Well, at least I got to have a haircut in the Penny Lane barber shop. 15 Apr 2021 08:33:03pm
The "V" on my Scott #259 1-pence George VI definitive appears to me to be an overprint, not a cancellation. The series is from 1941-1942, so could the "V" stand for "Victory"? Or might it be a 5-pence surcharge? Or something else?
"The three dots and a dash in the cancel that alternates with a solid line is he Morse Code for the letter V."
And this was the basis for the "di-di-di dah" drum pattern that the BBC broadcast regularly to the resistance in occupied Europe during the war (and recorded by the great percussionist Jimmy Blades).
This might be a good place to show this item, from my collection:
There was a solid Norwegian tradition to opposing German occupation in WWII (which was consumated in July, 1940) through stamp issues.
I believe this cover was used to convey a telegraph (probably from Germany) to a branch office in Norway.
This item was particularly compelling to me, for a couple of reasons:
- the V cancellation on the V-overprinted stamp, dated October 20, 1941, a time of deep despair
- the fact that I. G. Farbe(n)indusrie was the producer of Zyklon gas, the principal instrument of death in Nazi concentration camps.
So, were the officials at the telegraph office conspiring with the post office to send a political statement to the receiver of the telegraph through their use of the V stamp and the V cancellation?
We'll never know.
-Paul
PS, I might urge earwaves to open this topic up by changing its title to something like, "WWII Resistance Philately", a topic that interests many of us intensely.
Silence in the face of adversity is the father of complicity and collusion, the first cousins of conspiracy.. 16 Apr 2021 09:15:43pm
re: V for Victory / WWII Resistance Philately
The paper clip in Norway during World War II.
" ... Events of that war contributed greatly to the mythical status of the paper clip. Patriots wore them in their lapels as a symbol of resistance to the German occupiers and local Nazi authorities when other signs of resistance, such as flag pins or pins showing the cipher of the exiled King Haakon VII of Norway were forbidden. Those wearing them did not yet see them as national symbols, as the myth of their Norwegian origin was not commonly known at the time. The clips were meant to denote solidarity and unity ("we are bound together"). The wearing of paper clips was soon prohibited, and people wearing them could risk severe punishment...." Wikipedia
" ... In 1943, Norway's government-in-exile in London issued a set of stamps for use on Norwegian ships and in government offices. King Haakon VII appeared on the top denomination. To counter the V symbolism, in 1941 the Germans overprinted all remaining Norway definitives with a V, intended to stand for Verlierer (loser). ..."
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".... You may think you understood what you thought I said, but I'm not sure you realize that what you think you heard is not what I thought I meant. .... "
Here is the "London Issue" of Free Norway stamps on cover, used in 1943
Initially, the stamps were for use only on ships of Free Norway's merchant marine. Following the war, they could be used on mail posted in Norway. It's a bit of a challenge to find any wartime covers, even philatelic covers like this one, franked with the London Issue.
Note the red, 20-ore value:
The graffito on the road, "VI VIL VINNE," is exactly what it sounds like, "We will win". When I first discovered the London Issue, maybe 30 years ago and long before the internet became a thing, I called the only dealer I knew of at the time who carried Norway stamps, Herrick Stamps in the U.S., and spoke with the owner. He explained the circumstances of the London Issue to me, sounding more than a little irritated, and when he finished told me never to call him again with a question. Perhaps he was having a bad day. In any event, even though his surname is the same as my maternal grandmother's, I never have asked him another question!
Many Free Norwegian pilots were trained in Canada under the auspices of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP). In 1946, Norway issued this stamp:
The BCATP supplied so many pilots and air crew to the Allied war effort that the program ended even before VE day. I've read that the Norwegian student pilots so very popular among women in Toronto that their training facility was moved to Bracebridge, Ontario in the Muskoka Regional District, about 100 miles (161 kilometres) north of Toronto.
Thanks, Charlie for the correction on the origins of the V overprint on Norway stamps. I made a presumption without doing the research.
I was not able to find any information on the origins of the V cancellation. Would be interested in the origins of this cancellation. I am not sure what can be inferred from the juxtaposition in the cancellations of the V and olive branches, symbolizing peace...
" I am not sure what can be inferred from the juxtaposition in the cancellations of the V and olive branches, symbolizing peace..."
Hi Paul,
I believe what you are referring to as olive branches are actually laurel branches. A laurel wreath in its various forms are an ancient symbol of triumph.
Silence in the face of adversity is the father of complicity and collusion, the first cousins of conspiracy.. 22 Apr 2021 08:00:30pm
re: V for Victory / WWII Resistance Philately
I meant to add this last week, but as usual
either I fell asleep at the keyboard or got
distracted by something that I cannot recall
anyway.
The expression "We Will Win"
is actually' "Vi kommer til å vinne."
in Norwegian.
But wait, there is more, ! ! !
In Danish, it becomes' "... Vi vil vinde ..."
I remember some years ago reading an article
somewhere, possibly in "The Posthorn," or the
"Western Stamp Collector" of the source being
from a reconnaison flight photograph, and thus
chosen for the London prints to demonstrate the
indefatigable spirit of the captured nations.
It was supposed to have been painted on a
roadway in Oslo, I think.
Perhaps someone may recall it.
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".... You may think you understood what you thought I said, but I'm not sure you realize that what you think you heard is not what I thought I meant. .... "