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Postal censorship during World War 1
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Postal censorship during World War 1
Photograph taken in the Censors Museum which shows attempts which used to be made to smuggle food into Germany through the newspaper post. The package behind is a roll of newspapeers intact; the second is a bag of rice protected by dummy newspapers. Date: 1917
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Media ID 14312596
© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans
Censor Censorship Communication Contraband Control Correspondence Disguise Freedom Interception Letter Letters Limit Limitation Mail Office Postal Smuggling
EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative photograph, taken in the Censors Museum, offers a glimpse into the creative efforts made during World War 1 to circumvent postal censorship and smuggle essential supplies into Germany. The image showcases two packages that were attempted to be concealed amongst legitimate mail. In the foreground, a roll of newspapers lies intact, seemingly unaltered. However, upon closer inspection, the second package reveals a more deceptive disguise. Hidden within is a bag of rice, meticulously wrapped and protected by an abundance of dummy newspapers. The First World War marked a significant period of communication control, as governments sought to limit the flow of information and prevent the dissemination of sensitive data. Postal censorship played a crucial role in this endeavor, with letters and parcels subjected to rigorous inspection. The interception and limitation of contraband items were a priority, making the smuggling of essential supplies a dangerous and intricate endeavor. The ingenuity of those attempting to bypass the censors is evident in this photograph, as they employed the very medium used for communication - newspapers - to hide their contraband. The deceptive use of dummy newspapers not only served as a disguise but also added an extra layer of protection, making it more challenging for the censors to detect the smuggled goods. This photograph is a poignant reminder of the lengths people went to maintain connections and provide for their loved ones during a time of war, despite the stringent postal censorship and control measures put in place. The freedom of communication, though limited, remained a vital lifeline for those separated by the conflict.
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