What we collect!

 

Stamporama Discussion Board Logo
For People Who Love To Talk About Stamps
Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
Stamporama Discussion Board Logo
For People Who Love To Talk About Stamps
Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
Stamporama Discussion Board Logo
For People Who Love To Talk About Stamps



What we collect!
What we collect!


United States/BOB & Other : V-Mail

 

Author
Postings
vinman
Members Picture


18 Mar 2023
11:15:55am
I have been adding to my V-Mail or Victory Mail collection and want to share some of it here. Beside letters the soldiers of WW2 could send different greetings home by V-Mail. I have been focusing on Christmas greetings but there are many other types that could be sent. Most were preprinted but some are hand drawn by the soldiers. The ones I am showing today are the preprinted type.
These are just a few of my collection, I have more if there is any interest in seeing them.

Here is a link that explains what V-Mail is.
https://postalmuseum.si.edu/exhibition/v ...

Here is an example of the envelope that was used for V-Mail.
Image Not Found

Image Not Found
Image Not Found
Image Not Found
Image Not Found
Image Not Found

Like 
8 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.

"The best in Big Band and Swing Music WRDV.org"

wrdv.org/
vinman
Members Picture


19 Mar 2023
08:53:21am
re: V-Mail

Image Not Found
Image Not Found
Image Not Found
Image Not Found

Like 
7 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.

"The best in Big Band and Swing Music WRDV.org"

wrdv.org/
vinman
Members Picture


23 Mar 2023
08:00:49pm
re: V-Mail

Here are more V-Mail Christmas Greetings.
Image Not Found
Image Not Found
Image Not Found
Image Not Found
Image Not Found
Image Not Found
Image Not Found
Image Not Found
Image Not Found
Image Not Found
Image Not Found

Like 
7 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.

"The best in Big Band and Swing Music WRDV.org"

wrdv.org/
Bobstamp
Members Picture


24 Mar 2023
03:16:18pm
re: V-Mail

Nice collection, Vinland. The pre-designed, pre-printed V-Mail letters haven’t had as much interest for me as those transmitting personal, hand-written or typed letters. I have several from an American soldier who was captured in the Battle of the Bulge, a.k.a. The Battle of the Ardennes Forest, and another that his parents sent to his commanding officer but was returned in a special V-Mail envelope more from his parents.

The one most important to me was mailed by my dad’s younger brother, Phil, from the South Pacific where was in command of a small detachment of radio repairmen who flew from island to islands keeping the communications network in good repair. My short web page, "V-Mail from MSgt. Philip Ingraham", discusses the history and usage of V-Mail.

Bob

Like 
2 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.

www.ephemeraltreasures.net
Harvey
Members Picture


This is my diabetic cat OBI! I think, therefore I am - I think! Descartes, sort of!

24 Mar 2023
03:37:08pm
re: V-Mail

Something else that I'd never heard about until one of you sent me an example as a gift with some stamps I bought - very interesting stuff!!

Like
Login to Like
this post

"As anyone who has ever been around a cat for any length of time well knows cats have enormous patience with the limitations of the humankind."
Airline
Members Picture


25 Mar 2023
05:39:14pm
re: V-Mail

I've done a little sorting of my father's letters home during WW II and have come up with a very unscientific time line of the V-mail that was used during that time. He was assigned to Headquarters Company, 47th Infantry Rgt, 9th Infantry Div.

Image Not Found

These are 3 letters written from 8 June - 8 September 1943.
The top letter sent to my grandfather from the area around Bizerte, Tunisia was written 8 June and postmarked 10 June from APO 9. The fighting in Tunisia had ended 13 May and the units were resting and refitting.

V Mail number 1 is similar to what we know as an aero-gram but not pre-printed like the SeeBee V Mails Vinman has shared. They are letter sheet sized (8.5 X 11 inches) and when folded for mailing are 4 3/8 X 5 5/8". It was presented to the censor sealed, the censor opened and cleared it, then resealed it and stamped the outside.

Image Not Found

Image Not Found

The second V Mail is what I believe is the final version. The full sized letter sheet was cleared by the censor and stamped to the left of the addressee block. The image was photographed (I assume) and reduce to 4 1/4 X 5 1/4, then folded and put in the window envelope for mailing. This V Mail was sent from Sicily, written on 14 August a few days before the official end of that campaign. It was cancelled on 8 September in New York.

This the last V Mail he sent, written 4 November 1944 while the 47th was in the Hurtgen Forest. My father was wounded on 22 November 1944 in the vicinity of Schmidt, Germany during the ramp up of the Battle of the Bulge.

Image Not Found


The use of V Mail reduced the size of GI mails to home freeing up volume and weight for other items. The cancelling in New York freed up man hours and material resources in the areas of operation overseas. The letters my father sent home from England while preparing for the invasion of France were regular letter with Free franking. While in hospital in England after his injuries he had to pay the 6 cent Air Mail rate.



Like 
6 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.
vinman
Members Picture


25 Mar 2023
06:45:05pm
re: V-Mail

Bob,
I have maybe a dozen V-Mail letters but they contain notes that they are doing well and thanks for the letters or package. Due to the censoring not much of interest for the postal historian. I enjoyed your your "V-Mail from MSgt. Philip Ingraham". It has personal meaning for you. My fater enlisted in WW2 September 1944 and only served state side so no V-Mail from him.
Like you I have an interest in hand written or typed letters from WW2. I have a growing collection of Return to sender, "KIA or MIA". I do a little research into to deceased soldier and circumstances about their demise. Fairly simple today with the internet although WW1 information is a little sparce. I feel like I am doing a service for their sacrifice. Since their letters have hit the market place there might not be anyone to tell their story or remember them. It is really interesting reading the debriefing of flight crews that seen an airplane go down or from the crew members after they are released from POW camps.

Vince

Like
Login to Like
this post

"The best in Big Band and Swing Music WRDV.org"

wrdv.org/
vinman
Members Picture


25 Mar 2023
06:48:14pm
re: V-Mail

Here are a few more Holiday Greetings.

Image Not Found

Image Not Found

Image Not Found

Image Not Found

Like 
3 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.

"The best in Big Band and Swing Music WRDV.org"

wrdv.org/
Patches

Liz

26 Mar 2023
11:22:06am
re: V-Mail

Thank you for sharing.

Like
Login to Like
this post
vinman
Members Picture


04 Nov 2023
09:32:45am
re: V-Mail

Here is a group of recent additions to my V-Mail collection.
Image Not Found
Image Not Found
Image Not Found
Image Not Found
Image Not Found
Image Not Found
Image Not Found
Image Not Found

Like 
6 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.

"The best in Big Band and Swing Music WRDV.org"

wrdv.org/
51Studebaker
Members Picture


Dialysis, damned if you do...dead if you don't

04 Nov 2023
09:42:55am
re: V-Mail

Good stuff Vince!
Don

Like
Login to Like
this post

"Current Score... Don 1 - Cancer 0"

stampsmarter.org
Harvey
Members Picture


This is my diabetic cat OBI! I think, therefore I am - I think! Descartes, sort of!

04 Nov 2023
09:50:43am
re: V-Mail

I don't collect them but they are very interesting! I have one in my collection as an example.
I have always been interested in military history and can really understand the interest in V-mail - great stuff!!!
A friend has two letters dating back to military action in India during the mid 1800's in the original stampless military covers. The regiment still exists in Britain and I got in touch with them to see if they were interested in either the letters or scans, TWICE with no reply. Her family has no interest either, which I find really odd since this is a great great grandfather. I get a feeling we might be the last generation with an interest in History, sad!!!

Like 
3 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.

"As anyone who has ever been around a cat for any length of time well knows cats have enormous patience with the limitations of the humankind."
vinman
Members Picture


06 Nov 2023
10:33:09am
re: V-Mail

Here are some more I have scanned.

Image Not Found

Image Not Found

Image Not Found

Image Not Found


Like 
3 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.

"The best in Big Band and Swing Music WRDV.org"

wrdv.org/
vinman
Members Picture


10 Apr 2024
02:16:33pm
re: V-Mail

Here are some more V-Mail I recently picked up.

Image Not Found

Image Not Found

Image Not Found

Image Not Found

Image Not Found

Image Not Found

Image Not Found

Like 
5 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.

"The best in Big Band and Swing Music WRDV.org"

wrdv.org/
vinman
Members Picture


21 Apr 2024
11:57:26am
re: V-Mail

One more I added to my collection, "Seasons Greetings"

Image Not Found

Like 
3 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.

"The best in Big Band and Swing Music WRDV.org"

wrdv.org/
vinman
Members Picture


10 May 2024
10:24:05pm
re: V-Mail

Here is a new V Mail added to my collection.

Image Not Found

Like 
2 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.

"The best in Big Band and Swing Music WRDV.org"

wrdv.org/
vinman
Members Picture


22 May 2024
04:37:43pm
re: V-Mail

Season's Greetings from Great Britain.

Image Not Found

Like 
4 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.

"The best in Big Band and Swing Music WRDV.org"

wrdv.org/
vinman
Members Picture


07 Oct 2024
07:47:18pm
re: V-Mail

Here are some more additions to my V Mail collection. A few are duplicates but different senders.

Image Not Found

I believe this is a hand drawn V Mail not a stock image.
Image Not Found

Image Not Found

Image Not Found

Image Not Found

This is a home made letter with news clippings. The first I have seen.
Image Not Found

Like 
6 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.

"The best in Big Band and Swing Music WRDV.org"

wrdv.org/
angore
Members Picture


Al
Collector, Moderator

08 Oct 2024
07:19:46am
re: V-Mail

I have vmail examples (to my aunt) but none with decorative embellishment.

Like
Login to Like
this post

"Stamp Collecting is a many splendored thing"
vinman
Members Picture


09 Oct 2024
05:16:35pm
re: V-Mail

Al
I have some that are just letters. I have a small group from the same corresponence whis tells more of a story than just one.

Here are some more recent additions.

Image Not Found

Image Not Found

Image Not Found

Image Not Found

Image Not Found

Image Not Found

Like 
2 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.

"The best in Big Band and Swing Music WRDV.org"

wrdv.org/
vinman
Members Picture


09 Oct 2024
05:22:00pm
re: V-Mail

Image Not Found

Image Not Found

Image Not Found

Image Not Found

Image Not Found

Image Not Found

Like 
2 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.

"The best in Big Band and Swing Music WRDV.org"

wrdv.org/
vinman
Members Picture


09 Oct 2024
05:31:11pm
re: V-Mail

Image Not Found

This is a hand drawn letter.
Image Not Found

Image Not Found

Image Not Found

Image Not Found

Image Not Found

Image Not Found

Like 
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.

"The best in Big Band and Swing Music WRDV.org"

wrdv.org/
vinman
Members Picture


09 Oct 2024
05:34:02pm
re: V-Mail

Image Not Found

Image Not Found

Image Not Found

Image Not Found

Like 
5 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.

"The best in Big Band and Swing Music WRDV.org"

wrdv.org/
vinman
Members Picture


29 Oct 2024
07:39:12pm
re: V-Mail

More V Mail from my collection.

On the first letter the words in the greeting form a 'V" for Victory.
The second has a woman dressed as the Easter Bunny but instead of eggs she is holding a box of powder eggs.

Image Not Found

Two different Christmas greetings.
Image Not Found

"With the eclipse of the rising sun"
Image Not Found

Like 
4 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.

"The best in Big Band and Swing Music WRDV.org"

wrdv.org/
BermudaSailor
Members Picture


30 Oct 2024
10:48:14am
re: V-Mail

What an awesome collection. Thanks for sharing it with us.

Like 
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.
        

 

Author/Postings
Members Picture
vinman

18 Mar 2023
11:15:55am

I have been adding to my V-Mail or Victory Mail collection and want to share some of it here. Beside letters the soldiers of WW2 could send different greetings home by V-Mail. I have been focusing on Christmas greetings but there are many other types that could be sent. Most were preprinted but some are hand drawn by the soldiers. The ones I am showing today are the preprinted type.
These are just a few of my collection, I have more if there is any interest in seeing them.

Here is a link that explains what V-Mail is.
https://postalmuseum.si.edu/exhibition/v ...

Here is an example of the envelope that was used for V-Mail.
Image Not Found

Image Not Found
Image Not Found
Image Not Found
Image Not Found
Image Not Found

Like 
8 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.

"The best in Big Band and Swing Music WRDV.org"

wrdv.org/
Members Picture
vinman

19 Mar 2023
08:53:21am

re: V-Mail

Image Not Found
Image Not Found
Image Not Found
Image Not Found

Like 
7 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.

"The best in Big Band and Swing Music WRDV.org"

wrdv.org/
Members Picture
vinman

23 Mar 2023
08:00:49pm

re: V-Mail

Here are more V-Mail Christmas Greetings.
Image Not Found
Image Not Found
Image Not Found
Image Not Found
Image Not Found
Image Not Found
Image Not Found
Image Not Found
Image Not Found
Image Not Found
Image Not Found

Like 
7 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.

"The best in Big Band and Swing Music WRDV.org"

wrdv.org/
Members Picture
Bobstamp

24 Mar 2023
03:16:18pm

re: V-Mail

Nice collection, Vinland. The pre-designed, pre-printed V-Mail letters haven’t had as much interest for me as those transmitting personal, hand-written or typed letters. I have several from an American soldier who was captured in the Battle of the Bulge, a.k.a. The Battle of the Ardennes Forest, and another that his parents sent to his commanding officer but was returned in a special V-Mail envelope more from his parents.

The one most important to me was mailed by my dad’s younger brother, Phil, from the South Pacific where was in command of a small detachment of radio repairmen who flew from island to islands keeping the communications network in good repair. My short web page, "V-Mail from MSgt. Philip Ingraham", discusses the history and usage of V-Mail.

Bob

Like 
2 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.

www.ephemeraltreasur ...

This is my diabetic cat OBI! I think, therefore I am - I think! Descartes, sort of!
24 Mar 2023
03:37:08pm

re: V-Mail

Something else that I'd never heard about until one of you sent me an example as a gift with some stamps I bought - very interesting stuff!!

Like
Login to Like
this post

"As anyone who has ever been around a cat for any length of time well knows cats have enormous patience with the limitations of the humankind."
Members Picture
Airline

25 Mar 2023
05:39:14pm

re: V-Mail

I've done a little sorting of my father's letters home during WW II and have come up with a very unscientific time line of the V-mail that was used during that time. He was assigned to Headquarters Company, 47th Infantry Rgt, 9th Infantry Div.

Image Not Found

These are 3 letters written from 8 June - 8 September 1943.
The top letter sent to my grandfather from the area around Bizerte, Tunisia was written 8 June and postmarked 10 June from APO 9. The fighting in Tunisia had ended 13 May and the units were resting and refitting.

V Mail number 1 is similar to what we know as an aero-gram but not pre-printed like the SeeBee V Mails Vinman has shared. They are letter sheet sized (8.5 X 11 inches) and when folded for mailing are 4 3/8 X 5 5/8". It was presented to the censor sealed, the censor opened and cleared it, then resealed it and stamped the outside.

Image Not Found

Image Not Found

The second V Mail is what I believe is the final version. The full sized letter sheet was cleared by the censor and stamped to the left of the addressee block. The image was photographed (I assume) and reduce to 4 1/4 X 5 1/4, then folded and put in the window envelope for mailing. This V Mail was sent from Sicily, written on 14 August a few days before the official end of that campaign. It was cancelled on 8 September in New York.

This the last V Mail he sent, written 4 November 1944 while the 47th was in the Hurtgen Forest. My father was wounded on 22 November 1944 in the vicinity of Schmidt, Germany during the ramp up of the Battle of the Bulge.

Image Not Found


The use of V Mail reduced the size of GI mails to home freeing up volume and weight for other items. The cancelling in New York freed up man hours and material resources in the areas of operation overseas. The letters my father sent home from England while preparing for the invasion of France were regular letter with Free franking. While in hospital in England after his injuries he had to pay the 6 cent Air Mail rate.



Like 
6 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.
Members Picture
vinman

25 Mar 2023
06:45:05pm

re: V-Mail

Bob,
I have maybe a dozen V-Mail letters but they contain notes that they are doing well and thanks for the letters or package. Due to the censoring not much of interest for the postal historian. I enjoyed your your "V-Mail from MSgt. Philip Ingraham". It has personal meaning for you. My fater enlisted in WW2 September 1944 and only served state side so no V-Mail from him.
Like you I have an interest in hand written or typed letters from WW2. I have a growing collection of Return to sender, "KIA or MIA". I do a little research into to deceased soldier and circumstances about their demise. Fairly simple today with the internet although WW1 information is a little sparce. I feel like I am doing a service for their sacrifice. Since their letters have hit the market place there might not be anyone to tell their story or remember them. It is really interesting reading the debriefing of flight crews that seen an airplane go down or from the crew members after they are released from POW camps.

Vince

Like
Login to Like
this post

"The best in Big Band and Swing Music WRDV.org"

wrdv.org/
Members Picture
vinman

25 Mar 2023
06:48:14pm

re: V-Mail

Here are a few more Holiday Greetings.

Image Not Found

Image Not Found

Image Not Found

Image Not Found

Like 
3 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.

"The best in Big Band and Swing Music WRDV.org"

wrdv.org/
Patches

Liz

26 Mar 2023
11:22:06am

re: V-Mail

Thank you for sharing.

Like
Login to Like
this post
Members Picture
vinman

04 Nov 2023
09:32:45am

re: V-Mail

Here is a group of recent additions to my V-Mail collection.
Image Not Found
Image Not Found
Image Not Found
Image Not Found
Image Not Found
Image Not Found
Image Not Found
Image Not Found

Like 
6 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.

"The best in Big Band and Swing Music WRDV.org"

wrdv.org/
Members Picture
51Studebaker

Dialysis, damned if you do...dead if you don't
04 Nov 2023
09:42:55am

re: V-Mail

Good stuff Vince!
Don

Like
Login to Like
this post

"Current Score... Don 1 - Cancer 0"

stampsmarter.org

This is my diabetic cat OBI! I think, therefore I am - I think! Descartes, sort of!
04 Nov 2023
09:50:43am

re: V-Mail

I don't collect them but they are very interesting! I have one in my collection as an example.
I have always been interested in military history and can really understand the interest in V-mail - great stuff!!!
A friend has two letters dating back to military action in India during the mid 1800's in the original stampless military covers. The regiment still exists in Britain and I got in touch with them to see if they were interested in either the letters or scans, TWICE with no reply. Her family has no interest either, which I find really odd since this is a great great grandfather. I get a feeling we might be the last generation with an interest in History, sad!!!

Like 
3 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.

"As anyone who has ever been around a cat for any length of time well knows cats have enormous patience with the limitations of the humankind."
Members Picture
vinman

06 Nov 2023
10:33:09am

re: V-Mail

Here are some more I have scanned.

Image Not Found

Image Not Found

Image Not Found

Image Not Found


Like 
3 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.

"The best in Big Band and Swing Music WRDV.org"

wrdv.org/
Members Picture
vinman

10 Apr 2024
02:16:33pm

re: V-Mail

Here are some more V-Mail I recently picked up.

Image Not Found

Image Not Found

Image Not Found

Image Not Found

Image Not Found

Image Not Found

Image Not Found

Like 
5 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.

"The best in Big Band and Swing Music WRDV.org"

wrdv.org/
Members Picture
vinman

21 Apr 2024
11:57:26am

re: V-Mail

One more I added to my collection, "Seasons Greetings"

Image Not Found

Like 
3 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.

"The best in Big Band and Swing Music WRDV.org"

wrdv.org/
Members Picture
vinman

10 May 2024
10:24:05pm

re: V-Mail

Here is a new V Mail added to my collection.

Image Not Found

Like 
2 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.

"The best in Big Band and Swing Music WRDV.org"

wrdv.org/
Members Picture
vinman

22 May 2024
04:37:43pm

re: V-Mail

Season's Greetings from Great Britain.

Image Not Found

Like 
4 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.

"The best in Big Band and Swing Music WRDV.org"

wrdv.org/
Members Picture
vinman

07 Oct 2024
07:47:18pm

re: V-Mail

Here are some more additions to my V Mail collection. A few are duplicates but different senders.

Image Not Found

I believe this is a hand drawn V Mail not a stock image.
Image Not Found

Image Not Found

Image Not Found

Image Not Found

This is a home made letter with news clippings. The first I have seen.
Image Not Found

Like 
6 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.

"The best in Big Band and Swing Music WRDV.org"

wrdv.org/
Members Picture
angore

Al
Collector, Moderator
08 Oct 2024
07:19:46am

re: V-Mail

I have vmail examples (to my aunt) but none with decorative embellishment.

Like
Login to Like
this post

"Stamp Collecting is a many splendored thing"
Members Picture
vinman

09 Oct 2024
05:16:35pm

re: V-Mail

Al
I have some that are just letters. I have a small group from the same corresponence whis tells more of a story than just one.

Here are some more recent additions.

Image Not Found

Image Not Found

Image Not Found

Image Not Found

Image Not Found

Image Not Found

Like 
2 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.

"The best in Big Band and Swing Music WRDV.org"

wrdv.org/
Members Picture
vinman

09 Oct 2024
05:22:00pm

re: V-Mail

Image Not Found

Image Not Found

Image Not Found

Image Not Found

Image Not Found

Image Not Found

Like 
2 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.

"The best in Big Band and Swing Music WRDV.org"

wrdv.org/
Members Picture
vinman

09 Oct 2024
05:31:11pm

re: V-Mail

Image Not Found

This is a hand drawn letter.
Image Not Found

Image Not Found

Image Not Found

Image Not Found

Image Not Found

Image Not Found

Like 
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.

"The best in Big Band and Swing Music WRDV.org"

wrdv.org/
Members Picture
vinman

09 Oct 2024
05:34:02pm

re: V-Mail

Image Not Found

Image Not Found

Image Not Found

Image Not Found

Like 
5 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.

"The best in Big Band and Swing Music WRDV.org"

wrdv.org/
Members Picture
vinman

29 Oct 2024
07:39:12pm

re: V-Mail

More V Mail from my collection.

On the first letter the words in the greeting form a 'V" for Victory.
The second has a woman dressed as the Easter Bunny but instead of eggs she is holding a box of powder eggs.

Image Not Found

Two different Christmas greetings.
Image Not Found

"With the eclipse of the rising sun"
Image Not Found

Like 
4 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.

"The best in Big Band and Swing Music WRDV.org"

wrdv.org/
Members Picture
BermudaSailor

30 Oct 2024
10:48:14am

re: V-Mail

What an awesome collection. Thanks for sharing it with us.

Like 
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.
        

Contact Webmaster | Visitors Online | Unsubscribe Emails | Facebook


User Agreement

Copyright © 2024 Stamporama.com