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Another philatelic piece, this one for a stamp show in Dresden.

Mixed frankings were allowed during the period in which the HOPs were valid.

In this case, the rate of 12pfg is made up of, from left to right, a 2pfg "General issue" Soviet Zone overprint, 2 x 10pfg unoverprinted tri-zone stamps (rated at one-tenth of their original value, ie 1pfg each, following the currency reform), and 2pfg and 6pfg HOPs for 16 Gotha.

This is possibly philatelic, although the sender/recipient are not obviously so.

Last one for now, and this is an invalid usage cover.

The stamp is "isolated" by black pencil and the postmark is deliberately away from the stamp.

The date is 12 July 1948, 2 days after the HOP stamps were invalidated.

The red "Nachgebuhr" mark and the large, blue pencil "36" on the cover indicates postage due of 36pfg.

Thanks for the replys sofar

The image shown here isn't a religious event, I'm not familar with the term in english, but a pädagog or p¦dagog in Denmark
is a adult taking care of childeren, daycare, after school "clubs" and such.

Also Gavin - the Red 12 NOYTA and it's long range of east saxen sisters - what can you tell about them?

Kloster

Kloster,

Thank you for your comments - the word "Pedagogue" in English is very similar too, but I had not made the connection

Of course, there would be many children in need of special care given the circumstances in Germany at that time so that is another cover with a "social commentary"

As far as the "NOYTA" issue of East Saxony is concerned, I sadly don't have an example to show - there are many forgeries about, and the "real" ones are hard to find.

The story behind that issue, briefly, is that there was an agreement between the allies that all stamps would be inscribed in German only. The "Western" allies were clever and issued stamps inscribed "AM Post" which could translate equally into English and German as "Allied Military Post", and was just about legitimate.

The Soviets overstepped the mark with the "NOYTA" = "Pochta" = "Post" issue and the Western allies protested strongly at the use of the Cyrillic script. The issue was withdrawn and subsequently redesigned without the Cyrillic inscription.

Over a million of the "NOYTA" stamp were printed, about 14,000 were sold and the remainder were destroyed.

I will show other East Saxony issues at a later date.

Gavin, I'm just curious about the above quote. The stamp was withdrawn within hours after it was issued. I doubt if the Allies knew or really cared what the Russians were doing in Ost -Sachsen or whether the Russians cared even if the Allies did protest.
I believe they themselves realized it was a public relations faux pas and even though they were brutalizing the population officially they were trying to win over the peoples' hearts and minds with propaganda.
As far as using only German on stamps in the occupation zones, look at the French common issue of 1945-1947 it says Zone Francaise. The French got away with it.

I like your Gotha mixed franking cover, maybe the pharmacist was a stamp collector or perhaps the Apotheke also sold stamps.Whether its philatelic or commercial doesn't matter since it served its purpose and there is a lot of history on that cover, both postal and political.

Lithograving,

As far as the "Pochta" issue is concerned, Stanley Gibbons states:



Michel says it:

Thanks Gavin, is that the Michel specialized ?

It's the English language version of the Specialized. Part 2, 2009 edition

Hi Gavin,

I'd appreciate your comment on this Finsterwalde cover:





This was apparently sent from Kirchhain (now part of Doberlug-Kirchhain), a small town next to Finsterwalde, to Northeim in Lower Saxony (then in the British Zone).

It's cancelled KIRCHHAIN (NIEDERLAUSITZ) 1 on 17.5.46 and the arrival mark on the reverse is NORTHEIM (HAN) on 25.5.46.

As far as I can see from my old Michel catalogue this seems to be too late for the period of validity of the Finsterwalde stamps.

The franking is 84 pf. Is this correct for a registered cover of this period?

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Nigel

Nigel,

Neat cover, and thanks for showing it here

The 84pfg rate looks correct, which gives it a reasonable chance of being commercial, not philatelic (often philatelic covers were deliberately over-franked).

I'm not sure when the Finsterwalde stamps were invalidated, I'll check my Michel later to see what comments they make (I'm at the office just now). I know a lot of these locals were tolerated by the authorities at least until the currency reform in 1948, so probably OK with that.

Kirchhain (Niederlausitz) is a reasonably likely place for these to have been used for postal purposes. The inscription on the stamps has a very small "NL" (= "NiederLausitz") to the right of "Finsterwalde" which puts it in the geographical area where one would reasonably expect these stamps to be in circulation.

Another interesting aspect to this is that the 10pfg stamp appears to be on whiter paper than the others. This apparent paper variation is something which in not listed in Michel, but Stampboards member Darren K and I have been discussing recently. I'll point Darren to this thread and see if he has any comment to add

Nigel,

Further to my previous answer, I've had a look in Michel now, and the story with Finsterwalde locals is not straightforward:

Initially they were only on sale for a day in February 1946, then withdrawn due to "authorisation issues". They were then on sale again for a short period in late March, before being accepted by the authorities thereafter.

Generally, the local issues were declared invalid at the end of October 1946 by the Berlin authorities, but I believe usage was "tolerated" later than that.

Following earlier discussion on the "Pochta" stamp of East Saxony (which I haven't got) I thought I'd show a few examples of East Saxony which I have got



First up is the basic set of nine values (Mi 42 -50) - these are (as far as I can tell) all postally used examples.

The "Pochta" stamp was similar in design, but with the Russian inscription where the ornamentation below the value was on these.

This basic design was used for several subsequent issues of East Saxony.

The basic imperf issue was locally perforated or rouletted by Postmasters in several towns and cities in East Saxony. The various Postmaster Perfs are listed, and are identifiable by the gauge of the perforations/roulettings.

This set was perforated at Klotzsche (Michel 42F to 50F)

An example of a locally rouletted set, this one a top-marginal set rouletted at Loschwitz (Mi42G - 50G)

These, and the perfs shown in the previous scan were (along with a number of others) officially sanctioned. A number of other, smaller post offices also produced "private separations" on this issue, without central authorisation - these could have been declared invalid by the authorities but it seems they were "tolerated".

There were various other issues following the same basic design.

This is the second issue.

Top left - the "basic" stamps - 3pfg and 10pfg.

Bottom left - examples of "Spargummi" on this issue - it was produced with both this and full gum (the others in this scan are all full gum).

The block of 4 shows three stamps of Type I and one of Type II. In Type I, the "3" has a point whereas in Type II it is "blunt" (bottom left stamp in the block). In a sheet of 100, 95 are Type I and 5 are Type II.

The right-hand stamp is an example of an unofficial local roulette. No Postmaster Perfs/Rouls were made on this issue. I've measured this one as Roul 7 - 7.5; it is possible that this is a "sewing machine" roulette. Clearly as a method of separation it wasn't hugely successful

Gavin, Thanks very much for your comments - you've added a lot to my understanding of this cover

I've never noticed the tiny "NL" in the design of the Finsterwalde stamps.

Kirchhain is only about 10km from Finsterwalde. Searching for "Finsterwalde" in Google Maps brings up a very clear map showing the two towns next to each other.

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Nigel

Just to return to East Saxony for a moment, other than the "numeral" design shown earlier, there was only one issue.

That was a semi-postal issue of two stamps to raise funds for reconstruction ("Wiederaufbau").

The stamps show old Dresden buildings.

Shown here are mint corner marginals, used (probably cto although no gum) and a couple of misperfs, one so far off that it was cut to shape

Remarkably similar to W Germany issues in the late 60s(?) aren't they.

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Ian Billings - Norvic Philatelics GB stamps info: http://www.norphil.co.uk - also /catalog for our ecommerce site, blog.norphil.co.uk, shop.norphil.co.uk and Ian_norvic on twitter

Ian, I'd never even thought about that, but yes they are (although side-by-side these are a bit bigger)

For comparison...

The only similarity I see between these and the West German series Twelve hundred years of German Architecture is that the both depict the Dresdner Zwinger.

What I find interesting though is that they are inscribed Bundesland Sachsen since later this terminology was used in West Germany but not I believe in the DDR

Yes, as far as I can recall, this is the only use of that term in the Eastern part of Germany. "Bundes" = "Federal", a misuse on a par with "Demokratische" in "DDR"

I wasn't thinking specifically of the buildings. The ones we see most often are the red (30pf) and green (20?) ones. Just struck me, that's all.

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Ian Billings - Norvic Philatelics GB stamps info: http://www.norphil.co.uk - also /catalog for our ecommerce site, blog.norphil.co.uk, shop.norphil.co.uk and Ian_norvic on twitter

For today I'm going to stay in the same part of Germany, and look at the issues from two neighbouring towns way over near the Polish border: Niesky and Goerlitz.

The stamps of these two towns shared common designers and printers, as is obvious immediately.

Firstly, Niesky:



Several printings exist, identifiable primarily by paper type, but also with slight differences in the lettering. Some were gummed with "Spargummi" as previously discussed.

This set is on white "coated" paper, with full gum.

Niesky 2

Issue on yellow coated paper, including "gutter" pair.

There are numerous minor flaws on these, such as the broken "T" making "STADT appear as "STAD1", and the broken bottom l/h corner frame on the 12pfg value, but even though these are clearly "plateable" they are not listed in Michel.

Niesky on cover. I'm reasonably confident* that this one is at least vaguely "postal" rather than totally philatelic. It isn't a first day and there's nothing fancy.

The only slightly suspicious angle is the use of the rubber-stamped address, but that could easily be a standard "business practice".

* My optimism is reinforced by the fact that Michel states that commercial command a "significant increase" over philatelic

Goerlitz is pretty much a repeat performance, but with additional values. In this case a set of four values with pretty much the same variations in paper and gum.

Again, numerous plate flaws exist affecting the lettering and borders etc.

First up, a basic set on white coated paper with full gum.

Next up, the set on yellow paper. Not much more to say on this one...

Last one for now, and I've saved what I consider the best (certainly the oddest...) until last.

The full set of four stamps (greyish-yellow paper) and a printed impression top-right. Not a first day, but clearly a "philatelic creation"

The printed impression is over the "place stamp here" inscription which is still clearly visible.

The incomplete cds postmarks give an initial impression that the stamps were CTO'd and then added to the cover . But when you look, every stamp is tied to the cover, so that's clearly not the case. Two of the cds's touch a second stamp in addition to the they "major" on, so the stamps must have been stuck to the cover before being cancelled. And the pre-printed impression has a similar "part cds" (should I call it a "semi cds", or "scds"???).

So what I can't figure out is how and why this was done - if anyone has any ideas, I'd love to hear...

A few examples from the town of Luebbenau [or to give it its full title: Luebbenau (im Spreewalde)].

Luebbenau issued two sets of stamps, both on the same date, 13 April 1946. The first set of 8 values (smaller format) were for Reconstruction, and the second set of 4 (larger format) for "Solidarity Action".

The stamps were of good quality, produced on better paper than many of the local issue, some values being on coloured paper.

Both carried a premium and each set sold for 2.00RM, meaning a larger surcharge on the Solidarity stamps than on the Reconstruction issue. Clearly the Soviet authorities placed a higher value on politics than buildings

Edit: The stamps on the top row are undamaged - just a badly cropped scan

Here's the Solidarity Action set imperf.

For both sets, 50,000 of each value were printed perforated and 10,000 imperf.

This is the Solidarity Action set on a Registered cover.

It's almost certainly philatelic, although there's a slight possibility that it's commercial given the use of "tri-zone" definitives to make up the 84pfg registered rate. I suppose it depends to a large extent what the business of "Firma Robert WRONA" in Berlin was - please, somebody tell me he wasn't a stamp dealer

Interestingly, the premium for this issue on cover is relatively much lower than many of the other locals (but in reality they're no easier to find...)

Finally for my visit to Luebbenau, this is a "Black Print", presumably taken after the plates were removed from service, as the plate has clearly been defaced across the centre of the stamp.

Michel mentions Proof printings (they were listed and priced in earlier editions, but de-listed some time between 1992 and 2000); this value was proof-printed in black as well as the issued green.

But my example is clearly not a proof copy in that sense, as the plate could not have been defaced before being used to print the regular stamps.

Nice cover Gavin

I'm afraid Robert Wrona published a Specialised German stamp catalogue.

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Nigel

B***er

Time for some more obliterated Hitler Heads, this time from Doebeln.

Doebeln issued only 1 overprinted value, the 6pfg, but both shades (Mi 785a and Mi 785b) were overprinted.

Proof printings of two other values (3 pfg and 12 pfg) exist, but these were not issued.

The date below the diamond obliterator is the "Liberation" date; the stamps were issued on 13 July 1945.

Positioning of the overprint was very variable as can be seen by these 2 examples (one of each shade).

Here's one used on a postcard - there's no message on the reverse of the card and no sender's details filled in, so clearly "philatelic"; possibly done as a "favour" cancel.

This example was postamarked one week after issue.

I suppose you could call this one a "Doebeln Double"

A used example of the variety with double overprint, one inverted.

This is probably cto (but has no gum), and the variety is only listed/priced in Michel as used.

The overprint inverted (single overprint) and double overprint (not inverted) varieties are only listed mint, so that makes me think that the Postmaster carefully regulated/choreographed the release of the error/variety stamps

It does a very good job obliterating Hitler.

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Nigel

Ah, the rare raised asterisks in B***er overprint

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Ian Billings - Norvic Philatelics GB stamps info: http://www.norphil.co.uk - also /catalog for our ecommerce site, blog.norphil.co.uk, shop.norphil.co.uk and Ian_norvic on twitter

Ian, it just proves the point I made here:

Another town that did a thorough job of obliterating Hitler's portrait was Netzschkau-Reichenbach.

The overprint was applied in four different types. Some values show a single type, others show combinations with different types appearing on the same sheet in different positions.

Michel numbers these as Type I, IIa, IIb and IIc.

These are examples of Type IIb (2 smaller squares to the right)

Three examples of Type I overprints with one (3rd stamp) forgery.

Type I is a network of very small squares. The forgery is clearly overprinted with horizontal lines (not a legitimate type of overprint) and the "9" of "1945" is incorrect.

The forgery is, unsurprisingly, the "expensive" shade of the 6pfg stamp.

Where the different types of overprint are adjacent it is possible to get sse tenant pairs or blocks.

These are all examples of Type I / Type IIb pairs.

A block of 6 x 6pfg showing the following overprint types:

Type I Type I

Type I Type IIa

Type IIb Type IIb

This combination exists once per sheet, in positions 45, 46, 55, 56, 65, 66 (sheet of 100).

21,200 of this value were printed giving a maximum of 212 of this combination (if none were split which is highly unlikely).

Covers of Netzschkau-Reichenbach issues are even harder to find than of many other Soviet Zone locals.

Unfortunately, I haven't tracked down a decent example yet, but I did manage to find this one "on piece" with a first day (25 July 1945) cancel.

Presumably "philatelic", but we might never know

Lastly for Netzschkau-Reichenbach, an example of an offset overprint.

This one is on the 3pfg value (not the same stamp as in the earlier N-R scan).

I keep looking for an offset overprint on an offset stamp, but without any luck so far

EDIT: apologies for the poor scan

You never cease to amaze me, that's quite a hoard you have there. I was never interested before in these Lokalausgaben nor had I seen any except in the catalogue.
Thanks again for showing them.
I was looking through my Michel Deutschland 2005/2006 and noticed that the Netzschkau-Reichenbach issue is valued the same whether mint or used which is odd since they were valid for only 15 days. Wouldn't you think genuine in period used would be worth more ?