The early date of your cover intrigues me so I would be interested in seeing it; especially to learn what was applied as postage, who censored it and the routing (including any backstamps). Can you post a high resolution scan (1200 or 2400 dpi)?

The earliest known usage (EKU) or earliest recorded date (ERD) of Morobe P090 is “-7OC15” as seen on a 2½d Lakatoi (Papuan) stamp in my collection. The remoteness of Morobe (from shipping routes) precluded sending mail by that means. For expediency of mail delivery the first District Officer (appointed 5 Jan 1915) used the German prearranged mail route overland to Ioma, Papua.

Initially while researching EKU for Eitape (P028), Manus (P084) and the Morobe (P090) I encountered issues determining the Australian military occupation dates for these German outstations. Copies of the Government Gazette documented most shipping information along with occupation reports except for those of Eitape and Morobe. No shipping information for either of these outstations was reported.

The earliest NWPI stamps cancelled Morobe, in my collection, are “12DE15”. Since Morobe strikes are not very common your cover and its postage will help me establish what was available at the district office on November of 1915.

Regarding usage of P090 – I am currently trying to identify usage of the erratic dateline as seen between 11 Nov. 1920 and 15 Jan. 1926.