| The Swedish vessel "M.S. Gripsholm" made
three voyages to South East Asia to exchange civilians, diplomats, and
carried mail to and from Civilian Internees and P.O.W.'s.
The first voyage by the M.S. Gripsholm was in
June of 1942 and carried Japanese civilians which were to be exchanged
for Civilians of the Allied Nations, as well as Red Cross packages from
Canada and the U.S. for their interned P.O.W.'s throughout Asia. No mail
was carried on this voyage.
The second voyage of the Gripsholm was in September
of 1942 and carried an exchange of civilians, Red Cross packages from the
U.S. and Canada and mail to and from the Philippines.
The third voyage departed New York on September
2,1943 carrying mail and relief supplies for the P.O.W.'s interned by the
Japanese.
1943 AUGUST 25: MINNITH, MARYLAND to PHILIPPINES
Cover carried on the third voyage of the GRIPSHOLM,
as endorsed.
The hand stamp at the right is the Japanese "Furo
Yubin" (Prisoner of War Mail).
The large purple censor mark is a "Japanese Inspected
by" hand stamp and the orange
oval hand stamp is the personal identification
of the Japanese censor.
The blue pencil marking is for CABANATUAN PRISONER
OF WAR CAMP No. 1
and the 23 being the building in which the P.O.W.
was staying.
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