The Partridge Collection of Tristan da Cunha #642

Tristan da Cunha, 1938, pictorial cover to Simonsig, Capetown, showing the Finnish schoolship Suomen Joutsen, bearing Finland 1.25m adhesive tied by ship's cachet in violet (normally only seen as a backstamp on Tristan covers) and South Africa 1d adhesive affixed on arrival, and tied by Capetown Feb. 24, 1938 circular datestamp; cover with creases, Fine to Very Fine.
Estimate $200 - 300

In 1930, the ship was acquired by the Government of Finland, refitted to serve as a school ship for the Finnish Navy and given her current name. "Suomen Joutsen" made eight long international voyages before the Second World War and later served in various support and supply roles during the war. The seventh voyage of "Suomen Joutsen" began on 20 October 1937 and took the ship first across the Atlantic to South America. After calling Montevideo, she continued east to Cape Town, stopping at Tristan da Cunha along the way. The seventh voyage has often been called the "unluckiest one" as three crew members were lost before the ship arrived back in Finland on 12 May 1938. A remarkable postal history piece used on the next stage of the ship's voyage after leaving Tristan .