Name/Title
Tin Can Mail Envelope from TongaEntry/Object ID
2019.002.001AScope and Content
A 1939-cancelled envelope marked Tin Can Mail from Tonga and sent to a young Jane Vilett, then at 91 Whitney Road in Short Hills. See the story of Tin Can Mail at http://www.mshhistsoc.org/content/tin-can-mail-short-hills. The Tin-Can Island mail was literally sent in a tin can and had to be delivered to the offshore boat by the island's strongest swimmers carrying it through shark-infested water. Inside the envelope is a 4.75" w x 1.75" slip of blue paper, on which is written: "Dear Jane -- Sorry I haven't any paper on which to write. Love to all, Rachel." The envelope is yellowed, has edgewear, overall light soiling, and bumped corners. The front and back of the envelope have a horizontal and vertical blue (penciled?) line that divide the surfaces into equal quarters, for purposes unknown. A 1.75" piece of the envelope flap is still attached to the front of the envelope, but the rest of the flap is attached to the back of the envelope. There are two 1939 cancellations on the rear of the envelope and six cancellations on the front of the envelope. There is an older penciled price of 15.00 on the front of the envelope and "#13." A 2" w x .75" sticker applied to the front of the envelope is marked: R NUKUALOFA, TONGA; No. 9546." The left side of the front of the envelope is printed with an image of Her Majesty Queen Salote Tubou, 1918-1938, in commemoration of the 20th anniversary of her accession to the throne of Tonga. Beneath that is printed: "Despatched by 'Tin-Can Mail'; Tin-Can Island, Tonga. Purchased on eBayAcquisition
Accession
2019.002Source or Donor
Lynne Ranieri