Censored letter Austria-Hungary – Field post / I.R. Censorship Office – First World War

Country: Austria-Hungary

Period: First World War

Shipping method: mailed letter with censorship mark

Franking: 2 × 5 Heller + 15 Heller

Total franking: 25 Heller

Recipient: Baroness Hold-… in Arosa, Switzerland

Special feature: military censorship / Imperial and Royal (K.u.k.) censorship office

Historical postal document from the First World War era with Austro-Hungarian franking and clear military censorship markings.

Particularly interesting is the red stamp:

"Zensuriert – K.u.k. Zensurstelle FELDKIRCH" (Censored – Imperial and Royal Censorship Office FELDKIRCH)

with the control number 390.

The letter was addressed to a baroness in Arosa, Switzerland, and was therefore transported across the border. It is the combination of international mail, aristocratic recipient, and military censorship that makes this document attractive to collectors.

The franking consists of two green 5-heller stamps and one brownish-red 15-heller stamp from the Austro-Hungarian post. The stamps are canceled in period. The document is in good condition for its age. Minor edge wear, creases, and signs of use are visible, as well as age-related paper discoloration – see image. The franking, address, and censorship stamp are clearly preserved.

An interesting contemporary collector's item for collectors of Austria-Hungary, World War I, censorship mail, military mail, international mail, and historical postal history.