USA Stamps
1944

Scott CM1 to CM12
6c AIRMAIL STAMP with 'RF' OVERPRINT

Issued 1944 on unwatermarked paper, printed rotary press and perf 11:10½. Airmail stamp Scott C25 with an 'RF' Overprint was used exclusively by French naval personnel on airmail correspondance to the US and Canada. A stamp overstamped 'RF' (denoting Republic Francaise), had to be posted on French ships or at their western Mediterranean or northwest African naval bases and had to have a rank or serial number of the sender as well as a return address in order to be valid. These letters were also subjected to examination by the censor.

The stamps are standard Scott C25 Airmail stamps with an 'RF' handstamp which was applied after the stamp was affixed to the envelope. A special French naval cancellation was also required.

There are 12 known valid variations of the 'RF' as well as many others that are doubtful. In addition the are dubious examples of unused C25 stamps with the 'RF' overprint already applied and are likely to have been 'created' after the war.