First one I’ve ever seen! I didn’t think the USPS opened mail anymore. Maybe it was because this item was from the PRC.
Anyone else seen one of these?
Spoiler
airbornestamps…
There’s probably a fine legal distinction between a censor opening a letter and an inspector opening one. This is a flat, #6 size cover. I’ve never before received a piece of mail that had been subjected to opening and resealing by a censor/inspector. Perhaps a change in political winds? I’ve received items from China before that were not subjected to this.
The cover contained this, sent 5 October 1917 from URGA Mongolia (later ULAANBAATAR). I can read the 10th-month, 5th-day (十月五日) but not the year, so I’m taking the seller’s word for it.
Probably opened because even though it was a commercial cover (note the dual postal service usage, typically containing merchandise) there was no customs form.
@jaywild wrote:How is your recovery coming?
Got the stitches out from the fourth surgery today, just in time for me to make it to PIPEX this weekend. I've been walking around a bit with the stitches in, though I was supposed to be on a 'transfer pivot only' mode and it's been going well enough that I haven't been relying on pain pills. I'll be doing my typical electric scooter thing at the show and spending the bulk of my time sitting at the 'Grandma's Attic' booth telling people how little their stamps are worth, but will still be walking from the car to the ballroom a couple of times each day. We'll see how well it works... I was doing so well until the screws in my heel broke, which required that fourth surgery to get most of them back out.
