US WWI Oversea's Cap with Postal Express Patch

**buellmeister** · 01-09-2021, 03:50 PM

Gents,

Here is another recent pickup that I find interesting. This is a unique piece for looking at it from one side it is a pretty common WWI oversea's cap until you look at it from the other side for which shows a Postal Express Patch that was hand sewn on. I just find it interesting for I have never really previously had any known knowledge of the Express Mail Service. Unfortunately, there are no stamps or markings attributing to anyone in particular. However it will display well and be one of those conversation pieces in my collection.

Now the Postal Express was a special branch of the army that took over the reigns for mail delivery from the US Postal service in 1918. Apparently the USPS wasn't up to task for handling the mail delivery to our troops overseas and the Army created their own mail delivery service.

This item was also has a significant meaning for I am the owner of a beautiful 13 year old Greyhound named, Katrina.

**Rakkasan187** · 01-09-2021, 04:03 PM

Excellent description.

Not too often do you see something this rare surface..

The insignia is in extraordinary condition.. given it is over 100 years old.

A very nicely done which I would imagine is a hand made insignia.

Thank you for sharing..

Smitty

**buellmeister** · 01-09-2021, 04:26 PM

Smitty,

Thank you! Though the patch is a bit faded from its original dark blue hue, I agree that it is quite amazing that it has survived this long. Thank you again for your kind words!

Joel

**buellmeister** · 01-09-2021, 04:52 PM

Here is another interesting factoid.

"In 1918 Brigadier General Robert C. Davis oversaw the expansion of all Adjutant General Operations in the European theater, to include assuming the responsibility for overseas post offices. In 1918 military personnel started to operate field postal stations and the first all-military mail service in American history, known as the Military Postal Express Service (MPES), was put into operation. As the service grew, the MPES opened the first Army Post Office, APO 753, in May in Limoges, Haute-Vienne, France."

Source: dvids