Censored Mail

As a neutral state, Switzerland served as a refuge for many individuals escaping the hostilities of each World War. Much mail exists from Switzerland to all destinations, however, due to wartime conditions, it was often censored by the nations it passed to or through.

French censor, World War I, 1917

Austrian censor, World War I, 1917

This cover traveled from Switzerland to the U.S. in the Spring of 1943. Because it was routed through German-held territory, it was first censored by the Germans (left strip) before it was censored by the Americans (right strip).