In the early 1940s, amidst the backdrop of World War II, a photograph postcard depicting the serene Stanley Bay Beach in Alexandria, Egypt, was sent to the United States. This postcard not only captures a picturesque moment of Alexandria’s coastline but also serves as a testament to the era’s postal practices, featuring a distinctive Retta cancellation and a “Passed by Censor” mark.
Stanley Bay Beach and Stanley Bridge
Stanley is a notable neighbourhood near Alexandria’s city centre, renowned for its private-access beach and the iconic Stanley Bridge along the Corniche. The bridge, with a total length of 400 meters and comprising six spans, stands as a prominent landmark, symbolizing the city’s blend of modernity and tradition.
Retta Cancellation: A Unique Postal Marking
The postcard bears a Retta cancellation, a distinctive postal marking used in Egypt and Sudan, particularly for rural district mail. The Retta canceller produces an elongated diamond pattern composed of dots; in this instance, the cancellation features a 10×10 dot matrix. This method was employed to prevent the reuse of stamps by effectively defacing them without obscuring critical details.
Historical Context and Significance
During World War II, Alexandria was a strategic hub for Allied forces, leading to stringent censorship of communications to maintain operational security. The “Passed by Censor” mark on the postcard indicates that its content was reviewed and approved for transmission, reflecting the wartime measures in place.
This postcard serves as a tangible link to Alexandria’s rich history, offering insights into the city’s wartime atmosphere and the postal practices of the era. The combination of the Retta cancellation and censorship mark enhances its value to philatelists and historians alike, providing a window into the complexities of communication during a tumultuous period.