the three countries withdrew their forces from Egypt.  In the meantime, however, typical wartime conditions prevailed, including censorship of the mails, military post offices in occupied territories, and so forth."

Would anybody like to add to this discussion?

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