Special Collections

Although all the images in the Museum can be accessed via the indexes listed in the Main Collection, it is sometimes helpful to create alternative views that focus on a different or more narrow aspect of Naval Covers. If you have a particular topic that you wish to research, consider creating a special collection here and then add an entry in the News page to announce it. Hopefully people with Naval Covers or knowledge related to your topic will help out.

1. The Famous Fifty Destroyers
The goal of this view is to display the fifty destroyers that the United States turned over to Great Britain, beginning in September of 1940. In May 1940, Prime Minister Winston Churchill appealed to the United States President Franklin Roosevelt, for the use of U.S. destroyers to aid in the protection of North Atlantic convoys. As the U.S. was "officially" neutral in the war, this request was refused. Over the course of the next months, the question was revisited with the joining of Italy to the Axis Powers, the fall of France, and continued devastating losses to British shipping. After legal consultation, FDR determined that the United States could "trade" fifty "over-age" destroyers in exchange for 99 year lease rights on British bases in the Western Hemisphere, without actually being considered as a direct attempt to aid the British in the war, by appearing as a purchase of the old vessels. All but one of the fifty vessels served in the North Atlantic. The U.S.S. WELLES being the exception, as she was damaged beyond repair in a Luftwaffe air strike before refit was completed. Forty-four of the vessels were named for towns that the U.S. and Britain shared names with, the other six after rivers common to the U.S. and Canada.


2. "Late Date” Pearl Harbor Ship Project – (Sponsored by the Pearl Harbor Chapter 112, USCS)
Pre-war covers from 1 November 1941 thru December 7, 1941. This includes philatelic covers, sailor mail, and official mail. Any pre-war cancellation from the ship. In addition to this, there may be cancels connected to Pearl Harbor ships cancelled elsewhere. For example: (1) official mail from a ship cancelled from a shore station; or (2), sailor mail identifying the ship in the return address, no matter where the cover was cancelled. All these cancels are included in this project.


3. Ships Present at Pearl Harbor on December 7th 1941
The goal of this view is to display the ships that were present at Pearl Harbor during the Japanese attack of December 7th, 1941. Besides Pearl Harbor, also includes ships at Honolulu Harbor. Over 180 vessels were present that day.


4. Ships Named for Pearl Harbor Heroes
The goal of this view is to display the ships named in honor of the men regarded as Heroes during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7th, 1941. Most of these men received awards ranging from Naval Commendations to Medals of Honors. Most of these men were killed during the attack. While most ships in the destroyer class are named for Naval Heroes...this single battle produced the most named ships.


5. U.S. Ships Present in Tokyo Bay During Surrender Ceremony, 2 September 1945
The goal of this view is to display the United States Ships that were present in Tokyo Bay on 2 September 1945, to participate in the surrender of The Japanese Empire ceremony. Only U.S. vessels with a recognized post office, or known to have used a device are included here. Many smaller craft were present, as well as vessels from Great Britain, Australia, and New Zealand. Other U.S. vessels arrived in the following months. This list is compiled from The Report of Surrender and Occupation of Japan 11 February 1946, Commander in Chief U.S. Pacific Fleet and Pacific Ocean Areas (CINPAC/CINPOA)


6. Meter Cancels
The goal of this view is to display all the Meter postmarks in one place in order to get a better understanding of exactly how many different styles exist. The results from this research will determine whether the Meter types defined in the Catalog of United States Naval Postmarks are sufficient or need to be revised.


7. Ships Named in Honor of United States Marines and Members of Other Services Serving with the Marines
The goal of this view is to display all the ships that have been named after Marines or other Service members serving with the Marines. Naval Chaplains and Corpsman fit into this category. Also listed at the end are ships named after famous battles that the US Marine Corps fought in. The list was orignally created by USCS members Paul Nitchman and Alvin Eckert with updates by USCS members Glenn L. Smith (LtCmdr. USN) and Greg Ciesielski (Cpl. USMC).


8. Great White Fleet, 100th Anniversary
The purpose of this collection is to display the various postmarks and covers created for the 100th Anniversary of the Great White Fleet. These postmarks will be from USPS locations and Ships of the US Navy.


9. Centennial of Naval Aviation, USMC - USN - USCG
The purpose of this collection is to display the various postmarks and covers created for the 100th Anniversary of the US Naval Aviation. These postmarks will be from USPS cities and Naval ships.


10. USCS Convention Covers
The first National Universal Ship Cancellation Society Convention was held in Los Angeles CA 23-25 August 1940. The latest convention was held in Baltimore, Maryland, September 3-5, 2021.


11. Personal Effects & Memorabilia
A sub-category of special collections containing scans of naval-related personal effects, photos, and other memorabilia, typically from individuals.


12. 225th Anniversary of the USCG - First Day Covers - Centennial of USCG Aviation
The purpose of this collection is to display the various postmarks and covers created for the 225th Anniversary of the US Coast Guard, the various First Day Covers for the USCG Stamp of 2015 and the Centennial of USCG Aviation in 2016. These postmarks will be from various places.


13. NUCLEAR SHIP SAVANNAH
One of President Eisenhower's initiatives, NS Savannah was a milestone in her creation and use. Now a historic landmark, the Savannah continues to teach the benefits of nuclear power.


14. PARTICIPATING SHIPS DURING THE KOREAN WAR
This list of ships is to show all the United States Naval ships that were engaged in the Korean War (1950-1953). They are listed by their type of ship, and then in alpha listing.


15. Asiatic Squadron - Asiatic Fleet
This list of ships is to show all the United States Naval ships that were attached to the Asiatic Squadron (1868-1902) and then to the Asiatic Fleet (1902-1942). The list will be an alpha listing.


16. CIVILIAN NUCLEAR SHIPS
This section will highlight the four ships that have been built that have used Nuclear power as their fuel source. The NS SAVANNAH is covered in depth (#13) but the other three will be shown here. Although this technology was never fully utilized and put into commercial service, the lessons learned opened the way for other applications of nuclear power.


17. APOLLO 11th - 50th ANNIVERSARY
July 20, 1969 - July 20, 2019 - 50 years of celebration of fulfilling President John F. Kennedy's goal of putting a man on the moon. This section will show the cachets, stamps and postmarks created for this momentous endeavor.


18. Type 8 Flag Cancels
The Type 8 is a machine "flag" cancel. It is similar to the Type 7, but the wavy lines of the killer have been made into the form of a waving flag. They were very popular in civilian post offices between 1900 and 1940, but only 15 different ships used them, between 1927 and 1935.


19. USN and USCG Ships at Normandy, 6 June 1944. "OPERATION OVERLORD"
This list of ships is to show all the United States Navy and US Coast Guard ships that participated in the amphibious landing at Normandy France. The list will be an alpha listing.


20. U.S. Naval Forces in the Civil War
This collection of covers is a showcase of Naval covers from the Civil war period of 1861-1865.


21. U.S. Naval Forces in Vietnam
This list of ships is to show all the United States Navy and US Coast Guard ships that participated in Vietnam Waters as recognized by the VA. The list will be an alpha listing.

 

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To create a new Special Collection view, either contact the Curator or edit this page yourself and add it. See Editing the Special Collections Page for detailed information on editing this page.

 

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