"Inspected in Field" stamps and numbers

[GeorgeP]

When it comes to inspection stamps on bringback souvenirs, can the numbers that are sometimes found inside the "passed inspection" stamps point to where the souvenir might have been picked up at? Are the numbers code for a location, or am I out on a limb here? Any info. would be appreciated. Thanks.

Tom

[MikeB]

Inspected in the Field...

Hi Tom-
The numbers in the stamp normally refer to the stamp itself. The number would identify who the intel officer was who had signed out under that particular stamp number. Of course, in theory knowing that, one should be able to trace where that officer was located. I don't think anyone has ever tried to assemble that list though. You might not be able to trace the stamp/officer to a particular location, however, as they may have been in a number of different places over a number of months/years. Jerry Price wrote a piece on intel stamps this last year but I have not seen it so cannot comment on it. mikeb

[GeorgeP]

Hey Mike,

Thanks for the info. I was hoping that there would be a "eureka" moment with the numbers attached to specific islands, ultimately opening up the histories of all of those marked souvenirs out there. Oh well.


Tom