“Civil Censorship in the Solomons 1939 – 1945” with Ian Kimmerly

The Solomon Islands, referred to as the Solomons, consist of six major islands and over 900 smaller islands.  The Solomons are considered part of Oceania and are bound by Australia to the Northeast and Papua New Guinea to the west.  The Solomon Islands is a luscious former British Island wrapped in the mystery of Plantations and headhunters.   Known for the Battle of Guadalcanal and the near loss of the man who would become one of America’s most beloved presidents, John F. Kennedy.  In 1998, Sean Penn, Adrien Brody, Jim Caviezel, Ben Chaplin, George Clooney, John Cusack, Woody Harrelson, Elias Koteas, Nick Nolte, John C. Reilly and John Travolta starred in the movie The Thin Red Line, a fictionalized version of the Battle of Mount Austen, which was part of the Guadalcanal Campaign.

Our presenter, noted historian and philatelist Ian Kimmerly, shares the story of Censorship in the Solomon Islands from the days before Pearl Harbor through the various occupations.  He will also show some forgeries.  Every message, even ones written on coconuts, was subject to censorship.  You do not have to be a Solomon Island collector or even know where the Solomon Islands are to enjoy the talk.