Clemson Class Destroyer Eugene Mueller Philatelic Request Cover
OVERVIEW
Offered is a pristine 1938 United States naval philatelic cover originating from the Clemson class destroyer USS Humphreys DD 236. Prepared by noted Chicago philatelic correspondent Eugene L Mueller, the cover was mailed during the ship's inter war operations out of San Diego California.
It represents a high quality example of pre World War II naval postal history and early Presidential Series definitive usage.
FRANKING & POSTAL HISTORY
The cover is franked with a mixed 1.5 cent combination of the 1938 Presidential Series definitives, featuring the 1/2 cent orange brown Benjamin Franklin cataloged as Scott 803 and the 1 cent green George Washington cataloged as Scott 804.
The stamps are printed by rotary press on unwatermarked paper with standard perforations.
As postally used stamps on cover, the state of original gum is not applicable. The adhesives are perfectly tied by a crisp Type 7 naval machine cancellation reading:
USS HUMPHREYS
SEP 14 PM
1938
with the adjacent SAN DIEGO CALIF location integrated directly into the machine killer bars.
The 1.5 cent franking reflects recognized philatelic request usage commonly employed by collectors seeking contemporary naval ship cancellations during the early Presidential Issue period.
CONTEXT & COLLECTOR APPEAL
At the time of this September 1938 mailing, the four stacker USS Humphreys was a vital component of the Pacific Fleet destroyer force stationed in San Diego.
The ship would soon transition from these peaceful inter war maneuvers to the high stakes Neutrality Patrols of 1939 and active combat service in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters of World War II.
Carrying the verified provenance of the Mueller philatelic archive, this item appeals directly to specialists in pre war naval cancellations, Clemson class destroyer history, and early Prexie postal usages.
ITEM SPECIFICS
Country: United States
Year: 1938
Type: Naval Philatelic Cover
Topic: USS Humphreys Clemson Destroyer Naval Mail History
Theme: United States Navy Destroyers
Subject: Clemson Class Destroyer Eugene Mueller
Era: 1930s Inter War
Region: San Diego California
Stamp Color: Orange Brown Green
Stamp Denomination: 1/2 Cent 1 Cent
Perforation Size: Standard
Printing Method: Rotary Press
Paper Type: Unwatermarked Envelope
Cancellation Type: Type 7 Naval Machine Cancel
Cancellation Date: 14 September 1938
Scott Number: 803 804
Features: Philatelic Request San Diego Killer
Custom SKU: USA-1938-DD236-HUMPHREYS-NAVAL-MUELLER
CONDITION
Original philatelic condition. The envelope remains exceptionally clean with very light natural age toning consistent with pre war archival storage.
The 803 and 804 Presidential Series stamps are firmly affixed and tied by a bold black machine cancel.
The typed address is sharp, and the reverse preserves the original printed return address of Eugene L Mueller.
There are no vertical folds, tears, or structural faults.
Please review all high resolution photographs carefully to determine exact condition.