Rare, 1927 USS Arizona--BB39, Balboa Paquebot, W/Pho (02/14/2011)...

Home > Worthopedia – Price Guide > Stamps >

Rare, 1927 USS Arizona--BB39, Balboa Paquebot, W/Photos

Terms and Conditions for using our site

Rare, 1927 USS Arizona--BB39, Balboa Paquebot, W/Photos

Sold For:

or Sign In to see what it's worth.

Sold Date: 02/14/2011
Channel: Online Auction
Source: eBay
Category: Stamps

Offered is a rare piece of USS Arizona, BB-39 postal history. I have never seen a piece like this before. The envelope was posted from "Panama, C.Z." on 16 June 1927. I have scanned the entire letter that was written on USS Arizona stationery. The scans are arranged pages 1, 2, 3. There are five photos included with the letter and I scanned two of them with the cover. I purchased this cover from R. E. Bob Wallace, a dealer known to many of us, over 20 years ago at his shop in Dallas, Texas. Bob had several of these USS Arizona letters (only 1 Paquebot from Canal Zone) and each had the same 5 photos included with each cover. The reprints were made from the original photos that were included with this or one of the other letters sent to Rosebud Willoughby from this sailor. Regarless, the photos show scenes from the deck of the Arizona. One photo shows the bi-plane on the catapult, while another shows Seaman Buie sitting on gun turret number 3.

Cover opened a bit roughly at left front and a small part of envelope missing. Cover has only slight toning on back, but does have a hint of discoloration from soil and age. Cover franked with a 2-cent 4th Bureau Washington and cancelled with a well struck "Balboa, Paquebot" cancel. There is a small cc on back that reads, "From N. Buie, USS Arizona, Panama, C.Z.". Seldom do we find letters and photos from sailors on the Arizona. Most of the 1920's mail seems to be from the Navy Savings Bank.

For those who read the letter, Rosebud Willoughby dropped Buie like a hot potato a couple letters later according to Bob Wallace.