Annam-Tonkin Expeditionary Corps in Indochina 1883 - 1904: A Reference Volume for French Indochina Postal History

This book is the philatelic history of the Tonkin Expeditionary Corps (French: corps expéditionnaire du Tonkin), which was a French military command based in northern Vietnam (Tonkin) from June 1883 to occupy Tonkin (northern Vietnam) and entrench a French protectorate there.By the mid-19th century, France was expanding its colonial empire in Asia. After military interventions in the 1850s–1860s, it established Cochinchina (Southern Vietnam) as a French colony in 1862. From there, French policymakers—especially naval leaders and colonial lobbyists—argued that controlling the rest of Vietnam would:Protect Catholic missionary interestsExpand trade with ChinaGive France a dominant strategic position in Southeast AsiaTonkin, bordering China, was especially attractive as a gateway to the Red River, which some believed could open trade routes deep into southern China.In 1882, naval officer Henri Rivière led a small French force that seized Hanoi. His actions were only semi-authorized, but they escalated tensions. In May 1883, Rivière was killed by the Black Flag Army, a Chinese-backed militia. His death caused public outrage in France and gave colonial advocates (like Jules Ferry) the political leverage to send a large military expedition.In June 1883, France formally created the Annam–Tonkin Expeditionary Corps to:Punish the Black FlagsForce the Nguyễn Dynasty to accept a French protectorateAssert France’s position against Chinese influenceFor their letters home, French soldiers serving worldwide always paid the internal French letter rate, but free mail was granted to soldiers in combat zones. Soldiers serving in the Annam-Tonkin Expeditionary Corps were given free mail privileges (from 1883 to 1904) for letters sent to France and her colonies. Showing various examples of mail connected to the campaign, this collection is organized into four sections.The first section (pages 1-57) presents examples of the military postmarks used within the miliary postal system. Identification of postmarks follows the system developed by Jacques Desrousseaux and described in his master work Les Postes et Courriers Français en Extrême-Orient, Volume 2, Les Corps Expéditionnaires. Some of these postmarks were in service for only a short period and some were used in only one or two small areas.The second part (pages 58-97) offers examples of how the mails (both outgoing and incoming) were handled. At some point in the process, military mail was turned over to the civilian postal system for processing. The free franchise was not recognized internationally and sometimes not even within France. Postage was required for registered mail and overweight letters. Postal stationery printed for troops in Madagascar was repurposed for use in Annam and Tonkin.Military mail was often identified by cachets specific to each unit. The third part (pages 98-116) presents examples of the cachets applied to outgoing letters. Sometimes the cachet was enough to convince postal clerks that a mailing qualified for free processing, but sometimes it was not sufficient by itself.The fourth section (pages 117-130) shows examples where military actions spilled over into surrounding areas (Kouang Cho Wan, Cambodia, and Laos).This full-color volume on the philatelic history of the Expeditionary Forces in Indochina is the most comprehensive treatment of this subject ever produced.The author, Ron Bentley, is one of the world's most knowledgeable collectors and exhibitors of French Indochina, and this is his fourth volume of Indochinese history presented as exhibits.Another fine book from Exhibitors Press. Read more