While working on one project, such as Weihnachtsfest, all kinds of things come up which slows me down trying to finish these previous projects.
When I saw this item on E-bay, I had to get it for several reasons: it is connected to Manning but more importantly it is something I had not seen before and will be perfect to use in the Manning Veterans book.
There is so MUCH history printed on this item. FDR - how many of you know what his middle name is - I remembered it right away since it is such an unusual name?
The cover is so very unique - a WWII slogan and even more importantly, the WWII winged eagle stamp in the shape of a "V" which was a prominent symbol for WWII "V for VICTORY."
Most people today who use the index & middle finger to make the "peace" sign have no clue it was hijacked from the original WWII "V for Victory."
Anyway, I've was able to get in contact with a grandchild of Leslie and at this point we don't know if there was/is any direct connect of his family to Manning but we are looking. My conjecture is that since Manning had 3 different railroads, all with passenger service that Leslie had a stop-over here and purchased that cover and sent it to another collector in California.
My first guess is it was a first day cover that stamp collectors would mail to each other around the country that would have the cancellation of a specific town.
I've seen quite a few Manning covers but not quite the historical importance of one like this, so I'm glad I was able to purchase it.


A picture of Leslie's confirmation in Latimer, Iowa, from his grandchild.
Leslie was a stamp collector which would explain why the WWII cover was specially mailed out to Albert.


Irene & Leslie Meyer

Leslie Meyer
Services for Leslie Meyer, 79, will be 10 a.m. Tuesday at Richland Lutheran Church, Thornton; burial in St. Paul's Lutheran Church Cemetery, Latimer, Iowa; he died Saturday (June 18) at the North Iowa Medical Center in Mason City of cancer; survivors include his wife, Irene; two daughters, Gloria Steinke of Gibson and Lois Wolter of Waverly; two sons, James of Roseville, Minnesota, and Keith of St. Paul, Minnesota; one sister, Helene Posehl of Portland, Oregon; 17 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; friends may call from 2 to 9 p.m. Monday at the Sietsema-Vogel Funeral Home, Latimer; he was a retired farmer.
The Courier Waterloo, Iowa June 19 1988

On a wild chance I searched for an A.R. Rowell in Oakland and found one. His age fits and the location, along with first first and middle initials and last name, so I'm going to go with this fellow for now.
Connie, my Manning helper, found a death notice and some other information which is shown below, but there is apparently no connection to Manning for Albert.

Albert R. Rowell (December 23, 1892 - January 31, 1969)
Son of Clayton and Lillie Rowell, he was born in Belle Plaine, Iowa.
Wife: Louise

Buried in Mountain View Cemetery, Oakland, California - Outdoor Garden Mausoleum


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