1st March 1946 – Schlüchtern to Berlin-Zehlendorf. Registered civilian cover sent by Heinz Schneider, Bauingenieur (civil/construction engineer), Schlüchtern, to Richard Röschard, Seehofstraße 51, Berlin-Zehlendorf. The cover carries a multiple franking of the first Allied Control Council “Deutsche Post” numeral issue, comprising four 12 Pf red stamps, apparently Mi. 919, and four 10 Pf brown stamps, Mi. 918, giving a total franking of 88 Pfennig. Of particular postal-historical interest is the registration label: this is a surviving wartime Feldpost R-label, numbered 554, which has been adapted for post-war civilian use by overprinting/hand-stamping “Schlüchtern” over the Feldpost designation. Such reuse illustrates the shortages and improvisation affecting the re-established German postal service during the immediate post-war period. The date is additionally significant because 1st March 1946 marked the introduction of a new domestic postal-rate period. The precise composition of the 88 Pfennig rate should be checked against the weight/class of the registered item before assigning a definitive rate explanation. To the reverse, a postage stamp (Mi.280) has been used to seal the flap. the stamp was first issued in 1923. Ref: 01.03.1946 - 16/3