The Stamps of the German Empire

UC-NRLF

6165 3fi Sfifi G3P6

COo GIFT OF Lewis Bealer THE STAMPS OF THE GERMAN STATES By Bertram W. H. Poole

PART I "Stamps of the German Empire"

BADEN MECKLENBURG-SCHWERIN BAVARIA MECKLENBURG-STREUTZ BERGEDORF OLDENBURG BREMEN PRUSSIA BRUNSWICK SAXONY HAMBURG SCHLESWIG-HOISTEIN HANOVER LUBECK WURTEMBERG

HANDBOOK NUMBER 6 Price 35c

PUBLISHED BY MEKEEL-SEVERN-WYLIE CO. BOSTON, MASS. i" THE STAMPS

OF THE GERMAN EMPIRE

BERTRAM W. H. POOLE

AUTHOR OF

The Stamps of the Cook Islands, Stamp Collector's

Guide, Bermuda, Bulgaria, Hong Kong, Sierra Leone, Etc.

MEKEEL-SEVERN-WYLIE CO.

HANDBOOK No. 6

PUBLISHED BY MEKEEL-SEVERN-WYLIE CO. BOSTON, MASS. GIFT OF

FOREWORD.

In beginning this series of articles little is required in the way of an introductory note for the title is lucid enough. I may, however, point out that these articles are written solely for the guidance of the general collector, in which category, of course, all our boy readers are included. While all important philatelic facts will be recorded but little attention will be paid to minor varieties. Special stress will be laid on a study of the various designs and all necessary explanations will be given so that the lists of varieties appearing in the catalogues will be plain to the most inexperienced collector. In the "reference list," which will conclude each f chapter, only > s.ucji s. arfif>s; Hifl >e included as may; ie,'con&tfJdrekt ;"e,ssntial" and, as such,' coming 'within 'the scope of on the.'phJlaJtetist'lcoUeetijig' ^ene^l" lines. .V. .' I.* I ! : V: *: ; ; The' subject 'will be divided into "the four main sections under which the stamps are usually classified, viz : (a) the separate issues for the German States; (b) the issues for Germany proper; (c) German stamps overprinted for use in the foreign post-offices; and (d) the stamps for the German Colonies. THE STAMPS OF THE GERMAN EMPIRE.

By BERTRAM W. H. POOL?.

BADEN.

The grand-duchy of Baden is a com- in the hands of the house of Thurn small paratively territory, having an and Taxis ; but the wars of the French area of 5,821 square miles and a popu- Revolution, followed by those of the lation of about two millions. It is First Empire, so dislocated the service bordered by the Rhine on the south and that Baden, in common with some of west, Wurtemberg on the east, and the other German States, withdrew Bavaria on the north. Until the early from the Thurn and Taxis monopoly, part of the 19th century it played an in- and established an independent postal significant part in European politics, but administration. Since December 31st, when Austria and Prussia were at war 1871, the separate administration of it sided with Austria. The results were Baden has ceased to exist, and the disastrous, for when the tide of battle Post Office is now under the control turned in favor of Prussia it found it- of the general postal administration self burdened with a huge war indem- of the German Empire. It was forced to remodel its nity. army So long as it continued to issue post- on Prussian lines and the North join age stamps of its own the currency of German Confederation. In the Franco- Baden was the florin, equal to about 40c, German war its troops fought on the divided into 60 kreuzer. German side, and in due time it became a part of the new German Em- pire. The grand-duchy has three votes in the Federal and elects four- Council, THE FIRST ISSUE. teen deputies to the Imperial Diet. The of Baden is a existing grand-duchy On April 6th, 1850, the governments continuation and development of the of Austria and Prussia established a ancient of Swabia or duchy Alemannia, Postal Convention for the interchange principally through the two dynasties of of correspondence at fixed rates and the margreaves of Baden-Baden and other German States were invited to Baden-Durlach. In 1803 the mar- ruling join the Union. Among other things of the united greave (1772) dynasties the Articles of this Convention stipu- was made an elector of the and empire, lated that, as a rule, correspondence in 1806 he himself a sov- proclaimed should be prepaid and that such pre- ereign grand-duke. The town of Baden payment should be effected by means of is world famous for its mineral waters postage stamps as soon as practicable. and baths. the virtues Though healing Baden at once agreed to join the Union of the waters were to the known Romans but as the sanction of the Legislative (Aquae Aureliae) it only came into re- Assembly was necessary before the as a health resort about a pute century grand-duchy could officially become a It has ago. a population of less than member matters were delayed until the 20,000, but it is estimated that its an- meeting of that body in the autumn of nual visitors amount to at least four 1850. The Legislative Assembly gave times that number. its consent and also sanctioned the issue In the of tracing philatelic history of postage stamps. In the meantime Baden in the "Adhesive Postage Stamps enquiries had been made regarding the of Europe" the late Mr. W. A. S. safest and most economical method of wrote : Westoby manufacturing stamps so that directly The postal administration of the legal enactment was given to the recom- Grand Duchy of Baden was formerly mendation to join the Union, the M80838 authorities were in a position to pro- sheets of fifty and the other values in ceed with the manufacture of suitable sheets of one hundred. The additional labels. It was decided to issue four electrotypes were so added that the values Ikr, 3kr, 6kr, and 9kr and Mr. horizontal rows contained ten instead C. Naumann, of Frankfort, was com- of nine specimens. missioned to engrave the dies while the A well authenticated error of the 9kr paper was obtained from a local paper- is known this being printed on the maker. It was decided that the most bluish green paper of the 6kr. It is economical method would be to print an exceedingly rare stamp and it is pre- all values in black but use paper of a sumed that only one sheet was printed. different color for each. Mr. Westoby Reprints of the Ikr, 3kr, and 6kr "the s were on were in 1867 to an states that ,die& engraved made and, except copper ui ^relief,- antt ^oheisied of two expert, these are very difficult to dis- of value; was in the from parts: thk numeral J tinguish originals. The shades centr^ on,a circular ground, the pattern differ slightly, the paper for the Ikr of \wjiifrirJ varfcit 1h; each value; while and 3kr is thicker and the gum is white for the rectangular, frame: was tfyi same and smooth instead of being brown and all the values." crackly like the gum on the originals. At the top we find "Baden" in German Care should, therefore, be exercised in capitals; at the bottom is "Freimarke", the purchase of unused specimens. meaning "Free stamp"; at the left is

"Deutsch: Oestr : Postverein", signify- ing "German Austrian Postal Union"; and at the right is "Vertrag v. 6 April, 1850", meaning "Convention of April 6th, 1850". The latter date, as already explained, refers to that on which the Postal Union was established. The dies for the four values were completed by Naumann on Dec. 20th, c crence List. and 100 electrotypes were taken 1850, May 1st, 1851. Black on colored paper. from each of them, except of the Ikr Imperf. of which only fifty electros were cast. 1. Ikr on buff, Scott's No. 1. It was decided to print the Ikr in 2. 3kr on orange-yellow, Scott's Nos. 2 & 2a. 3. 6kr on green, Scott's Nos. 3 & 3a. sheets of 45, in five rows of nine, and 4. 9kr on lilac-rose, Scott's No. 4. the other values in sheets of 90, in ten rows of nine. The extra cliches were kept in reserve in case any of the others should become damaged or worn and THE SECOND ISSUE. have to be replaced. The paper was machine-made, wove, and differed in Another printing of the stamps of the color for each value. The paper for numeral type took place in 1853. The color of the Ikr not considered the Ikr was buff; that for the 3kr was being orange; that for the 6kr bluish green; satisfactory it was decided to print this and that for the 9kr was rose-red value on plain white paper. At the same to reduce the cost of showing a faint tinge of violet. The time, pro- additional cliches were stamps were imperforate. duction, fifty so that this value could be The stamps were printed by the made printed in sheets of 100 like the others of the University printer, Mr. Hasper, of series. In this the 3kr Carlsruhe, ordinary black printers' ink printing, also, and 6kr colors for being employed. By the end of Febru- exchanged though what reason is not clear unless there ary, 1851, a supply considered sufficient values to last a year was ready but for some was some idea that these might with the similar denomi- reason or other the stamps were not be confused nations for the of Wurtem- placed in issue until May 1st. The de- kingdom notice of the mand for stamps being much greater berg. No public change of colors was but the information than had been anticipated the first sup- given was to the in a ply was exhausted in less than three conveyed post-offices order dated as months and a further supply had to be general June 3rd, 1853, follows : printed. This second impression was ready in August and the paper used You are hereby informed of a new for the 3kr and 6kr differed in tint impression of the postage stamps from that originally used. The color which will be sent you in a few days of that for the 3kr was yellow and that from the Grand Ducal General Post- for the 6kr yellow-green. The plates office, in which the colours are differed also, the reserve cliches being changed, for the 6kr yellow, for the added, so that the Ikr was printed in 3kr green, and white for the Ikr. All the Postoffices are informed of these Government was also considering the its nu- changes, in order to render mistakes advisability of replacing plain more impossible. The new stamps are meral stamps with something not to be sold to the public till the striking. As new plates were required stock of the old ones is entirely anyway the time was opportune for a exhausted. change. In an excellent article appearing in the Philatelic Record for 1894 From this notice it is plain that the we read new stamps could not have been issued prior to June 3rd, 1853 and as a matter The Postal Administration sent in of fact none of the values were used its report to the Government of the until 1854. The Ikr was issued in Jan- Grand Duchy on 21st June, 1859, set- uary of that year while the other ting forth the necessity of having values were placed on sale in the fol- fresh plates provided for printing lowing month. the stamps, as those in use were worn Later printings were made in 1854, out, and that the question had arisen 1855, and 1857 the colors remaining the whether the design should not be same. Before the printing of 1857 changed; that the present design was took place complaint was made of the antiquated; that the printing on col- difficulty experienced in gumming the ored paper was not clear, nor were 3kr value. The manufacturers attrib- the stamps safe from imitation; that uted this difficulty to the color of the it would be better that the stamps paper and recommended paper of a new should be printed on white paper in tint be used, blue being the color sug- colors according to their values, and, gested. As, however, a large quantity as was then done elsewhere, the of the green paper remained in stock country should be denoted by the its and the paper maker would only take head of its Sovereign or Arms ; this back as "waste" it was decided to and that in order to render the use this up before making any change. stamps perfect, secure from imitation, In 1858 another printing was made and their separation readier, they and the suggested change of color then should be perforated as in England took place. No notice of this change and France. of paper to either public or officials has The report was approved by the Min- been found but from a study of dated istry and on June 29th, 1859 the Postal it seems that the blue specimens proved administration was authorised to obtain 3kr was issued in December, 1858. the necessary dies for the new issue; All four varieties were reprinted in to purchase white paper for printing 1867 and, like the of the 1851 reprints the stamps; "to furnish the outer edges issue made at the same time, their de- of the stamps with perforation, so as tection is a difficult matter only possible to facilitate their separation," and not to one who has made a special study to print any more stamps in the old of the stamps. The paper of the Ikr designs but to use up all existing and 3kr is thicker than that used for supplies. the originals, the shades of all four From motives of economy it was de- are slightly different, and the is gum with in the white and smooth. cided to join Wurtemberg purchase of a perforating machine. Reference List. This was obtained from Vienna at a 1854-58. Imperforate. cost of 1200 florins ($480.00) and set up 5. Ikr Scott's No. 6. black, at Carlsruhe for the joint use of both 6. 3kr black on green, Scott's No. 7. 7. 3kr black on blue, Scott's No. 9. States. 8. 6kr black on yellow, Scott's No. 8. Immediate steps were taken to procure suitable dies for the new issue and a specification detailing what was THE THIRD ISSUE. required was sent to two engravers Ludwig Kurz, of Frankfort, and Fried- After the last printing of the numeral erich Eckard, of Carlsruhe. According stamps, which took place in 1859, the to this specification the design was to l electrotypes had become so worn that be a square of 7 /2 Baden lines, or 23^2 it was evident new sets would have to mm., there was to be one original die be made for all values before further on steel or copper for each value, and printing could take place. The neigh- from each of these 110 electrotypes bouring kingdom of Wurtemberg had were to be made "of the thickness of adopted a new design showing the a Baden copper kreutzer" and mounted Arms of the State and as other on metal. It was stipulated that proofs countries were contemplating the should be sent and that the engraving adoption of more elaborate designs it should be corrected if required. The is hardly surprising that the Baden engravers were desired to specify the price at which they would undertake formed that the following colors had the work. With each specification a been chosen: "For the Ikr, good Eng- carefully executed drawing of the pro- lish black printer's ink; for the 3kr, posed design in Indian ink was en- Berlin blue; for the 6kr, dark chrome closed. Quoting from the article in the yellow; and for the 9kr, light Munich Philatelic Record again we read: cochineal lake. He was directed to efforts to the tints The Eckard declined to make special keep engraver uniform undertake the order under the con- in the various printings quite an order to which he paid no particu- ditions,' but on the 15th July, Ludwig lar attention. Plain white wove paper Kurz, of Frankfort, offered to under- was used for this issue and, the question take the work at the price of 10 of under consideration, florins for each die, and 48kr for gumming being first was each of the 110 electro-casts of each half of the supply gummed adhesive matter made value. The cost of the whole would with an Austrian of and the other half was therefore be 392 florins ($156.80)'. bone-glue, with the used in Sax- The order was given to Kurz on 24th gummed mucilage a mixture of Syriac gum and August, 1859, and in October follow- ony The latter was found the ing he sent in a proof of the 3kr glycerine. and it was used for Some alterations were ordered most satisfactory stamp. The to be made, and on 8th November all subsequent supplies. perforat- machine a of 13 l 2 and he was informed that he might pro- ing gave gauge / was so constructed that an entire sheet ceed with the other original dies. of 100 could be at On the 23rd November he sent proofs stamps perforated once. of the 1, 3, 6, and 9kr, and he then The Ikr and 3kr were the first values proceeded with the electro-casts, be and these to have which he delivered by the 23rd Decem- to printed appear been in use as early as 1860, ber 111 of each value, except that June the the date of of the 3kr, of which he delivered 110. though catalogues give issue as 1861. As there were large Kurz states that he the engraved stocks of the old 6kr and 9kr numeral original dies on copper in relief with stamps, which it was decided to use up, the aid of aquafortis and that the draw- the corresponding values of the Arms ing from which he worked was fur- type were not in use until fairly late nished Herr Klimsch, of Frankfort. by in 1861 while they were not in general circulation throughout the grand-duchy until the following year. There were several printings of all values resulting in several strikingly different shades for the 3kr and 6kr. Of the former a printing in Prussian blue is distinctly rare unused. In 1862 the perforating machine was overhauled and fitted with a new set of punches which gave a gauge of 10 1 The design shows the Arms of Baden in place of the previous IS /^. The ex- with supporters within a square frame act date at which this took place is not on a horizontally lined ground. In the known but it was sometime between upper border "BADEN" is shown; in March and June. Supplies of all stamps the lower "KREUZER" preceded by a printed in June or later are, therefore, numeral at the left appears ; reading perforated 10. upwards is "FREIMARKE" (Free In March 1861 the Prussian Postal at the stamp) ; and right reading down- Administration addressed a circular to wards is "POSTVEREIN" (Postal the various States forming the German Union). All the inscriptions are in un- Austrian Postal Union proposing that colored Egyptian capitals on a solid uniform colors should be adopted for ground, and the angles are filled with stamps of the same or corresponding rosaces. The plates consisted of 100 values. This applied only to the stamps electrotypes arranged in ten horizontal in use for the three rates of postage rows of ten, the extra cliches being equivalent to 1, 2, and 3sgr, and so far held in reserve in case any of the others as Baden was concerned this affected became worn or damaged. all but the Ikr. The colors decided on In February, 1860, the printer, Has- were rose for the 3kr, blue for the 6kr, per, was asked to submit color trials of and brown for the 9kr. Baden agreed the various denominations. This order to the proposition which came into ef- he complied with and, as they were not fect just prior to the alteration of the approved, he submitted further ones gauge of the perforating machine. later on. On March 22nd, he was in- About this period, too, some modification of the design was under discussion. ready for use early in August 1861 but Following the many changes round as only the 3kr was immediately neces- about this date in strict chronological sary Hasper was instructed to prepare order is likely to result in confusion 110 cliches for the new plate for this and it will, therefore, be simpler to denomination. A first printing of the deal, first of all, with the changes as 3kr in the new type was ordered late they affected the stamps of the type in 1861 and a first delivery of 2000 with lined background. None of the sheets was made in March 1862. These 3kr stamps in the new rose color were stamps arrived at the period when the printed in this type for reasons we shall overhauling of the perforating machine detail later on. Although supplies of had been decided on but there was such the 6kr and 9kr in the new colors of urgent need for 3kr stamps that this blue and brown respectively were or- supply was perforated before the new dered in December 1861, none appear punches were fitted. We thus find the to have been delivered until the sum- 3kr of this issue perforated 13^ as mer of 1862. Notwithstanding this well as 10 like the other values. With fact an official notification of the change the 13 /21 gauge the stamp is quite a of colors was made to postmasters on rarity unused and fairly scarce used. Jan. 29th, 1862, and this has thus We have already referred to the fact (though erroniously) been frequently that the dies for the Ikr, 6kr and 9kr stated as the date of issue. As a matter had the background removed in 1861 of fact the 6kr could not have been but it was not until the close of the year used earlier than August, 1862, while 1863 that Hasper found it necessary to the 9kr does not appear to have been construct plates from the altered dies. in general circulation until the follow- He now made 110 cliches of each value ing year. .to be ready for the printing of 1864 Reference List. though none of the new 6kr were de- 1860-63. No Watermark. Perf. 13% or 10. livered until April of that year while 9. Ikr black, Scott's No. 10 or 15. the Ikr and 9kr were not supplied un- 10. 3kr Scott's No. 11 or No. 12. blue, til June. On the 17th of June, 1864, 11. 6kr Scott's No. 13 or 13a. orange, a circular was sent to the various 12. 6kr blue, Scott's No. 16. post- 13. 9kr rose, Scott's No. 14. offices stating that the new postage 14. 9kr Scott's No. 17 17a. brown, or stamps of 6 and 9 kreuzer, with plain background, would be supplied from the General Post Store in the next quarter, and the Ikr stamps of similar design THE FOURTH ISSUE. in the following quarter. From this order it is evident the 6kr and 9kr could After the of the 3kr printing stamps not have been in use prior to July or in 1861 it was found June that, although the Ikr until October 1864. Other print- little more than sheets been 60,000 had ings took place later on and as the from first to the cliches supplied last, printer apparently made no special en- had become too worn to be of badly deavor to keep the colors of the print- further use. As a new set neces- was ing inks uniform quite a wide range of was taken of this fact sary advantage shades may be found in all except the to ascertain whether a modification of Ikr denomination. Of these the rarest the design would not improve the ap- is the 6kr in a Prussian blue like that pearance of the stamps. Kurz was sup- of the similar tint found in connection with two the plied of cliches to see with the 3kr of the preceding issue. what he could do and from one of these The 3kr is known imperforate while he removed every alternate line of the the 9kr in the bistre shade has been background and from the other he found printed on both sides. erased the lines entirely so that the We now retrace our steps a little to Arms stood out on a plain rectangle. 1861 when the alteration of design and The latter was considered such an im- change of colors was under discussion. provement that the original dies of all In the same year a desire was expressed four values were returned to Kurz for for stamps of a higher value than 9kr, attention. The renovated dies were the first step being taken by the Cham- ber of Commerce of Mannheim, who proposed to the Baden Ministry of Commerce that 18kr and 30kr stamps should be created. Although the use of the then current 12kr and 18kr envelopes had been very restricted the Ministry decided to introduce 18kr and 30kr labels and Kurz was commissioned to supply the necessary dies for these values. The dies, which were in the stock of the 18kr was, therefore, with- design with plain background, were de- drawn and destroyed as we have already livered on October, 28th, 1861, and Has- stated. It was decided to issue a 7kr per at once proceeded to make the stamp as recommended and Maier an cliches for the printing plates. The engraver of Carlsruhe was entrusted colors decided on were green for the with the task of preparing the die. As 18kr and cinnabar-red for the 30kr. the inscription "POSTVEREIN," on After a small number of sheets of the the right-hand side of the frame, no higher value had been printed Hasper longer applied, the word "FREI- reported that "the cinnabar-red was not MARKE" was subsituted. It will be fit for printing from galvano-plastic noted that the inscriptions are in thicker plates, as the quicksilver acted injuri- type than before (especially as regards ously on the copper." He was conse- "BADEN") and the value at foot is quently ordered to print this value in contracted to "KR". The work is al- orange for the future. Whether the together much inferior to that of Kurz. stamps in cinnabar-red were placed in At the same time it was decided to use or not is not certain. Westoby alter the designs of the Ikr and 3kr to it with the new 7kr. It would lists as haying been issued and if correspond his statement is correct the stamps in appear that Maier only engraved one this color must be of extreme rarity. matrix, with the numerals of value Other printings were made from time omitted, and from this the three sec- to time though neither of the values ondary dies required were constructed. seems to have been in very great de- Although the new rates were effective as and from mand. The total quantity of 18kr printed January 1st, 1868, the 7kr was 315,200 and of these 151,012 were de- stamps were not ready for issue until October and the modified Ikr stroyed in July, 1870 as the new postal and 3kr were issued the rates made the value absolutely useless. about same time. An The total supply of the 30kr stamps official notice, dated September 1868, was numbered 430,400 and though compara- circulated to the post-masters inti- them of the tively few were used, and the stamp mating change of design, viz : is rare in this condition, it is common enough unused as the remainders were A printing of three sorts of stamps sold to a dealer some years later. from a new die will be ready this year. These are 1 .Reference List. the stamps of and 3 kreu- 1862-64. zer, and a new value of 7 kreuzer. No Watermark. Perf. 13 y2 (3kr only) or 10. The design is the same as before, ex- 15. Ikr black, Scott's No. 19. cept that the word FREIMARKE is 16. 3kr rose Scott's Nos. 18, 20, or 20a. repeated in the right side of the frame, 17. 6kr blue, Scott's No. 21 or 22. in place of POSTVEREIN as here- 18. 9kr brown, Scott's No. 23 or 23a. 19. 18kr green, Scott's No. 24. tofore. The value is indicated by a 20. 30kr orange, Scott's No. 25. numeral, and the letters KR. The colours of the new issue are 1 kreuzer green, 3 kreuzer red, as the THE FIFTH ISSUE. before, and 7 kreuzer blue, but of a darker tone than the present 6 At the end of 1867 the North German kreuzer stamp. The delivery of the Postal Confederation, which was then new 1 kreuzer stamp to the Post- formed, established a new scale of rates offices has. already begun, and that of to the 3 take effect from January 1st, 1868. kreuzer will follow as soon as The rate on letters weighing under *4 oz. the old stamps in the chief depots was fixed at 3kr and that on heavier have been exhausted. The delivery of l letters up to /2 oz. at 7kr. The latter thej kreuzer stamps will follow at the rate also applied to letters sent to beginning of the next quarter, and, un- Switzerland, Belgium, and North less otherwise ordered, in the quan- America by way of Prussia, and later tities necessary for each of the Grand on it was extended to other foreign Ducal Post-offices. countries. The necessity of creating a There were further printings of these new stamp of 7kr was at once apparent. stamps in the years 1869, 1870, and 1871. The Baden Post Office in recommend- On December 31st of the latter year ing the issue of this new value at the the Postal Administration of Baden same time suggested the withdrawal of ceased to exist as a separate institution, the 18kr value and reported that there and on January 1st, 1872, its was sufficient stock on hand of the stamps 6kr, were superseded by those of the German 9kr, and 30kr to last for The years. -Empire. cates they were postage due stamps but they were not postage due stamps in the ordinary meaning of the term. These labels were used solely in connection with the rural post and in addition to being used to collect deficient postage, they were used to collect the delivery charge on parcels, and for various purposes such as the collection and conveyance of money. At this period the Reference List. Post-office collected taxes and, in some 1868. No watermark. Perf. 10. instances, debts due to tradesmen. For 21. Ikr green, Scott's No. 26. this service it a commission % charged L'L'. : ,kr Scott's No. 27. rose, fixed at the rate of Ikr florin and 23. Tkr blue, Scott's No. 28. per this commission was denoted by means of these rural post stamps. The stamps were not sold to the public but were THE LAND POST STAMPS. used only by officers of the rural post. The stamps are scarce used, especially In 1850 a rural post was established the 12kr but they are common enough in Baden, its chief object being to oper- unused owing to the fact that in 1873 ate a messenger service connecting rural Julius Goldner, of Hamburg, purchased villages which had no post-offices of the remainders consisting of 322,800 of their own with the nearest State Post- the Ikr, 455,400 of the 3kr and 160,000 office. It had an organisation of its of the 12kr. own, distinct from the State Post, but to which, nevertheless, it was an ad- junct. In the year 1862 a Grand Ducal \9e^sy-^>o^ decree was issued, under the date of 26th September, authorising improvements in connection with this rural post and Ikr, 3kr, and 12kr stamps were ordered to be prepared for its use. These stamps are of similar design showing large numerals in the centre with "LAXD-POST" above and "PORTO- Reference List. MARKE" below. An ornamental bor- RURAL STAMPS. der completed this very unpretentious 1862. No watermark. Perf 10. design. All were printed in black on 24. Ikr black on yellow, Scott's No. 29. wove and 10. yellow paper perforated 25. 3kr black on yellow, Scott's No. 30. The inscription "Porto-marke" indi- 26. 12kr black on yellow, Scott's No. 31.

BAVARIA.

Bavaria, or Bayern, is a kingdom of Rhaetia, Vindelicia, and Noricum. On the German Empire, consisting of two the breakup of the Roman power, the detached portions the smaller being country, occupied by the Teutonic tribe west of the Rhine, between Alsace- of Baguwarians (Bavarians) at the Lorraine, Rhineland and Hesse-Darm- close of the 5th century, was ruled stadt; and the larger east of the Rhine, by dukes, first elective, then hereditary. between, Bohemia, Austria, Switzerland, After a struggle of two . hundred Wurtemberg, and Baden. It has an years, Bavaria, absorbed by the area of 29,286 square miles and a popu- Franks, was ruled by Charlemagne, who lation well in excess of six millions, the left his descendants as margraves (788- majority of whom are Roman Catholics. 900) to hold the marches against Hun Bavaria forms a hereditary constitu- and Bohemian. tional monarchy, the legislative power The title of duke was restored (920) being invested in the king and two leg- for services rendered to the empire, and islative chambers. The kingdom has Bavaria helped the Emperor Otto I. to six votes in the federal council and defeat the Huns at Augsburg. In the sends forty-eight members to the Im- middle ages there were constant quar- perial Diet. rels between duke and emperor; and or land of the the either Baiern, Boiaria, Bpii, towns, which were imperial overrun by Rome of the early empire, or free (Augsburg, Nuremberg), eccle- was divided into three provinces siastical (Bamburg), or ruled by princes matter were carried for 1 (Baireuth), rose into importance printed through the transit of Italian trade kreuzer, subject to certain limitations northwards, and again declined owing of weight; the rate on ordinary single to the development of sea-borne com- letters (weighing not more than 1 loth merce. During the same period the or %oz.) was fixed at 6kr for distances boundaries of Bavaria underwent con- up to 12 German miles; while 6 kreuzer tinual change. was the charge for carrying single let- In 1180 Frederick Barbarossa con- ters for longer distances. Postage ferred the duchy on Otto, Count of stamps of these values were, therefore, Wittelsbach, founder of the present prepared and, according to an elaborate dated October Royal house. Maximilian I. (1598- "code of instructions" these were to be on 1623) was made elector, and received 25th, 1849, placed the northern half of Bavaria, owing to sale on November 1st following. The items need are those Tilly's victory over the elector Palatine. only we reproduce The French defeat of Blenheim (1704) concerning the prepayment of letters was shared by Bavaria, but after the viz. treaty of Utrecht (1713) the elector 1. From the 1st November next was re-instated in his dominions. There- the prepayment of matter sent after Bavaria oscillated between the by post in the interior of Ba- French and German alliance, being in- varia must be effected exclusive- vaded (1796) by Moreau, who occu- ly by stamps, which the Postal pied Munich; siding with Napoleon I., Administration is entitled to sell who created Maximilian Joseph I. a according to Art. VII of the se- king (1805-6) ; and, subsequently, Royal Ordinance of June 5th; and cured in her new dignity by the allies, for the correspondence, the marking helping to overthrow her benefactor of the postage on the seal-side of the (1813). In 1866 Bavaria sided with letter, prescribed up till now, must Austria in the Austro-Prussian war, be stopped. and had to pay the penalty of its choice 2. The stamps intended for the in the shape of an indemnity and the prepayment bear the figures of the cession of territory to Prussia. single rates, according to the new In 1886 the throne of Bavaria passed tariff for the interior of Bavaria, of to Otto Wilhelm Luitpold who, how- 1 kreuzer in black, of 3 kreuzer in ever, owing to mental incapacity has blue, and of 6 kreuzer in brown-red never taken any active part in the gov- colors. Each stamp of the last two ernment of his kingdom. His uncle, kinds carries in itself a red silk Prince Leopold, was appointed Regent thread running from top to bottom, and was virtually ruler until the time as evidence of its genuineness. of his death a few months at the ago The design, common to all three advanced of 90 age years. values, shows a double lined numeral, Bavaria became a member Although ornamented with arabesques, within a of the German in she re- Empire 1870, square frame. In the top border is tained certain independent privileges, "BAYERN" (Bavaria), in. the bottom them the sole control of amongst being one is "FRANCO" (Free), at the right her Bavaria is the postal system. only is "KREUZER", and at the left the State to still issue its own dis- German value in words "EIN", "DREI", or tinctive for Wurtem- postage stamps "SECHS". In the small squares in the which for a also is- berg, long period angles the value is denoted in figures on sued its own the stamps, relinquished a checkered ground. The large central on 1902. privilege April 1st, numeral on the Ikr is on a ground of Bavaria was the first of the German mazework which occupies the whole of States to adopt adhesive postage stamps, the interior square. In the case of the its labels in 1849. pioneer appearing 3kr and 6kr the numerals are on a circu- From that date until 1876 the currency lar ground of solid color, this circle be- of the kingdom was the florin of 60 ing flattened where it meets the inner kreuzer worth about 40c in United lines of the border, thus causing the States money. In 1876 the Imperial type generally known as "broken circle." currency of pfennige and marks was The spandrels, or spaces in the angles, adopted. are filled with arabesque ornamentation. The designs were drawn by Mr. P. Haseney, and the dies were engraved THE FIRST ISSUE. on steel by Mr. F. J. Seitz, of Munich. The printing plates were constructed of An ordinance of King Maximilian, separate blocks or cliches struck from dated June 5th, 1849, authorised the the original dies and clamped together issue of postage stamps and fixed the in a printer's chase. For the plate of rates of postage. Local letters and the Ikr the casts were taken in ordinary

10 type-metal there being ninety of these Gibbons prices it at $30. The Ikr is in all, arranged in ten horizontal rows recorded as existing in a tete-beche of nine. The printing plates for the pair but whether this is a true tete- 3kr and 6kr also consisted of ninety beche, caused by the inversion of one impressions but these were arranged in of the cliches on the plate, or due to two panes of 45 each (nine rows of two impressions (one upside down in five) placed side by side. The cliches relation to the other) being printed on for these values were struck in brass the same sheet of paper, I cannot say. at the Mint and these impressions were The 6kr stamp of this issue is an ex- soldered on to bars of iron in rows of ceedingly rare variety unused. The 3kr five. The stamps were printed by Mr. may be found in a number of distinctive J. G. Weiss, of Munich. shades of which the deeper tints are The Ikr was printed on ordinary much the rarer. white wove paper, but for the other two There are no reprints of these stamps. denominations a special greyish-white paper was employed, in the fabric of i BAYERN I which red threads were introduced. This paper, known as "Dickenson" paper from the name of its inventor, had the threads arranged at intervals of 20 mm. so that one thread appeared 1 FRANCO 1 in each stamp. According to a writer in the Philatelic Record for March, List. 1893, Reference 1 Nov. 1849. No watermark. The 3kr and The threads were introduced into 6kr have a silk thread in the paper. the paper lengthways of the continu- Imperf. ous roll, and not inserted between 1. Ikr black, Scott's No. 1, or No. la. t\vo laminae of the pulp, but were 2. 3kr blue, Scott's No. 2, No. 2a, or No. 2b. into the as it reached pressed pulp 3. 6kr brown, Scott's No. 4. the "couching rollers," which, aided by the suction boxes, remove the greater part of the remaining water, and turn the sheet of pulp into one THE SECOND ISSUE. of paper. It was evidently intended that the thread should be especially In April, 1850 Bavaria joined the visible on the back of the stamp, and German-Austrian Postal Union and as impressions which shew it on the the rate on single letters between the front are frequently classified sepa- states belonging to the convention had rately by philatelists as being ex- been fixed at 9 kreuzer, arrangements ceptions to the rule, and constituting had to be made to issue a label of this varieties, due only, however, to the denomination. Its approaching issue printer having taken the impression was announced by a Post-office notice, the on wrong side of the paper. dated 25th June, 1850, and it was ac- The plate of the Ikr soon showed tually placed in use on July 1st, 1850. signs of wear owing to the comparative The design of this new 9kr is very softness of the type-metal of which it similar to that of the 3kr and 6kr of was composed. Consequently, about 1849 with one important exception September, 1850, a new plate was made the circle containing the large central for this value the cliches of which were numeral is a perfect sphere and not made of brass similar to those employed flattened where it touches the frame for the 3kr and 6kr. The new plate had lines. Jthe ninety stamps arranged in two panes The die was probably engraved by of forty-five each. Only 2000 sheets Seitz and the plate was constructed by were printed from this new plate when the ordinary electrotype process. It it was decided to alter the color and consisted of two panes placed side by also to adopt a design conforming to side. Each pane was composed of 45 that of the other denominations. These casts arranged in nine rows of five, later impressions of the Ikr taken from with vertical and horizontal lines be- the brass plate can be distinguished by tween them, and a single line around the greater sharpness and clearness of the whole. The plate was backed with the design. The color is also a more type metal so as to render it quite solid. intense black than that used for the The color chosen was yellow green but earlier printings. a printing was made in a pale blue The Ikr is known with silk thread in green a shade that is of considerable the paper. This variety is a proof or rarity unused. The stamps were im- essay but that it is of considerable perforate and printed on the paper with rarity may be judged from the fact that silk threads. 11 An official notice, dated October 1st, groschen, will be printed in blue in- 1850, announced that the color of the stead of brown. 1 kreuzer stamp would be changed from The 9 kreuzer, equivalent to 15 black to rose. But not only was the Austrian neugroschen or 3 silber- color changed but the design was groschen, will be printed in light altered to conform with that of the brown instead of green. other denominations. It was similar to The colors of the remaining values that of the 9kr; the circle being com- will be altered from the same date as plete and not intercepted by the inner follows : lines of the inscribed border. The The 1 kreuzer, from rose to yellow. plate was made by the same process, The 12 kreuzer, from red to green. the sheets consisted of ninety stamps The 18 kreuzer, from yellow to in two panes as in the case of the 9kr, vermilion red. and the same silk-thread was paper The change in the colors of the 3, 6, used. and 9 kreuzer was made so that these also constructed for A new plate was denominations would correspond to the this likewise the circu- 6kr, having those of the other signatories to the lar At what date ground complete. German-Austrian postal union and this, into use is uncertain this was brought of course, necessitated the changes in some time in 1851. but probably the other values to prevent confusion. On July 19th, 1854, a Government The exact dates of issue of the new issued that a notice was intimating varieties is not known. All we know of value than 9kr would stamp higher is that the stamps in the new colors be issued for the convenience general were placed on sale as the stocks in of the public, and on August 1st fol- the former tints became exhausted. an 18kr made its lowing, stamp ap- The stamps were printed from the In method of manu- pearance. design, same plates as before and in most of facture, etc., this value corresponds to them considerable variation of shade those already described. may be found. The 6kr in ultramarine A convention between Bavaria postal is a rare shade worth looking for. and France came into on operation This completes the history of the July 1st, 1858, it being mutually agreed "numeral" stamps of Bavaria but be- that the on a letter not exceed- postage fore dealing with the later issues it will 10 in should be ing grammes weight be as well to refer to certain varieties, 12kr. A new this stamp representing printed in black on colored paper, so rate was on sale in Bavaria on placed that there may be no misunderstanding the the new convention came into day as to their status should any of our the to force, design corresponding readers come across them. We can best that of the other values then current. do this by reprinting the following para- The 3kr underwent no either change graph from the Philatelic Record: of design or color so this denomination It was the custom in Bavaria to does not exist with completed circle. make the for the of As it was in use from 1849 until 1862 up stamps supply the post-offices into of it may be found in a wide range of packets fifty shades. sheets, and these were placed in covers of various colored paper, on which Reference* List. a copy of the stamp, with the number 1850-58. A silk thread in the paper. Imperf. of sheets and stamps in the packet, 4. Ikr Scott's No. 5. rose, was in black. No order for 5. 6kr brown, Scott's No. 3. printed 6. 9kr green, Scott's No. 6, or No. 6a. this is found among the official docu- 7. 12kr red, Scott's No. 7. ments relating to the earlier issues, 8. 18kr yellow, Scott's No. 8. but the system continued in use till the close of the numeral issues. During the period which commenced subsequently to the issue of the 1 THE THIRD ISSUE. kreuzer, type II, down to October, 1862, the color of the paper for the An official dated notice, July 6th, 1 kreuzer was gray, that for the 3 announced that on October 1st 1862, kreuzer was blue, that for the 6 various would be following, changes kreuzer was brown, that for the 9 made in the colors of the different kreuzer was green, that for the 12 values, viz. kreuzer was red, and that for the The 3 kreuzer, taken as equivalent 18 kreuzer was yellow. The stamps to 5 Austrian neugroschen or 1 sil- impressed on the covers had no postal bergroschen, will for the future be value whatever, and were simply printed in rose instead of blue. printed on the covers as an indication The 6 kreuzer, equivalent to 10 of the particular value of the stamps Austrian neugroschen or 2 silber- contained in them. 12 an de- Reference List. The substitution of elegant like this for the 1862. A silk thread in the paper. Imperf. sign existing prosaic is matter for 9. Ikr yellow, Scott's No. 9. figure, congratulation. 10. 3kr rose, Scott's No. 10. That a stamp may be ornamental as No. 11. 11. 6kr blue, Scott's well as useful, is a proposition which 1 9kr Scott's No. 12. bistre, most administrations now show 13. 12kr green, Scott's No. 13. postal 14. 18kr red, Scott's No. 14, or No. 14a. their acquiescence in. Economic reasons are, we fear, too much in favor of armorial bearings as a device for stamps; but for our part, while ac- THE FOURTH ISSUE. knowledging the excellence of the change from figures to arms, we must of a new for the The adoption design confess we should prefer to see the of Bavaria evidently involved stamps features of foreign sovereigns on a much serious consideration for, though larger number of stamps than at the idea was mooted in the early part of present bear them. The objection to and were actually existent 1865 proofs the employment of our own Queen's twelve months later, it was not until effigy on her colonial stamps, that 1867, that the stamps were January 1st, the frequent repetition is monotonous issued. The change really approaching and tiresome, would not hold good in was 'announced by means of a Govern- respect to continental monarchs, over December 1866, ment Notice dated 14th, whose dominions the sun sets in the the salient of which were as provisions ordinary course of nature. follows : The original or matrix die was en- With the Royal approval a new is- graved on steel by Peter Reiss, a medal sue of has been pre- postage stamps coiner employed at the Royal Mint. The which will be issued according pared, secondary dies, on which the numerals to the of the stock of consumption of value were engraved, and the brass the values. existing blocks which formed the printing plates The new like the stamps are, were also struck at the Mint. former, printed in color on white The plates were constructed by a pro- traversed a red silk thread, paper by cess similar to that employed for the and bear the Arms of Bavaria, Royal numeral series. Each plate consisted with the two supporters in white re- of sixty brass cliches arranged in two lief on a colored ground, and with panes of thirty each (6 rows of 5) the numeral of value in each angle. placed side by side. A space about the The like the former, be stamps will, width of a stamp separated the panes. issued for the values of 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, The design was embossed in slight re- and 18 kreuzer. lief on a colored ground the series be- The colors of the stamps of 3, 6, ing a particularly attractive one. The and 18 kreuzer are, as in the former 9, paper was similar to that used for the issue, carmine-red, blue, light brown, preceding issues, having silk threads em- and vermilion-red; the stamps of the bedded in its substance in such a man- 1 kreuzer are in of green place yel- ner that one thread was apportioned and those of 12 kreuzer violet low, to each vertical row of stamps. It is in of place green. that the use of this paper pre- The of the new stamps to probable delivery vented the adoption of perforation the will be in sheets of post-offices which, at that period, was in general 60 and in quantities in pieces, larger use. of 50 sheets. packets There is a well-known minor variety The design consists of the Arms of of the Ikr in which the numeral in the a crown Bavaria surmounted by Royal upper right hand corner has a distinct with lions as supporters. Under the colored stroke across the centre. with Arms is scroll ornamentation On January 1st 1868, a new postal "KREUZER" in small capitals below; arrangement was made with the North while above is the name "BAYERN." German Confederation, Wurtemburg, The preceding details are on a back- and Baden involving a postal rate of ground of solid color and of somewhat 7kr. Later this rate was extended to eccentric shape. In the angles are num- include the agreements with Denmark erals in white on solid colored discs and Belgium and the natural outcome to denote the various values, while the was the issue of a 7 kreuzer stamp. spandrels are filled with ornamental The issue of this new value was an- scrolls. In referring to the change of nounced in a Government decree dated the Collectors' design Stamp Maga- August 30th, 1868, and at the same time zine, made the following interesting it was decreed that the color of the comments on stamp designs in general : 6kr would be changed to brown so as

13 to avoid confusion with the 7kr. These would be made and issued as soon as new varieties were placed on sale on existing stocks of the old series were October 1st and a month later the 9kr exhausted. It was stated that the paper was withdrawn from use and the 6kr would no longer contain the red silk in the old color of blue was demonetised. threads and that the stamps would have The new 7kr value was similar in de- the edges indented, but no mention was of the sign, impression, and paper to the other made watermark. The stamps denominations of the series. were ready for issue on July 1st, and All values of this issue are said to were placed on sale just as quickly as exist on laid paper and as such are re- the corresponding values of the im- corded in Scott's catalogue. M. Moens, perforate series were sold out. The in a note in his catalogue observed same plates were used, and the same colors the that "the paper is found with fine lines were retained, differences be- resembling laid paper." It seems quite ing confined to the watermark and per- certain that J:he variety is not a true foration. The watermark consisted of a of crossed lines a dia- laid paper but is merely due to some number forming mond known as slight imperfection in manufacture. pattern generally The "laid" and "wove" varieties may "lozenges." There are two varieties of be found on the same sheet and the this watermark in one of which the diamonds or are 17 mm. former is generally considered of such lozenges wide, in the are narrower minor importance as to be hardly while other they worthy the attention of even an ex- and only measure 14 mm. in width. Gibbons both varieties in treme specialist. It would, therefore, catalogues full much to the appear that the "laid" paper varieties applying higher prices with narrower are hardly worthy of catalogue rank. variety lozenges. Both, occurred on the same sheet Most of the stamps of this issue pro- however, vide considerable variation in shade. so that the philatelic importance of the differences is not particularly great. The paper was intended to be horizontally laid but on the majority of specimens it is exceedingly difficult to find any trace of the laid lines, though they are generally quite plain on the margins of the sheets. This appears to be due to the fact that the intersecting lines forming the lattice watermark were so much heavier than the "laid" lines on the ference List. dandy roll that they received most of the while 1867-68. Embossed. Silk thread in paper. pressure and, consequently, Imperf. they were deeply indented into the paper 15. Ikr green, Scott's No. 15 or 15a. the horizontal lines of wire to which 16. 3kr rose, Scott's No. 16. they were stitched made no impression 17. 6kr blue, Scott's No. 17. at all. The best de- 18. 6kr bistre, Scott's No. 21. paper is, therefore, 19. 7kr blue, Scott's No. 22. scribed as wove. 20. 9kr bistre, Scott's No. 18. As the same"" plates were used as for 21. 12kr mauve, Scott's No. 19. the 1867-68 series it follows that the 22. 18kr red, Scott's No. 20. stamps were printed in sheets of sixty divided into two panes of thirty each. The perforating machine was so con- THE FIFTH ISSUE. structed that an entire pane of thirty stamps was perforated at one opera- Although, as we have previously ob- tion, the gauge being 11^2. served, Bavaria was the first of the Ger- In 1872 certain revisions were made man States to issue postage stamps it in the postal tariff a Post-office Notice was the last to make use of any provi- dated November 30th, stating that for sion for their easy separation. This was the future the rate on single letters to apparently due to the fact that the silk- France, Great Britain, Norway, Portu- thread paper was considered such an ex- gal, Spain, Constantinople, and the cellent safeguard against counterfeiting United States via Bremen or Hamburg, 9 that the authorities were loth to give would be kreuzer ; and that the rate it up. At last, however, the obvious to Italy, Russia, Sweden, Turkey, Alex- convenience of perforation made its andria, and the United States via adoption indispensable and the silk- Cologne, would be 10 kreuzer. As these thread paper was replaced by a new rates could not be made up by existing watermarked paper. A Government No- values except by the use of two stamps tice dated June 12th, 1870, stated that it was announced that labels of these a new issue of postage stamps of the denominations would be issued. At the values of 1, 3, 6, 7, 12, and 18 kreuzer same time it was stated that owing to 14 the limited use for the 12 kreuzer stamp 2.-,. Gkr bistre, Scott's No. 25. 2>. 7kr blue, Scott's No. 26. of this value would be no more printed. 27. 9kr pale brown, Scott's No. 27. On December 31st the provisions of this 28. lOkr yellow, Scott's No. 28. Notice came into effect the 12kr being 29. 12kr mauve, Scott's No. 29. :;o. 18kr Scott's No. 30. withdrawn and the new 9 and 10 kreuzer red, stamps being placed on sale. Of these the 9kr was printed in pale brown and lOkr in The were of the yellow. plates THE SIXTH ISSUE. similar size to those of the other denominations and the and paper perfora- On August 5th, 1874, a new stamp of tion were also similar. 1 mark was issued, the value being ex- in with Late in 1876 Bavaria, common pressed in Imperial currency. This de- other German de- many of the States, nomination was specially intended for clean of its ob- cided to make a sweep the prepayment of the rate on large etc. solete postage stamps, envelopes, parcels and packages within the Union According to an article in the Monthly of the German States. The die was en- Journal the lot was on sale in placed graved on steel by Herr P. Reiss, medal and in addition to a list October, 1876, coiner to the mint, and the stamps were of the of the different varie- quantities printed at the Mint of Munich. The note was added of which ties a lengthy design shows the Royal Arms, with sup- the is a : following summary porters, surmounted by a crown and All these articles, which were with- resting on a scroll pattern base. Above drawn from use on January 1st, 1876, the crown is "BAYERN" in a curve, have been stamped with an oblitera- and under the base "MARK" in large tion dated June 30th of that year; no capitals, the whole being embossed on a reprints will be made; offers may be ground of solid color. In each of the submitted for the whole stock, for the four corners the value is expressed whole of one or more kinds, or for by a large "1" embossed in white on a fixed quantities of different kinds disc of horizontal lines. separately. Offers must be sent in The plate was constructed in the by January 1st, 1867, after which the same way as those for the other values Government will announce its deci- but consisted of fifty stamps arranged in sion. Preference will be given to the five horizontal rows of ten. The same largest offers. watermarked paper was used but as Xo account will be taken of tenders the stamps were of extra large size submitted by firms or individuals who (measuring 25 mm. by 21 mm.) the im- have no domicile in Germany or Aus- pression fell very irregularly over the tria-Hungary, unless they are vouched watermark, the paper, of course, being for by some firm domiciled in Bavaria, originally intended for stamps of much and of sufficiently high standing. smaller size. The entire lot was purchased by Mr. The stamp was at first issued imper- G. Zedmeyer, of Nuremberg, though forate as the only perforating machine available was not for use on the price paid was not made public. adapted The lot included the following remain- such large stamps. A new machine was ders of the issue we are now discuss- ordered capable of perforating an entire of at on ing: sheet fifty stamps a time and the 6kr bistre, 171,600 April 1st, 1875, perforated stamps their is 9kr pale brown, 174,000 made appearance. The gauge similar to that of the lower viz. 12kr mauve, 3,000 values,

Reference List. Reference List. 1870-72. Embossed. Wmk. crossed lines. 1874-75. Embossed. Wmk. crossed

Perf. . Iiy2 31. 1 mark mauve, Imperf., Scott's No. 31. 23. Ikr green, Scott's No. 23. 32. 1 mark mauve, Perf. 11^, Scott's No. LM. 3kr rose, Scott's No. 24. ::

15 THE SEVENTH ISSUE. "The stamps will be issued: Value of 3 pfennige in light green. close of the 1875 Towards the year 5 dark green. ' a change was made in the watermark 10 carmine red. of the paper, the crossed lines being 20 blue. superseded by a uniform pattern of un- 25 red-brown. set ' dulating lines (placed horizontally) 50 vermilion red. 8^2 mm. apart. The paper was hori- 1 mark in violet. laid but as the watermark made zontally 2 marks in orange yellow. such a heavy impression the laid lines The new like that of 1 of the paper are frequently impossible stamps, mark, will be embossed with the Arms to detect. The same paper was used Royal in oval with the for the envelopes and wrappers which shields, supporters and crown, and the name BAYERN up to that time had been printed on above the crown in white on a colored plain paper. The same plates were used ground. The value of the will as for printing issue five and the colors stamps be expressed in in relief in the and perforation also correspond to that figures four angles, and the denomination series. The 1, 3, 7, 10, and 18 kreuzer PFENNIG or MARK in relief under values were printed on this paper and the Arm? were placed on sale some time in No- The with value in vember, 1875. They had but a short postage stamps pfennig are of the same size as those life, for on January 1st, 1876, they were of the former issue in and withdrawn and replaced by a new series kreuzer, will be delivered to the Post-offices in with values in Imperial currency. sheets of 60. Those of 2 marks are Among the remainders sold in 1876 of the same size as those of 1 the following quantities of the stamps mark, and will be delivered in of the issue under notice were included: sheets of 50." Ikr green, 942,000 The original dies for the new series 3kr rose, 1,470,000 were engraved on steel by Herr P. 7kr blue, 321,000 Reiss at the Mint of Munich and the de- lOkr yellow, 120,000 sign of the lower values, as will be un- 18kr red, 99,000 derstood from the above description, is very similar to that of the 1 mark of 1874 but on a smaller scale. The die for the 2 marks was a subsidiary one made by taking an impression from the 1 mark and altering the corner numerals. The plates were of similar size to those of the preceding issue and they were constructed in a similar manner. The paper was watermarked with the undulating lines placed %y2 mm. apart Reference List. as in the case of the stamps of 1875 and, 1875. Wmk. undulating horizontal lines. while it was apparently intended to be Perf. \\yz . laid, the "laid" lines are very faint or 33. Ikr green, Scott's No. 33. fail to show at all. This, as already ex- 34. 3kr Scott's No. 34. rose, plained, was due to the greater 35. 7kr Scott's No. 35. pressure blue, exerted on the 36. lOkr yellow, Scott's No. 3G. pulp by the watermarked 37. 18kr red, Scott's No. 37. lines sewn on the dandy-roll. There was such a large supply of the 1 mark stamps on hand that it was not until 1879 it was to this value on the THE EIGHTH ISSUE. necessary print paper watermarked with wavy lines. Until the close of the year 1875 all In consequence of the similarity of the stamps issued in Bavaria, with the color of the 3pf and 5pf it was decided single exception of the 1 mark value to change the latter and on December issued in 1874, had the values expressed 4th, 1878, a Post-office Notice was pub- in South German currency but, with the lished announcing the issue of the 5 idea of creating greater uniformity, the pfennige stamp in violet and at the same Imperial currency of marks and pfennige time it was stated that the color of the 50 was introduced on January 1st, 1876. pfennige would be changed from ver- This, of course, necessitated the issue of milion to dark brown. The new stamps new stamps and particulars of the new were ready on January 1st following and series were announced in a Post-office they were sold as the stocks of the old Notice dated December 9th, 1875. We colors were used up. take the following summary of its con- The same perforating machines one tents from the Philatelic Record: for the pfennig and one for the mark

16 51. Scott's No. 51. values were used as before, both 20pf blue, 52. Scott's l 25pf bistre-brown, No. 52. ll . gauging /2 53. 50pf brown, Scott's No. 53. The 1 mark stamp of this series is an 54. 1 mark mauve, Scott's No. 54. .">. 2 mark Scott's No. 55. extremely rare variety unused, though orange, in used condition it is comparatively common.

Reference List. THE TENTH ISSUE, 1875-79. Wmk. undulating horizontal lines. Perf. 11^. Although the Imperial currency was 38. 3pf green, Scott's No. 38. issued in 1876 the pfennige values con- 39. dark Seott's No. 39. 5pf green, tinued to be printed in the small sheets 4i>. 5pf mauve, Scott's No. 46. 41. lOpf rose, Scott's No. 40. of 60 and these did not altogether fit 42. 20pf blue, Scott's No. 41. in with a decimal currency. It was de- 4::. 25pf yellow brown, Scott's No. 42. cided, therefore, to alter the size of the 44. fiOpf vermilion, Scott's No. 43. sheets and in 1888 some of the 4.".. ;"JOpf brown, Scott's No. 47. January 46. 1 mark mauve, Scott's No. 44. values made their appearance in sheets 47. 2 mark Scott's No. 45. orange, of 100 and before long all the pfennige stamps had appeared thus. The stamps were divided into two panes of fifty (five rows of ten) placed one above the THE NINTH ISSUE. other. An interval about the height of a stamp was left between the panes and Some time during the latter part of across this space two thick horizontal the year 1881, the contract for supply- lines were printed. The plates being of ing the paper for postage stamps, which a new size the had to be cut ac- had up to then been held by the Pasing paper and, to avoid Mill, was awarded to the Munich- cordingly unnecessary it was found best to cut the Dachau Paper Manufacturing Company waste, so that on the the a concern equipped with more modern paper printed stamps watermarked lines run in a hori- machinery and able to turn out a better wavy zontal instead of perpendicular direc- grade of paper. At the time of this tion. Naturally this change in the size change it was also decided to alter the of the sheets made the perforating ma- style of watermark. A new dandy-roll which had been constructed to was ordered from England and this chine, perforate a pane of thirty stamps at a made a watermark of zig-zag lines run- of no use and a new one had to be ning in a vertical direction down the time, ordered. This one was also on the har- stamps, the lines being spaced about 7 /l 2 row principle and perforated an entire mm. apart. This paper was white wove pane of fifty stamps at one operation and the improved appearance of the but the punches were smaller and placed stamps showed it was of better quality closer together so that the gauge is than that previously used. No altera- in of the found in con- tion was made in the colors of the va- 14^ place 11^ nection with previous issues. No alter- rious denominations and the perfora- ation in the size of the sheets of the tion remained the same as before. The mark values was made so that the water- first stamps on the new paper were mark on these is vertical. ready for issue about November, 1881, An official notice issued by the Post and they were placed on sale as the Office authorities under date December stocks of the old varieties became ex- 23rd, 1889, foreshadowed several changes hausted. It is probable that all except of color. It was stated that the would the 2 marks were in use before the end 3pf be issued in brown, the 5pf in green, the of the vear. The 2 marks did not ap- in and the in red- pear until 1891. 25pf orange 50pf brown. The result of these changes Reference List. was to make a more marked distinc- 1881-91. Wmk. vertical zig-zag lines close tion between the colors chosen for the together. Perf. 11 y2 . ' various denominations and it also gave 48. 3pf green, Scott's No. 48. tint. 49. 5pf mauve, Scott's No. 40. the 5pf its proper Postal Union 50. lOpf carmine, Scott's No. 50. These new varieties were placed on sale

17 as the stocks of the old ones were used Reference List. in- 1903. Wmk. vertical zig-zag lines close to- up. Their actual date of issue is gether. Perf. Iiy2 . definite but all four were probably on 72. 5pf green, Scott's No. 72. sale by March, 1890. Early in 1900, the set was enriched by the addition of four new values 2pf, THIRTEENTH ISSUE. 30pf, 4Qpf, and 80pf. They were prob- THE In ably placed on sale on January 1st. In the four mark and December, 1910, design, watermark, perforation, values appeared with the watermarked size of sheets exactly they correspond zig-zag lines horizontal instead of verti- to the values described. previously cal. For what reason the change was About this it was noticed that period made meaning, of course, that the paper of a whiter was be- paper appearance was cut in a different way, is not are listed as ing used but these separ- known but there seems to have been ate varieties in Gibbons' catalogue, the only one printing for in the following distinction is one of comparatively little year the portrait stamps made their ap- Most of the values of this importance. pearance. According to the Illustriertes series a array of shades. provide pleasing Priefmarken Journal the quantities Reference List. printed were as follows : 1 mark, 400,- lines close 3 1888-1900. Wmk. horizontal zig-zag 000 ; 2 marks, 300,000 ; marks, 200,000 ; together. Perf. U%. and 5 marks, 100,000. 56. Scott's No. 66. 2pf grey, List. 57. 3pf green, Scott's No. 56. Reference 1910. Wmk. horizontal lines, close to- 58. 3pf brown, Scott's No. 62. zig-zag Perf. 11 59. 5pf mauve, Scott's No. 57. gether. */*. 60. 5pf green, Scott's No. 63. 73. 1 mark, mauve, Scott's No. 73. 61. lOpf carmine, Scott's No. 58. 74. 2 marks, orange, Scott's No. 74. 62. 20pf blue, Scott's No. 59. 75. 3 marks, olive-brown, Scott's No. 75. 63. 25pf bistre-brown, Scott's No. 60. 76. 5 marks, pale green, Scott's No. 76. 64. 25pf orange, Scott's No. 64. 65. 30pf olive green, Scott's No. 67. 66. 40pf yellow, Scott's No. 68. 67. 50pf brown, Scott's No. 61. 68. 50pf marone, Scott's No. 65. THE FOURTEENTH ISSUE. 80pf mauve, Scott's No. 69. On March 12th, 1911, Prince Leopold Regent of the kingdom of Bavaria, cele- brated his ninetieth birthday, and the THE ELEVENTH ISSUE. event was marked by the issue of a new series of stamps bearing his portrait. The necessity for stamps of a higher The change was something in the nature facial value than 2 marks resulted in of a revolution considering the Arms issue of 3 and 5 mark on the stamps type had been in use for a period of no are simi- April 1st, 1900. These exactly less than forty-four years. The Prince 2 lar in design to the 1 and mark values was born at Wurzburg on March 12th, it is evident that the dies were and 1821, and his life and career were bound from the matrix secondary ones, struck up with the historic episodes of modern 1 num- of the mark, with the appropriate Europe. Professionally Prince Leopold erals inserted in the angles. These was a soldier but when his nephew, in of stamps were also printed sheets King Otto, succeeded to the throne in fifty and the same perforating machine 1886 he was appointed Regent owing to 11 used. gauging y2 was The watermark, the mental deficiency of the ruler. also, is perpendicular as in the case of Prince Leopold was regarded with the the earlier mark stamps. greatest affection by the people and his Reference List. birthday was observed throughout Ba- 1900. Wmk. vertical zig-zag lines close to- varia with the heartiest enthusiasm. gether. Perf 11^. The special stamps issued to mark the 70. 3 marks, olive-brown, Scott's No. 70. event show two designs. That for the 71. 5 marks pale green, Scott's No. 71. pfennig denominations shows a profile bareheaded portrait, looking to left, on a solid rectangular background. In the upper left corner of this rectangle THE TWELFTH ISSUE. figures of value are shown and in the top right angle are the letters "Pf". in the 5 Early March, 1903, pfennige Above, on a narrow tablet of color, is with the watermark stamp appeared the date "12 MARZ 1911", and at the vertical instead of horizontal. This is base is the name "BAYERN" in the one of the small size only stamps colored capitals. The stamps vary in with the to perforation gauging 14^ ap- size, the lower values being smaller than pear with the watermark in this position. those of a higher facial value. The

18 mark stamps are of extra large size and this change has had no effect on Ba- show a portrait of the aged Regent look- varia's postal issues though it is is in ing to right. In this instance he is rumoured that a new series prepa- shown wearing a hat. On each side of ration. the portrait are ornate columns, resting on corner rectangles of solid color, that on the left bearing the numeral of value, and the one on the right a letter "M". In the centre, at the top, is the date "r.)ll". The portraits are strongly drawn and are the work of the cele- brated German artist, Prof. Fritz von Kaulbachs. The stamps are printed by a process of photo-lithography. They were on sale some few weeks before the actual birthday celebration and after the 31st March all previous issues were demonetised. The stamps were printed on the paper watermarked with close zig-zag lines which has been in use since 1881. On the values from 3pf to 25pf inclusive, the lines are horizontal while on all others they are vertical. In what size sheets these stamps were printed we do not know (possibly 100 for the pfennig and 50 for the mark values) but it seems Reference List. probable that a new perforating machine 1911. Wmk. horizontal zig-zag lines. Perf. was brought into use. As we have al- shown the 14 l and machines ready /2 11^ 3pf brown on drab, Scott's No. 77. used from 1888 and 1881 respectively 78. 5pf green on green, Scott's No. 78. No. 79. were of the harrow kind and could, 79. lOpf carmine on buff, Scott's 80. 20pf blue on blue, Scott's No. 80. therefore, be used for and only stamps 81. 25pf chocolate on buff, Scott's No. 81. sheets of the size for which were l they Wmk. vertical zig-zag lines. Perf. 11 /^. constructed. The values from 3 to 25pf 82. 30pf orange on buff, Scott's No. 82. are of the same size as the lower values 83. 40pf olive on buff, Scott's No. 83. 84. Scott's No. 84. of the preceding issue and it is evident 50pf marone on drab, l 85. GOpf deep green on buff. the 14 2 harrow machine was used for / 86. 80pf violet on drab, Scott's No. 85. these; the 30pf to 80pf stamps are of 87. 1m brown on drab, Scott's No. 86. the same size as the mark stamps of the 88. 2m green on green, Scott's No. 87. 89. 3m crimson on Scott's No. 88. Arms design and doubtless the old buff, 11^2 90. 5m deep blue on buff, Scott's No. 89. harrow utilised for machine was these ; 91. 10m orange on yellow, Scott's No. 90. but the mark stamps were too large for 92. 20m chocolate on yellow, Scott's No. 91. either of the existing perforating machines and a new one, possibly a single line machine was used. We are not THE FIFTEENTH ISSUE. quite positive on the point as we have only to refer to but a single stamps In June, 1911, two stamps were issued machine was single-line certainly used for use in the kingdom of Bavaria com- for the next issue in which the stamps memorative of the twenty-fifth anni- are of the same size. large versary of the Regency of Prince Leo- A 60pf value in the same as design pold. The portrait is somewhat simi- the others was added to the series in lar to that of the pfennig values of the October, in accordance 1911, Bavaria, birthday set this being enclosed by a with its usual Ger- policy following large wreath held on each side by cupids. many's lead in the issue of new values. The dates "1886-1911" are shown on the The values are known in 5pf and^ lOpf wreath and in the lower angles are the tete-beche pairs these from sheets being figures "5" or "10" to denote the value. printed for in book form. The binding The name "BAYERN" is shown on a same values also be found with ad- may straight tablet between the figures. Each vertisements attached, these also being value is printed in three colors and they from sheets intended for into binding are somewhat extraordinary productions. stamp booklets. Most of the values The background is black, the ribbons exist in several shades. pronounced binding the wreath are yellow, and the Prince died in the Leopold closing rest of the design is green for the opf weeks of 1912 and was succeeded as Re- and red for the lOpf. They have a gent his Prince So far by son, Ludwig. crude cheap-looking appearance that is

19 all the more marked on comparison 1. All letters to be considered as with the delicate workmanship charac- local correspondence which either: are to be delivered in the town terising the contemporary birthday (a) series. of the distributing office itself, or in The stamps are said to have been in the Rural post district belonging use only a limited time. They were thereto, or from a printed on unwatermarked paper and (b) are dispatched place l labels conclude in the Rural district to the perf. lI /2 . These two post post or to another in Bavaria's philatelic history to date. town itself, place the said Rural post district. 2. The stamps to be used for such unfranked correspondence, instead of marking the amount in writing, bear the value 3kr (the single duty for delivery in the Local or Rural post district), printed in black, on white paper, with a red silk thread running through it sideways. For correspondence which exceeds the weight payable by a single Tax Stamp, as many Postage Due stamps must be used to make the amount Reference List. up which pays for that weight according June, 1911, No. wmk. Perf to the tariff. 93. 5pf green, yellow and black, Scott's No. 92. 3. In the case of letters posted in 94. lOpf carmine, yellow and black, Scott's the post town the Postage Due stamps No. 93. shall be affixed by the distributing of- ficer, in the case of letters handed to the postman in the Rural post district THE POSTAGE DUE STAMPS. for delivery, by the postman; in all The first postage due stamps for cases on the side bearing the address, Bavaria were set up from ordinary after the manner of postage stamps. printer's type; the next issue was Omission to use the stamps not only printed from plates made by the stereo- gives every recipient of local corre- type process from "dies" set from type; spondence the right to refuse the de- and since 1876 stamps of the Arms type, mand for payment, but will also be printed in grey or greenish-grey, have followed by commensurate penal pro- been overprinted for this purpose. All ceedings against the distributing offi- are distinguished by the peculiar in- cer or postman concerned. scription "Vom Empfanger Zahlbar", 4. The Postage Due stamps will be meaning "To be paid by the recipient", issued to the post offices from the which is quite different from that found Royal District Treasury in sheets of on the postage due stamps of any other ninety stamps, and the same regula- country. The first "set" consisted of tions hold good for their issue and but one value 3 kreuzer and the issue use as in the case of postage stamps. of this was announced by means of an 5. For other unpaid correspond- Official Notice dated September 22nd, ence which, not being part of the local 1862. This decree is of considerable deliveries, has to be dispatched from interest, as it explains in detail the the distributing office to another post method of using the stamps, so we ap- office, the method of marking the pend a translation supplied to Gibbons amount of tax by hand remains Stamp Weekly by Dr. Erich Stenger: unaltered. 1862. Re the introduction of Postage Due MUNICH, September 22nd, GENERAL DIREKTION stamps for Unfranked Local Cor- DER K. VERKEHRS ANSTALTEN. respondence. IN THE NAME OF His MAJESTY It will thus be seen from the forego- THE KING OF BAVARIA! ing notice that the stamps were purely On the 1st October of the current for local use and this system has re- year the present system of marking mained practically unaltered to the by hand the amount of duty to be present day. The stamps were printed paid by the addressee on unfranked in black on white paper, and were is- local correspondence will cease, and sued imperforate. The design is sim- instead special Tax tokens (Postage ple in the extreme. In the centre is a Due stamps) will come into use, large numeral "3" and in the rectangu- which must be affixed to the letter and lar frame around this we find "Bayer. which alone give a right to demand a Posttaxe" (Bavarian Post Tax), at the tax on delivery. top; "Vom Empfanger Zahlbar", at the bottom; and "3 kreuzer" reading up- merals were inserted. From these suffi- wards at the left, and downwards at cient casts were taken in type-metal to the right. All the inscriptions are in compose the printing plates. The same Gothic lettering. As we have already perforating machine was used as was stated the design was set up from or- employed to perforate the postage dinary printer's type, the sheet consist- stamps. The use of the 3kr value has ing of ninety stamps arranged in two already been explained. The Ikr value panes of forty-five each (five horizontal was introduced to denote the sum to rows of nine), placed one above the be paid by the recipient of certain offi- other. A space equal to about half the cial letters which had not been prepaid. height of a stamp divides the panes and While most official correspondence was between the vertical rows lengths of carried free certain official local cor- printers' rule are inserted. The paper respondence was subject to postage but was the silk-thread variety used for the at a reduced fee, and it was for the contemporary postage stamps but in collection of deficient postage on the these labels it is horizontal instead of latter that the Ikr stamp was necessary. vertical as in the postal issues. This is The change to the Imperial currency due to the different arrangement of the of pfennige and marks in 1876 led to stamps the vertical rows of the Postage the issue of new Postage Due labels. about the area as Dues occupying same In the Post-pfnce Notice of December, the horizontal rows of the ordinary 1875, referring to the new postage stamps. stamps the issue of new 3pf, 5pf, and Naturally, as the plate for this 3kr lOpf, Dues is also recorded. The lOpf stamp was set from type minor varie- took the place of the 3kr and was for ties abound. The only one of particular use on unfranked private letters, while importance occurs on the fourth stamp the 3pf and 5pf were intended to indi- of the second row of the upper pane. cate the amount payable on unfranked On this the final "r" of "Empfanger" is dutiable official correspondence. The omitted. This, as the catalogue quota- new stamps were formed by printing tions is an scarce in indicate, exceedingly the ordinary postage stamps ^grey variety. Those of our readers who and then overprinting them "Vom wish to study this issue more deeply Empfanger Zahlbar" in two lines in cannot do better than refer to the ex- red. They were, of course, like the cellent article in Gibbons Stamp Weekly contemporary postage stamps printed (Vol. XI, pages 492 and 588) by Dr. on the paper watermarked with zig-zag Erich Stenger. lines set horizontally and wide apart. We have already shown that the In 1883 all three values appeared on use of the silk thread paper was dis- the paper watermarked with vertical continued, so far as the postage stamps zig-zag lines close together, which had were concerned, about July, 1870, and been introduced for the ordinary in its stead paper watermarked with stamps about two years before. The crossed diagonal lines was used. At lOpf provides three errors in the over- the same time perforation was intro- print viz. "Empfang", "Empfanper", duced. This change affected the Post- and "Zahlhar". age Due stamps in the following year In 1889, again following the lead of a Royal Proclamation, dated March 30th, the postage stamps, we find the Postage 1871, announcing that new Ikr and 3kr Due labels perforated 14 V and water- Postage Due stamps would be issued marked horizontal zig-zag lines placed and that they would be printed in black close together. These, as a reference on watermarked paper and be per- to the history of the contemporary forated like the contemporary postage .postage stamps will show, were printed stamps. Like the stamps of the Arms in sheets of 100. The 3pf of this series type they were printed in sheets of six- is known with overprint inverted. In divided ty into two panes of thirty each July, 1895, it was reported that a 2pf (five rows of six) placed side by side. stamp was to be added to the set but It is evident one original die (probably this was not actually issued until some set up from type) served for both months later. The fear that this value values. The design is similar to that would not be ready in time led to the of the first 3kr but with "Bayer" ab- issue of Bavaria's only provisional. breviated to "Bayr" and with larger On September 4th a small quantity of lettering. The shape of the large num- the 3pf value was surcharged in red eral "3", too, is quite different from that with a "2" in each corner. As this of the type-set variety. The matrix variety is of some rarity its use must die, consisting of frame only, formed have been very limited. Since 1895 the foundation for the two necessary Bavaria has issued nothing new in the subsiduary dies in which the large nu- way of Postage Due stamps. found in collections and, conse- Reference List. quently quently, are often a source of mystifi- 1862. Type-set. Silkthread in paper. Imperf. cation to the tyro. These stamps are 95. 3kr black, Scott's No. 101. not postage stamps in any sense of the 1871. Typographed.[ypographed Wmk. crossed lines. term but are labels which relate Perl: Iiy2 . only the 96. Ikr black, Scott's No. 102. to the internal economy of post- 97. 3kr black, Scott's No. 103. office. We grant, however, that they are at least as collectible as "officially sealed" or the numbered labels used in connection with registered letters in many countries nowadays. When letters were unable to be delivered they were sent to the chief office of the postal district. In 1865 there were six of these offices; viz. Augsburg, Bamberg, Miinchen 1876. Wmk. horizontal zig-zag lines wide (Munich), Niirnberg, Speyer, and apart. Perf. 11^. Wiirzburg. The letters were opened to 98. 3pf grey, Scott's No. 104. discover the name of the sender and 99. 5pf Scott's- No. 105. grey, then returned, these return letter labels 100. lOpf grey, Scott's No. 106. used as seals to close the missives 1883. Wmk. vertical zig-zag lines close to- being labels all in gether. Perf. \\yz . with. The were printed 101. 3pf grey, Scott's No. 107. black on white paper and show the 102. 5pf "rey, Scott's No. 108. Royal Arms within an oval inscribed 103. lOpf grey, Scott's No. 109. "COMMISSION FUR RETOUR- 1888-95. Wmk. horizontal lines close zig-zag BRIEFE" Letter together. Perf. 14^. (Returned Depart- and the name of the district 104. "2" in red on 2pf grey, Scott's No. 114. ment) 105 2pf grey, Scott's No. 110. chief office. This oval was enclosed in 106 3pf grey, Scott's No. 111. an upright rectangular frame with or- 107 Scott's No. 112. 5pf grey, namented The labels were 108 lOpf grey, Scott's No. 113. spandrels. printed by lithography in sheets of 84 and those for each office differ slightly from the others, while for all, except RAILWAY OFFICIAL STAMPS. Bamberg, there were two or three printings showing slight differences of The only official stamps issued by design. In the case of the labels for the Kingdom of Bavaria is an unpre- two exist on the same tentious set issued in 1908 for the use Niirnberg types sheet. of the Railway Department (Eisen- bahn). This consisted of the contemporary 3, 5, 10, 20, and 50 pfennig postage stamps overprinted with a large (Sommijfion capital "E". The overprint is in green fur e on the lOpf and 50pf, and in red on the Hiicf brief other three values.

In 1869 Regensberg (Ratisbon) was added to the list of head district offices Reference List. and was furnished with a label reading 1908. Wmk. horizontal zig-zag lines close "Retourbrief ( Kgl. Oberpostamt Re- together. Perf. 14^. gensberg)" in three lines within a 109. Scott's No. 201. 3pf brown, single-lined oblong. This label was set 110. Tpf green, Scott's No. 202. from These 111. lOpf carmine, Scott's No. 203. up ordinary printer's type. 112. 2(>pf ultramarine, Scott's No. 204. labels, with various inscriptions, grad- 113. Scott's No. 205. 50pf marone, ually superseded the lithographed ones. Most, if not all, were printed in sheets of thirty and being set by hand there RETURN LETTER STAMPS. are as many varieties as there are stamps on the sheet. Little care was We cannot conclude this short history exercised in their production and not of the postage stamps issued by the only may lettering of different sizes and Kingdom of Bavaria without making fonts be found on different stamps but some mention of the so-called Return such glaring inaccuracies as "Rotour- Letter stamps. These labels used to be brief" for "Retourbrief", and "Oher- catalogued, are illustrated in some of postamt" for "Oberpostamt" are by no the older printed albums, and are fre- means infrequent. BERGEDORF.

In the early sixties one of the favorite fiend they had raised, unified with Ham- conundrums of the philatelic journals burg and the other Hanseatic towns, of the period was "Where is JJerge- in occasional crusades against their for- dorf?" What little information was to mer allies. This desultory hostility con-

be found in gazeteers and similar works tinued some years ; and, in 1410, Ham- of reference was of such a conflicting burg, Lubeck, and Bremen obtained an nature that, but for the tangible evi- undertaking from the Counts of Olden- dence of the postage stamps, one might burg, who doubtless had private reasons be pardoned for doubting its existence ! satisfactory to themselves in the shape Even nowadays the student will find of tribute-money for their patronage little of note regarding Bergedorf in any to withdraw the protection hitherto af- of the standard works of reference and forded the Vitaliens. These latter were it is evident that its fame is due entirely by no means disposed to succumb, and to its postage stamps. And though the allied themselves with other brigands, stamps themselves comprise but one then known under the designation of modest issue, which was in use for the choenapans and filibusters. short period of six years, Bergedorf has "As the cave of Adullam, ages be- managed to attract plenty of notice. fore, afforded refuge to everyone that Not only have several admirable articles was distressed, or in debt, or discon- appeared in the philatelic press from tented, so, among other strongholds of time to time, but the legitimacy of some the period under notice, did the castle of of its varieties have on more than one Bergedorf, which now makes its appear- occasion been the cause of heated argu- ance on the scene. This was peculiarly ment. The most recent work on the adapted to the romantic purposes of a is from the a subject pen of Dr. Georges robber's den ; possessing subterranean Brunei, an excellent translation of passage leading from its vaults, with an which will be found in volumes X and outlet at a considerable distance in the XI of the Postage Stamp. forest. Thence the marauders issuing, Though early writers on the subject set upon and plundered travelling mer- could find only conflicting statements re- chants and others; and, if not satisfied garding the actual whereabouts of this with the booty obtained from their per- small territory a writer in the Stamp sons, blindfolded, and bore them off to Collectors' Magazine for March, 1863, the dungeons of Bergedorf, till they gives an historical survey of such inter- could procure ransom from their friends. est that we take the liberty of reproduc- They were supposed to be privately pro- ing his notes in full. tected by Duke Henry of Saxony under "In 1387, the Semiramis of the North, whose jurisdiction their retreat then was wearing already the crowns of Den- for reasons, most probably pretty mark and Norway, received that of weighty, best known to himself; as he Sweden. Albert, the deposed and im- never exerted his influence to quell the prisoned king, was recognized only by nuisance, notwithstanding repeated peti- the island of Gottland and the city of tions were addressed him by the authori- Holmia, the then capital. John of Meck- ties of the surrounding cities. lenberg, his father-in-law, was besieged "At length the Burgomasters of Ham- in that city; and the magistrates of burg and Lubeck, with two thousand Rostock and Wismar issued an edict, al- foot, and eight hundred horse, and a lowing all pirates and predatory crowd of volunteer citizens, made a reg- brigands, who should attack and capture gular attack on the town of Bergedorf; any sea or land convoy appertaining to which, yielding after a brief resistance, the queen's party, free access to their was pillaged and burnt. The brigands, ports, and ready means for disposal of however, retreated to the castle, which plunder. The numerous predatory bands was strong enough to withstand for of that lawless period, glad of any ex- some days the arquebuses and cannons of cuse for exercising their profession, that time. On the fifth day the be- plundered the villages, and under the siegers collected and fired a quantity of pretext of revictualling (ravitailler} combustibles the stifling smoke of which, Holmia, called themselves Vitalicns, or compelling the defenders to retire from victuallers. the walls and windows, enabled them to "After this war ceased, the Vitaliens, make an escalade, and the garrison sur- satisfied with their lucrative calling, rendered on condition of being allowed were by no means inclined to resign to depart with whole skins. In 1430 it it; and the people of Rostock and Wis- was agreed that the Duke of Saxony mar, who had made peace with the should abandon forever, to the towns of queen, finding it impossible to lay the Lubeck and Hamburg, the castle of Ber-

23 gedorf, with its appanages; and for more stamps would be necessary for Berge- than four hundred years has it remained dorf, of the following values: under the joint protection of those (a) */2 schilling cities, each claiming the alternate nomi- (b) 1 schilling nation of a bailiff, or governor of sena- (c) \y2 schilling torial rank at first appointed for four, (d) 3 schilling afterwards for six years and supply- (e) 4 schilling ing an equal number of soldiers to gar- The cost of manufacture by Ch. rison the castle." Fuchs, of Hamburg, including printing, Hamburg purchased the exclusive own- paper, and gumming, for lithographed ership of Bergedorf on August 8th, 1867, stamps, like those introduced at Lu- the price paid being 200,000 thalers beck, with the arms of the two towns, about $150,000 in United States cur- would amount : rency. For (a) to 3sch per thousand The midget territory of Bergedorf For (b) to 4sch per thousand has an area of about 50 square miles For (c) to 4^sch per thousand and is situated to the south-east of For (d) to 5sch per thousand Hamburg. Its boundaries are the rivers For (e) to 7^sch per thousand Elbe and Bille and the tributaries of the In addition the stone which would former cut it up into several detached belong to us, once and for all, 20 portions. The chief town, Bergedorf, has thalers cost price. about 10,000 inhabitants while the par- Herr Fuchs agrees, in the final ish of Geestacht, adjoining, and the vil- manufacture of the stamps, to submit lages of Neuengramm, Altengramm, to any supervision and to be respon- Kirchwarder, and Kurslach muster be- sible for all damage which might hap- tween them about another 10,000. The pen through the fault or neglect of his villages are known as the Vierlande firm or his employees. With regard to (four lands) from the fact that each is the sale of stamps, it could eventually on an islet. The soil is fertile and mar- be decided that this could be done dur- ket gardening forms the chief industry. ing office hours at all the post-offices. Hamburg forms the principal market on payment of their face value, but for the produce. that the selling of postage stamps According to some writers the postal should be absolutely forbidden, in the history of Bergedorf dates from 1837 whole territory of the two free towns, when, it is said, a Prussian post-office to all private persons. was established. Though the veracity of With regard to their use, I would this statement has been questioned suggest that articles sent by mail can there seems no doubt that a post-office be prepaid by means of postage stamps under the joint administration of Lu- but that for articles addressed to places beck and Hamburg was established in within the Royal Danish domains, now 1847. The two larger cities joined the as before, only the Royal Danish German-Austrian Postal Union in Jan- stamps may be used. uary, 1852, but no immediate provision Herr Paalzow also submitted an en- was made for the issue of postage graving of a design he considered' suit- stamps as stipulated in one of the regu- able. This showed the joint Arms of lations of the Union. In fact it was not Lubeck and Hamburg on a central circle until January 1st, 1859, that Hamburg with "SCHILLINGE" above, "BERGE- and Lubeck issued stamps and shortly DORF POSTMARKE" below. "LH after these labels appeared letters posted PA" in the lower angles, and large num- in the Bergedorf district were required erals in the upper corners. Though this to be prepaid with Hamburg stamps. Be- design was not adopted when it was fore long Bergedorf began to agitate for eventually decided to issue stamps there stamps of its own and though the Post- is no doubt it formed the inspiration for master, Herr Paalzow, did his best by the chosen drawing. The essay was ap- both writing to and interviewing the parently printed in vertical strips of five higher officials his efforts were not im- in black on paper of various colors. mediately successful. Herr Paalzow's In the quotation from Herr Paal- most interesting effort took the form of zow's document mention is made of a a lengthy document, dated July 25th, Danish Post-office. When this was es- 1859, in which he made definite pro- tablished is uncertain but it was in ac- posals for certain values, to be executed tive operation long before Bergedorf was in a certain way, with estimate of costs. supplied with its own stamps and also We make a short extract from this docu- continued in business for some time ment : afterwards. This office dealt with all In accordance with the tariff of lo- correspondence addressed to Denmark, cal postal rates, five denominations of Luxemberg, Oldenburg and Schleswig- Holstein, the stamps used being those of gradually increase in size according to Denmark. the facial values, the lowest denomina- Two years passed and then in June, tion measuring 15^x15^ .mm. and the 1861, a convention was held to discuss the highest one 21^x21 mm. matter, the outcome being that Berge- The stamps were produced by litho- dorf was allowed to issue its own stomps. graphy by Herr Christian Fuchs of Whether the designs prepared by Herr Hamburg. One type for each of the Ch. Fuchs were shown at this conven- five values was drawn on the same lith- tion or not is a doubtful point but at ographic stone and from these the any rate his designs were adopted and transfers necessary to make the print- in October the general public were noti- ing stones were taken. On this "die fied of the forthcoming issue of stamps stone", if we may so call it, the IJ^sch by means of the following: is inscribed "SCHILLINGE" though, as we shall show later, this value was NOTICE To THE PUBLIC. never issued with the value spelled with a final "E." On the same stone an es- From the 1st November of the pres- say for a 4sch stamp is shown. This ent all letters at year (1861) posted has the usual combined Lubeck-Ham- the offices of this to be sent post town, burg Arms in the centre and "L H P to Geestacht, to the office of despatch A" in the spandrels. The name "BER- of the district to Vierland, as well as GEDORF," however, is placed just be- to to Bill, Oschenwerder, Spadenlemd, low the Arms and the border is in- and can be Moorwerder, prepaid, scribed "SCHILLING" on all four either in or by making payment cash, sides. Numerals "4" occupy the cor- means of The by postage stamps. ners and the whole design is much more for the said postage stamps, period, delicate than the issued one. This es- will include the following values: say was prepared about 1866 when the on blue J^sch currency paper, printed authorities proposed to change the de- in black. sign of the 4sch as it was believed this Isch on white currency paper, printed denomination had been forged in Ham- in black. The of however, on burg. change design, IJ^sch currency yellow paper, was abandoned owing to the war which in black. printed broke out at this time between Prussia 3sch on red in currency paper, printed and Austria. Proofs from this "die blue. stone" are known in at least eight dif- 4sch on buff currency paper, printed ferent colors. in black. In the official document relating to Each postage stamp bears in the the issue of the stamps, previously centre the postal arms of Lubeck and quoted, no mention will be found of the linked on a Hamburg together wavy y2 schilling in black on pale lilac paper, ground. The arms are surrounded by and the 3 schillinge in black on rose a band above which in the upper cor- colored paper. These two varieties are ners are the letters L H, and in the of a considerable degree of rarity, as a lower ones the letters P A. In addi- reference to any catalogue quotations is of tion, there in the upper frame the will prove, and much controversy has stamps the word Bergedorf; in the raged as to their status. Writing with lower the word Postmarke the frame, ; regard to them many years ago Mr. value in figures is in the four corners, Duerst stated: "The genuineness of and in words at the two sides. The these two stamps is open to doubt. back is covered with the necessary gum These colors were not given in the offi- for placing them upon the letters. cial decree promulgating the issue of Bergedorf, the 17th October, 1861. the stamps, and were only described The Director of Posts, and catalogued after the cessation of ( Signed ) PAALZOW, the Bergedorf post." Director of Imperial Posts, for- On the other hand M. Moens was a merly Postmaster of the Lubeck- strenuous believer in the legitimacy of Hamburg Office at Bergedorf. these varieties and as evidence that The letters "L H P A" shown in the they were issued published a letter he spandrels stand for "Lubeck Hamburg had received from the Director of Posts Post Ansaalt (Post Office)." The cur- himself, viz: rency was the same as that of Hamburg March 29th, 1878. and Lubeck, being in schillinge and Ham- Mv dear Friend, burg marks, 16sch being equivalent to There has been published no official a mark of the value of 25c United States information on the subject of the is- currency. The stamps are the most pe- sue, rather by way of trial, of the old culiar ever issued in one respect they Y2 schilling and 3 schillinge stamps, with which we were concerned a little THE /l 2 SCHILLING. time ago, because it was immediately realised that the colours would have The y2 schilling has the value in- to be changed, these colours being scribed as "EIN HALBER" in the left border as we have difficult to recognize by artificial and, already stated, measures mm. This value light. 15J4 square. The pourparlers and discussions on was printed in black on blue paper and it is the one in which color this point were never exchanged di- only any variation is noticeable. The chosen rectly between the Bergedorf authori- paper was of a blue tint but the ties and myself, and were mostly car- pale during of this ran out of ried on verbally, which shows that process printing paper there can be no documents on this stock and the additional supply obtained of a tint. subject. was much deeper With kind regards, This value was printed in sheets of (Signed) PAALZOW. 200 divided into two panes of 100 each and in rather a curious man- From this letter one would infer that arranged ner. From the design on the original the stamps were in use for some days "die stone" the workman took twelve at any rate though no cancelled copies transfers which he in a block are known or have ever been heard of. arranged in two vertical rows of six each. This Evidently M. Mocns misconstrued the block was then transferred to the litho- meaning of Herr Paalzow's letter for stone sixteen times and the an unbiased study of both sides of the graphic eight additional to com- question shows the improbability of any impressions required the sheet of 200 were added to varieties other than those mentioned in plete the base as shown in the annexed the official notice having been used. diagram: The final quietus as to the right of these varieties to be considered issued stamps was given by Herr Paalzow's son in an interesting article which appeared in 1898 in the Virginia Phila- telist. Herr Paalzow, Jr., states most emphatically that the J^sch black on lilac and 3sch black on rose were not is- rH co o r- cirH sued. He explains their existence as follows : a sheet of each value was printed and submitted for approval to the administration. The colors of the l rH CO O .t~ C5 r-I rH CO O t Oi r-It 1, ~\. /2, and 4sch were approved and those of the /l 2 and 3sch were rejected. The printer was then ordered to print the ^sch in black on blue paper, and the 3sch in blue on rose paper. Herr Paalzow asserts that his father's letter, written in German, did not convey the meaning construed by M. Moens that they were issued in a postal sense, but rather that they had been made as proofs or experiments. These "stamps" are therefore only essays though we are perfectly willing to concede they are rare essays and really have no right in a catalogue of issued postage stamps. On January 1st, 1901, all the docu- rHCOOir-OlrHrHCOOlr OirH ments bearing on the dual ownership of Bergedorf by Lubeck and Hamburg and lying in the archives at Lubeck were transferred to Hamburg. While sort- rHCOOt-CirHrHCOlOt-OirH ing the various papers a block of twelve of each of these essays was found with the documents relating to the issue of postage stamps. Beyond, however, prov- It would hardly be possible to identify ing that they were officially prepared each of the twelve varieties composing a fact that has never been disputed the the transfer block though numbers 1, 2, discovery of these stamps threw no fur- 3 and 10 may be distinguished by small ther light on their status. peculiarities.

26 Much has been made of the so-called ment of the sheet was, therefore, as secret marks of the stamps of Bergedorf. follows : They are really guide dots made by the to assist him in the correct lithographer 1 drawing of his designs. But though accidental varieties, inasmuch as they were not intended to form a part of the original designs, they are of considerable importance to philatelists for they are a valuable test in distinguishing the original stamps from the "reprints." The mark for the ^sch consists of a small dot in the linked circle under the second E of BERGEDORF. Dr. Brunei states that there is also a small line, shaped like a harpoon, between the wing and leg of the eagle, and that on most copies the link opposite the A of HAL- BER is cut by a small line. The total number printed was 200,000 (a thousand sheets) and of these about 161,000 were sold during the time they were current. The stamps became obso- lete on January 1st, 1868, and a few months later the remainders were offered for sale. These were purchased by M. Moens for the sum of one thousand francs ($200) and among the lot were approximately 39,000 of the

THE 1 SCHILLING.

The value on the 1 schilling was denoted by the word "EIN" in the left border, and as this word was rather short the spaces on each side were filled with small ornaments. The design measures exactly 16 mm. square. This value was printed in black on white paper in sheets of 200. A block of ten transfers was taken from the original die, and arranged in two vertical rows of five. As the corner numerals in the original drawing were considered too thick and clumsy they were removed before making the transfers. The workman then had to draw in the whole of the forty numerals by hand so that small differences may be found. From this block of transfers the lithographic stone was made, the block being transferred twentv times. The stamps were arranged in two panes of one hundred each placed one above the other and separated by a space of about 2 mm. For some reason best known to himself the workman inverted all the stamps in the lower pane so that each sheet provides ten tete beche pairs. The arrange- As a matter of fact the word is properly centered in the border and it is evident an impression was taken from the original die, the offending word erased, and SCHILLING drawn in its place. From this secondary "die" the block of transfers used in making the printing stone was laid down. Writing some years ago on the subject Mr. Duerst stated "The first issue contained all THE 3 SCHILLINGS. with the error SCHILLINGS, and gradually this was altered to SCHIL- The 3 schilling, inscribed "DRIE," LING by entirely erasing the word and was printed in blue on rose colored inserting SCHILLING. As a conse- paper, the design measuring 19J4 by quence blocks with both ways of spell- 19% mm. This value was printed in ing can be found as well as whole sheets of 160 in sixteen rows of ten. A sheets without the error SCHIL- block of ten transfers was made from LINGE." This is manifestly inaccu- the original design these being arranged rate, for had the alteration been in two horizontal rows of five each, effected in this manner all sorts of thus varieties in the lettering of SCHIL- 5 LING would exist. 10 A block of twelve transfers, arranged in two vertical rows of six each, This block was, therefore, transferred was used in making the lithographic sixteen times to stone. The sheets consisted of 200 complete the stone, there being two vertical rows of these stamps in two panes of 100, placed one blocks. The block of trans- above the other, and this necessitated upper eight fers was divided from the an even more curious arrangement than (80 stamps) lower one a of about 4 mm. we have already referred to in the case by space so the sheets are in two of the y2 sch. The block of twelve was really panes one above the other. transferred eight times for each pane placed The secret marks consist of a dot in and the additional four stamps were added to the ends of the middle rows. the link above the second L of a small dot on the out- The arrangement of each pane was, SCHILLINGS, er frame under the same letter, an therefore, as follows : oblique line projecting from the top frame above the second E of BERGE- 1 2 1 2 and a dot on the frame line 3 4 3 4 DORF, under the M of POSTMARKE. 5 6 5 6 80,000 of these 7 8 7 8 Altogether stamps were printed of which about 37,000 were 9 10 9 10 9 10 9 10 sold during the period of their cur- 2 11 12 11 12 11 12 11 12 312121212 rency and the balance of 43,000 was in- 434343434 cluded in the parcel of remainders pur- 7878787856565656 chased by M. Moens. 9 10 9 10 9 10 9 10 11 12 11 12 11 12 11 12 THE 4 SCHILLINGE.

The additional stamps were all in- The value on the 4sch was expressed verted in relation to the others so we by the word "VIER," the design find eight tete-beche pairs in each sheet. measuring 21^ by 21 mm. These The secret marks consist of a dot in stamps were printed in black on brown the link under the second E of BERGE- paper in sheets of eighty arranged in DORF, and another in the link over the first L of SCHILLING. Of the twelve impressions forming the transfer block QBERCEDORFC only No. 7 seems to provide a mark by means of which it can be identified. Of this denomination 100,000 were printed and as only 32,000 were sold while the issue was in use the remainders handed over to M. Moens consisted of no less than 68,000.

28 block ten rows of eight. The transfer stone used in making the lithographic two consisted of eight impressions in These horizontal rows of four each were arranged in the sheet as follows:

1 article in the "Postage Stamp" men- second issue (1887) can be identified by tioned in our introductory notes. It the same characteristic and the size of will suffice for our purpose to point the labels is also different the measure- out the little peculiarities by which these ments being 19% by 20 mm. The up- imitations can be told from the genuine per part of the shield is solid and the stamps. To start with the 1^2 schilling lines of the background are hardly was never imitated for, as the original visible. The third issue (1888) may design on the "die stone" bore the spell- also be distinguished from the originals ing "SCHILLINGE" all the imita- by the worn background and the ab- tions show the same "error." Speak- sence of shading on the eagle's head. ing generally the impressions of all The first imitation of the 4sch, made values are less sharp than those of the in 1872, can be told by the presence of originals and the shades of the papers a short line slanting upwards in the are not the same. circle opposite the I of VIER. The The first imitations of the ^sch, wavy lines of the background, too, are made in 1872, measure 15 by 15^ mm. regular by the top of the tower and the The H of SCHILLING is always minus labels measure 21 by 20% mm. A sec- the cross bar and one (sometimes ond supply was printed in 1874 these both) of the A's in the inscription are being distinguished by a vertical line also without the cross stroke. In the on the head of the eagle and numerous second supply, made in 1887, the labels breaks in the wavy lines of the back- measure 15J/2 mm. square. None of ground. In the third supply, made in the letters A have bars and the bar on 1887, the oblique line by the I of VIER the H is either missing or very indis- again appears. The letters of BERGE- tinct. DORF are very irregular and the back- In the first edition of the Isch (1872) ground is very rough. These imitations the numerals in the corners are quite measure 21% by 21 y2 mm. different from those on the originals Moens also possessed the original and generally have erifs at foot. They obliterating stamp so that he was able measure 16 mm. square like the origi- to oblige with "used" imitations if de- nals. In the second imitation (1887) sired. In 1895 this obliterator together the numerals are all much too thick with the "die stone" was sold to the being 1 mm. wide instead of the ^ mm. Berlin Post Office Museum so that of the originals. The size of the label fear of any further imitations is ob- is 16J/2 by 1634 mm. and none of the viated. letters A are provided with a cross A number of counterfeits have also bar. In the third supply (1888) the cor- been made from time to time some of ner numerals are thin but this imita- these from so as 1864. " dating long ago tion can be at once identified by the A comparison of any doubtful speci- background which has almost entirely mens with the "secret marks" of the worn away. originals and the foregoing description The first imitation of the 3sch (1872) of the imitations should enable any measures 19% by 19^ mm. and can be collector to decide for himself what at once distinguished by the absence of they are. shading on the head of the eagle. The BREMEN.

The town of Bremen owes its origin pronounced shades, etc. Though the to a bishopric founded in 788 by Charle- second in importance of the three Han- magne. Tiring of the episcopal yoke it seatic towns of Hamburg, Bremen, and joined the Hanseatic league in the thir- Lubeck, Bremen was the first to employ teenth century, this league being a con- postage stamps. Its first stamp was federation of German towns founded issued on April 10th, 1855 and was pure- for mutual protection and for the pro- ly for local use. In 1856 a 5gr stamp motion of commercial advantages. was issued for use on letters to Ham- Bremen seems to have been a somewhat burg; in 1860 a 7gr stamp appeared this troublesome member of the league for being intended for prepayment of the it was several times expelled and read- rate to Lubeck and Mecklenburg- mitted. By the sixteenth century it Schwerin; and in the following year a was in a highly prosperous condition 5sgr value was issued for prepayment of and despite numerous vicissitudes since the ship-rate on letters to England. it has retained its prosperity. Bremen Shortly afterwards a lOgr label made is situated at the mouth of the Weser its appearance, this being to prepay the and embraces within its boundaries two single letter rate to Holland. This other towns Bremerhaven and Vege- value was rouletted and in the follow- sack. Its modern commercial prosperi- ing year new supplies of the denomina- ty dates from the founding of Bremer- tions already referred to were also haven in 1830, this port being only sec- issued in this condition instead of im- ond to Hamburg. It is one of the ship- perf. as previously. In 1863 a reduction owning ports of Germany and has a in the local rate made a 2gr stamp mercantile fleet of over 600 vessels necessary and while no new values ap- (with a tonnage in excess of 700,000) peared all were issued in 1867 perfo- including the fleet of the North Ger- rated. On January 1st, 1868, Bremen man Lloyd, whose headquarters are joined the North German Confedera- here. Its most striking edifice is the tion and its special stamps were retired cathedral, dating from the llth century, in favor of the set for general use with- and the town hall is also an imposing in the Confederation. It will be noted structure. It has many important in- from foregoing notes that all the stamps dustries and at the present time its of Bremen were issued for local use or population numbers about 170,000. for some special purpose. What we The town of Bremen is the capital of may term outside correspondence was the free state of that name, a state hav- forwarded through post-offices estab- ing an area of 99 square miles and a popu- lished in the town by Hanover, Prussia, lation of about 230,000. It sends one and Thurn and Taxis, the stamps of representative to the Imperial Diet and those offices being used. has one vote in the Imperial Council. The different currencies in use in The state forms a democratic republic Germany at that date must have caused governed by a senate of sixteen elected considerable confusion, and that of Bre- members (the excutive) presided over men appears to have been distinct from by two burgomasters elected for four all the others. Though the reichsthaler, years, and an assembly of 150 citizens or < thaler, was the standard coin over (the legislative). In 1810 it was an- part of Northern Germany, it was split nexed by France, but three years later up into 72 grote in Bremen, and into 24 recovered its independence and joined gutegroschen of 12 pfennige each in the Germanic Confederation, subsequent- Brunswick and Hanover. Eleven grote ly the North German Confederation, and was considered equivalent to 5 silber- finally was merged in the German groschen of Prussia so that the stamp of Empire. lowest denomination, the 2 grote, was worth a little less than 1 silbergroschen. The reichsthaler was worth about 78c at that period so that 1 grote was equiva- ITS PHILATELIC HISTORY. lent to a fraction over Ic.

The philatelic history of Bremen is short and uneventful. Its few stamps THE FIRST ISSUE. have, seemingly, never been so extensively written of as, for instance, those The first stamp was issued on April of Bergedorf though they are full of in- 10th, 1855, its facial value being 3 grote terest and much still remains to be dis- and it was intended for franking letters covered regarding the make-up of the within the town, including Bremerhaven sheets, the dates of issue of the many and Vegesack. The stamps were litho-

31 graphed in Bremen, the design showing the Arms (a key) on a shield surmounted by a crown, with "STADT POST AMT." (town post administration) above, and "BREMEN" below. On each side of the shield is a large numeral "3", in shaded figures within an oval, richly ornamented with scroll work, and in each of the angles is a small uncolored "3" on a solid colored ground. The key is emblematic of the independence of the once free city for as Mr. Overy Taylor wrote in the Stamp Col- lector's Magazine (vol. IX p. 164) : "The Bremen burgesses kept the key of their own door, instead of giving it into the custody of some neighbouring potentate, and knew how to maintain their independence long after other equally important towns had succumbed." The stamps were printed in black on dull greyish-blue paper of moderate thickness, gummed with a white gum thinly applied. The paper is laid and the laid lines may be found running both horizontally or vertically, the latter being a little the rarer unused and much rarer used.

This 3 grote stamp was, as we have already stated, produced by lithography. Three drawings were made of the design each differing in small particulars from the others. These three types appear side by side repeated throughout the sheet, which consisted of twelve horizontal rows of six stamps each as follows : 1 2 readily distinguished by the disposition on an oval of solid color with a richly of the zig-zag lines of the background. ornamented border. The rectangular In type I the lines immediately to the frame, which is also very ornate, con- left of the word "fiinf" are V shaped, tains the name "BREMEN" at the top, and there are eleven zig-zags at the bot- and the value "5 Sgr" at the base be- tom of the design with about half of tween small circles containing the

another at each end. In type II the lines to the left of "fiinf" down- slope Roman number "V". There is only one wards and there are exactly 11^4 zig- type of this stamp. Why the value was at the foot of the There zags design. expressed as 5 silbergroschen instead of are thin vertical and horizontal dividing 11 grote it is difficult to say. The sil- lines between all the on a sheet stamps bergroschen was not a Bremen coin an4 in each corner, outside the design, but the term may have been used because in a line with the middle of the three this was the Prussian and Hanoverian is a small dot. projections, rate to England. This value is found in Both exist with the second types word several distinct shades of green and, un- of the "Mar- upper inscription reading used, is commonest on thick paper. ken" but these varieties, prepared in er- Reference List. ror, were never issued. They are quite 1861. Lithographed. Imperf. common for a large quantity was in- 4. Scott's Nos. 4 or 4a. cluded with the remainders sold in 1868. 5sgr green, Reference List. 1856. Lithographed. Imperf. 2. ogr black on rose, Scott's No. 2. THE FIFTH ISSUE. On the same day that the 5sgr stamp was issued a 10 was THE THIRD ISSUE. grote stamp placed in circulation for prepayment of the It was not until July 10th, 1860, that single letter rate to the Netherlands. another value was issued. This was the This stamp was lithographed in black on 7 grote issued for defraying the rate white wove paper, the design showing of postage to Lubeck and Mecklenburg- the "key" on a vertically lined oval with- Schwerin. Correspondence in this di- in a double framing, the inner one resem- rection could not have been very large bling engine turned work, and the outer for the 7gr used is a very scarce variety. one, containing the inscriptions, being The design is very similar to that of the composed of lines crossing each other 5gr with the value at base expressed as "Sieben Grote." There is but one type of this value and, like the 5gr, there are dividing lines between the stamps on the sheet. A small mark, evidently quite accidental in origin though it was at one time dignified by the term "secret- dot," appears on all the genuine stamps. This is a small colored dot which appears just below the center of the upright stroke of the "k" of "Marke." diagonally, the frame making an irregu- Reference List. larly shaped oval. The inscriptions con- I860. Lithographed. Imperf. sist of "BREMEN" in the upper part 3. black on Scott's No. 3. 7gr yellow, and "ZEHN GROTE" in the lower. In each of the four angles are the numerals "10" on small flat ovals of THE FOURTH ISSUE. solid color. It is interesting to note On December 13th, 1861, a stamp of that in all genuine specimens there is an 5sgr was issued to prepay the ship rate error of engraving in the upper left to Great Britain. In design, color, and corner, the lines of the ground of the workmanship this is certainly the best outer frame extending over the exterior of all the Bremen issues. In the center white lines of the frame. It is curious is the usual key (but without the crown) that this stamp is not known imperfor- 33 ate, though issued on the same day as Reference List. the 5sgr, but was rouletted in the style 1863. Lithographed. Wove paper. Perces en known as perces en scie, which made scie 16. incisions something like the teeth of a t>. 2gr orange, Scott's No. 5 or No. 5a. saw in shape, gauging 16. There was only one type for this value and the stamps had dividing lines between them on the sheet. THE EIGHTH ISSUE.

Reference List. The two grote was the last stamp to 1861. Lithographed. Perces en scie 16. be issued and no further changes were 5. lOgr black, Scott's No. 7. made until 1867 when all six values were placed in circulation perforated 13, the perforation evidently being the work of a single lined machine. The 3gr is THE SIXTH ISSUE. on laid paper as before, all the others being on wove. The dividing lines were In 1862 the and were issued 3gr, 5gr 5sgr removed from the stone of the 7gr and with the perces en scie roulettes but the though the lines remained on the other for which there was a small 7gr, only values they did not always print dis- demand, is not known in that condition. tinctly. Most of the values of this set The like the 3gr, imperf. variety is are considerably rarer used than unused found on laid while the other two paper for not only did they have a very short values are on wove The same paper. life, but, as we shall show later, a of types the 3gr and 5gr exist for number of remainders came on the mar- the original stones were used. ket in 1868. Reference List. Reference List. 1862. Lithographed. Wove or laid (3gr) 1867. Lithographed. Wove or laid (3gr) paper. Perces en scie 16. paper. Perf. 13. 6. 3gr black on blue, Scott's No. 9. 10. 2gr orange, Scott's No. 11 or lla. 7. ogr black on rose, Scott's No. 6. 11. 3gr black on blue, Scott's No. 10. S. 5sgr green, Scott's No. 8 or No. 8a. 12. 5gr black on rose, Scott's No. 12. 13. 7gr black on yellow, Scott's No. 13. 14. lOgr black, Scott's No. 14. 15. 5sgr green, Scott's No. 15 or No. 15a. At the end of 1867 the of THE SEVENTH ISSUE. post-office Bremen ceased to exist as a separate and On April 29th, 1863, a new value, 2 administration, from January 1st 1868 grote, was issued this being for the formed part of the North German single letter rate between Bremen and Confederation. The remaining stamps Vegesack. The design shows the in stock, comprising a large quantity of the perforated stamps, some of the 5gr and 5sgr imperforate, and a few lOgr rouletted were subsequently sold. The only item I can trace bearing on the disposal of the remainders is a para- in the Monthly Journal for fraphune, 1903, viz: About the same date (December, 1868) Mr. Van Rinsum, of Amster- dam, passing through Bremen, purchased the whole stock of stamps usual '"key" in the centre within a there, for cash down, at the high price pearled oval which in turn is sur- of 5 thalers ! At least that is what rounded by a broad engine-turned I have been told. We may suppose oval band. This band is inscribed that this was not such a bad bargain "BREMEN" at top and "ZWEI for Mr. Van Rinsum. GROTE" at foot. The large oval is Before concluding this short sketch of enclosed by a rectangular frame the postal issues of Bremen mention inscribed "STADT" at left, "POST" at should be made of two labels which and top, "AMT" at right. In each of sometimes turn up in old collections and the corners the numeral "2" is shown are apt to prove puzzling to the tyro. on a small shield and the spandrels are One of these is a 1 grote stamp bearing filled with ornamentation. This value a large figure "1" in the middle sur- was lithographed in orange varying a rounded by rays and bearing a small deal in good shade and, like the 10 circle in its center on which is the usual was never issued in grote, imperforate Bremen "key." Surmounting this is the condition. word "Umsatzsteuer." This is simply a fiscal stamp and, of course, has no place time considered an official postage stamp in a collection of postage stamps. its postal use has never been proved and The other variety is circular in shape a writer in the "Stamp Collector's Maga- and has scalloped edges. The design zine" (vol. IV, p. 173) stated that "the consists of three concentric circles with only official documents I find them on the Arms in the centre surrounded by are Bremen 'letter bills/ and even then the inscription "STADT POST AMT they are not upon the covers, but upon BREMEN." It is printed in black on the 'bills' themselves. What their use blue or pink paper. Though at one is I cannot say."

BRUNSWICK.

Brunswick, or Braunschweig to give ground of vertical lines. On each side it its Teutonic name, is a sovereign are small upright uncolored ovals con- duchy of the German Empire situated taining the numerals of value, and above between Hanover, Saxony, and West- and below are scrolls the upper one phalia. It has an area of 1424 square containing the name, "BRAUN- miles and a population a little in excess SCHWEIG," and the lower one the of half a million. The duchy has two value, "EIN (ZWEI or DRIE) SILB. votes in the Imperial Council and sends GR." The whole is enclosed within three representatives to the Imperial a double-lined rectangular frame, one Diet. Originally Brunswick formed a line being thick and the other thin. part of the duchy of Saxony, but in 1235 the independent duchy of Bruns- wick was created. Subsequently, along with Hanover, Luneburg, Celle and other territories, it was transferred and reconveyed several times as the various Brunswick dynasties were founded and died out. The duchy suffered severely during the Seven Years War. It was occupied by the French in 1806, annexed to the kingdom of Westphalia in The stamps were designed and en- the following year, and restored to its graved by Herr K. Petersen, and duke in 1813. The direct Guelf line printed bv Herr J. H. Meyer, in Bruns- became extinct in 1884, on the death wick. That separate dies were en- of the childless Duke William, and since graved for each of the three values is 1885 the duchy has been governed by proved by slight differences in the de- a regent. signs, especially noticeable in the number and of the be- The town of Brunswick, capital of arrangement stones low the horse. were on the duchy, is of ancient origin, its cath- They printed a thick edral, for instance, dating from 1172. fairly white wove paper and the used Here is found the tomb of Henry the gum was either reddish-brown Lion, Duke of Saxony, whose de- or white with a brownish tinge similar scendants created the independent duchy. to that used for the stamps of Hanover. The currency was the same as that They were issued imperforate. Accord- to Phi- of Hanover being the reichsthaler, ing Mr. Ehrenbach (London latelist vol. the were worth about 78c, divided into 24 gute- Ill, p. 162) stamps in sheets of 120 in groschen of 12 pfennige, or the thaler, printed arranged twelve horizontal the worth about 72c, divided into 30 silber- rows of ten each, 2 groschen of 10 pfennige. stamps being about mm. apart. Mr. Westoby states that the plates were composed of type-metal casts, which may account for the existence of the three THE FIRST ISSUE. "types" of the Isgr differentiated by

Mr. Ehrenbach as follows : While its neighbours. Hanover and I. With no dots on the Prussia, issued stamps in 1850, Bruns- Type figures wick did not follow suit until January of value. II. a dot the 1st, 1852, when a series of three values Type With on figure was issued. All three values are of at right. III. With a dot on the at similar design, the centerpiece showing Type figure the horse of Brunswick galloping to the 'left. left, with a ducal coronet above, the Mr. Ehrenbach further states that whole being on a transverse oval with there is an error of lettering in type I

35 with the word "SILBG" reading "SIL. shade as there were several printings were cur- 3." The stamps were only in use about during the period the stamps fourteen months and unused specimens, rent. List. with original gum, are among the rarest Reference of German stamps. Indeed, many au- 1853. Typographed. Wmk. Posthorn. Imperf. thorities consider the Isgr unused as 4. ISPT black on orange, Scott's Nos. 4 or 5. black on Scott's No. 6. the rarest European stamp. 5. 2sgr blue, 6. 3sgr black on rose, Scott's No. 7. When the stamps were first placed on sale considerable interest was evinced in their issue by the public. It is said that a huge crowd awaited the opening THE THIRD ISSUE. of the chief post-office in the town of Two low values were added to the Brunswick. At first only strips of ten on March 3 were sold to but this series 1st, 1856, pfennig^ stamps purchasers The former order was rescinded in 1853. Unfor- 54ggr, and4pfennig=%ggr. had "54" in the ovals at the sides and tunately no official documents are "DRIE PFENNIG" in the scroll below ; known to exist having any bearing on while the latter had "%" in the ovals the history of these stamps as one of and was inscribed "VIER SILBR. GR." the Postmasters-General, who had a were also on the terrible aversion to the accumulation These stamps printed watermarked paper the %sgr being on of papers and records, had ordered and the on white. everything to be burned. brown, %sgr Reference List. Reference List. 1856. Typographed. Wmk. Posthorn. Imperf. 1852. Typographed. Imperf. 7. Aggrl (3pf) black on brown, Scott's No. 8. No. 1. 1. Isgr rose, Scott's 8. Xggr (4pf) black, Scott's No. 9. 2. 2sgr blue, Scott's No. 2. 3. 3sgr vermilion. Scott's No. 3.

THE FOURTH ISSUE. THE SECOND ISSUE. The 54ggr was only in use for eleven months (the total quantity printed being On March 1st, 1853, the stamps ap- 271,040) when it was replaced by a new peared printed in black on colored paper, of unusual design. This was a the Isgr being on yellow, the 2sgr on stamp large stamp, 24 mm. square, capable of blue, and the 3sgr on rose. The stamps divided into four, each of the of the first issue were not called in or being divisions 3 and demonetised and this fact probably ac- representing pfennig, the entire being equivalent to 1 counts for the scarcity of unused speci- stamp The central of mens. The paper employed for the sec- gutegroschen. portion was divided into four ond issue was hand-made, of coarse the stamp squares each a transverse oval in- texture, and was watermarked. The containing scribed surmounted a crown watermark consisted of a posthorn, "54" by with "Gutegr." below. Above the upturned to the left, within a rectangular per quarters and below the lower ones is "Postmarke," and at the side of each square is "3 Pfennige" in italic type. The whole is enclosed by a thick single-lined frame. This, it is interesting to note, is the only Brunswick stamp failing to show the galloping horse. The stamps were printed in black on brown watermarked paper but as the paper was intended for stamps frame though occasionally, owing to the of smaller size the posthorns appear paper being inserted wrong way into very irregularly. The stamps were the printing press, the device may be printed in sheets of 100 in ten rows found turned to the right. Every post- of ten. horn of the 120 contained in a sheet A large quantity of this value was differs in size and shape from the others printed in brown on white paper in 1866 the "bits" for the dandy-roll having but for some reason or other they were been made by hand. Mr. Meyer was never issued. The variety is quite com- again entrusted with the printing of the mon, however, for the entire lot was stamps, under the control of the ad- sold with the remainders in 1868, when ministration, and Mr. Westoby tells us the post-office of Brunswick was ab- he used an ordinary printing press for sorbed by that of the North German the purpose. The paper varies in Confederation.

36 3sgr rose on white were all issued with this roulette, some of them being extremely rare. The ^2 sgr black on green, Isgr black on yellow, and 3sgr rose on white are also known rouletted in line but there seems considerable doubt as to whether these varieties were issued officially. The ^sgr is also known perf. 12 but this is known to be an unofficial production. To a note regarding this Reference List. Mr. Westoby adds "nor is there any 1857. Typographed. Wmk. Posthorn. Imperf. doubt that some rouletted specimens 0. 4/4ggr black on brown, Scott's No. 10. have been manufactured by the purvey- ors of varieties." In the list below we only include those THE FIFTH ISSUE. varieties regarding which there are no doubts as to their official origin. The 3sgr resumed its original color Reference List. rose white in of on paper September, 1864. Wmk. Posthorn. Rouletted 12. as the watermarked paper 1862, though, 12. Isgr yellow, Scott's No. 19. it cannot be confused with was used, Perces en arc 16*4 to 1754. the rare of 1852. stamp 13. i^ggr black, Scott's No. 13. another value 14. On January 1st, 1863, 14. J^sgr black on green, Scott's No. _ was added to the series by the issue of 15. Isgr black on yellow, Scott's No. 15. 16. Scott's No. 17. a of in black Isgr yellow, stamp ^sgr, printed _on 17. 2sgr black on blue, Scott's No. 16. green watermarked paper. The design 18. 3sgr rose, Scott's No. 18. is similar to that of the other values but the value in numerals on the small ovals at the sides is in uncolored figures THE SEVENTH ISSUE. on a ground of solid color. The value in words on the lower scroll is expressed In October, 1865, stamps of a new de- as PFENNIG." "FUNF sign were introduced. The colors were Reference List. also changed so as to make them more 1862-63. Typographed. Wmk. Posthorn. Imperf. in conformity with those adopted by 10. J^sgr black on green, Scott's No. 11. the Thurn and Taxis post-office and the 11. sgr rose, Scott's No. 12. German States. The dies, which were engraved on steel at Berlin, were common to adhesives and a series of enve- The consists of the usual THE SIXTH ISSUE. lopes. design galloping horse surmounted by a ducal in white on an oval Up to 1864 none of the stamps had crown, this being of solid color. Around this is an oval been issued other than imperforate ; but band on which the name "BRAUN- in July of that year the Isgr was changed at the and in color, being printed in yellow on SCHWEIG" appears top at the base on an en- white paper, and the opportunity was "GROSCHEN" In the center of taken of experimenting with a roulette. gine-turned ground. the band at each side of the horse is a The rouletting was done in line and for numerals of value. Four had a gauge of 12. Whether the cuts disc the values were and were made by a rouletting wheel or on issued, %gr, Igr, 2gr all embossed in color on the printing press with ordinary notched Sgr being white wove machine made rule does not appear to be known. The plain paper. were rouletted en arc like roulette is always very indistinct owing They perces the set The to the thickness of the paper. It was they superseded. stamps were in sheets of 100 not particularly satisfactory and in the printed arranged in ten rows of ten. following month other stamps appeared an excellent ac- with the rouletted cuts arranged in a Mr. Westoby gives count of the method in the series of short curves giving a scallop employed manufacture of these and other effect to the edges of severed stamps. stamps embossed of a similar nature is- This is the style known as perces en arc stamps sued about the same time for Lubeck, and it had a gauge of 16^2 to 17^2. This and viz : rouletting, Mr. Westoby tells us, was Prussia, Oldenburg done by the printer, Meyer, in the press The matrix dies were, with scarcely by means of thin brass printer's rule. any exception, engraved by Schilling, The %ggr black on white, J^sgr black the engraver to the Irrlperial Printing on green, Isgr black on yellow, Isgr Works. The central design alone was yellow on white, 2sgr black on blue, and first engraved on a block of steel in intaglio, from which a mechanical There are several shades of all ex- workman made a punch in steel; and cept the lowest value, and all are known if four values were required, he, with imperforate. These were never issued the aid of the punch, sank the central but are from sheets which were found design on four steel dies, on which among the remainders. the engraver subsequently added the border and the proper inscriptions. Were envelopes alone wanted, the process was complete; but when adhesive stamps were required a further process was necessary, as plates had to be constructed. The embossed adhesive stamps were generally printed in sheets of 100 or 150, arranged in rows of ten. Fifty rectangular impressions in lead of the size of the Reference List. stamp were struck from each die in a 1865. Embossed. No wmk. Perces en arc fly-press, and these were clamped to- 16^ to 17%. gether in a chase in five rows of ten. 19. H&r black, Scott's No. 20. 20. Igr rose, Scott's No. 21. From each of these, two or three 21. 2gr blue, Scott's No. 22. electrotypes were made, which formed 22. 3gr bistre, Scott's No. 23. the of 100 or 150 printing plate stamps. At the end of 1867 the postal adminis- The vertical and horizontal rows were tration of Brunswick was merged in numbered consecutively in each mar- that of the North German Confederation in movable and the gin type figures, and ceased to exist as an independent was for The plate ready printing. establishment after December 31st, 1867. process appears complicated, but it The remainders of the 1865 issue were was not a one where very expensive sold in 1868. They were not offered in the were not in stamps required large one lot but could be purchased by the quantities. 100 sheets at about 2 thalers by anyone Proofs of the new stamps were dis- interested. As a matter of fact most of tributed in January, 1865, and it was them were purchased by one man, a Ger- stated they would be ready for issue man dealer, and that there must have on April 1st, but, as we have already been a large stock of some values is ob- stated, they did not actually appear until vious from the low prices at which they October. are priced in present day catalogues.

HAMBURG.

a in Hamburg, seaport town Ger- northern Europe. After frequent pil- many, is the capital of the independent lages and burnings from Northmen, state of the same name and the most Danes, and Slavs the town began to be important seaport on the continent of frequented as a trade centre and by Europe. It is situated on the right the end of the twelfth century it was bank of the river Elbe, 75 miles above not only prosperous but, though under its outflow into the North Sea, and it the domination of the Duke of Hoi- is 178 miles by rail from Berlin. stein, practically independent. Towards On the site now occupied by this im- the middle of the thirteenth century portant city there were but a few Hamburg was united to Bremen (to scattered fishermen's cottages before the which the archiepiscopal see was trans- time of Charlemagne. Then a few ferred in 1223) and Lubeck in the merchants settled in the vicinity and by formation of the Hanseatic league. 808 the place had attained sufficient im- This league or Hansa (from the old portance for Charlemagne to erect a Teutonic word Aan.fitt=partnership) fortified castle to protect his subjects was an association of trading towns from the depredations of the Normans which had considerable political power and Danes. This castle, or "burg," until the sixteenth century. Most of took its name from the neighbouring the important seaports from London to forest of Hamme, and the original Novgorod, in Russia, belonged to the spelling of Hammeburg was, later, cor- league and their ships carried one com- rupted to Hamburg. About the middle mon flag that of the Hansa. In 1619 of the ninth century the town, under the Bank of Hamburg was founded and Archbishop Ansgar, became the dis- this imparted an enormous impulse to seminator of Christianity throughout its commercial importance, and about the same time a number of English one of the chief points of embarkation merchant adventurers and numerous for emigrants from the middle and east Jews expelled from Spain and Portu- of Europe, the greater number of which gal settled in the town. In the early proceed to the United States. years of the nineteenth century it ex- The industry of Hamburg is a. long perienced hard times being occupied by way inferior to its commerce, yet the the Danes in 1801 and by the French in town possesses large tobacco, chemical, 1806. The latter, under Devout, treated india-rubber, and furniture factories, the inhabitants very harshly and also engineering works, shipbuilding yards, seized the treasure of the Bank amount- printing offices, breweries, distilleries, ing to about seven million marks. A etc. return to its old prosperity began with The State of Hamburg has an area of the fall of Napoleon and even the de- 160 square miles and a population just structive fire of 1842, which burned about equalling that of its capital, i. e. nearly half the town, failed to have 900,000. Over ninety per cent, of its in- any serious drawback on its progress. habitants are Evangelical Protestants. In consequence of this disastrous fire The State retains its ancient independ- Hamburg is a very modern town in ence, the legislative power being vested appearance and most of its important in a Senate of eighteen members and a public buildings and institutions date House of Burgesses numbering 160 only from 1842. Among the more note- members. The executive power is almost worthy of these are the churches of entirely in the hands of the Senate. St. Michael, St. Peter, and St. Nicholas, The State has one vote in the Federal the town hall, marine office or See- Council of the Empire and sends three u'arte, the museums of fine art, arts members to the Imperial Diet. and crafts, botany, and natural history, the commercial and municipal libraries latter of considerable the (the value), ITS PHILATELIC HISTORY. hygenic institute, and a fine hospital. Hamburg occupies a distinguished Of the three Free and Hanseatic place in the history of German litera- towns Bremen was the first to issue ture and drama, having been the home postage stamps, its first labels being on of Lessing, Heine, Hageborn, Klop- sale in 1855, and it was not until Janu- stock, Voss, Reimarus, Claudius, and ary 1st, 1859, that Hamburg and Lubeck Schroeder. joined the ranks of stamp issuing towns During the last century its popula- and states. The stamps of Hamburg tion has increased tenfold. from had a somewhat restricted use, being 106,983 in 1811 to over a million at the only used on local letters for the city present time it is thus the second and its suburbs, and for franking cor- largest city in the German Empire. respondence to the neighbouring states During the second half of the nine- and to the Netherlands, while they were teenth century Hamburg's trade de- also available on "ship-letters" sent to veloped in an extraordinary manner, Great Britain. This seeming reluctance this increasing from about a hundred to issue postage stamps, considering the and fifty million dollars in 1851 to over commercial importance of the port, was twelve hundred million dollars in 1904. probably due to the fact that Thurn and But this only represented its sea trade Taxis, Prussia, Denmark, Sweden and and in addition its rail and river borne Norway, Hanover and Mecklenburg, all trade with the interior of Germany in- had offices in the city and it was through creased to a proportionate extent dur- these that the general continental letters ing the same period. As further were forwarded. The Thurn and Taxis evidence of its prosperity we find that office seems to have had the major por- while in 1871 it owned 448 seagoing tion of the postal trade and practically vessels with an aggregate tonnage of all foreign letters went through this 214,280, in 1904 the port possessed 1009 agency. The first set of stamps con- seagoing vessels with a total tonnage of sisted of seven values ^, 1, 2, 3, 4, 7 1,256,640. It is the headquarters of the and 9 schilling and in 1864 these were famous Hamburg-American line which augmented by the addition of 1*4 and owns one of the finest fleets of pas- 2^sch stamps, all of these being im- senger steamships in the world. perforate. In September, 1864, several The greater part of the harbour con- of the values appeared perforated and stitutes a free port, which was con- by April of the following year all had structed in 1883-8 at an approximate been issued in this condition. In Feb- cost of thirty-five million dollars. Its ruary, 1865, the color of the 7sch was total area is 2570 acres, of which 1750 changed from orange to lilac, pre- acres are land surface. The port is sumably to prevent confusion with the 9sch. In 1866 a l^sch stamp was for the first time on February 29th. issued, and at the same time the design This value, then, served for the letter of the IJ^sch label was altered. The rate to Schleswig-Holstein and to North German Confederation came into Denmark. Denmark immediately re- being on January 1st, 1868, and Ham- taliated by raising the letter rate from issue to to 8 burg, having joined this, ceased to Denmark Hamburg skilling ; its own distinctive stamps. Hamburg followed suit by issuing the l The currency was in marks and 2 /2 schilling, green, on April 2nd, schillings, a Hamburg mark, equal to 1864, to serve the letter rate to Den- l about 28c, being divided into 16 schil- mark, 2 /2 schilling courant equaling 8

ling, and this continued until the unifi- rigsbankskilling ; the rate to Schles- cation of German currency in 1875 i. e., wig-Holstein remained at 1^4 schilling, seven years after Hamburg's stamps had but the rate to Altona was lowered to been superseded. /l 2 schilling on September 7th, 1864, For a proper appreciation of these and the /2l schilling also served on stamps a knowledge of the postal tariffs printed matter to the Duchies from obtaining at the time of their use is March 1st, 1865. On January 1st, necessary, and in this connection the 1865, the rate on letters within the l following extract from Mr. R. R. city of Hamburg was reduced to /2 l Thiele's excellent article, "The Why and schilling, so that the /2 schilling in its Wherefore of Various Stamps," which perforated state is comparatively com- appeared in the Philatelic Record for mon. This is also the reason why the July, 1906, is particularly interesting: North German Confederation after- l The /2 schilling stamp was intended wards issued a special stamp of the l to cover the rate on printed matter value of /2 schilling for Hamburg. per lot (= ounce) to Ritzebuttel (a The /2l schilling rate was extended to suburb of Hamburg), to Bremen, Lu- the adjacent territory on March 1st, beck, and the Grand Duchy of Olden- 1866, and to Bergedorf and the Vier- burg. The 1 schilling was the letter lande on June 15th, 1866. rate on local letters and to Bergedorf, From January 1st, 1865, all the also the rate on printed matter to stamps of Hamburg served a large Heligoland, to the Netherlands, and variety of foreign rates, as on that to Great Britain. The 2 schilling was date an arrangement went into effect for the single letter rate to the out- whereby all letters within Hamburg, lying towns on Hamburg territory, to no matter for what office they were the Vierlande, to Ritzebuttel and Lu- intended, were collected from all let- beck. The 3 schilling was intended ter-boxes by the municipal post office for single letters to Bremen and the and then turned over to the foreign larger part of Oldenburg, while the offices. All such letters dropped into 4 schilling covered the letter rate to the boxes would be prepaid either by Heligoland and to certain towns in the respective foreign stamps or by Oldenburg. The 7 schilling, orange, Hamburg stamps: in the latter case was for letters to the larger part of the postoffices made settlement with the Netherlands, and after July 1st, each other on the basis of the for- 1859, to Great Britain and Ireland. eign rates. The municipal post office The 9 schilling at first served the in some cases made a little profit letter rate to Great Britain and Ire- here, as its stamps did not always land; after the reduction to 7sch it correspond to the foreign rates, and in served in combinations for various such cases the next higher stamp had foreign rates. to be used. For instance, the 1 The Danish war brought the issue silbergroschen rate to the German- of a new value. The Danish post Austrian Postal Union corresponded office at Hamburg had always handled to 1 1/3 schilling courant; as there the correspondence to Schleswig- was no such stamp, 1^ schilling's Hplstein. When the war broke out, worth of stamps had to be affixed. this office was cut off from the mother The 2 silbergroschen rate answered to country and the Hamburg authorities 22/3 schilling courant; for this a 3 took charge of it. The Danish rate schilling stamp had to be used, the to was 4 office the Schleswig-Holstein skilling ; municipal post pocketing for a few days after February 21st, difference. The 4 schilling stamp, of 1864, the date of taking possession, course, exactly corresponded to the 3 the office continued to use the Danish silbergroschen rate. stamps of that value. But new stamps About this time some changes in of the value of 1% schilling courant, rates took place. The money-order the equivalent of 4 skilling Danish, system was introduced on March 1st, were ordered immediately and issued 1866, and the 2 schilling stamp was

40 thereafter also used for money orders name of Johann Friedrich Rex Ziesen- to Schleswig-Holstein up to 62 mark ist. He may also have been responsible courant. From May 14th, 1866, the for the design but regarding this there same stamp was permitted to be used appears to be no record. From each die for the registration fee for Hamburg ninety-six casts were taken in ordinary and territory, which theretofore was type metal, and these, arranged in paid in cash; for July 1st, 1866, the twelve horizontal rows of eight, formed letter rate to Heligoland was lowered the printing plates. There was a space to 2 schilling. The 3 schilling stamp of 3^2 mm. between the vertical rows

. . . was used from July 1st, 186G, and of 1^ mm. between the horizontal for the registration fee to Heligoland rows. A line of printer's rule was and from November 1st, 1866, for the inserted between each of the vertical registration fee to the Netherlands. rows, and as these were the same height On November 1st, 1866, the letter rate as the cliches they show at the sides of to the entire Netherlands was reduced the stamps. Each horizontal row was to 4 schilling. numbered in the margin at each end, and The letter rate to Lubeck was re- at the top of each sheet the inscription duced to 1^ schilling on October 1st, "Hamburgische Postmarken" were 1865, and the printed matter rate to shown. The plates were made and the the Netherlands to the same on July stamps printed by Th. G. Meissner, 1865 hence a of that value 1st, ; stamp printer to the State of Hamburg. became desirable, and was issued on Whether by accident or design we April 1st, 1866. cannot say but on all stamps engraved by Ziesenist there are so-called "secret marks." As these are of considerable value in distinguishing originals from the many forgeries that exist, we give a THE FIRST ISSUE. list of these as follows: There is a small dash in The first postage stamps for Hamburg Y-2. schilling. the between the base of the right were placed on sale on January 1st, 1859, space hand tower and the line above "Schil- the set consisting of seven different values. The design, which is the same for ling." all denominations, consisted of the Arms i schilling. The serif at the foot of of Hamburg, partially covered by large the "T" of "POSTMARKE" ends with open numerals denoting the value, as a a dot at the left hand side. The Arms are centerpiece. composed

41 15 mm. deep) bounded by a single line label the retaliatory tactics pursued by frame. It was intended that these lines Hamburg and Denmark resulted in the should correspond with the twelve rows issue of a 2^sch stamp. Both of these of stamps, but owing to some sheets not values were produced by lithography, being carefully "fed" into the printing presumably owing to the fact that they press an outside row was occasionally were wanted in a hurry. printed on the plain portion of the paper, The central design on the 1% sch is and these stamps were thus entirely very similar to that of the series of 1859 without watermark. Other varieties, but with a netted background. The caused by irregular feeding of the paper, name "HAMBURG" is arched at the show vertical line watermark. top. "POSTMARKS" is on a straight label which extends right across the foot of the stamp and the value is shown in words on the side tablets. In each of the upper angles an uncolored* Maltese cross is shown on a ground of solid color.

The stamps of this issue were not perforated, and they were gummed with a brown gum which gives some specimens the appearance of having been printed on toned paper. The remainders of these stamps were all without gum, There was a space of 3 mm. between the issued stamps, with the original the stamps of both the vertical and brown gum, being at least twice as horizontal rows, and lines were ruled in scarce as the remainders. With the these in both directions corresponding solitary exception of the 7sch the with the vertical lines appearing in the stamps are all rarer used than unused. preceding series. There were no fig- Fairly distinct shades of the 4, 7, and ures at the ends of the horizontal rows 9sch may be found but the others differ and no marginal inscription was shown hardly at all. at the top of the sheet. According to the Reference List. late Mr. W. A. S. Westoby "it would seem that later on in the same Jan. 1st, 1859. Watermarked undulating lines. Imperf. year another transfer was made, as the ^sch black, Scott's No. 1. stamps are found closer together on the Isch l brown, Scott's No. 2. sheet, being Z /2 mm. apart, vertically 2sch Scott's No. 5. red, and with lines between and 3sch blue, Scott's No. 9. horizontally, 4sch green, Scott's No. 10. numerals opposite each vertical and 7sch orange, Scott's No. 11. horizontal row." Impressions from this 9sch yellow, Scott's No. 32. second plate, we are told, may be recognised by their indistinct and blurred appearance and the fact that the color is always a deep red-lilac. THE SECOND ISSUE. Basing his remarks on the wonderful study of these stamps made by Mr. In 1864, Hamburg occupied the Dan- Vicenz in 1907, M. Brunei takes us much ish in that post-office city, owing to the deeper into the subject. We learn that war between Prussia and Austria and the stamps were printed in sheets of 192 as Denmark, explained in our introduc- stamps arranged in two panes of ninety- and a tory notes, stamp of l^sch was six each, placed side by side. In mak- wanted immediately. This was issued ing up the lithographic stone the litho- on February 29th but while it was being grapher took twelve transfers from his prepared the ^sch was bisected and original drawing making a block of the halves used in making up the l^sch three horizontal rows of four. This rate. Though no decree seems to have block was then re-transferred to the been issued authorising this bisection stone sixteen times. Each of the twelve the authorities appear to have permitted stamps in the transfer block differs in it and undoubtedly bona-fide "splits"- minute particulars from the others giv- used on original covers are known. A ing twelve types and these were ar- month after the issue of the ranged on the stone as follows : 1 in this state. The J^sch, 3sch, and 7sch In the following June the litho- values are known imperforate vertically graphed IJ^sch stamp was superseded and the 9sch may be found imperforate by an embossed label of similar value. horizontally. This was also manufactured by the Reference List. Prussian State Printing Office and, as in the case of the the was 1864-5. Wmk. Undulating lines. Perf. 13^. l^sch plate constructed from the die for the 12. ^sch black, Scott's No. 13. l^sch (a) Imperf. vertically. envelope stamp. The plate was of simi- 13. Isch brown, Scott's No. 14. lar size containing one hundred impres- 14. mauve, Scott's No. 15, 15a or l^sch sions in ten of ten. 15b. rows The design 15. 2sch red, Scott's No. 16. is very similar to that of the l^sch the 16. 2^sch green, Scott's No. 17 or 17a. inscriptions being on an octagonal bor- 3sch Scott's No. 18 or 19. 17. blue, der but the (a) Imperf. separated by stars; stamp (b) Imperf. vertically. was converted into a complete rectangle la 4sch green, Scott's No. 20. by adding a number of diagonal 19. 7sch orange, Scott's No. 21. lines to (a) Imperf. vertically. parallel each of the four corners. 20. 7sch mauve, Scott's No. 22. This stamp was likewise embossed (a) Imperf. in color 21. 9sch yellow, Scott's No. 23. on white wove unwatermarked (a) Imperf. horizontally. paper and rouletted 10. Mr. Brunei points out that the genuine stamps exhibit the following pecul- THE FOURTH ISSUE. iarities : Although the letter rate to Lubeck (a). The figures "1" are formed of was reduced to l^sch on October 1st, ernbossed cross-hatching which runs 1865, and the printed matter rate to the diagonally from top to bottom and Netherlands was fixed at the same fig- from right to left. ure on it was not until July 1st, 1865, (b). In the 1J4 schilling, under the that the authorities April, 1866, postal "1," the second line (forming the troubled to issue a stamp of this value. background of stonework of the tow- a series of In this month envelopes ers; is broken. with embossed stamps of the values of In the \ l first l l (c). /2 schilling the 2 l 2 4 and 7sch was issued, / , 1%, / , 2, 3, and second "i" of the indication of these being manufactured in Berlin by value (at left) are joined to the bot- the Prussian State Printing Office. The tom of the following "n" (more visi- die for the l^sch envelope stamp was ble in the case of the first than of the made use of in the construction of a second), likewise the letters of the plate for printing the adhesive stamp last word "halb." of corresponding value. The plate consisted of one hundred impressions ar- (d). The "K" of "POSTMARKS" has the ranged in ten horizontal rows of ten, base smaller than the upper and the stamps were embossed in color part. on plain white wove paper. These These values show practically no stamps were rouletted 10 instead of be- variation of shade. ing perforated. Reference List. 1866. Embossed. No wmk. Rouletted 10. .HAMBURG 22. l^sch mauve, Scott's No. 25 or 25a. 23. l^sch rose, Scott's No. 26.

THE FIFTH ISSUE. POSTMARKED

In June, 1867, one more took The central portion of the design is change in the of before very similar to that of the stamps of place stamps Hamburg the preceding issues, and shows the the special issues were finally sup- numerals and Arms on a ground of pressed in favor of the general issue solid color within an octagonal frame. for the North German Confederation. Around this the usual are inscriptions A further supply of 2^sch stamps was placed in the same order as before, and required, and as these could not be sat- these are separated at the corners by isfactorily produced from Mr. Adler's six-rayed stars or asterisks, each having lithographic stone, typography was re- an uncplored circle in the centre. The whole is enclosed in a double-lined oc- sorted to and the old type of 1859 was tagonal frame. rehabilitated.

44 These stamps were manufactured by Though the design was the same as the Th. G. Meissner, of Hamburg and it is originals the stones were laid down in probable the die was engraved by J. F. a different fashion. For the lJ4sch a R. Ziesenist, who was responsible for block of sixteen transfers was made (in the other dies of the same type. The four rows of four) and this was re- "secret mark" on this value corresponds transferred to the stone six times mak- with that found on the 2sch of the 1859 ing sheets of 96 stamps. 1 These types series that is, there is a small colored all show little peculiarities differing dot under the first "1" of "Schilling." from the issued stamps, these being de- tailed in full in Mr. Brunei's article in the "Postage Stamp," already alluded to. The "plate" for the 2^sch also consisted of 96 stamps but in this instance the transfers were applied in blocks of four. These reprints appear to have been made in 1872. At first unwatermarked paper was used and then a quantity of the original watermarked paper being The stamps were printed on the paper discovered this was used. These "re- watermarked with undulating lines, and iprints" are known imperforate, perf. l they were perforated by the 13*/2 ma- ll /2, and perf. 13^. Those on unwater- chine. There are a number of distinct marked paper or perf. 11^ can easily shades, and the variety is known im- be distinguished for there were no perforate and also imperforate horizon- originals of this sort; and those on tally. watermarked paper, perf. 13^, may be Compared with the other typographed told by the roughness of the perfora- stamps this value was produced in a tions compared with the originals. very inferior manner, this being due, Though the official perforating ma- probably, to the fact that it had to be chines were used the pins had become manufactured in somewhat of a hurry. worn causing the "rough" effect. Reference List. About the same period reprints, or 1867. Typographed. Wmk. Undulating lines. rather imitations, of the 1J4 and l^sch stamps of 1866 were made. These were 1M. 2^sch green. Scott's No. 24. printed on white wove unwatermarked (a) Imperf. and are found rouletted as (b) Imperf. horizontally. paper 8J^ well as the 10 of the originals. The "reprint" of the l%sch is from a retouched die and it differs from the THE UNOFFICIAL REPRINTS. originals in having the small circles in the center of the four rosettes, which In 1868, shortly after the stamps separate the inscriptions, filled in with were replaced by the issue for the North color. There is also no line in the up- German Confederation, the remainders per part of the "g" of "Schilling." The were offered for sale and found a pur- l^sch was reprinted from the envelope chaser in the late Mr. J. Goldner, a die, and has a longer line in the upper well-known stamp dealer of Hamburg. part of the "g" of "Schilling," while the How were included in this many stamps corner stars also have solid centers. lot is a matter regarding which no in- The paper is thicker and the color of formation has been published that we the impression does not show through know of. It would appear that these as in the case of the originals. Both remainders were all specially printed "reprints" exist with forged postmarks. for sale if we can place any reliance on a statement that when the stamps were demonetised "only one sheet of the 154 and 2*/2 schilling remained over, some imperforate sheets of the second issue CONCLUDING NOTES. of the 1^4 schilling, and some defective sheets." If this were the case then the The few reprints, as we have already fact that the remainders had no gum pointed out, were made privately some is easily accounted for. years after the stamps had become obso- Having very few of the lithographed lete, and these should present no diffi- V/4 and 2^sch Mr. Goldner ap- culties to the collector. Forgeries of proached the lithographer, Mr. C. most of the values are very common, Adler, and finding the original draw- but as most of these are very roughly ings were available commissioned him executed they should hardly deceive the to make new stones of these values. collector exercising ordinary care. As the majority of Hamburg stamps Equally common is a postmark com- are rarer used than unused, genuine posed of four parallel lines, either thick or 20 mm. and about 5mm. stamps with counterfeit postmarks are thin, long The forgeries of this usually by no means uncommon. A very usual apart. have the lines too short, more than form of cancellation consists of a circle four, irregularly spaced, or thickened at of the and containing the name town the ends. There is also a cancellation take note the date, and readers should composed of four wavy lines, but the of the fact that such marks with a star use of this seems to have been confined or floret before and after the name to the first issue only, and it is rarely "HAMBURG" are undoubtedly bad. met with.

HANOVER.

Hanover, or Hannover, as our Teu- that date until 1837 the Hanoverian electors sat on the throne. tonic friends spell it, was formerly a English kingdom of Northern Germany, but When Queen Victoria ascended the throne Hanover passed to her uncle since 1866 it has formed a province- of the Duke of Cumberland. On his death Prussia. It stretches eastwards from (November 18th, 1851) his son, the the Netherlands to the and from Elbe, blind George V, succeeded to the king- southwards to Hesse- the North Sea dom, and he, siding with Austria in Nassau, and includes the former duchy 1866, took up arms against Prussia, was of East Friesland, the Liineburg Heath defeated, driven from his throne, 'and (55 miles long), part of the Harz Moun- Hanover was annexed to Prussia. tains, and outliers of the' Weser Moun- The capital of the province bears the tains. Its total area is 14,833 square same name, Hanover, and is situated on miles and it has a population well in ex- a sub-tributary of the Weser, 78 miles cess of two and a half millions. Ex- south-east of Bremen, and 158 miles cept in the South, where the Harz west of Berlin. It consists of the old Mountains attain a height of 3037 feet, town, with narrow streets and mediaeval the surface belongs to the great North houses, and the handsome modern town German plain, with immense stretches which lies on the north, east, and south- of moor and heath. Large areas of the east of the older portion. During the moorlands have been drained and re- last quarter of the nineteenth century claimed within recent years. Hanover the town grew at an enormous rate, and is watered by the Elbe, Weser, Ems and at the present time its population ex- their tributaries, and the soil near the ceeds a quarter of a million. The old rivers is very fertile. One sixth of the town possesses several fourteenth, fif- total area is covered with forest. teenth, and seventeenth century build- The people of the north-eastern and ings, such as the former royal palace, central provinces are mostly Saxons; the town hall (1439), the chancellery of

those on the coast are of Friscian origin ; justice, and the house of Leibnitz, now those on the west of the Ems, Dutch; converted into an industrial art museum. and those in the southern provinces, Intermingled with these are a number Thuringians and Franconians. Platt- of quite new structures (1876 to 1911), Deutsch, or Low German, is commonly such as the magnificent railway station; spoken in the rural districts, but High the royal library (containing 200,000 is the of the educated volumes and the German language 4,000 MSS) ; royal classes, and is spoken with -more purity playhouse, one of the largest theatres than in any other part of the Empire. in Germany; the museum, with natural Cattle are bred and grazed on the history and art collections; the Kestner marshes next the North Sea. Ironware Museum, with antiquities and 120,000 en- steel machin- the 'the and goods, textiles, sugar, gravings ; post office; and ery, gutta-percha and india-rubber, Reichsbank. Hanover has a famous chemicals, scientific instruments, beer polytechnic, housed in the Welf (Guelph) and spirits, are the more important pro- Castle, and attended by over 1,500 stu- ducts of Hanover's manufacturing in- dents. Close by is the Heddenhausen dustry, while Geeseemunde is one of the Castle (1698) the favorite residence of most important fishing ports in Ger- Kings George I, II, and V, whose beau- many. Coal, iron, zinc, lead, copper and tiful grounds are open to the public. salt are mined in the Harz Mountains. The Duke of Celle chose Hanover for The second elector of Hanover became his residence in 1636, and it has re- George I of England in 1714, and from mained the capital city from that date. Hanover is the headquarters of the two, Scotland; three, Ireland; with, on 10th German Army Corps, and is an an escutcheon of pretence, Brunswick, important centre of the North German Luneberg, and Westphalia, and over all, railway system. (in the centre), the golden crown of Charlemagne, the mark of the dignity of arch-treasurer of the Holy Roman Em- pire, which belonged to the house of ITS PHILATELIC HISTORY. Brunswick. The supporters are the lion The of Hanover and unicorn, and beneath is the motto philatelic history "SUSCIPERE ET dates from 1850 the .year before the FINIRE," meaning "To undertake and to finish." There is death of King Ernest (Duke of Cum- a scroll at the with the ends run- berland) when a single stamp bearing foot, the sides of the on the face value of one gutengroschen was ning up by shield, which is at the issued. In 1851 Hanover joined the "HANNOVER" top, German-Austrian Postal Union, and a "FRANCO" at the left, "EIN. GGR." at the and numerals in each of series of stamps was issued on July 21st right, the lower The after of that year for defraying the rates of angles. period "EIN" was inserted in postage within the Union. In 1856 evidently error, for it is and is not re- colored papers were dispensed with and quite unnecessary on of the other values is- the stamps were overprinted with a peated any colored network instead. In 1859 the sued in succeeding years. The die was Herr stamps with values expressed in frac- engraved by a Hanoverian tions of a thaler were superseded by a Fickenscher, engraver, and the was made and the new series bearing the portrait of King plate stamps hand at the George V. and with values denoted in printed by presses type and works of Senator groschen. Until 1864 all the stamps foundry printing in Hanover. The form con- were imperforate, but in that year five Culemann, of 120 taken in values were issued with a roulette (per- sisted casts, type-metal from the which were ar- ccs en arc) gauging 16, and in 1866, on original die, the annexation of Hanover by Prussia, ranged in twelve horizontal rows of ten. As is usual with manufactured the whole of the stamps, with the ex- stamps this there are of ception of a few sheets, were burned. by process, plenty minor of The currency was the thaler, divided varieties, consisting chiefly breaks and flaws in the frame and other at first into twenty-four gutengroschen and defective letters. letter- of twelve pfennig each, and. after 1858. lines, The of the in is full into thirty groschen of ten pfennig each. ing motto, particular, of defects, and a perfect inscription is the exception rather than otherwise. The stamp was printed in black on THE FIRST ISSUE. colored paper, manufactured by Osna- bruck, which was watermarked with The first issue consisted of a single rectangles of about the same size as the stamp, bearing the facial value of one stamps. Like all the other stamps is- gutengroschen, which was placed on sued prior to 1864, this Iggr was im- sale on December 1st, 1850. The design perforate. shows a large open numeral "1", in- A peculiarity of this and other Han- scribed "GUTEXGR.", in a shield with overian stamps is the red gum which an arabesque ground. This is sur- was used until about 1864. In the "Ad- mounted by the Anglo-Hanoverian arms tiesive Postage Stamps of Europe" the late Mr. W. A. S. Westoby made the following comments regarding this colored gum: "What was the real reason for employing colored gum does not appear, but tradition says it was useful in the cases of stamps becoming detached from letters, as the red stain showed that the letters had been stamped, and had lost the stamps during transit. This explanation seems rather on a rather minute scale. According to lame, for even if it were of any use an article in the Philatelic Record, these when there was only one stamp, it arms are, with a slight difference, the could be of none where there were sev- same as those borne by George III and eral." However, the fact that the gum succeeding British sovereigns of the was colored is of considerable impor- Hanoverian House, from 1801 until tance to stamp collectors, for it forms William IV's death in 1837. These arms the best test in distinguishing originals

: are, quarterly one and four, England ; from reprints.

47 To a certain extent this stamp was ex- Over 20 German miles 3sgr (l/10th). perimental, for it could not be used on As blue was the color chosen for the foreign correspondence, but prepaid the l/15th the color of the paper for the single letter rate within the kingdom it- Iggr was changed to grey-green. self, and also to Bremen, Hamburg, The dies for the three new values Bremerhaven, Ritzebiittel, and Vegesack were engraved by Herr Fickenscher, in each of which towns the Hanoverian while the plates were made and the authorities maintained a post office. stamps printed at Senator Culemann's At this period the thaler was worth works as was the case with the first about 78c so the facial value of this stamp issued. Though we can trace no stamp in United States currency was positive information on the point it is about 3c. extremely probable that the plates were Reference List. uniform in size and were composed of December, 1850. Wmk. a Rectangle. Imperf. 120 type metal casts clamped together in 1. Iggr black on grey blue, Scott's No. 1. twelve horizontal rows of ten. There are numerous minor varieties in all three values caused by slight imperfections in making the casts. These con- THE SECOND ISSUE. sist of flaws, broken lines, and defective letters and they are so numerous that the of Presumably experiment issuing it would probably be far from an im- soon sat- postage stamps proved quite possibility for an enthusiastic specialist for in 1851 Hanover isfactory, joined to plate these stamps. the German-Austrian Postal and Union, All three values were printed in black on three new were is- July 21st, stamps on hand-made colored wove paper which sued with values expressed in fractions was watermarked with a device consist- of a thaler. The stamps were all of similar design, closely resembling that of the Iggr but having the groundwork of the shield in solid color. The l/30th was inscribed "EIN SGR." (i. e. Isgr) in that portion of the scroll by the right- hand side of the shield, and the l/15th and l/10th were inscribed "ZWEI SGR." and "DREI SGR." respectively, while at the bases the numerals "1", "2", or "3" appeared, to correspond with these inscriptions.

ing of two branches of oak, crossed at the stems, and curving upwards in the form of an oval. The watermark was so arranged that one complete device was apportioned to each stamp. The papers vary but little in shade with the exception of that for the l/30th which was changed in color from salmon to crimson in 1855. Some philatelists consider the order of these papers should be reversed and that the crimson was It appears that all the states com- the earlier shade; but judging from used in the prised German-Austrian Postal dated copies, there seems to be no Union at first tacitly and then formally ground for this supposition. to use agreed similar colors for stamps The Iggr in its new shade was also of similar values (an arrangement after- printed on the paper watermarked with wards the Universal Postal adopted by oak leaves though the same plate was Union for certain values) so red, blue, used as before. and orange were the colors selected for List. the 1/30, 1/15 and 1/10 thaler stamps. Reference The rates within the Union for which 1851. Wmk. crossed branches of oak. Imperf. these particular values were 2. Iggr black on grey-green, Scott's No. 2 required or 2a. were as follows : r 3. l/30th black on salmon, Scott's No. 4. Up to 10 German miles, Isgr (l/30th). 4. l/30th black on crimson, Scott's No. 3. Over 10 and under 20 German miles 5. l/15th black on blue, Scott's No. 5. 6. l/10th black on Scott's No. 6 or 2sgr yellow, THE THIRD ISSUE. pattern is horizontal. At first a fairly close mesh was used, but this was not On April 15th, 1853, a new stamp bear- considered satisfactory as it gave the was ing the facial value of 3 pfennig stamps a blurred or blotchy appearance. issued for use on and other newspapers Although all values were overprinted matter. The design consists of printed with this fine mesh only the l/10th was an vertically lined oval contain- upright in use. The other a numeral "3" with "PFEX- actually placed ing large or NIGET curved below, "HANNOVER" in values are, therefore, simply essays a straight line above, and a crown at the top. Above the upper part of the oval is a cartouche with scroll ends inscribed "EIN DRITTEL SILBER- GROSCHEN," i. e. ^sgr, or less than Ic in United States currency. The whole is enclosed within a single lined rectangle.

This stamp was also engraved by stamps prepared for use and never is- Herr Fickenscher. and typographed at sued. The with the fine mesh is Senator Culemann's establishment. Al- l/10th said to have been on sale late in though produced by the same process as placed that employed for the preceding issues, 1855 and the other values with the this value does not provide many minor larger network were issued on January varieties. The only ones we have no- 1st, 1856. The color of the network ticed consist of small colored dots or corresponded with the color of the paper lines in one or other of the angles. which had been used previously for the This value was on white wove printed several values. The 3pf was printed in paper watermarked in a similar manner rose as before, and in this case the mesh to that of the 1851 series. The gum is was black or The with the red and this variety is always imper- grey. l/10th forate. larger network was issued directly, the with small mesh was exhausted Reference List. supply this is the rarest 1853. Wmk. crossed branches of oak. Imperf. and, unused, perhaps 7. opf pale rose, Scott's No. 7. individual Hanoverian variety. The stamps were all printed on unwatermarked paper. They were imperforate and had red gum like the preceding issues. List. THE FOURTH ISSUE. Reference 1855-56. No watermark. Imperf.

Many objections were raised to the (a) Fine network. use of colored papers for the Hanover- 8. l/10th black with orange network, Scott's No. 15 or l"a. ian stamps, and in 1855 it was decided (b) Coarse network. to the try experiment of printing the 9. 3pf rose with black network, Scott s stamps on white paper that had prev- No. 8 or 9. with Scott s been covered with a colored net- 10. Iggr black green network, iously No. 10. work of fine lines. This was done by 11. l/30th black with rose network, Scott s means of stereotype plates, the network No. 11. Scott's the whole of the sheets and hav- 12. l/15th black with blue network, covering No. 12. an ornamental border the ing on margins. 13. l/10th black with orange network, The network was so arranged that the Scott's No. 13 or 13a. THE FIFTH ISSUE. across the pearled circle below and to the left of the "O" of "Groschen." The currency was revised on October At the same time the 3pf, in the de- 1st, 1858, the thaler, which had previous- sign already described, was issued with- ly been divided into 24 gutengroschen of out the colored network. This stamp, 12 pfennig each, being now composed and also the Igr and 2gr, may be found of 30 silbergroschen of 10 pfennig each. in a number of different shades. At the same time the 1 gutengroschen On March 1st, 1861, a 10 groschen was withdrawn from circulation and the stamp was added to the set. This bore rate of postage for inland single letters a similar portrait of the King but the was altered to 1 groschen. numerals of value are much larger than A few months later, February 15th, those of the previously issued stamps of 1859, to be exact, a series of stamps similar type. This denomination was with values conforming to the new cur- only on sale at the chief post-offices and rency appeared in place of those with was intended for use on heavy packages values expressed in fractions of a thaler. and registered letters. Judging by its The new stamps were of the values present rarity its use must .have been of 1, 2, and 3 groschen and the design very restricted. shows a profile portrait of King George On November 10th, 1861, the color of V, with head to left, on a ground of the 3gr was changed from yellow to solid color enclosed in a circle of pearls. brown, in order to make the color of Above the medallion is the value "1 (2 this value conform to that which had or 3) GROSCHEN" and below is been adopted by the other members of "HANNOVER." The whole is enclosed the German-Austrian Postal Union for within a rectangular frame, the ground this particular denomination. between the portrait and frame being All the stamps of this series were composed of fine vertical lines. There printed on plain white wove, unwater- are tiny ornaments in each of the marked, paper and they were issued im- corners. perforate. The gum, which up to this time had been red, was changed to rose, varying considerably in depth of tone. Reference List. 1859-61. Rose gum. No wmk. Imperf. 14. 3pf rose, Scott's No. 16. 15. Igr rose, Scott's Nos. 10, 19a, or 19b. 16. 2gr blue, Scott's No. 20 or 21. 17. 3gr yellow, Scott's No. 22 or 22a. 18. ?>gr brown, Scott's No. 23. 19. lOgr olive-green, Scott's No. 24.

One original die served for all three values so far as the portrait was con- THE SIXTH ISSUE. cerned this being engraved by Herr Brehmer, engraver to the Mint, from a A new stamp having the facial value the of 2 photograph ; while plates were made y groschen was issued on April 1st, and stamps printed at Senator Cule- 1860. The design of this is quite dif- mann's printing works. The plates, ferent from that of any of the other like those for the stamps of the preced- values and consists of a posthorn sur- ing issues, were composed of 120 type- mounted by a crown, with "HAN- metal casts in twelve horizon- NOVER" in thick block at the arranged " capitals tal rows of ten. The head was the same top, and /l 2 Groschen" at the base. The for all three values, as we have already pointed out, but the frames for the three necessary subsiduary dies were HANNOVER separately engraved, as may easily be proved if the lettering of the inscriptions is carefully examined. It is interesting to note that in the case of the 1 groschen all the pearls of the circle are in j quite distinct ; the 2gr several Groschen of those at top of the circle run into one another, and there is always a large colored dot between the letters "SC" whole is enclosed within a rectangular of "GROSCHEN"; while in the 3gr frame with indented corners, outside there is always a small colored line each of which is a small colored dot.

50 l The die was, presumably, engraved /2 gr of the sixth issue and the 1, 2 and by Herr Brehmer, and the stamps were Sgr of the fifth issue. The lOgr had up printed typographically by Senator to this date been in so little demand Culemann. As is so frequently the case that none of them were rouletted. with electrotyped stamps, this value The stamps were the same as before shows many small defects in the shape in all other respects, but before the end of broken lines and letters, and the ap- of 1864 the color of the gum was pearance of tiny dots in various parts changed to yellowish or white and so of the design. continued until .late in 1866, when, Han- This stamp was printed on white, over having been absorbed by Prussia wove, umvatermarked paper, and was is- as explained in our introductory notes, sued with rose gum, imperforate. A the stamps were no longer available later printing appeared with white gum. for postal purposes. The 2gr with rose Reference List. gum is not known rouletted. I860. No wmk. Imperf. Reference List. 20. ^gr rose gum, Scott's No. 18a. 1864. No. wmk. Rose on white gum. Perces l 21. /2 gr white gum, Scott's No. 18. en arc. 16. 23. 3pf green, Scott's No. 25 or 25a. 24. Y2 gr black, Scott's No. 26 or 26a. 25. Igr rose, Scott's No. 27 or 27a. 26. 2gr blue, Scott's No. 28. 27. Sgr brown, Scott's No. 29 or 29a. THE SEVENTH ISSUE.

On December 1st, 1863, the color of the 3pf stamp was altered in color from rose to green, and at the same time the REPRINTS. inscription on the scroll was changed from "EIN DRITTEL SILBERGRO- The Iggr of 1850 was reprinted in 1864 but as the are on unwater- SCHEN" to "DREI ZEHNTEL SIL- reprints marked greyish paper they should be BERGROSCHEN." The former, mean- easily identified. ing ^sgr, was hardly the correct equiv- The l/10th of 1851 was reprinted in alent of 3 pfennig, as expressed in the 1889 but this can also be distinguished centre of the stamp, while the modified with ease as the paper was unwater- inscription, meaning three-tenths sgr, marked and the gum white. was exactly right. All five values of the 1855-56 issue Apparently the original die was al- were reprinted in 1864 and here the best tered by Herr Brehmer, and the stamps test is the gum, which is were printed by Senator Culemann as yellowish white. network on the before. The reprints only extends over blocks of four The paper was white wove and un- stamps. The was in 1889 watermarked, the gum was of a rose l/10th again reprinted on similar paper and with white gum. color, and the stamp was issued imper- this the forate. On reprint network was applied stamp by stamp. The 3pf of 1889 was List. Reference reprinted in 1889 though this is not a 1863. Rose No wmk. gum. Imperf. true reprint but rather an "official imi- --. 3pf Scott's No. 17. green, tation." A new plate was made from a retouched die in which the ribbon ends of the scroll point downwards instead of outwards. The 3gr of the same issue was reprinted in 1891 in both THE EIGHTH ISSUE. colors but these reprints can be at once identified by the white gum. The /^gr In 1864 perforation was introduced, was reprinted in 1883, the paper being the system adopted being a form of yellowish and the gum white. The only roulette known as perces en arc. The value of the rouletted series to be re- cuts were curved and close together, printed was the 3gr but as the gauge and 16. 1 gauged The stamps so treated is 13 /2. instead of 16 it is not likely to were the 3pf of the seventh issue, and prove misleading. LUBECK.

The free city of Lubeck, the smallest duces rye, wheat, barley, oats, hay, po- of the three Hanseatic towns, is situated tatoes, and large quantities of fruit. By on the Trave about ten miles from its its constitution, revised in 1875, the state mouth. The town, then known as is governed by a senate composed of 14 Lubeca, was probably founded as early life members, and a council of 120 citi- as 1060 and, though small, it was rich zens. Lubeck is represented in the Reichs- and consequently excited the cupidity of tag by one delegate. some of its larger neighbours. In 1138 it was entirely devastated by the Rugians but was rebuilt in 1143 by Adolf II, Count of Holstein. It was ceded to the dukes of Saxony in 1158 and under ITS PHILATELIC HISTORY. Henry the Lion it attained considerable prosperity. Duke Henry gave it a civil Lubeck issued its first postage stamps and commercial code (the law of Lu- on January 1st, 1859, at the same time as beck) which, later, formed the basis of Hamburg, and the currency was also the law of all the Hanseatic towns. the same, viz., the Hamburg mark of Lubeck was captured by the Danes in 16 schilling equal to about 28c in United 1201 and on their expulsion in 1226 it States money. was made a free and imperial city, and The first set consisted of five values it became the leader of the Hanseatic all of similar design which were printed league formed in 1241. It was then at on watermarked paper. Two years the height of its prosperity but the dis- later the ^sch and Isch were issued solution of the Hansa dealt it a blow on unwatermarked paper and in 1863 an from which it has never recovered. The entirely new design was introduced. On last Assembly of the Hansa met in Lu- April 1st, 1864, a l^sch stamp was is- beck in 1669 and thence forth it de- sued and a reduction in one of the post- clined in importance. It was annexed al rates in 1865 resulted in the issue of by France in 1810 and became the capi- a l^sch stamp. In 1867 the color of tal of the Department of Les Benches the Isch value was slightly changed and de 1'Elbe, but it regained its liberty in this completed the separate postal exist- 1813 after the battle of Leipzig. In ence of Lubeck for, having joined the August 1866, it joined the North Ger- North German Confederation, the man Confederation, and in 1870 became stamps of that Confederation were used one of the states of the new Empire. on and after January 1st, 1868. It has a population of over 90,000. The status of these stamps was similar Lubeck, like many other Continental to those of Hamburg, save that none towns, presents a curious mixture of an- of the values singly were able to frank cient and modern architecture. Opposite a letter beyond the confines of Germany. the railway station, on the main In the "Why and Wherefore of Various approach to the city, is the famous Hol- Stamps," published in the Philatelic stenthor, a 15th centruy brick-built gate- Record in 1906, Mr. R. R. Thiele gives way, which was renovated in 1870. Of some interesting and valuable informa- its numerous churches the Marienkirche tion regarding the postal rates, etc., founded in 1170, contains valuable which we cannot do better than repro-

works of art. Its dome, enlarged dur- duce in his own words : the 13th has an altar ing century, paint- The first issue did not make its ap- ing by Hans Memling. Another ancient pearance until 1859. At that time Lue- edifice is the town hall (1250) which is beck had three post offices : that of built of black bricks in the glazed style the city itself, one of Thurn and of the Renaissance oeriod. Taxis, and one of Denmark. The Lubeck has achieved some little re- two latter had been using stamps for turn to its former since it prosperity several years and the force of public joined the Customs Union in 1868. The opinion finally prevailed upon the trade is with Den- principal shipping postal authorities of the Free City to mark, Sweden, Russia, and Finland, issue stamps also. The values of the in chiefly chemicals, machinery, linen first issue were selected for the rates goods, preserved food, and cigars. most in use. The one-half schilling Lubeck is the capital of the small stamp representd the rate on city let- state of the same which has an name, ters for local delivery, and also on lo- area of 115 square miles and a popula- cal printed matter. The one schilling tion of a little over 100,000. The coun- stamp was intended for the other city is fertile and well wooded and try pro- (there is only one, Travemuende)

52 and villages within the territory of the and one-fourth schilling stamp was Free City, as well as those post-offices then discontinued. in the neighbouring Duchy of Meck- As above mentioned the rate to lenburg-Schwerin which lay within Hamburg and Bergedorf was two three German miles of Luebeck. Two schillings. In 1865 this rate was low- schillings was the rate to Hamburg ered to one and one-half schillings and Bergedorf, hence the stamp of and a stamp of this value was issued. this value. To most of the post-offices It was again printed at Berlin, but it within the two Duchies of Mecklen- was not ready on the date when the burg-Schwerin and Mecklenburg-Stre- reduced rate went into effect and the litz the single letter rate was two and official notice, with charming simplicity, one-half schillings, and hence a stamp points out that the postage might, of this value was found necessary. nevertheless, be made up by means of Finally the four schilling stamp repre- the one schilling and the half schill- sented the single rate on letters des- ing stamps. tined to points in the territory of the German-Austria postal union more than twenty German miles from Lue- beck (about ninety statute miles). The rate to certain offices in Mecklen- THE FIRST ISSUE. burg-Schwerin was one and one-half Lubeck issued its first series of ad- schilling and that to other offices be- hesive on tween ten and twenty German miles postage stamps January 1st, 1859, the values 2 and distant was three schillings, but for being ^, 1, 2, 2,y 4 Their use was some reason stamps of these values schilling. entirely op- were not issued. tional but when used the public were to affix them to the left In 1862 or 1863 the postal authori- requested upper of the face of the letter this ties received word from London that corner and continued to be the mode of the stamps of Luebeck had been coun- recognised the until 1864. Official terfeited there. This was, perhaps, affixing stamps proof of this is found in the not very difficult, considering their stamped those issued in 1863 shew lithographic production. At all events envelopes the authorities decided to discontinue the stamp in the upper left hand corner, while those issued in 1864 have the label their lithographed stamps and to make in the use of steel engraving in the future. right upper angle. They, therefore, ordered the next set, that of 1863, from the Royal Prussian Printing Establishment at Berlin. It is related that the price of the die and plates nearly gave the Luebeckers a fit, but that the expense, to their great joy, was soon counter balanced by the orders of the stamp collectors of the time, who bought large numbers of the pretty labels. The values repre- sent the same rates as before. In 1864 the war with Denmark broke The design is the same for all five out and the Duchies of Schleswig and values and shows the Arms of Lubeck Holstein were occupied by the Feder- on a field d'or (represented heraldically al troops. Correspondence for these by a dotted ground) within three two Duchies from Luebeck had for- scrolls arranged in the form of an in- merly been handled by the Danish verted horseshoe. The lower of these office at Luebeck, but this office was scrolls contains the word "POST- now closed because of the war and the MARKE," the one at left contains the city post office took charge of all mail value in words, and that on the right for the duchies. The Danish rate had is inscribed with the word "SCHILL- been four skillings, equivalent to one ING." In a straight line at the top is and one-fourth schillings in Luebeck "LUBECK" while in each of the the is- is in white currency ; hence department- angles the value shown sued a new stamp of the latter value. figures on a ground of solid color. The As it had to be provided in a hurry spaces between the corners are linked it was not engraved and printed in up by ornamental lines and the whole Berlin like the set then current, but is enclosed within a single line rectangu- was lithographed by Rahtgens at Lue- lar frame. beck. In 1866 the rate was raised to Who was responsible for the design one and one-half schilling and the one does not seem to be known but the stamps were manufactured by H. G. there are no dots between the heads Rahtgens, a printer engaged in business and wings. Over the U is a diaeresis in Lubeck. The method employed was of very small solid dots. lithography and minute differences in the 2^sch. Eagle's left claw is at some designs for each value show that a little distance from the inscribed ri- special die or drawing was made for band. No period after any of the each. From the original design in each words. All the fractional figures are case one hundred transfers were taken very small, and the strokes dividing and arranged on the lithographic stone them very indistinct. The topmost of in ten horizontal rows of ten. the three dashes under the upright In making up the stone for the 2 stroke upon the left hand is merely a schilling two transfers of the 2J^sch dot. were accidentally inserted in the bottom 4sch. The third segment of the row. The mistake was discovered be- eagle's right wing touches the riband. fore any of the stamps were printed and There are either four or five dots (but to remedy it the lithographer removed only three are clearly formed) in the the numerals "2%" from each of the hollow between the beak and the four corners of the offending labels and wing, and those not together, but dis- drew in the correct figures "2." He, persed. P of POSTMARKE almost however, omitted to alter the inscription touches the fold of the band. the value in words so that showing The paper upon which these stamps these two in the cor- stamps, printed were printed was not specially requisi- rect color for the 2sch and the showing tioned but was obtained from Matz, a correct value "2" in the corners are, stationer in the town, who had on hand inscribed nevertheless, wrongly 2^sch a stock of thin fancy paper water- as shown the "ZWEI EIN by lettering marked throughout with small flowers HALB." The errors occurred on the of myosotis. It was paper really in- sixth and seventh of lower stamps the tended to be made up into boxes of row. fancy note-paper. The stamps were is- As a the safeguard against forgery sued imperforate and the sheets were of these introduced se- designer stamps gummed with yellowish gum according cret dots into his work. The center of as they were required for use. M. the small ornament at the of the foot Brunei states that the stamps were dis- consists of a short horizontal design tributed to the postmasters ungummed line on all the a dot ^sch stamps tiny and these latter aflfixed the gum before appears above this line; on the Isch the selling them to the public. Such a pro- dot is below the on the 2sch there line; ceeding appears highly improbable for are two dots below the one at each line, the postmasters would not be likely to on the there are two dots end; 2^sch have facilities at hand for gumming below and one in the above, center; sheets of stamps. The statement has no while on the 4sch there are four foundation in fact but there seems little dots below the line. In the case of doubt that Rahtgens only gummed the the 2sch error the dots are as in the sheets as they were required. Indeed, In addition to dots 2^2sch. these there in an article in the Philatelic Record are numerous small peculiarities distinc- translated from the German we read tive to each value. In an article, trans- "I learned from a member of the Raht- lated in the M. Postage Stamp, Georges gens firm that they had not delivered Brunei a list of these little gives lengthy all the stamps at one time, and gummed. marks but for all practical purposes On the contrary they were in the habit the described in The following tests, of remitting small quantities to the Philatelist so as 1871 are long ago authorities, as the stamps became ample : needed, and they only kept in stock a J^sch. Eagle's right beak does not small number of sheets gummed in ad- go against the wing. The bird does vance." This accounts for the fact that not touch the label in any place. the remainders of these stamps were There is no period after SCHILLING. all ungummed. The lines by which the figures are Although the sheets were only divided are very fine, and the figures gummed as required it would appear themselves are small. that the whole of the stamps originally Isch. Eagle very much like the one ordered were printed at the same time on the y2 sch but the right hand end the total supply printed being is more flattened and, consequently, 400 sheets = 40,000 stamps. shapeless. EIN is in letters of the Isch 200 same size as those used in the words sheets = 20,000 stamps. 2sch 1366 following it. sheets = 138,600 stamps. 2sch. Eagle's left beak touches the SJ^sch 500 sheets = 50,000 stamps. wing, and the right one nearly so; 4sch 1499 sheets 149,900 stamps. As there were two errors in each of of the series they replaced the design the sheets of the 2sch the total number being alike for all five. In the center of normal stamps was 135,820 while are the Arms of Lubeck on an upright there were 2,772 errors. oval of solid ground, around which is Variations in shade are not very an engine-turned band inscribed "LUE- prominent though the green of the 4sch BECK" in its upper portion and differs a little. "SCHILLING" at the base, while the numerals the values are shown Reference List. denoting on uncolored discs at the sides. The 1859. Wmk. Myosotis Flowers. Imperf. stamps were embossed in color on plain 1. ^sch slate lilac, Scott's No. 1. 2. Isch orange, Scott's No. 2. white wove paper in sheets of 100 (10 ::. L'sch brown, Scott's No. 3. rows of 10) and, as in the case of most lettered EIN HALB. (a) Variety ZWEI other embossed at this 4. 2'^sch rose, Scott's No. 4. stamps produced ii. 4sch green, Scott's No. 5 or No. 5a-. establishment, the rows were numbered in the margins. The stamps were rouletted 11^ in line. These new stamps were first placed THE SECOND ISSUE. on sale on July 1st, 1863, when the preceding set ceased to be issued, The quantites printed of the */2 and though their use was permitted until the Isch would appear to be ridiculously end of the year as a convenience to the small but lasted two they nearly years. general public. The quantities printed A further was made in 1861 printing were as follows : consisting of 1100 sheets (110,000 ^sch 1,200 sheets = 120,000 stamps. stamps; of the ^sch and 499 sheets Isch 800 sheets = 80,000 stamps. (49,900 stamps) of the Isch. As no 2sch 1,200 sheets = 120,000 stamps. more of the fancy paper watermarked 2^sch 500 sheets = 50,000 stamps. with myosotis flowers was available or- 4sch 800 sheets = 80,000 stamps. dinary umvatermarked white wove This was from Ber- paper was used. The same stones were parcel dispatched lin in and no more of the used and with the exception of the June, 1863, 2, and 4sch were A further paper the stamps are exactly like those 2^, printed. of 240 sheets of the of the preceding issue. These two va- supply ^sch (24,000 rieties are said to have been issued in stamps) was printed in October, 1865, and a second of the 1 September, 1861. supply schilling, consisting of 200 sheets (20,000 stamps) Reference List. was printed in May, 1867. This latter 1861. No wmk. Imperf. differs from the others in having a 6. dull Scott's No. 6. ^sch lilac, of ten for the roulette. The color 7. Isch orange, Scott's No. 7. gauge was also different from the Isch issued Both these starhps are very much in the shade instead rarer used than unused and about twice 1863, being orange of the as rare with gum as without. previous orange-vermilion. Reference List. 1863-67. Embossed. No wmk. Rouletted 11%. 8. J^sch green, Scott's No. 8. 9. Isch orange-vermilion, Scott's No. 9. Scott's No. 9a. THE THIRD ISSUE. 10. Isch orange, Roul. 10, 11. 2sch rose, Scott's No. 10. 12. 2j4sch ultramarine, Scott's No. 11. In it is said, of the consequence, 13. 4sch bistre, Scott's No. 12. stamps being extensively counterfeited it was decided to issue a new series and the order for these was placed with the Royal Prussian Printing Establish- ment at Berlin. As it was determined THE FOURTH ISSUE.

Until 1864 Denmark had maintained a post-office in Lubeck but when, owing to the war, the duchies of Schleswig, Holstein, and Lauenberg were detached from Denmark this office was abandoned. Mail for the duchies was then handled by the city Post the rate on single letters being fixed at IJ^sch. As to issue a series of envelopes as well as there was no stamp of that value or a adhesives the same dies were utilised for ^sch by means of which the rate might both, and these were engraved by Schill- be made up in conjunction with a Isch ing. The values are the same as those stamp had to be issued and as

55 the demand for this- was somewhat urgent it was decided to produce it locally by lithography rather than wait for a supply from Berlin. H. G. Rahtgens, who produced the first series, was entrusted with the manufacture of this l^sch label. The design is a palpable copy of the embossed stamps and shows the Arms of Lubeck on a dotted ground within an upright oval band inscribed in a similar manner to the stamps of the Reference List. 1863 series. The stamps were litho- 1867. Embossed. No wmk. Roul. 11 JA. graphed in sheets of 100 and there were 15. IJ^sch mauve, Scott's No 13. two printings. The first of .these took place in March, 1864, when 525 sheets (52,500 stamps) were printed and the second was made in November of the same year when 517 sheets, or 51,700 THE REMAINDERS. stamps were prepared. They were issued imperforate and a number of dif- At the time the Lubeck Post-office ferent shades may be found. went out of business as a distinctive stamp issuing establishment quite a considerable number of stamps remained on hand and these were sold in December, 1868, to M. Ch. Pelletreau, of Paris, for about $450.00. The lot comprised the

following :

1859. y2 sch 72,500 stamps. Isch 29,500 stamps, 2sch 79,500 stamps. 26,500 stamps. 4sch 107,500 stamps. List. l Reference 1863. /2 sch 23,968 stamps. 1864. No wmk. Imperf. Isch 7,228 stamps. 1(4. I'^sch brown, Scott's No. 14. 2sch 50,828 stamps. 28,951 stamps. 4sch 17,851 stamps. 1864. l*4sch 30,652 stamps. 1865. l^sch 97,071 stamps. THE FIFTH ISSUE. Those of the first issue were all with- On October 1st, 1865, the postage be- out gum and the two lowest values were tween Lubeck and Travemund on the the varieties on unwatermarked paper. one and and side, Hamburg, Bergedorf Of the 2sch, 1590 were the errors in- Geestacht on the other was reduced to scribed "Zwei ein HALB." l \ /2 schilling, and a stamp to provide for the new rate was ordered from Berlin together with an envelope of similar value. The first supply of 202 sheets (20,200 stamps) was sent in November, REPRINTS. 1865. and a second supply of 200 sheets (20,000 stamps) was despatched in May, In 1871 Herr Kirchner, a soldier who 1867, these being printed in a brighter had been wounded in the Franco-Ger- tint. The design is similar to that of man war, obtained the permission of 1863 except that the inscribed band is the authorities to make reprints of all octagonal instead of oval while the rec- the stamps of Lubeck excepting the tangular form is obtained by the filling lJ4sch of 1864 for which, apparently, of the angles with engine-turning. no die had been made, or; if made, had These were rouletted 11^ in line like been lost. These reprints were made the emission of 1863. for Herr Kirchner by H. G. Rahtgens This was the last special stamp issued who charged the modest sum of $7.50 by the Lubeck administration (though for the work. Of the 1859 issue 250 there was a later printing of the Isch of each value were reprinted with an as we have already shown) before its additional 250 of the Isch on thick absorption by the North German Con- paper. As the original stones were not federation on January 1st, 1868. available new ones had to be made and these were small ones of 25 impressions stamps they are not likely to worry the in five rows of five. These varieties average collector. are, therefore, not true reprints but imi- At the same time reprints of the 1863 tations made with official sanction. The issue were made and also of the l^sch paper is thin (with the exception of the of 1865. There were only 250 of these extra lot of Isch already referred to) likewise, but as they were neither em- and unwatermarked, the gum smooth bossed nor rouletted, and printed in and evenly applied, instead of thick and colors widely differing from the origi- yellowish as in the originals, and the nals their identification should be a colors are also different. As these re- simple matter. These are, of course, as prints are far rarer than the original rare as the reprints of the 1859 set.

MECKLENBURG-SCHWERIN.

Mecklenburg-Schwerin is a grand- bers of the Union. The thaler, equal to duchy of the German Empire lying about ?2c in United States currency, was south of the Baltic Sea. The surface is divided into 48 schillinge, while the generally flat but diversified by the thaler of the Postal Union (also worth Baltic ridge of the North German plain. about 72c) was equal to 30 North Ger- Its area, including that of its sister man silber-groschen. After some dis- duchy, Mecklenburg- Strelitz, is 6,266 cussion it was agreed that 1 silbergro- should be square miles and the combined popula- schen represented by 1^4 tion of both is not far in excess of 800,- schillinge, 2 silbergroschen by 3^4 schit- 000. Agriculture, the most important linge, and 3 silbergroschen by 5 schil- industry in the duchy, has reached a linge. high state of development. Sugar and The letter rates within the boundaries starch factories, breweries and distil- of the duchy were 1 schilling up to three leries, and the making of machinery and German miles, 1 schilling 6 pfennige (or bricks are the other industries of mo- \ l/2 schilling) from three to six miles, ment. Salt and gypsium are extracted. and 3 schillinge for distances over six The capitol of Mecklenburg-Schwerin is miles. The rate on printed matter Schwerin. The town of next importance weighing under 1 loth was /l 2 schilling, is Rostock at which a well-known uni- regardless of distance, and for heavier versity is established. The population packages the rate was one-fourth that of the towns and land-owning classes charged for letters. The rates for let- are of lower Saxon descent, while the ters sent to other countries within the rural population are mostly of Slav de- Postal Union were 1 schilling for dis- scent. The current language is Platt- tances up to 10 miles, 3*4 schilling for Deutsch or Low German. The duchy distances of 10 to 20 miles, and 5 schil- dates from 1710, while the title of grand ling for distances over 20 miles. These duke dates from 1815. During the time rates would have necessitated quite a its postage stamps were in use the reign- number of different denominations but ing Grand Duke was Frederick Francis the difficulty was surmounted by the in- II. Alecklenburg-Schwerin has two genious expedient of issuing a divisible votes in the Imperial Federal Council 1 schilling stamp (so constructed that it and sends six members to the Imperial could be cut up into four parts of Y Diet. schilling each) and 3 and 5 schillinge values. In 1864 the 4/4 schilling stamp was issued rouletted and almost immediately after it was changed somewhat in design. At the same time the color of ITS PHILATELIC HISTORY. the 5sch was changed from blue to bistre. In September, 1865, the 3sch ap- The grand-duchy of Mecklenburg- peared rouletted. Schwerin did not issue its first postage In 1863 the postal rates were revised stamps until July 1st, 1856, though it ap- as regards inland letters the new sched- pears to have joined the German-Aus- ule being 1 schilling for distances up to trian Postal Union some years previous- five miles, 2 schilling from five to ten ly and to have been desirous of issuing miles, and 3 schilling above ten miles. stamps. Its currency, however, seems For printed matter distance was disre- to have been a stumbling block for be- garded and the rates were fixed by ing in thalers and schillinge some diffi- weight at y2 schilling up to 1 loth, 1 culty was experienced in arriving at schilling from 1 to 4 loth, and 2 schilling equivalents acceptable to the other mem- from 4 loth to eight ounces. It will' thus be seen that there was considerable It will be noted that the total supply necessity for a 2 schilling stamp but a of the 5sch consisted of only 72,000 label of this value was not issued until stamps so that it is rather surprising its October, 1866. In the following year it catalogue value is not higher. The only underwent a change of color and on denomination that varies in shade is the January 1st, 1868, the separate series of 2sch which is found in yellow and stamps for Mecklenburg- Schwerin was orange-yellow. dispensed with on the formation of the North German Confederation.

THE FIRST ISSUE.

The first stamps, as we have already stated, were issued on July 1st, 1856. They were printed at the Prussian State 3LSCHJLLIKGE Printing Office, in Berlin, on white wove paper and were issued imperforate. The design of the 1 schilling consisted of Reference List. four small stamps of Y\ schilling each 1856. Typographed. Imperf. in two rows of two, the combined four 1. 4/4sch red, Scott's No. 1. 2. 3sch Scott's No. 2 or No. 2a. being about 21 mm. square. The design yellow, 3. osch blue, Scott's No. 3. on each of these four quarters shows a bull's head (or that of a buffalo according to some writers) the Arms of Meck- lenburg, on a dotted ground, heraldically representing a field d'or. This was en- THE SECOND ISSUE. closed by a square frame inscribed "SCHILLING" at the base and "MECK- On a of 500 LENB. SCHWERIN FRIEMARKE" June 12th, 1864, supply sheets (60,000 stamps) of the 4/4sch on the other three the numerals sides, stamp was ordered from Berlin and de- of value in the The 3 and being angles. livered early in July. The printers took 5 schillinge are alike in and design it upon themselves to roulette the stamps show a bull's head on a dotted ground in this supply and as the innovation was within a surmounted a shield, by grand approved by the Mecklenburg authorities ducal coronet on an uncolored ground. all further supplies of stamps were is- Around this is a centerpiece square sued with roulette separation. This frame similar to those being inscriptions rouletting necessitated a new arrange- on the lowest denomination except that ment of the little electrotypes. The the word at base is "SCHILLINGE." groups of four were arranged with a The numerals in the of angles are, space of 3mm. between them, which al- course, "3" and "5" respectively. lowed of a rouletting in line between The sheets consisted of 120 stamps each group. The paper on which this in twelve rows of ten. Ac- arranged supply of stamps was printed was of a cording to the late Mr. W. A. S. Westo- different texture from that used in 1856, by "the 480 for the schil- electrotypes J4 having a smoother surface and being were in of four in ling arranged groups softer with a more pronounced mesh. two rows of mm. distance from two, 1}4 Notwithstanding the fact that there were each other, and 1^4 mm. between each nearly as many of these stamps printed Other writers state that the group." as of the 5sch blue this is the rarest of small electrotypes were placed an equal all Mecklenburg stamps as a glance at distance and vertical- apart horizontally the catalogue will show. ly so that each was virtually a separate 54 schilling stamp. The electrotypes for the 3 and 5 schillinge values were spaced about 2 mm. apart. The rows were numbered in the margins at each side from 1 to 12 respectively. Three deliveries of these stamps were made by the Prussian State Printing Office viz. : Date. Sheets. Value. Stamps June 9, 1856. 6,300 4/4sch 756,000 June 9, 1856. 1,800 3sch 216,000 June 9, 1856. 600 5sch 72,000 Reference List. Nov. 26, 1856. 200 3sch 24,000 July, 1864. Typographed. Rouletted Dec. 16, 1856. 1,650 3sch 198,000 4. 4/4sch red, Scott's No. 4. THE THIRD ISSUE. completed stamps being 23mm. square. When a new supply was required in 1867 A notice issued the Post Office un- by the plate was reconstructed so that it informed der date September 30th, 1864, contained 100 stamps like that of the the that as soon as the stock of public 4/4sch and 5sch. These were so spaced 5sch blue was exhausted a new issue that the stamps now measure a trifle would be made in and printed brown, more than 24 mm. square. Two print- that the dotted ground in the 4/4 schil- each of were made The ings, 20,000 stamps, ling stamps had been suppressed. and these were delivered on July llth actual date of issue of these two new and August 24th, 1867, respectively. varieties does not seem to be known for, List. though the official circular referred to Reference 1865. Rouletted above is dated Sept. 30th, a delivery of Typographed. 11%. 7. 3sch Scott's No. or No. 8a. the osch bistre was made on July 15th, yellow, 8 1864, while the first lot of the 4/4sch was delivered on August 10th. These stamps were printed in sheets of 100 in ten rows of ten instead of 120 as formerly. THE FIFTH ISSUE. The dates and quantities of the different supplies were as follows : Although, as we have shown in our Date. Sheets. Value. Stamps introductory notes, there was consider- July 15, 1864. 100 5sch 10,000 able need for a 2 schillinge stamp the Aug. 10, 1864. 4,000 4/4sch 400,000 first supply of this value was not issued March 20, 1865. 150 5sch 15,000 until October, 1866. In design it is simi- Oct. 20, 1865. 150 5sch 15,000 lar to the 3sch and 5sch but with, of Jan. 9, 1866. 5,000 4/4sch 500,000 course, the numerals "2" in the angles. Jan. 26, 1867. 60 5sch 6,000 The plate consisted of the 100 electro- Feb. 23, 1867. 2,000 4/4sch 200,000 types then usual and the first supply con- June 11, 1867. 100 5sch 10,000 sisted of 500 sheets, or 50,000 stamps. Aug. 24, 1867. 1,200 4/4sch 120,000 These were printed in purple and the lasted until It will thus be seen that altogether supply September, 1867, when another batch of 200 sheets 1.."jo, ooo 4/4sch stamps were printed and (20,000 for issue. This sec- 56,000 of the 5sch. stamps) was ready ond lot two shades The 5sch is known on a distinctly provides grey-lilac and bluish lilac. One of the thick paper and as this is little rarer than electrotypes was the ball of the "2" the normal variety it would seem that slightly damaged, in the hand corner more than one of the supplies mentioned upper right being above knocked off providing a minor variety. were on this paper. Both values may be found in quite a number of Reference List. shades. The can sub-divide specialist 1866-67. Typographed. Rouletted 11%. the into two varieties ordinary paper 8. 2sch lilac, Scott's No. 7 or 7a. one having a close texture like that used in 1856 and the other having a coarse web like that used for the issue of the rouletted 4/4sch original type, made in 1864. REMAINDERS. Reference List. 1864. Typographed. Rouletted 11%. Mecklenburg-Schwerin having joined the North German Confederation its .">. 4/4sch red, Scott's No. 5. *;. Hsch bistre, Scott's No. 6 or No. 6a. special stamps were superseded on Janu- ary 1st, 1868, by the general issue for the Confederation. Late in the same year or early in 1869 the remainders were purchased from the Post Office by Mr. THE FOURTH ISSUE. G. Schnelle, of Schwerin. These consisted of the following: In September, 1865, the 3 schillinge ap- 2sch lilac, 15,000 stamps peared rouletted ll 1/? like the other 3sch yellow, 18,800 stamps values. The original plate of 1856 was 5sch bistre, 3,000 stamps used so that the stamps have smaller 4/4sch red, '36,500 stamps margins than those of the 5sch of the last issue which were printed in sheets Envelopes. of 100. A supply consisting of 800 Isch red, 26,400 sheets, or 96,000 stamps was delivered 2sch lilac, 25,000 on August 16th. There was little room 3sch yellow, 18,700 for the roulette lines, the size of the 5sch bistre, 2.400 The price paid for the lot was $75.00 1856, 4/4sch red, imperf., unused 12c. and the purchaser offered them whole- 3856, 4/4sch red, imperf., used 4c.

sale at the following rates : 1856, 4/4sch red, rouletted, unused 50c. Isch (4/4) red, $2.40 per 100. 1856, 4/4sch red, rouletted, used 50c. 2sch lilac, $2.40 per 100. 1856, 3sch yellow, imperf. 2c. 3sch yellow, $2.40 per 100. 1856, 5sch blue, used, 12c. From another list of the same period 1864, 4/4sch red, 2c. we take the following retail prices which 1864, 5sch brown, 6c. are interesting compared with those now There are no reprints of any of the obtaining : Mecklenburg-Schwerin stamps.

MECKLENBURG-STRELITZ.

The grand-duchy of Mecklenburg- the confines of the duchy was charged Strelitz adjoins that of Mecklenburg at the rate of % silbergroschen per loth, Schwerin. Its industries, people, and while for other places within the Ger- geographical formation are similar to man-Austrian Postal Union the rate that of its sister duchy, while its capital was Yz silbergroschen. The computa- is Neu-Strelitz. It has but one vote in tion of the postal charges must have the Imperial Federal Council and sends been difficult at times for some of the only one member to the Imperial Diet. rates were expressed in schillinge and The existing duchy dates from 1701, some in silbergroschen and, as we have the title of grand-duke being acquired shown in the case of Mecklenburg- in 1815. At the time its postage stamps Schwerin, the two currencies were were issued its ruler was the Grand somewhat difficult to reconcile. The Duke Frederick William, then a child stamps had but a short life for on Jan- four years of age. uary 1st, 1868, they were superseded by the general issue for the North German Confederation.

ITS PHILATELIC HISTORY.

Until October, 1864, the postal affairs THE STAMPS. of the tiny Grand-duchy of Mecklen- burg-Strelitz were managed by the The stamps were first issued on Octo- Thurn and Taxis administration. It ber 1st, 1864, and of the six values com- then, if somewhat tardy in making up prised in the set three were of one de- its mind to do so, decided to issue sign and three of another. The central stamps of its own and the order for these design on the Y sgr, Ys sgr and 1 schil- was given to the Prussian State Print- ling consists of a rectangle of solid ing Office at Berlin. The currency was a color on which the Arms of Mecklen- mixed one, as both that of the thaler burg, a bull's head on a shield sur- of its sister grand-duchy divided into mounted by a grand-ducal coronet, are 48 schillinge was in use, and that in embossed in white. On the frame the which it was divided into 30 silber- inscriptions are shown in colored let- groschen. A series of six different ters on an engine turned ground, while stamps was issued five of these having in each of the four corners the numer- the values denoted in silbergroschen als of value are shown in white on while the other had its value expressed square blocks of solid color. The in- as 1 schilling. The latter was intended scriptions are "MECKLENB." on the for local letters only while the other left, "STRELITZ" on- the right, "EIN denominations took the place of the VIERTEL" or "EIN DTITTEL" on similar values which had been used the top for the J^sgr and Hsgr respec- under the Thurn and Taxis adminis- tively, and "SILB. GR." at the bottom tration. for these two values. On the 1 schilling The rates of postage on single letters the top frame shows "EIN" and the were as follows: Up to 10 miles, 1 bottom one "SCHILLING". On the silbergroschen ; From 10 to 20 miles, 2 other three values the centre is similar Over 20 3 silber- is silbergroschen ; miles, but on a solid oval ground. The groschen. Local, or "drop", letters were frame around this is octagonal in shape 1 schilling, the registration fee was 2 with inscriptions on an engine turned schilling, and special delivery cost 3 ground. These are "MECKLENB. silbergroschen. Printed matter within STRELITZ" at the top and the value in

en words at the bottom. In the centre, at yellow. This was the first supply and each side, numerals of value are shown those printed subsequently were in on small uncolored ovals. orange-red. The stamps were all embossed in color Reference List. on plain white wove unwatermarkcd Oct. 1st, 1864. Embossed. Rouletted 11^. paper at the Prussian State Printing 1. J^sgr orange, Scott's No. 1 or No. la. in sheets of Office. They were printed 2. V$sgr green, Scott's No. 2. 100, ten rows of ten, with the side mar- .",. Isch violet, Scott's No. 3. numbered 1 to 10 corresponding 4. Isgr rose, Scott's No. 4. gins 5. Scott's No. 5. All were 2sgr blue, with the horizontal rows. 6. 3sgr bistre, Scott's No. 6. l rouletted ll /2 . How many were printed or how many different printings took place we have been unable to discover but the totals were roughly as follows : REMAINDERS. %sgr and ^sgr about 60,000 of each. 1 schilling at least 20,000. The grand-duchy having joined the Isgr and 3 sgr about 100,000 of each. North German Confederation, a notice 2sgr about 50,000. dated December 17th, 1867, announced that on and after January 1st, 1868, the stamps of the Confederation would be substituted for those of Mecklenburg- Strelitz. The remainders were sold in 1868 to a merchant in Neu-Strelitz but no details appear to have been published regarding the numbers in the lot or the price paid for them. All the stamps of Mecklenburg-Strelitz are considerably rarer used than unused and speci- All values except the 1 schilling and mens with forged cancellations are, 3sgr exist in fairly pronounced shades. therefore, by no means uncommon. l Of the /4 silbergroschen 100 sheets None of the stamps of this grand- (10,000 stamps) were printed in orange- duchy have ever been reprinted.

OLDENBURG.

Oldenburg is a sovereign grand-duchy of gems (agates) and manufacture of of the German Empire consisting of imitation jewelery are thriving industries. three divisions. The first and largest of The grand-duchy has one vote in the Im- these is the grand-duchy proper which perial Federal Council and sends three adjoins the North Sea and has an area representatives to the Imperial Diet. Its of 2,075 square miles. The second part capital, having a population of about 30,- consists of the principality of Lubeck, 000, bears the same name and is chiefly which is situated north of the state of the famous for its grand-ducal palace. same name, with an area of 210 square The house of Oldenburg is one of con- miles. The third and smallest portion is siderable antiquity and traces its descent known as the principality of Birkenfeld. direct from the famous Saxon leader, This is situated on the River Saar in the Witikind, who successfully resisted the south of the Rhine Provinces and has an doughty Charlemagne more than eleven area of 194 square miles. The total pop- hundred years ago. Though Witikind ulation of the three portions is a little eventually submitted it was on highly over 400,000. The grand-duchy proper favorable terms and he took the title of consists of marsh and geest (high heath Duke of Saxony. Two of his descend- and moor) land. The breeding of horses, ants became the heroes of the nursery cattle, and sheep and the keeping of bees, tales of Germany. One was Count Otto, are considerable industries. Brickmak- to whom a fairy is said to have presented ing, cork and turf cutting, brewing and the silver-gilt horn still exhibted in the distilling, and tobacco manufacture are museum of Copenhagen, and known as also carried on. Lubeck possesses more the "Horn of Oldenburg." It is this horn pleasing features than the grand-duchy which figures on the stamps of Denmark. and is blessed with fruitful soil. Birken- Hanover, etc. feld is covered with forests to the extent Count Frederic, another off-shoot, of 40% of its surface. Here the cutting bravely proved the innocence of a

61 maligned father by undergoing the ordeal which was divided into 5 schwaren. In of single combat with a fierce lion, which the other countries belonging to this he slew in the presence of the assembled Postal Union the thaler was divided into diet of Gostar, presided over by the 30 silbergroschen. It was decided to ex- Emperor, Henry IV. From this young press the values in fractions of a thaler, hero's heirs springs the ducal house of 1 silbergroschen (1/30 thaler) being Oldenburg and his prowess is fittingly equal to 2 2/5 grote; 2 silbergroschen commemorated by the inclusion of a lion (1/15 thaler) being equal to 4 4/5 grote; rampant on the ducal coat-of-anns. and 3 silbergroschen (1/10 thaler) be- Christian, the Warlike, his great-grand- ing equal to 7 1/5 grote. These three son, built a castle near the ancient city of stamps were first placed on sale on Janu- Oldenburg in 1180 and -thereafter took ary 5th, 1852. The 1 silbergroschen for his title Count of Oldenburg. In stamp was for letters weighing up to 1 1570, Anthony, the reigning Count, willed loth (ounce) sent not more than 10 Ger- a transfer of his dominions to the king man miles within the confines of the of Denmark and the Dukes of Schleswig- grand-duchy; the 2 silbergroschen was of for letters Holstein, in the case of the extinction sent more than 10 miles ; and his male posterity. the 3 silbergroschen value was for heavi- In 1667 the country actually fell into er letters and also for those sent to the possession of Denmark, then repre- points outside Oldenburg. The 1 silber- sented by the house of Holstein Gottorp, groschen was also used for the registra- the elder branch of the Oldenburg family. tion fee and, from 1858, represented the On the accession of that branch to the single letter rate to any place within the Russian throne Denmark received Old- grand-duchy. enburg in exchange for the Schleswig- In 1855 a new value, 1/3 silbergroschen Holstein family possessions. The grand- or 4 schwaren, was issued for use on duke Paul of Russia, in whom the Old- packages of printed matter up to one enburg states were invested, solemnly ounce in weight. assigned them, according to convention, In 1857 the coinage was altered to con- to his cousin Frederic Augustus, repre- form with that of the other members of sentative of the younger branch of Got- the Postal Union, the thaler now being torp and at that time bishop of Lubeck. divided into 30 groschen of 12 schwaren The emperor of Germany confirmed this each. A new set of four values appeared settlement (1777), and raised the terri- in 1859 showing values in groschen. The tory to the rank of a duchy. In 1803 the next change took place in 1861 when it bishopric of Lubeck was added to the was decided to dispense with colored duchy and, after the fall of Napoleon in papers and have colored impressions on 1815, the principality of Birkenfeld was white paper. At the same time two new J amalgamated therewith. In 1829 the .ter- values were added to the set a /2gr for ritory was made a grand-duchy. the reduced local or "drop" letter rate, and Vtgr to assist in making up the fractional rates on letters to foreign countries. This value was dropped in Feb- ruary of the following year as its use ITS POSTAL HISTORY. was rather restricted and where the fractional rates necessitated it the next high- The postal service of Oldenburg was er value, /l 2gr had to be used. The adop- originally in the hands of the Counts of tion of uniform colors for equivalent Thurn and Taxis, but when it was an- values among the various members of nexed to the French crown in 1811 that the Union necessitated another issue in service was put an end to. When the 1862 and this remained in use until Jan- duchy was restored by the Congress of uary 1st, 1868, when Oldenburg joined Vienna in 1815, after the fall of Napo- the North German Confederation. leon, it provided a postal administration In 1853 Prussia acquired about a quar- of its own. In 1851 it joined the Ger- ter of a square mile of the territory of man-Austrian Postal Union and, as one Oldenburg at the mouth of the river of the rules of the Union required the Jade for a naval port, now called Wil- adoption of postage stamps by the con- helmshafen, for a consideration of $375,- tracting states, Oldenburg immediately 000, but it was stipulated that Prussian made preparation for the issue of suit- stamps should only be used on letters able labels. The postal rates required forwarded by sea. Prussian official cor- three values 1, 2, and 3 silbergroschen respondence was forwarded free but all respectively, and these were somewhat other mail matter passing over the post- difficult to express owing to the fact that al routes of the grand-duchy had to be the currency, like that of Bremen, con- franked with Oldenburg stamps. It is im- sisted of a thaler of 72 grote, each of portant to remember that the Oldenburg stamps were only used in the grand- is the word "Oldenburg." also in a duchy proper and not in the principalities scroll. of Lubeck and Birkenfeld. The stamps of 1/30 thaler=2 2/5gr By an agreement, dated August 17th, Isgr are blue. 1845, and by a Customs Convention dated The stamps of 1/15 thaler=4 4/5gr January 16th, 1864, the postal service of =2sgr are red. Lubeck was transferred to Denmark, The stamps of 1/10 thaler=7 l/5gr which then possessed sovereign powers 3sgr are yellow. in the neighbouring Duchy of Holstein. Art. 2. Only letters can be franked The postal revenue went to Denmark and with postage stamps; letters with de- Danish stamps were used there until clared value, packets to be paid for on of 1864. Then the stamps Schleswig- delivery, samples and wrappers (news- 1866 those Holstein were used, and from papers?) are excepted. of Prussia. Art. 3. The correct amount for the Prussia also had charge of the postal prepayment of the postage according administration of Birkenfeld, by the to the tabulated tariffs must be affixed terms of a convention dated April 4th, in postage stamps on the address side 1837. Prussian stamps were used and of the letter in the upper left-hand cor- an- Oldenburg received the sum of $450 ner; this can be done by moistening nually as compensation for the loss of the adhesive matter which is found on postal revenue. the back of the stamps, and pressing them on the letters. If the stamps have dropped off the letters are considered as not franked. Art. 4. On letters which have not been franked the senders THE FIRST ISSUE. sufficiently by the underpaid amount will be marked the addressee. If On December 5th, 1851, Oldenburg and collected from has affixed more joined the German-Austrian Postal Un- the sender stamps the tariff he will have ion and, as one of the rules of the Union than required by to bear the loss. stipulated that postage stamps should be Art. Letters franked with introduced as "quickly as possible," the 5. stamps Government at once made arrangements can be posted like unfranked letters in letter boxes letters must for the issue of suitable stamps. The old ; registered in the counter. established firm of lithographic printers, be handed over Art. 6. Refers to imitators and Gerhard Stalling of Oldenburg, were approached and they submitted a drawing forgers of postage stamps. can be for the proposed stamps together with Art. 7. Postage stamps all offices from the 5th an estimate for the cost of production. bought at post The drawing met with the approval of of January, 1852. the Government and it was returned to (Signed) MUTZENBECHER, Barnstedt. Stalling with an order to manufacture the stamps. This order was notified to At the same time as the foregoing doc- the Postal Administration by the Govern- ument was distributed a "letfter of instruc- ment on December 29th, 1851, and on the tions" was sent to the various postmas- day previous to this an official decree was ters and for the translation of the fol- for a translation of which I am I in- published lowing interesting items am again indebted to Mr. G. B. Duerst's article debted to Mr. Duerst. in Journal for the Mnnthlv December, If sufficient postage has not been 1000, viz.: affixed in stamps, the despatching post Xo. 113. office must mark the deficiency on the OLDENBURG, December 28, 1851. address side of the letter and debit the On account of the introduction of receiving office, which must collect the postage stamps, and in consequence of amount from the addressee. the notice of the 16th inst. referring to All letters must be postmarked with the German-Austrian Postal Conven- name dies as before. If a stamp be tion, the following is herewith pub- recognized as forged, the letter must lished : be sent to the head office. Each stamp Art. i. The value is stated on the must be cancelled separately. The postage stamps, on a shield underneath number of the cancellation die must be the coat of arms of Oldenburg-Del- completely imprinted on the stamp it- menhorst, surmounted by a crown, in self. Each office has a die, consisting fractions of a thaler, and on a scroll on of four concentric circles, containing a the right-hand side of the shield in number in the centre. Each office will silbergroschen, and on the left-hand receive a different number as per the side in grote. Underneath the shield enclosed list. The despatching office will be lined lithographed stone, and as many copies five times the amount of any not suffi- are taken on prepared Chinese paper ciently obliterated stamp. as there are to be stamps on the plate The "dies" referred to above are the (in this case 100). These are then cancellation stamps. fixed in straight lines on paper, (in The same design served for all three this instance in ten rows of ten), and values and this has a strong resemblance transferred in this form to another to that adopted for the first issue of stone. After these transfers have Hanover. Writing in the Stamp Collec- been retouched the plate is ready for tor's Magazine in 1874 with regard to printing. these stamps Mr. Overy Taylor said, There are three generally recognized "The early issues of Oldenburg are re- varieties of type of the 1/30 and 1/15 markable for their neatness and finish. thaler values and though Scott's cata- They have the same kind of artistic logue does not differentiate between primness as their Hanoverian contem- them it is as well to know how to poraries. There is the same combina- identify them as some are rarer than tion, at any rate in the first series, of others. the useful numeral of value with the The three varieties of the 1/30 thaler

of is : decorative coat arms ; and there may be distinguished as follows the same noticeable in them peculiarity Type I. The ornament in the lower as in of the other old German many part of the shield joins the left stroke stamps they are rigidly rectangular. of the H of THALER. Whatever of ornamentation vagaries Type II. The ornament does not be allowed in the centre of the may touch the H but is 1 mm. distant from German stamps of the ante-Prussian that letter. their exterior border is days, always Type III. The ornament is rounded of a ruled double-lined composed neatly and still farther away from the letter H. Other rectangle. stamps might take The accompanying illustrations should or sinuous oval, octagonal, hexagonal, clearly demonstrate the differences. the German edged frames, engravers Types I and III are about equal in value stuck fast to their four-sided and ideal; while type II is three times as rare as it must be admitted that their produc- the others. tions are not in a certain lacking grave The distinguishing marks of the three and well-balanced The appropriateness. types of the 1/15 thaler are as.follows: first is an in Oldenburg type example Type I. The letter H of THALER is point. The arms are very carefully well above the indentation of the shield. and on a small clearly drawn, though Type II. The letter H almost touches scale the the value ; shield, containing the indentation of the shield. is and the fancifully designed ; scroll, Type III. This is similar to type IT which frames it on three falls in sides, but the bottom portion of the mantle whilst the subordinate graceful folds; (below the arms) is fully shaded. foliate ornaments and relieve shading In this value type I is a little com- and harmonise with the prominent fea- moner than the other two. Of these tures." three varieties of each value the late It should be noted that the arms on Mr. W. A. S. Westoby stated that the the mantle and coronet above are the first two in each case represented diff- ducal and not the grand-ducal ones. erent drawings on the matrix stone and The for each value was en- design that the third "may be only a retouch." so that there are graved separately many Capt. P. Ohrt, whose writings formed differences from those of the facial apart the ground for Mr. Duerst's translation, values. The were made on engravings states positively that there were only stone and from these transfers were two separate drawings of each, the sec- taken on and specially prepared paper ond one being made owing to a fear that laid down on the stone in ten printing the original one might be worn out with of ten. rows An exact description of constant use. While he mentions the the followed is in a letter process given third type of each his theory of how they dated which was January 24th, 1859, were caused is too vague to be of any sent by the Oldenburg postoffice to the value. How many stones were made Postal Administration of in Luxemburg for each value does not appear to be reply to the latter's as to the enquiry known. In fact, taking it as a whole, method and cost of manufacturing post- the published information regarding this Mr. Duerst translates the age stamps. issue is far from satisfactory and these -of this letter as follows : important part three stamps form a fine field for origi- One drawing of the stamp is made nal research for a collector, with the with a diamond point and a steel time, means, and patience to accumulate needle on a hard, well-polished, blue the necessary material and study it

64 properly. The late Mr. Robert Ehren- The stamps are on green, the im- bach stated that being lithographed, each pression in black color. Concerning the stamp on a sheet differed slightly from introduction of this stamp, a notice the others though, owing to superior will have to be published in the Offi- workmanship, he admitted that the dif- cial Gazette, which the Government is ferences in the case of the 1/10 thaler requested to order. were very minute. (Signed) BOEDECKER. of shades Quite an extensive range can In acceding to this request the Govern- be found in all three values. ment published the following decree under date, January 30, 1855 : Referring to the official notification of 28 December, 1851, concerning postage stamps, and in alteration of Arti- cle 2 of the same, it is hereby notified that packets in wrappers can also be prepaid by stamps, from the 1st of February, in the same manner and under the same conditions as letters. The stamps are of green color, with List. Reference black impression, and are of the value 1852. Lithographed. Imperforate. of 4 schwaren. 1. 1/30 thaler black on blue, Scott's No. 1. The stamps can be bought from the 2. 1/15 thaler black on rose, Scott No. 2. date named at all post offices. 3. 1/10 thaler black on yellow, Scott's No. 3. (Signed) MUTZENBECHER, KROPP. The value schwaren was abbreviated to "schw" on the stamps. The schwaren THE SECOND ISSUE. was a small copper coin, peculiar to Oldenburg, worth only about J^c in In February 1855, a new value was United States currency. added to the set for the prepayment of The stamps were lithographed in the the rate on newspapers and other printed same manner as the others and printed matter. This is very similar in design in sheets of 100 in ten rows of ten. to the other denominations but has the There do not appear to be any minor " l value /3 SILB. GR." on the shield varieties of importance while the color and "4 SCHW." on the scrolls at each of the paper hardly varies at all. It side. Up to this time all printed matter would appear that the total number is- enclosed in wrappers had to be prepaid sued was not large while, judging from in money and as the number of these the present catalogue price of used spec- packages had grown to a considerable imens, the use of this value was some- total the time taken in weighing them what restricted. and accepting the proper fee in money often proved a serious embarrassment to the postal employes. In December, 1854, therefore, the Administration ordered Stalling to prepare a stamp of the required value and at the same time the following official notice was published : It was decreed in the official notification of December 28, 1851, that packets in wrappers could not be prepaid Reference List. by means of stamps. As it has been 1855. Lithographed. Imperf. found in the meantime that it is de- 4. l/3sgr (4schw) black on green Scott's No. 4. sirable that such packets be prepaid by stamps, the Postal Administration has ordered such stamps to be made, presuming that the Government will sanction this order. THE THIRD ISSUE. The value, 4 schwaren, is contained on a shield below the coat of arms of On January 24th, 1857, Oldenburg con- Oldenburg-Delmenhorst, surmounted cluded a monetary convention with other by a crown, and on the right and left- German States according to which only hand sides in scrolls, underneath the thaler of" 30 groschen was to be 72 the shield is the word "OLDEN- legal currency, and the old thaler of BURG." grote was abolished. As the stamps then current did not agree with the new coin- 7. 2gr black on rose, Scott's No. 7. 8. 3gr black on yellow, Scott's No. 8. age so far as some of the inscriptions were concerned it was decided to issue a new series. Matters were, however, taken very leisurely and it was not un- THE FOURTH ISSUE. til eighteen months later that the new .stamps were placed on sale. Of such A Post-office circular, dated December little consequence was the change con- 15th, 1860, announced that on January sidered by the Postal Administration, 1st, 1861, coincident with an issue of notwithstanding that the design chosen stamped envelopes, a new issue of adhe- was a very different one from that of sive stamps would be made, printed in 1852, that no official notification of any color on white paper, the values being 1 l l sort appears to have been published. A, /z, /2, 1, 2, and 3 groschen. The de- for 3 The new stamps were, apparently, dis- signs the 1/3, 1, 2, and groschen tributed to the postmasters without com- were the same as those for the preced- ment and were placed on sale at each ing issue and it is evident the same post office just as soon as supplies of the original dies were used. Possibly, too, old stamps were exhausted. As no offi- for the earlier printings the same stones cial date of issue was stipulated we have were used. The two new values are a to rely on dated obliterated specimens little different in design. The ducal and from these it would seem that the coronet is larger, nearly as large as the coat of arms and these are stamps were probably placed on sale in ; on a ground July or August, 1859. of solid color. The ends of the scrolls The design is similar for all four containing the inscriptions above and values and consists of the grand-ducal below the centre are prolonged down- coat of arms, surmounted by a ducal wards or upwards and these extensions crown, on a plain oval ground, with fill the spaces occupied by the arabesques on the "OLDENBURG" on a scroll above it, other values. How many print- and the value in words on a similar ings were made is not known but most scroll below. On each side of the cen- of the values fall into two divisions terpiece are small ovals containing the which may be described as hazy and numerals of value, while the spaces clear prints, respectively. The former above and below these are filled with were evidently the earlier printings, the leaf-like ornamentation. result of lack of knowledge on the part The stamps were designed and litho- of the lithographers as to how to deal graphed at the works of Gerhard Stall- with colored inks. As they became ing, and as in the case of the previously more expert their work improved result- current stamps, a separate engraving on ing in the clear prints. Quite a number stone was made for each value. They of varieties are found in the lettering were printed in sheets of 100 in ten and in the frames of the /3grl and 3gr rows of ten, in black on colored papers. values from which it would appear that Naturally, as the stamps were produced new stones were laid down and for by lithography minor varieties exist but these a number of defective transfers the only one of prominence occurs on were used. Of these varieties the most the 3 groschen. On one stamp on the prominent are "OLDEIBURG," which is stone the D of OLDENBURG was so found on both values, and "Dritto" and malformed as to more nearly resemble "Drittd," found on the ^gr. An inter- a B. esting minor variety of the Igr is known T The /3 groschen seems to have been with a pointed numeral at the right hand but little used and it is by far the rarest side. This seems of considerable rarity. of the series. Tn 1 the and 2 groschen The Y-2. groschen value was necessitated fairly pronounced shades may be found. by a reduction in the rates for local letters which had previously required a Igr stamp. The ^4gr was for no particular rate but was used in conjunction with other values when the postal charges, as was frequently the case, resulted in such fractional charges as Y$ or Y$. It is the rarest value of the set in used condition. All values exist in a number of shades the }/3gr and Igr in narticular furnishing a number of distinctive tints. Errors of Reference List. the Igr and 3gr are known printed on 1859. Lithographed. Imperf. both sides. The former was first dis- in 5. l/3gr black on green, Scott's No. 5. covered 1894 while the latter was not 6. on Igr black blue, Scott's No, 6. known until some years later, Reference List. ling was asked if he could not print the 1861. Lithographed. Imperf. new stamps by some other process than It was that the 9. 54 gr orange, Scott's No. 9. lithography. suggested 10. l/3gr green, Scott's No. 10 or No. 11. stamps be engraved but Stalling refused No. 12 or 12a, 11. i/2 gr brown, Scott's to undertake the work, owing to lack of 1L'. Igr blue, Scott's No. 13. facilities. 13. 2gr red, Scott's No. 14. the necessary 14. 3gr yellow, Scott's No. 15. A requisition was, therefore, sent to the Prussian State Printing Works, ask- ing if they would undertake to supply new The works THE FIFTH ISSUE. the stamps. printing replied that they were prepared to exe- On March 9th, 1861, the Prussian cute the order at a cost of about $37.50 Postal Administration addressed the for the necessary dies and plates for following circular to the various signa- each denomination in addition to the tories to the German-Austrian Postal cost of printing. The Postal Administration of Olden- Union : burg agreed to the price and it was de- has shown that the dif- Experience cided the same design should be used ferences in the colors of the stamps for all five values (the %gr was and used the stamped envelopes by dropped from this series as being no various states in the convention postal longer necessary). The design shows the whether the make ascertaining the arms of the Grand-duchy sur- correct has been very postage paid mounted by a ducal coronet, embossed desirable difficult. It is, therefore, on an oval ground of solid color. This that the and stamps stamped envelopes is enclosed within an oval band on of 2 and and their 1, 3sgr equivalents which, on an engine turned ground, is should have the same colors. In the name "OLDENBURG" at top, and order to attain this the General Post the value in words at the base, while has the honor to recommend Office on small discs at the sides the numerals the : following propositions of value are displayed. There was no I. The said to be in stamps printed exterior rectangular frame. The arms the colors shown the enclosed en- by were engraved on steel by Herr Schil- velopes a mechani- ling ; from this die Weitmann, 1 kreuzer (Rhine silbergroschen=3 cian, made a punch with the aid of States) =5 new kreuzer=l>2 schilling =2 which he sunk five dies of the Arms, (Mecklenburg) schilling (Hamburg around which oval bands were engine- and grote (Bremen) Lubeck)=3 =12^ turned and engraved by schilling. From centimes (Luxemburg), in red. these completed dies, Mr. Westoby tells =10 n. kr. 2sgr=6kr (Rhine States) lead moulds were taken, and =3sch and us, "fifty (Mckl.)=3sch (Hbg. these were clamped together in five (Lux.) in Lbk.)=5grt (Brem.)=25c rows of ten. From this block of fifty- blue. two electrotypes were taken, making, =15 n. kr. 3sgr=9kr (Rhine States) when the of and combined, printing plates =5sch (Mckl.)=4sch (Hbg. 100 The rows were numbered dark stamps. Lbk.)=7grt (Brem.)=37^c"in at the top, bottom and sides, as was the brown. practice with almost all the stamps em- II. The same to colors, according bossed at Berlin." The stamps were the values, should be applied to the printed on plain white paper and were stamped envelopes. rouletted in line. At first the roulettes III. To facilitate the of operation gauged 11^ but in 1867 a new machine obliteration all stamps should be gauging 10 was used. Five printings affixed in the upper right-hand corner. were made in all, the dates of delivery IV. alterations, to come Proposed of these being June 26th, 1862, October into force as soon as a new issue is 31st, 1863, September 30th, 1864, De- required. cember 21st, 1865, and January llth, The General Post Office requests an 1867. The total quantities printed were : answer to these propositions. l BERLIN, March 9, 1861. /3 groschen, 490,000 General Post Office of the Kingdom of ]/2 groschen, 240,000 Prussia. 1 groschen, 2,100,000 (Signed) WEDDIGS. 2 groschen, 380,000 3 groschen, 380,000 Nearly all the administrations as- sented to these proposals and in con- The 1 groschen of this series is oc- formity to these suggestions Oldenburg casionally found bisected and the halves as l but such issued a new series in 1862. As the issue of used /? groschen use was 1861 had hardly given satisfaction, Stal- never officially authorized, Shades of all values may be found. for the lithographed issues were always These stamps were withdrawn from use kept carefully under lock and key when on January 1st, 1868, when Oldenburg not in use, and were defaced when new joined the North German Confederation. issues were made. The plates for the embossed issue were defaced at Berlin on February 18th, 1868, and the original dies were handed over to the Imperial Museum.

The YA, groschen, as we have stated already, was discontinued, as there was very little use for it. The post-offices were ordered to return their stocks to headquarters and of the 35,000 or there- abouts so returned small lots were sold to various dealers from time to time at face value and on December 21st, 1863, Reference 'List. the balance, amounting to 4790, were 1862. Embossed. Rouletted 10 or 11 J^. burnt. 15. l/3gr green, Scott's Nos. 16, 21 or 21a. When the Oldenburg stamps were Scott's Nos. 22 or 22a. 16. ^zgr orange, 17, there remained on hand 17. ]gr rose, Scott's No. 18 or 23. superseded 18. 2gr blue, Scott's Nos. 19, 24 or 24a. about 46,000 of the ^Jgr, 45,000 of the 19. 3gr bistre, Scott's No. 20 or 25. l of the of the , /2gr, 59,000 Igr, 63,000 2gr, and 36,000 of the 3gr. These were purchased from the Government in 1868 REMAINDERS. by Mr. Carl Dinklage of Oldenburg for $300. Mr. Dinklage sold comparatively There have been no reprints of any few of these until 1875 when Mr. Berrig, of the Oldenburg stamps. The stones of Hanover, paid him $750 for the stock.

PRUSSIA.

Prussia is a kingdom of the German fered numerous indignities at the hands Empire stretching from Russia in the of the French which have never been east to Holland in the west, and from forgotten. In 1813, however, with the the Baltic Sea in the north to Bohemia defeat and imprisonment of Napoleon, and Lorraine in the south. It has an it commenced a new era of prosperity area of 134,622 square miles and a popu- which has continued and expanded to lation of about forty millions. While the present day. By the Congress of it is essentially an agricultural country Vienna much of its old territory was its mines are of considerable importance restored and many new provinces were and its manufacturing industries are added. From this date the people were very extensive. It is also important imbued with a new spirit of nationality educationally for within its borders are and began to dream of a United German no less than eleven famous universities. Empire. The first step towards German Prussia is a constitutional and heredita- unity was taken when Prussia unite .1 ry monarchy. The king alone exercises several north German State* in a cus- he toms or which was the executive ; the legislative power union, Zollverein, shares with the two houses of parlia- shortly afterwards joined by nearly all ment the House of Magnates and the Germany. By taking the lead in this Chamber of Deputies. The former num- matter the influence of Prussia was bers 310 members, and the latter 433 greatly increased. Frederick William who are elected indirectly by the people. IV (1840-61), during whose reign post- Prussia, in common with most other age stamps were first issued, made Ber- Furopean states and kingdoms, has had lin a centre of learning and natura r but he to Viis an eventful history which can be traced science ; refused grant back through many centuries. The for- subjects a constitution, and heM ex- ;une of war had added to and taken travagant views regarding royalty. The from its dominions until in the revolutionary movements in 1848, how- eighteenth century it suffered so many ever, caused him to modify his convic- reverses that it became an easy prey to tions. A national assembly was sum- French domination. Until 1813, reduced moned to meet at Berlin on May 22nd. to a shadow of its former self, it suf- 1848, and the king prepared a new constitution. Simultaneously war broke out fixed at 2 silbergroschen, and a com- with Denmark over the Schleswig- mission of J^sgr was charged on packets Wil- and orders. It Holstein question ; and Frederick money was also an- liam in 1849 tried to unite the German nounced that stamps would be prepared states under the leadership of Prussia. but it was not until October 30th, 1850, This attempt to seize the foremost place that a circular from the Minister of in Germany was at once resisted by Trade and Works fixed the issue of the Austria, and for a time civil war seemed stamps to the public to take place on imminent. The year after his accession November 15th, 1850. At that time the William I (1861-88) appointed Bismark currency consisted of the thaler (equal his prime minister and minister of for- to about 72c) divided into thirty silber- eign affairs. The joint attack of Prussia groschen, each of which in turn con- and Austria on Denmark in 1864, and sisted of twelve pfennige. The first set the conquest of the duchies of Schleswig consisted of four values 6pf, 1, 2 and and Holstein, only served to accentu- 3sgr. The 6pf stamp 'was largely used ate the hostility of the courts of Berlin in payment for the charge for delivering and Vienna, and in 1866 the question of letters. This charge was fixed at ^sgr the leadership of Germany was fought (6pf) where there was a post office and out. Ever since the days of Frederick Isgr for other places. When letters the Great that question had awaited so- were called for no delivery charge was lution, and it was settled by the victory made. Shortly after the issue of these of the Prussians at Sadowa or Konig- stamps the German-Austrian Postal gratz on July 3rd, 1866. All the states Union was formed for the interchange north of the Main formed the North of correspondence between Austria and German Confederation under the leader- various German states. It was chiefly ship of Prussia. But it required a for- due to Prussia that this Union was made eign war to complete German unity. In possible this being the first of many 1870 the Franco-Prussian war broke out, progressive steps taken by the kingdom France 1-eing alarmed at the growth of in the interests of increased postal effi- Prussia. The south German states re- ciency. On May 1st, 1856, a 4pf stamp mained true to King William; France was issued for the prepayment of matter was invaded and after the battle of sent under wrapper. In 1857 the silber- Sedan Napoleon surrendered. The war groschen values were printed by typog- brought out a strong feeling among the raphy instead of line-engraving, the mo- German states for a closer union, and on tive for the change being that of January 18th, 1871, at Versailles, King economy. In 1858, the first design was William was solemnly proclaimed Ger- reverted to and unwatermarked paper man Emperor. The tendency in Ger- was introduced; in 1861, following the many since 1870 has been to make accession of King William I, a new Prussia more powerful and it has taken series bearing the Prussian coat-of-arms in in a leading part colonial expansion, and appeared ; and 1866 two high values in the establishment of a powerful navy. were introduced for use on heavy packets. In 1867 a set of five values in kreuzer currency was issued, these be- for use in the states served the ITS PHILATELIC HISTORY. ing by Thurn and Taxis administration, the which Prussia had taken Although Austria had taken the lead management of over from 1867. On the forma- in introducing postage stamps into its July 1st, tion of the North German Confederation postal service, and Bavaria was the Prussia ceased to first of the German states to issue on Jan. 1st, 1868, issue its individual stamps, Prussia was not far behind, and stamps. by the energy of its postal administration rapidly took the lead in postal matters throughout Germany. By a decree THE FIRST ISSUE, of King Frederick William IV, dated December 21st, 1849, new regulations The first set of Prussian stamps, as for the postal service were introduced announced in the Official Circular of under which the rates for single letters October 30th, 1850, were issued on No- (i. e. those weighing less than 1 loth or vember 15th of that year. The set con- Y2 oz.) were fixed as follows: sisted of four different values 6pf, 1, 2, Up to 10 German miles, 1 silbergroschen. and 3 silbergroschen by means of 10 to 20 From German miles, 2 silber- which the various postal rates then groschen. availing could be easily made up. All Above 20 German miles, 3 silbergroschen. four stamps are similar in design and Heavier letters were charged accord- show a nrofile portrait of King William a of ing to weight ; the registration fee was IV, with head to right, on ground lines cross-hatched horizontally and ver- marked point of difference is that on tically. The portrait is enclosed within the 4pf stamp the oak leaves are neat- a rectangular frame inscribed "FREI- ly drawn, whereas on the other values MARKE" at the top and with the value they are merely indicated by dashes. in words at the bottom. The side "Failing positive proof to the con- borders are filled with oak-leaf orna- trary I suggest that the following mentation, there are small crosses in the method was employed. Impressions upper angles, and in the lower corners from the original die were taken on are the numerals of value. The design soft steel rollers, and the fine dots be- and necessary dies were the work of tween the lines of shading partially Eduard Eichens, a Berlin engraver. It removed. The roller was then hard- appears that two designs were submitted ened, and a rather faint impression and that the one chosen was modified taken on four soft steel blocks, one to some extent before the dies were for each of the required values. The engraved. I cannot do better than quote word POSTMARKE at the top was from Mr. Ralph Wedmore's interesting then carefully erased, and FREI- article in the Stamp Lover for May, MARKE engraved in its place. The 1910, on this point, viz: border, with oak leaves, and the lines of shading, were then engraved on "He (Eduard Eichens) made two each of the four dies, following the silver point drawings. One showed a faintly impressed lines of the roller bust of the King, almost full face, on impression but with bolder effect. The a shaded background, with a single- top of the head and forehead are outlined rectangular frame, with the in- lined, whereas on the original die this scription at foot 1 SGR. KPGA (1 was not the case, as may be seen by Silbergroschen, Konigl. Preuss. Gen- reference to a The eral Post and the 1 4pf stamp. figures Amt), figure and words of value were then added. in a triangle in each of the upper The seems all the corners. The other showed a bust of foregoing theory more probable since there are slight the in profile to the right, on a King differences in the. lines of the hair and black in a double-lined frame, ground, the lines on the face in each with the K POST A at shading inscriptions of the values and The the EIN SILB GR. at the foot 6pf, 1, 2, 3sgr. top, differences are not of such a nature as and the figure 1 in each of the lower to that each was inde- corners. These two be suggest stamp drawings may but are such as seen at the Post Office Museum in pendently engraved, would arise when strengthening ex- Berlin by anyone -who visits that city. isting lines on a die. This second design was substantially "Whether my theory be correct, or approved of, and Eichens thereupon Captain Ohrt's statement be the true engraved it upon steel, but with the one, it is certain that dies were made word POSTMARKE at the and top from an die for each of the no indication of value at foot. original four values in question, and that the "I have not seen the which is in die, frame with oak leaves and the in- the Postal Museum in Berlin, but it scription at top (and, of course, the seems highly probable that this origi- values at were en- nal die was used for making the foot) separately graved on each of these secondary stanips issued in 1850. In Captain dies, as may be proved by small differ- Ohrt's book on the stamps of Prussia ences, which are common to all stamps the is made that an suggestion entirely of each value." new die, bearing only the head of the King and the lined background, was The plates, made of steel, each contained 150 in engraved and used for making the 6pf, impressions arranged fifteen horizontal rows of ten each. The 1, 2, and 3sgr stamps. Enlargements vertical rows were then 1 to of these four stamps and of the 4pf of numbered 10 in the and the horizontal 1856 show very great similarity, the top margin, rows were numbered 1 to 15 only notable point of difference being similarly in the left hand while in the that on the 4pf stamp the features of margin, centre of the hand the the King are sharper, which makes right margin the face look smaller. A comparison number of the plate was engraved thus, of the stamps themselves will show "Platte No. 15". Whether more than one for is not that the lines of shading on the 4pf plate each value was used known but now housed in the stamp, although much finer, are practi- plates Berlin Postal are numbered cally identical in form and position Museum, with those on the other values. The as follows : 4pf stamp has a softer appearance, due 6 pfennig, No. 7. to the fine dots between the lines of 1 silbergroschen, No. 14 shading, which themselves are for the 2 silbergroschen, No. 12 most part broken into dots. Another 3 silbergroschen, No. 10

70 These numbers probably belong to a series referring to the plates made by Eichens, or the firm with which he worked. The only other number we know of is plate No. 13, which was, used for the 1 silbergroschen. The paper was hand made, watermarked with branches of laurel forming a wreath, and it was manufactured by Ebart Brothers of Berlin. The group of 150 watermarks was enclosed within Reference List, a on the four single-line frame broken 1850. Wmk. Laurel wreath. Imperf. sides for the watermarked in- following 1. 6pf vermilion, Scott's No. 2 or 2a. scription : "FREIMARKEX DER 2. Isgr black on rose, Scott's No. 3. KOENIGL. PREUSS POST" (Post- 3. 2sgr black on blue, Scott's No. 4. 4. 3sgr black on yellow, Scott's No. 5 or 5a. age Stamps of the Royal Prussian Post). The impression was on white paper for the 6 pfennige and on colored paper for the other denominations. There THE SECOND ISSUE. are fairly well marked shades of the 6pf A Ministerial order of llth, and 3sgr values, but the other differ April reduced the tariff on hardly at all. 1856, printed sent under to Mr. Wedmore tells us "the stamps matter, etc., open wrapper 4 and on 1st a of were printed in hand presses, the print- pfennige May stamp this denomination was on sale. ing plates being warmed and the paper placed The is similar to that of the damped. The sheets of stamps printed design values of 1850 and it is evident the same from warmed plates were ready for original die was for the por- gumming 24 hours later, without tmder- employed trait. Mr. Wedmore tells us: going any special drying process. The "The dies and were gum consisted of two parts arabic, y\ printing plates l in the same manner as be- parts dextrine, and / part animal glue. produced the die of the head of with the addition of a small quantity of fore, original Frederick William IV. with the white lead, and was applied by hand King used. with a soft wide brush. The sheets word POSTMARKE being Roller transfers were made on a steel were laid between boards, which had and the word POSTMARKE narrow strips of wood at either end to die, erased and FREIMARKE inserted in keep each layer apart until they were the label. In the Museum at dry, and then placed between warmed upper Berlin this steel die be seen bear- millboards and put in a press for several may hours to flatten them." ing four impressions from the original die. On three of them the word As the State Printing Office did not POSTMARKE is partially erased, and exist until January 1st, 1853, the early the fourth is and was used supplies of these stamps were printed completed for the for this value. under contract by a Berlin copper-plate making plates The and words the printer whose name seems to be un- figures denoting known. value were engraved, most probably, who had been The State Printing Office soon be- by Schilling, employed the State since 1851 to the came a very important establishment and by engrave dies of the A com- in subsequent years printed stamps for envelope stamps. value many of the German States as well as parison with the y2 groschen shews considerable variation in the those of Prussia itself. In many cases, size of the which tends to too, the emissions of Prussia served as lettering, that this was not the work of a guide and pattern as to color and prove Eichens. It will also be observed that value for the issues of many of its on this the value is as neighbours. To quote from a short ar- stamp given VIER PFENNIAr GE and not PFEN- ticle in the Stamp Collectors' Magazine NIGE as on the from the pen of Mr. Overy Taylor, "in 6pf stamps." for matters postal Berlin was the capital of There were at least two plates Germany long before she assumed that this value and though these were num- the position politically, and it is to the bered in the right hand margin, credit of the Prussian administration words "PLATTE No." and the numbers that for a long period it vindicated its for the horizontal and vertical rows right to direct the postal service of the were not engraved on the plates. The Confederation by the intelligence with color varies from a dark moss green to which it seized on improvements and a pale yellow green. Paper water- led the way in every useful innovation." marked with laurel wreaths was used

71 for this value and the stamps were is- of value being added to these, 150 elec- sued imperforate like the series of 1850. trotypes of each were made and clamped in fifteen horizontal rows of Reference List. together ten each to form the 1856. Wmk. Laurel wreath. Imperf. printing plates. The rows were numbered vertically and 5. 4pf green, Scott's No. 1. horizontally in the margins on all four sides but whether the plates bore distinctive numbers or not is unknown. THE THIRD ISSUE. The 3sgr plate was ready first and trial impressions were made in rose, blue, and The Government evidently found the yellow. As these sheets were gummed steel-plate process too costly and in 1856 it was for a time presumed the rose and it was decided to change the mode of blue stamps were errors of color but we manufacture. At the same time it was now know they were only proofs. decided to dispense with colored papers The stamps were printed on plain for the silbergroschen values and print white wove paper and, as a safeguard the impressions in color instead. The against forgery in the absence of water- were informed of the public impending mark, this received a colorless network means of an Official Notice change by impression from a preparation of car- published in December, 1856, viz : bonate of lead before printing. This No. 203. CHANGE OF STAMPS. network can be made visible by washing the stamps with a solution of hydric The stamps of 1, 2, and 3sgr, which or more and with have hitherto been printed on colored sulphide, permanently less of the papers, will in future be printed on danger discoloring paper by the fumes of white paper. The design of the stamp sulpheretted hydrogen which Mr. Wedmore describes as "a will appear, therefore, instead of in evil The black as hitherto, in rose-red for the very smelling compound." gum is whiter than that used, but Isgr, in blue for the 2sgr, and in yel- previously coarser and much more inclined to low for the 3sgr. crack. The Post Offices are hereby in- A die for the in this was formed of this alteration, and notified 4pf type pre- and in are known that the issue of such stamps will be- pared proofs green but this value was never issued. gin with next year, and that the 1, 2, and 3sgr stamps printed in black on Reference List. colored paper will remain current until 1857. No watermark. Imperf. the present stocks of same are entirely 6. Isgr rose, Scott's No. 6. exhausted. 7. 2sgr blue, Scott's No. 7 or No. 7a. GENERAL POST OFFICE, 8. 3sgr yellow, Scott's No. 8 or No. 8a. (Signed) SCHMUCKERT. BERLIN, December 23rd, 1856. From the wording of this notice it THE FOURTH ISSUE. has been assumed that the stamps were issued on January 1st, 1857, but no In 1858 the design of the 1, 2, and 3 specimens dated earlier than June ap- silbergroschen values was modified, and to have been found. The pear design the new stamps began to appear in Sep- is very similar to that of the first issue tember, being placed on sale as the and it is evident there was no official stocks of the former issue became ex- intention of the The changing type. hausted in the various post offices. A 4 portrait of the was engraved on King pfennige value of similar type was issued wood the be- by Schilling, background in 1859. The modification consisted in solid instead of lined as before. ing the alteration of the background, which The frame resembles the former issue was cross-hatched horizontally and ver- and has similar inscriptions. The ex- tically in a similar manner to the line- pression on the portrait differs king's engraved stamps of the first issue. Why considerably from that of the 1850 type, the change was made is somewhat of a the of the first sleepy appearance having mystery unless the authorities presumed given to a nervous dilletante ex- place that the cancellation hardly showed with pression in the second. The oak leaves sufficient distinctness against the solid at the sides are more defined and clearly background of the preceding series. there is a colon instead of a period Little is known as to the method of after this of "SILBERGR:", being, manufacture of these stamps but Mr. course, the correct abbreviation for Wedmore tells us that "a comparison "silbergroschen." with the stamps of the last issue shows From the original boxwood die en- that an impression was taken from the graved by Schilling three subsidiary dies same wood-block, the background then were struck and, the necessary details lined, and the denomination of values,

72 both figures and words, separately en- This was then hardened and an im- graved for each value of the series. The pression taken, which latter was then shape of the letters and figures differs impressed on two steel dies. Schilling slightly from those of the previous issue." then engraved on one of them the de- All four values were printed typo- sign of the pfennige values and on the graphically from electrotyped plates other the design of the silbergroschen composed of 150 impressions in fifteen values, but with no figures or lettering. horizontal rows of ten. The rows were These dies were then hardened and im- numbered on the margins as in the case pressions taken on soft steel dies. On of the 1857 issue. They were printed these Schilling engraved the word on unwatermarked paper, on which the PREUSSEN and the denomination of invisible network had been previously value. Two such dies were engraved printed. There are several fairly pro- for 5 and 6 silbergroschen but no nounced shades of all denominations. stamps of these values were issued. In .iay, 1860, a new printing of the 6 From the above mentioned dies 50 pfennige value was made from the impressions of each value (except the original plate or plates of 1850. As five and six sgr.) were taken on small these are on unwatermarked paper, how- pieces of lead measuring about 23x20 ever, thev cannot be confused with the mm., and these then arranged in five series of 1850. The paper for these horizontal rows of ten, each value sep- stamps was also previously printed with arately. From these, three electrotype the colorless network. Pale and deep plates of each value were taken, and shades of this value may be found. the three plates placed together to form one plate for printing. The rows were Reference List. numbered on all four sides as in the 1858-60. No watermark. Imperf. previous issue, and some of the plates, 9. Scott's No. 9. 4pf green, were lettered instead of 10. 6pf vermilion, Scott's No. 10. perhaps all, 11. Ispr rose, Scott's No. 11. being numbered as in the issue of 1850. 12. 2sgr blue, Scott's No. 12 or No. 12a. At the top and bottom of each plate 13. 3sgr yellow, Scott's No. 13 or No. 13a. a "needle point" was provided, which was printed in color on the margin of the sheet. Its use will be seen in due THE FIFTH ISSUE. course. The printing in color and the "em- Frederick William IV died on King bossing" of the central design was 1861 and was succeeded January 2nd, by done in one process, in fact the central the William I who de- Emperor early design was not, properly speaking, em- cided his should not on portrait figure bossed, but slightly impressed in the the a cab- postage stamps by publishing paper, which was damped before being inet order under date of February 17th, put to press to make the operation that for the new series 1861, decreeing easier. The sheets of stamps were of the Prussian coat-of-arms stamps first gummed and then rouletted. For should be used. Economy may have had the gumming the best gum arabic to do with his decision for something mixed with glycerine was used. the new were common to both ad- types The rouletting was done in hand hesives and The issue con- envelopes. printing presses in the following man- sisted of the same values as those pre- ner. A frame containing vertical rows in use and there were two viously types of sharp steel strips connected by one for the values and the pfennige small horizontal strips, all with their other for the denomina- silbergroschen edges filed at regular intervals, was tions. The consists of a small design placed on the press. The frame was oval of solid color a Prussian containing provided with a hinged lid or cover. with on eagle, outspread wings, having On this cover at top and bottom were its breast a small shield on which the two needles, and the sheet of stamps letters "F. R." Frederick are (for Rex) was placed on this cover, the needles inscribed. The frames for the 4 and piercing the sheet at the colored are while those for the 6pf octagonal "needle points" already mentioned, other values All are inscribed are oval. thus ensuring that the sheet was accu- at and with the value "PREUSSEN" top rately placed over the steel rouletting in words below. The method of manu- lines. The cover was then lowered facture differs from that of the pre- and the hand lever applied thus press- issues and we cannot do better ceding ing the sheet on to the rouletting than from Mr. Wedmore's article quote lines. Only one sheet was rouletted this: regarding at a time, and 1000 were rouletted in Schilling engraved the eagle, and the the "working day" of those "good old single lined oval immediately sur- days," which consisted of ten hours. rounding it, on a small block of steel. The rouletting apparatus was supplied

73 by one Sutler, a machine maker of clerks. These stamps were of different Berlin. types and also quite distinct in design from all other Prussian The An official Circular, dated September stamps. designs were drawn Schilling and he 19th, 1861, was issued to the post-offices by the dies on notifying them of the impending new engraved original copper. These dies now be seen in the issue and instructions were given that the may Berlin Postal Museum. The for new stamps were not to be sold until the design the 10 shows stocks of the old issue were entirely silbergroschen large open numerals in the centre of a transverse exhausted. Though the stamps were oval band inscribed "PREUSSEN" in available for use from October 1st, 1861, none are known with an earlier date the upper portion and "SILB. GR." in than November. the lower, the intervening spaces being filled with fourteen small Prussian The colors chosen for the respective The oval rests on a denominations followed those of the pre- eagles. rectangular which has no exterior ceding set fairly closely with the excep- background frame. The work, consists of a tions of the 3sgr. This was printed in ground of the words "ZEHN SIL- yellow brown to conform with the "color repetition BERGROSCHEN" in small scheme" adopted by the German-Aus- very type. are rows of trian Postal Union. There thirty-two lettering in all and the is shown three A Post-office Circular of March 6th, inscription times in each row. In the large numer- 1865, announced that a stamp of 3 al "1" the word "POSTMARKS" is pfennige in violet would be added to the shown in small and the same word series and this appeared on April 1st type twice in the "O." The following, the design being like that of appears large for the 30 shows the other pfennige values. This stamp design silbergroschen numerals within a transverse ob- was intended for use on printed matter open frame in- sent to Norway. long rectangular similarly scribed to the In this value there All six values may be found in vary- lOsgr. are 10J^ Prussian eagles on each side ing shades and all are known imperfo- of the frame between the inscriptions. rate. These latter are proofs, though The shows the words postmarked specimens exist. background "DREISSIG SILBERGROSCHEN" repeated twice in each of twenty horizontal rows, while the "POSTMARKS" is engraved in each of the large numerals as in the case of the lOsgr. Mr. Wed- more describes the manner in which these two stamps were manufactured as

follows : The design was engraved in positive is form ; that to say, an impression from the die would show the stamp Reference List. reversed. From the die electrotypes 1861-65. No. Wmk. Rouletted 11^. were taken and arranged in ten horizontal rows of ten each. The rows 14. 3pf violet, Scott's No. 14 or No. 14a. 15. 4pf green, Scott's No. 15 or No. 15a. were numbered in the margin on all 16. 6pf orange, Scott's No. 16 or No. 16a. four sides. The stamps were then 17. Scott's No. 17. Isgr rose, on a 18. 2sgr blue, Scott's No. 18 or No. 19. printed special transparent paper 19. 3sgr yellow brown, Scott's No. 20 or (not goldbeater's skin), one side of No. 20a. which was painted over with a solution of collodium and gelatine before the printing. The stamps were THE SIXTH ISSUE. printed on the side thus treated, and the gum was then applied on the same The parcel post division of the Prus- side. From the foregoing description sian Post-office dealt with parcels, it will be seen that the printed side of money orders, and insured letters and, the paper was affixed to the parcel, prior to 1866, oayments in connection but the paper being transparent and with these were made in cash. With a the stamp being positively engraved, view to saving the immense amount of the design was visible in its proper labor entailed by booking all these small form on what we may call the obverse cash items it was decided to issue side. The stamps were rouletted in stamps of the values of 10 and 30sgr the same manner as before described, and, according to an official notice of but, on a new frame which made 10 November 24th, 1866, these were not to roulettes in 20 centimetres. The be sold to the public but were to be unique method of production was the affixed to the parcels, etc. by the postal invention of a German-American, who

74 had sold the patent to the Prussian numbered at the ends of the horizontal Government some few years before and vertical rows. these stamps were issued. Although Prussia joined the North German Confederation on January 1st, 1868, and in common with other members of the Union ceased to issue its own distinctive stamps there was such a large stock of these 10 and 30 groschen stamps on hand that the Confed- eration continued to use them until the end of February, 1869. Reference List. 1867. No Wmk. Rouletted 16.

22. Ikr green, Scott's No. 23. 23. 2kr orange, Scott's No. 24. - 24. 3kr rose, Scott's No. 25. 25. 6kr blue, Scott's No. 26. 26. 9kr bistre, Scott's No. 27.

REMAINDERS.

The use of Prussian ceased on Reference List. stamps December 31st, 1867 on the follow- J66. No Wmk. Rouletted 10. for, ing day, the stamps of the North Ger- 20. lOsgr rose, Scott's No. 21. 21. SOsgr blue, Scott's No. 22. man Confederation came into use. There were considerable remainders of the issues of 1861-67 and towards the end of 1868 attempts were made to dis- THE SEVENTH ISSUE. pose of these. The late M. Moens was offered the lot no less than Prussia, having purchased the remain- comprising a of a million sheets of the ing rights of the Princes of Thurn & quarter of Taxis for the sum of three million issues 1861-67 besides a large number of envelopes and a big stock of the ob- thaler (about $2,250,000), from July 1st, solete of Schleswig Holstein. 1867, was obliged to provide a series of stamps The minimum was to be the cost stamps in kreutzer currency until fur- price of manufacture in the case of ther arrangements could be made. which, the was 2 l 2 thalers 100 These stamps were also used in that stamps, / per sheets. The value of the entire lot was part of Bavaria which was ceded to estimated at thalers and as no Prussia by the treaty of August 22nd, 3,000 could be found at that 1866, at the close of the war. Five purchaser figure the numbers were reduced, a portion of values were issued in all 1, 2, 3, 6 and the stock sold to a 9kr. One kreuzer was equal to 3 3/7 being papermaker for the of reduced to pfennige, and the letter rates were fixed purpose being pulp. The remainder were carefully at 3, 6 and 9 kreuzer as being the near- tabulated and consisted, so far as the est equivalents to 1, 2 and 3 silbergros- of the chen. The two lower values were used Prussian stamps were concerned, for printed matter, samples and post- following : cards. 1850 6pf 270 copies. The design is the same for all and Isgr 19 copies. consists of a Prussian eagle within a 2sgr 13 copies. hexagonal frame intercepted at the 3sgr 38 copies. sides by a large block for the numerals 1856 4pf 85 copies. of value, which form part of the solid 4pf21 copies (unwatermarked background on which the eagle is em- paper). bossed. At the top is "PREUSSEN" 1857 6pf 80 copies. on an engine-turned background, and at Isgr 10 copies. the base is "KREUZER" on a similar 2sgr 6 copies. ground. 3sgr 30 copies. For the central design of the Prus- 1858 4pf 88 copies. sian eagle the same die was used as for Isgr 79 copies. the stamps of 1861-65, while the en- 2sgr 64 copies. graving of the rest of the design for the 3sgr 61 copies. of respective values was the work of 1861 4pf, 6pf, 1, 2, 3sgr, 30,000 Schilling. The stamps were printed in each. sheets of 100, in ten rows of ten, and 1865 3pf 30,000. of each. rouletted 16. All four margins were 1867 1, 2, 3, 6, 9kr, 30,000

75 value was and these 1864 re- The 10 and 30sgr, as we have already very small, prints are now quite scarce. shown, were not offered for sale, these In 1873 a number of were being used up as stamps of the Confed- reprints made for Julius of eration itself. This lot together with Goldner, Hamburg, who paid a certain sum to the govern- about 10,000 envelopes, and over 270,000 ment for the benefit of the soldiers stamps of Schleswig Holstein were sold wounded in the Franco-Prussian war. to the late Mr. Julius Goldner, of Ham- The quantities of these were as follows : burg, for 1,000 thalers (about $750). 500 sheets of 150 = The comparatively small quantities of 4pf stamps 75,000 500 sheets of 150 = the 1850-58 issues were immediately ac- 6pf stamps 75,000 Isgr 200 sheets of 150 = 30,000 quired by M. Moens and it was not long stamps 200 sheets of 150 before the balance of the stock was en- 2sgr stamps = 30,000 3sgr 200 sheets of 150 stamps = 30,000 tirely dispersed. Mr. Wedmore gives interesting de-

tails of these reprints as follows : These reprints are all on water- REPRINTS. marked paper which was made in the same moulds as that used for the In 1864 were made to the requests original stamps, and the two lower Prussian authorities several postal by values resemble very closely the genu- for of European governments specimens ine stamps. The paper is thicker and all that had been issued. As there stamps coarser than the originals, and the were no more supplies of the first is- gum is thick, smooth, and "glassy" in sue at the Head Post Office few (the appearance. The printing is generally included in the remainders were found smudgy, and the green of the 4pf in some of the smaller offices at a stamp has a fresh, bright appearance. later the five values date, presumably) The 6pf is of a more orange shade of were in sheets from reprinted complete vermilion than is found in the origi- re- the original plates. Regarding these nals. Mr. Wedmore tells us: prints The paper on which the silbergro- The reprints of the 1, 2 and 3sgr schen values were printed is similar in values were made on unwatermarked texture to that employed for the lower paper, and can therefore easily be values, and the gum is also the same. distinguished from the originals. The The color of the paper employed for colors of the papers are almost iden- the Isgr is a pale wine-red. The tical with those employed for the is- plates were badly cleaned during the sued stamps. printing, and the stamps, consequent- The reprints of the 4pf stamps were ly, have a dirty appearance. also on unwatermarked paper. Two The same remarks apply to the 2 shades are known a pale yellow- and 3sgr values, except as to the color green and a dark blue-green. The of the papers. That used for the 2sgr latter is by many supposed to be a value has changed color, so that the color trial of the year 1856, but the stamps now usually appear to be gumming, and above all the paper, printed on a very pale blue paper resemble so closely that used for the sprinkled with dark blue spots, which yellow-green printing and the 1864 shew either on the face or the back of reprint of the 6pf stamp, that it the stamp. In the case of the 3sgr seems more probable that the blue- reprints, which were originally on yel- green shade was printed in 1864 owing low paper, the color has now mostly to the yellow-green being of poor ap- changed to a pale grey, sometimes pearance. with yellow or pinkish spots, owing to The reprint of the 6pf stamp is on some chemical action. similar paper to the foregoing, and The whole of the printing was de- can be distinguished from the 1860 livered to Julius Goldner, no supply printing of that stamp on unwater- being retained by the postal author- marked paper by the absence of the ities, so that the Postal Museum offi- colorless network. There is also a cials had to purchase, in 1890, some difference in the shade, but I am not complete sheets for the collection. expert enough in color definitions to The reprints were printed from the describe it. original plates, bearing the following Small quantities of these reprints numbers: 6pf (No. 7); Isgr (No. were to and supplied private persons 14) ; 2sgr (No. 6) ; 3sgr (No. 3) ; and to dealers at face value, and some 4pf (No. 1). The two first named copies qf the 1 and 2sgr are known plates are in the Berlin Postal used postally. Museum, the others are no longer in The total quantity printed of each existence.

7ti OFFICIAL IMITATIONS. same period. These official imitations were printed from plates specially con- In addition to the reprints of the structed and afterwards destroyed so 1850-56 stamps described above so- that when an additional supply was re- were called reprints of the 1857 issue quired in 1873 they were printed direct made in 1864 but these are nothing bet- from the wood-block, and the three sub- ter than official imitations. The original sidiary dies taken from the wood-block. electrotyped plates employed in printing Mr. Wedmore tells us that these were the since been de- originals had long printed "on strips of paper measuring as also the dies from which stroyed had about 2J4 by 6^ inches. On each strip the struck. It electrotypes had been were printed the Isgr, 3sgr, 2sgr and was necessary, therefore, to make en- woodblock (without value) in the order tirely new dies. These were made from named, and impressions were taken in in the a wood-block which now reposes carmine red, deep blue, brownish yel- Berlin Postal Museum with other in- low and black. These are ungummed." teresting relics of the Prussian post. Though an attempt was made to copy the original design as closely as possible there are many differences by which the imitations can be easily recognised. FORGERIES. The most prominent of these is a period in place of a colon after the word Forgeries of the first three issues are "SILBERGR." The "G" of the same fairly plentiful but all I have seen are word has no crossbar and the "F" of so crude that they would hardly deceive "FREIMARKE" has a projecting line the veriest tyro. Mr. Wedmore states at the top left side. that forgeries of the lOsgr and 30sgr The 3sgr is in a yellow tint very simi- are also known though I have never lar to that of the originals but the Isgr come across these. They are said to and 2sgr are in shades unlike any found be a little dangerous though the eagles in the genuine stamps. The former is and lettering are very badly drawn com- bright crimson and the latter a laven- pared with the originals. The paper der-blue. The paper is white-wove and is very different being thin and white thin and the gum is thin, smooth and instead of tough and yellowish as in white like that of the reprints of the the genuine stamps.

SAXONY.

Saxony is a kingdom of Germany, be- having been mined at Freiberg since ing fifth in area and third in population the 12th century. among the states of the empire. It is The people are in part of Slav de- surrounded by Bohemia, Silesia, Prus- scent, but Germanised. Amongst them sian Saxony, and the minor Saxon are between 50,000 and 60,000 Wends States, and has a total area of 5,787 (pure Slavs). Education stands at a square miles. The population grows high level, the university at Leipzig, for fast and had nearly quadrupled in the instance, being one of the most import- period 1815-1900. At the present time ant educational centres of the empire. it has nearly reached the five million The capital is Dresden, while the three mark and is the most densely peopled largest towns are Dresden, Leipzig and country in Europe. The River Elbe di- Chemnitz. Saxony is a constitutional, vides the kingdom into two almost equal hereditary monarchy, with a parlia- parts, both hilly and both well watered. ment of two chambers. It sends four The predominating geographical feat- members to the Imperial Council and ure of the western half is the Erzgebirge twenty-three representatives to the (2,500 feet) separating it from Bo- Reichstag. hemia; of the eastern half, offsets of the The name of Saxony formerly des- Riesengebirge, and the sandstone forma- ignated a very large tract in north tion, above Dresden, known as the Germany, extending from the Weser to Saxon Switzerland. Agriculture is the frontiers of Poland. At the peace highly developed though most of the of 1495 the Emperor Maximilian I, di- farms are small. Saxony's chief inter- vided Germany into two circles, of ests are, however, manufacturing and which the extensive tract of country mining. Coal, iron, cobalt, tin, copper, hitherto called Saxony formed three, lead and silver are all found, the latter viz : Westphalia, Lower Saxony and

77 Upper Saxony. The last of these com- the side of Austria in the Seven prised the electorates of Braddenburg Weeks' War (1866) shared in the de- and Saxony, the duchy of Pomerania, feat of Sadowa and was compelled to and several small principalities. The king- join the North German Confederation. dom of Saxony was formed out of the In 1871 Saxony became a member of electorate of the same name. The the new German empire. duchy of Saxony, to which the elec- torial dignity and the office of hereditary marshall of the empire were attached, ITS PHILATELIC HISTORY. was, however, no part of the ancient German duchy of that name (which was The German-Austrian Postal Union composed of Lauenberg and a tract on was formed on April 6th, 1850, and as the other side of the Elbe), but a Saxony at once decided1 to join it was Wend or Vandal province, which Al- necessary to take measures for pro- bert the Bear, margrave of Salzwedel, viding postage stamps. The kingdom of the house of Ascania, had conquered of Bavaria had issued stamps in the and left to his son Bernhard. This previous year and the Government of Bernhard received from the Emperor Saxony therefore applied to that king- Frederick Barbarossa the dignity of Duke dom for information. In response to of Saxony, to which were attached a part this appeal the Bavarians sent copies of of Engern and Westphalia, extending all their acts and decrees relating to from the Weser, which separated it the issue of stamps, together with spec- from Eastphalia, westward to the Rhine. imens of the postage stamps which had But Bernhard not being powerful been issued. As the question of de- enough to maintain his rights, most of ciding upon an entire issue required the Saxon allodial proprietors became some deliberation, it was determined immediate estates of the empire by to make a start by providing a stamp which the duchy was dissolved, and of small value for prepaying the rate its name transferred to the country in- of postage on journals and printed mat- herited by Bernhard from his father, ter. This stamp was the now famous to which from that time the ducal dig- 3 pfennige red 1 the design of which, it nity was attached. The house of As- will be noticed, is a palpable copy of the cania becoming extinct on the death of 1 kreuzer Bavaria. On June 22d, 1850, Albert III (1422), the Emperor Sigis- a notice appeared stating that from mund invested Frederick the Warlike, July 1st following, articles under wrap- margarve of Meissen, with the electoral per destined for any place within the title and the duchy of Saxony. He was circuit of the royal post of Saxony or succeeded in the electoral dominions by for Austria, Prussia, Bavaria, the his son, Frederick the Mild, who reigned Mecklenburgs, Anhalt - Schwarzburg, from 1428 to 1464. On his death his Waldeck, or Hamburg, must be pre- dominions were divided between his two paid with stamps of three pfennige for sons, Albert and Ernest, who were the every loth (about Y?. oz.) in weight, and founders of the Albertine and Ernes- that the post-office had prepared such tine lines, the former of which still stamps, the sale of which would com- reigns in the kingdom of Saxony, and mence on June 29th, though they were the latter is divided into four branches not to be used until July 1st. For the - - of Saxe Altenburg, Coburg Gotha, definite issue of August 1st, 1851,. more

Meiningen and Weimar. , elaborate designs were selected. Vari- In the war with France (1793) ous methods of production were con- Saxony furnished only a small contin- sidered and numerous essays were sub- gent and took no decided part; but in mitted by J. B. Hirschfeld, who printed 1806 the elector sent all his troops to the 3pf red. Hirschfeld could, appar- support the kin of Prussia. The ruin ently, only produce stamps by the typo- of the Prussian power at the battle of graphic process and while this was con- Jena enabled Napoleon to gain the sidered suitable enough for the lowest Saxons to his cause. Prussian Poland value, used for printed matter, it was was added to the dominions of Saxony hardly considered good enough for the under the title of the grand-duchy of higher denominations. Consequently Warsaw, and the title of elector was Hirschfeld 1 only obtained the contract changed to that of king. After the for printing the 3 pfennig stamps, in a overthrow of Napoleon at Leipzig design showing the Arms of the king- (1813), the king was for a time a pris- dom, while the contract for manufactur- oner in the hands of the allies, and the ing the higher values was awarded to Congress of Vienna deprived him of C. C. Meinhold & Sons, of Dresden, a more than half his dominions, or a ter- firm well-known for the production of ritory of 7,880 square miles, which was engravings by the glyphographic pro- handed over to Prussia. Saxony took cess. There were four values in aJJ^

78 l and 3 a Confederation stamps on January 1st, /2 , 1, 2, neugroschen showing its were profile portrait of Frederic Augustus 1868, separate stamps sup- II. King Frederic died on August 9, pressed. of the thal- 1854, and was succeeded by his brother The currency Saxony was about which was divided John. Steps were at once taken to pro- er, worth 72c, vide new stamps and though these were into 30 neugroschen. One neugroschen ready by the end of the year they were was equivalent in value to a silbergros- but divided into ten instead not issued until June 1st, 1855. The chen, was numismatic rule of setting the profile of of twelve pfennige. a reigning sovereign the reverse way to that in which it was placed on the coins etc., of his predecessor was followed. With the exception of the portrait the THE FIRST ISSUE. design was altered as little as possible; the values were the same and the same Among all the stamps issued by the colors were used. No change was made various German States none is more in the 3pf value, as it bore the coat-of- popular than the first stamp issued in arms, and this denomination continued Saxony the 3 pfennige red. It is not to be printed by Hirschfeld. It was a very handsome stamp, or even one of found desirable to have higher values original design, but it is merely a some- than 3ngr for use on letters sent beyond what crude copy of the Ikr stamp issued the confines of the German-Austrian by Bavaria in 1849, as we have already postal union and on April 24th, 1856, 5 pointed out. This particular stamp and lOngr stamps were issued. In de- seems always to have been in demand sign these were similar to the lower from the earliest days of stamp collect- values but they were printed in color ing, the real reason of its popularity be- on white paper instead of in black on ing that it was one of the most difficult colored papers as was the case with all stamps to obtain as well as one of the previously issued neugroschen stamps. first used in the German Empire. This In March, 1861, the head of the Prus- stamo was produced in a hurry and did sian Post-office called attention to the not receive the careful consideration ac- confusion that was created by so many corded to the other postage stamps is- states of the German-Austrian Postal sued by Saxony in the following year. Union using stamps of corresponding The reason for its hurried manufacture values in different colors, and suggested lies in the fact that it was intended for that all stamps of similar value, whether use on newspapers and printed matter expressed in schilling, grote, groschen, which, under the newly formed postal or kreuzer, should be printed in the Convention between Austria and vari- same color, and that the same rule ous German States, had to be prepaid. should be applied to the stamped en- If not prepaid, the packages were velopes, which should have the stamp charged full letter rate. Not only had in the right upper angle, and the ad- these packages to be prepaid but the hesivcs placed in the same position; and Saxon Government insisted that stamps he advised new issues to be made to must be used and payment in cash was carry out these suggestions. These pro- not allowed. The design consists of a posals met with general approval, and large open "3" covered with a maze- Saxony immediately prepared for a new work pattern on a ground composed of issue. Various firms were invited to fragments of wavy lines within a frame submit designs, but only four did so and 18 /1 2 mm. square. The frame is about the contract was eventually awarded to 3% mm. wide and is inscribed Giesecke and Devrient, of Leipzig. The "SACHSEN" at top, "FRANCO" at new stamps had the arms of Saxony in base, "DREI" at left, and "PFEN- colorless embossing in the centre, and NIGE" at right. In each of the angles they are certainly inferior in appearance is a small ornament with a star-like to their predecessors. With this issue centre. perforation wr as introduced for the first The stamps were manufactured at the time. The values were the same as be- printing establishment of J. B. Hirsch- fore except that the 10 neugroschen was feld, a printer and lithographer of dropped. The demand for this value Leipzig. The original die was en- was found to be exceedingly small and graved in relief on metal and from this at the time the new series appeared, moulds were taken in plaster, or some July 1st, 1863, quite a large proportion similar material, from which Arnold, of the original supply of the lOngr of the stereotyper in Hirschfeld's works, 1856 still remained on hand. Saxony, took casts in type-metal. The stamps as we have already shown, was com- are not all of equal size the variations pelled to join the North German Con- being due to unequal shrinkage of the federation and on the appearance of the plaster moulds in drying, It is also probable, as Mr. Westoby points out, gust 1st, 1851, and it was then decreed that Arnold, to save time, used some that no more of the red stamps were to of his to produce moulds for others. be sold at the post-offices. At the same It is probable only twenty moulds time the public were informed they were made for the stamps were could use any of the red stamps they printed in sheets of twenty in four possessed but that under no circum- horizontal rows of five. It has been stances would they be exchanged for suggested that there was another plate the new green ones. Writing in the used for some of the later printings but Monthly Journal for December, 1900, no satisfactory proof of this has been Mr. G. B. Duerst says: "This is the produced. Lines of printer's rule were reason why the 3 pfennig, red, is so rare placed between the casts and in re- with the lozenge obliteration, which ferring to these Mr. Westoby says they was onlv introduced in March, 1852. ran "vertically down the sheet unin- The usual postmark is the name and terruptedly; but the horizontal lines date stamp, but the earliest obliteration were broken and did not touch the was in pen and ink." vertical lines." Unless, however, a The stamp exists in a number of second plate was used, or a resetting shades, doubtless owing to the many of the casts made, this statement must printings, but according to the catalogue be inaccurate for in a superb mint quotations there is little to choose be- block of four illustrated in a German tween them in point of rarity. . paper some little time ago the hori- The stamp is rare and its scarcity is zontal lines are distinctly continuous accounted for by the fact that the vast and it is the vertical ones which are majority of the 463,058 stamps sold were broken. The stamps were printed on used on newspaper packages and were ordinary white wove paper and they destroyed in the removal of the wrapper. are, of course, not perforated. The Unused this stamp has always been gum is of a distinctly yellow hue. considered scarcer than used but owing of The first lot of stamps consisting to the larger demand for used speci- 120,000 (6,000 sheets) was delivered by mens of recent years there is now little the end of June and the public's ap- to choose between used and unused so preciation of them may be gauged from far as market value is concerned. We remained the fact that only 19,000 by believe the largest block known in mint of later the 20th August. Two days condition, with original gum, is a block of was delivered. another supply 60,000 of four from the right lower corner of Both these lots were ordered but orally a sheet. An entire sheet is, or was, in after that it was decreed that future existence, however. This was de- in from orders must be made writing scribed in the Monthly Journal in 1896 the office of the Main Postal Treasury. as follows: "Mr. Castle secured, for a Six further lots were ordered and de- sum of about $1500.00, an unsevered and livered as follows : unused sheet of 20 Saxony 3pf red. Stamps or Sheets This is believed to be the only sheet October 8th, 1850, 40,000 2,000 known, and is the one formerly in the November 4th, 1850, 60,000 3,000 Friedl Museum of Vienna. Mr. Friedl December 19th, 1850, 60,000 3,000 got it from a Castle in Saxony, where February 22nd, 1851, 40,000 2,000 it was found pasted on a fire-screen and April 3rd, 1851, 80,000 4,000 varnished over! Naturally it is not in June 17th, 1851, 40,000 2,000 the most brilliant condition, but it is a Altogether, therefore, 500,000 of unique piece, and well worth the price these stamps were printed and delivered. paid." One sheet of twenty stamps was sent This 3pf stamp is one that has con- to the Finance Ministry at Dresden as sistently shown an appreciation in it has a sample, 463,058 stamps were sold, and value and of recent years the remaining 36,922 were burnt on De- jumped upwards in price at an astonish- cember 10th, 1851. In the early nineties ing rate. In 1864 it was worth about the sheet sent to the Treasury was ap- 35c in used condition; in 1884 it was parently cut up and the stamps sold quoted 75c; in 1894 its value had in- singly at a dollar or so apiece. creased to $22, in 1908 it stood at $37; That this stamp was only intended as while at the present time Scott has it a temporary issue is shown by a remark quoted at a modest $70, Gibbons at $120, contained in the official notification of while fine copies have approached the is June 22nd, 1850, viz: "This form is, $150 mark at auction abroad. There however, only provisional, and will be a suspicion in some quarters that some altered when postage stamps for cor- one is attempting a corner in this stamp in view of respondence (letters) are introduced." a not impossible proceeding This stamp was replaced bv the 3pf the limited number available and green label, in the Arms type, on Au- should such a "corner" be successful there is no knowing to what price this the firm of C. C. Meinhold and Sons, of variety may yet be forced. Dresden, a firm well known for the Few stamps have been so extensively production of engravings by the gly- counterfeited as this 3 pfennige, one phographic process, made a proposal writer alone admitting the possession of which was accepted by the authorities. no less than twenty-rive different coun- Hirschfeld's design for the neu-groschen terfeits. Mr. Westoby mentions several values was, therefore, handed to the points which should be of value in de- Meinholds and the only order Hirsch- feld received tecting counterfeits, viz. : was that for printing the 3 The value In the ornament in the corners, pfennige stamps. 3pf was again intended for printed matter but which is in the shape of a quatrefoil, it now represented the rate within the the interior design is in the shape of entire German-Austrian Postal Union a four-rayed star, or rather a round this was the main reason for uncolored centre to a St. Andrew's the of for this Cross. In the left corner orna- change design denomination. upper l The /2 neugroschen was intended for ment there is a curved line opposite local letters; the Ingr for letters sent to each extremity of the cross. This less than 10 miles within the Postal curved line is wanting opposite the Union; the 2ngr for letters between 10 left upper extremity of the cross in all and 20 miles; and the for letters the other corner ornaments, and also 3ngr beyond 20 miles. opposite the upper right extremity of The design for the 3 pfennige shows the cross in the right upper orna- the Arms of Saxony on a shield sur- ment, and this is long, right extremity mounted by a crown within an oval of while the left one is very short, as solid color. On a scroll at top is also is the right one in the upper "SACHSEN" and on a similar scroll at lower ornament. In the in- right base is "Drie Pfennige." Numerals of scriptions the S and A in SACHSEN value, within small circles, are shown almost join, as also do the R and E at the sides and the spaces are filled in DRIE. There is a break in the with scroll ornamentation. The whole inner line of the frame opposite the is enclosed within a narrow rectangular I of DRIE. These are the principal frame. This stamp was printed in tests Messrs. Collin and Cai- given by sheets of 120, the plate being composed and in their man, catalogue enlarged of casts taken in type-metal from the are of the corner or- engravings given original die. The stamps were placed naments. In the there genuine stamps so closely together that specimens with is a full after stop FRANCO which, good margins are very difficult to obtain. is absent in most curiously enough, The neugroschen values are all alike in of the imitations." design and show a profile portrait of King Frederic Augustus II, with head to right, on a solid colored ground within an oval. The inscriptions are similar to those of the 3pf except that the lower one is "Neu-Grosch.", separated by the numeral of value. Numerals are also placed at the sides and all four values were printed in sheets of 120. The early supplies of all values were de- Reference List. livered by the printers in strips of ten July 1st, 1850. No wmk. Imperf. for some reason or other. Usually the 1. 3pf red, Scott's Nos. 1 or la. sheets were sub-divided horizontally, but in some cases the strips were cut vertically. The 3 pfennige exists in two distinct THE SECOND ISSUE. shades blue or dark green and yellow The colors of the for the Whilst the first Saxon stamp had green. papers various values also show been designed and issued without much neu-groschen some variation and in dealing with this care or fuss, many and deep were the matter I cannot do better than deliberations before the permanent is- quote from an excellent article in the Phila- sue was decided upon. Various methods telic Journal of Great written of production were examined and con- Britain, Mr. D. C. in 1908 : sidered; wood engraving was objected by Gray December, l to, and line engraving was considered The /2 neu-groschen may be found too expensive. Numerous essays were on paper varying from almost white submitted by Hirschfeld and others and to bluish grey, the bluish shades being those of Hirschfeld met with approval. the scarcer. The paper of the 1 neu- Before, however, he received the order groschen is sometimes deep and

81 It sometimes quite pale rose ; that of appears the Post-office sold the er- the 3 neu-groschen varies from very rors singly and in strips of ten and deep to quite pale yellow; while the when they discovered the mistake the 2 neu-groschen appears printed on purchasers were written to and asked pale blue and very dark blue paper. to return the stamps as any letters l Some of the shades of the /2, 1, and 3 franked with them might possibly be neu-groschen may be due to fading, treated as unpaid by other offices. although, considering the large num- When Dr. Kloss made his notes public bers of printings which took place a the hunt for the errors began and some variation in the colour of the papers of the firms written to by the Leipzig used is not surprising. The change post-office in 1851 were hunted out. of the 2 neu-groschen from pale to This resulted in the discovery of one very dark blue, however, was cer- of the letters written by the Post-office tainly not accidental, but was due to with an unused strip of ten of the er- definite instructions given to the rors pinned to it. Due to the forget- printers by the postal authorities in fulness of a clerk this letter was never 1852. returned to the postal authorities ! Herr The reason for this order was that Blauhuth, of Leipzig, secured this strip, a postmaster had complained to the and for ten years these were the only head office that if the 2 neu-groschen copies known. The owner first sold a stamps (printed in pale blue) were pair, inlcuding the one spoiled by the much exposed to the light they faded pin-holes, for $37.50, while his last copy into approximately the color of the realised $300. The 57 errors which /2l neu-groschen. By the adoption of were returned to Dresden should have the dark blue paper any mistakes been destroyed but, in 1891, 24 of the arising from such a cause were stamps were found in an envelope entirely obviated. These stamps were pinned to an old document relating to all put on sale on 29th July, and the former postal accounts in the De- were to frank letters from 1st Au- partment of Finance, Dresden. What be- gust, 1851. The quantities printed came of the other 33 is a mystery which of each value of this set were as will probably never be solved most follows : likely they were destroyed as was 3 pfennige, 12,500,000; /2l neu- originally intended. These errors were groschen, 5,100,000; 1 neu-groschen, included in a set of so-called "essays" 5,700,000; 2 neu-groschen, light blue, put on the market by the Saxon Gov- 700,000; 2 neu-groschen dark blue, ernment at 75c each. The history of 1,500,000; and 3 neu-groschen, the error had been forgotten by the 2,350,000. There were twenty-four officials but not by collectors and con- printings of the 3 pfennige; seventeen sequently the sets sold like the proverbial of the y* and 1 neu-groschen, and hot cakes. Most of these 24 errors sixteen of the 2 and 3 neu-groschen. were single copies but in the lot was one strip of five and one block of four, By far the rarest stamp of Saxony is, the latter eventually passing into the pf course, the y* neu-groschen printed famous Mann collection. But in error on the pale blue paper of the though this error is of the rarities 2 neu-groschen. The existence of this one great unused it is even scarcer used. There error seems to have been quite unknown is a in the an- until Dr. Kloss published his "History pair Tapling collection, of the Stamps of the Kingdom of other pair in a German collection, and a few are known. Saxony" in 1883 or 1884. According to single copies Dr. Kloss "On August 22nd, 1851, the Post-office at Leipzig informed the G. P. O. at Dresden, that they had found a quantity of stamps among the 2ngr blue which had, instead of '2 Neu- groschen,' the inscription '^ neu- groschen' although printed in the correct color of the 2ngr stamps, viz., blue. On referring to the printers' statement it was found that only 120 stamps were printed in this color by mistake, 63 of Reference List. these were sold over the counter before 1851. No. wmk. Imperf. the mistake was found out, the remain- 2. 3 pfennige green, Scott's Nos. 2 or 2a. ing 57 were returned to the G. P. O. 3. y2 neu-groschen, black on grey, Scott's No. 3. at Dresden." There is little doubt that 4. 1 neu-groschen, black on rose, Scott's the 63 stamps which were sold to the No. 5. 5. 2 public, were sold as 2ngr stamps, whose neu-groschen, black on blue, Scott's Nos. 6 or 7. color bore, and were used as they they 6. 3 neu-groschen, black on yellow, Scott's such. No. 8. THE THIRD ISSUE. 3 neu-gr, deep yellow, yellow, pale yellow. The death of King Frederic Augustus 5 pale red, russet brown, II on and accession August 9th, 1854, red brown, vermilion. of his brother John, made a change in 10 blue, deep blue. the portrait stamps necessary. As the 3 Some of the shades of the l pfennige value bore the Arms of the /2 neu- groschen are much scarcer than others kingdom it was not deemed necessary ; the greenish blue shade of the 2 neu- to make any change in these and they groschen is scarce com- continued to be printed by Hirschfeld. used, though l mon unused, and the russet brown 5 The other values of /2, 1, 2 and 3 neu- groschen were manufactured by Mein- neu-groschen is very scarce. Appar- this color hold and Sons. Little alteration was ently was used by mistake, and some of made in the framework but in the centre though the stamps printed in this shade were the the portrait of King John superseded issued, printer was to others that of his predecessor. The profile is compelled supply instead, printed in the shown to the left instead of to the right proper color, and the balance of the russet-brown as on the 1851 stamps. The new stamps stamps were the were all ready by the end of 1854 but destroyed by postal authorities. were of they were not placed on sale until about (There 100,000 these of which were August, 1855. The stamps were printed errors, 62,200 sold to Mr. in black on colored papers as before, according Westoby though, as will be seen Mr. but a change was made in tne size of the below, Gray puts the number at plates which now consisted of 100 in- 4,000 more). The 5 is found on stead of 120 subjects. In 1856, 5 and 10 neu-groschen thick and on thin and is also neu-groschen stamps were added to the paper known double uncata- set as it was found desirable to have printed (an For the first some higher values for use on letters logued variety). print- of the 10 sent beyond the confines of the German- ing neu-groschen stamps Austrian Postal Union. These two thinner paper was used than for the two later The stamps were printed in color on white printings. quantities printed of these were as fol- paper like the 3pf denomination. More stamps lows : than one plate was used for some of the l values and some of these show varia- /2 neu-groschen, 17,705,000 tions in the size and shape of the 1 17,345,000 numerals in the small ovals at the sides. 2 5,980,000 These differences are particularly notice- 3 7,880,000 ' able in the l/2 and 1 neu-groschen. How 5 (vermilion and red many plates were used altogether is not pale ) , 200,000 ' known but when Messrs. Meinhold and 5 russet brown, 66,200 Sons lost the printing contract in 1863 5 (red brown), 823,800 they sent to the Dresden Post-office the 10 250,000 original dies of the six values, together There were twenty-four printings of with four reliefs and five the l 2 3 printing plates /2 , 1, and neu-groschen stamps, of the ^ngr, two reliefs and five print- one of the russet brown 5 neu- ing plates of the Ingr, two reliefs and groschen and three of the 10 neu- three printing plates of each of the groschen. The number of printings 2ngr and 5ngr, and one relief and two of the other shades of the 5 neu- printing plates of the lOngr. The groschen seems not to be ascertain- plates of the 3ngr do not appear to able. have been sent at that time and no official record of their receipt at a later date has been found. Shades are numerous and again I cannot do better than quote Mr. Gray on this subject, viz : All the stamps of this set vary considerably in shade, as is only to be expected in the case of a long-lived series. The following are the prin- Reference List. cipal variations : 1855-56. No wmk. Imperf. neu-groschen, black on pearl grey, 7. J^ngr black on gray, Scott's No. 9. lilac grey, grey, jet-black 8. Ingr black on rose, Scott's No. 10. on grey. 9. 2ngr black on blue, Scott's Nos. 11 or lla. 1 neu-gr, deep rose, rose, pale rose. " 10. 3ngr black on yellow, Scott's No. 12. 2 blue, deep blue, greenish 11. 5ngr red, Scott's Nos.13, 13a, 13b, 13c. blue. 12. lOngr blue, Scott's Nos. 14 or 14a. THE FOURTH ISSUE. and though Scott gives but two for each denomination (three for the 5ngr). In March, 1861, the Prussian postal Gibbons lists two for the 3 pfennige, the attention of the l 3 neu- administration drew three each for the /z t 1, 2, and other members of the German-Austrian groschen, and five for the 5 neu- Postal Union to the confusion which groschen. Specialists extend the list existed owing to the lack of uniformity still further, especially in the case of the in the colors adopted for stamps of two lowest values. corresponding values in the various In 1867 complaints were made of the States. It was suggested that all stamps varying colors of the 5 neu-groschen, of similar value, whether that value and the contractors printed some in a was expressed in schilling, grote, reddish lilac shade in which there groschen or kreuzer, should be printed would be fewer variations. These in the same color. These proposals met stamps were objected to, however, as with general approval, as we have al- resembling the Ingr too closely and they ready shown in considering the stamps were not put on sale. Finally a grey- of other States, and Saxony began ish shade of lilac was adopted. Mr. D. preparations for a new issue. It had C. Gray tells us that the quantities been decided to change the color of the printed and number of printings were as to black on brown 3ngr and 5ngr stamps follows : "There were fifteen printings and black on yellow respectively, when of the 5 neu-groschen, sixteen of the 2 the appearance of the new Prussian neu-groschen, and seventeen of each of stamps caused Saxony to reconsider its the remaining values. The quantities plans. The new Prussian stamps, con- printed of these stamps were as fol- to the new color were l 2 neu- forming scheme, lows : 3 pfennige, 10,850,000 ; / all printed in color on white paper and groschen, 17,100,000; 1 neu-groschen, in- the Saxon postal authorities, upon 15,175,000; 2 neu-groschen, 4,870,000; 3 vestigating the matter, decided to adopt neu-groschen, 5,870,000; 5 neu-groschen, the same principle and retire the colored 950,000; 5 neu-groschen (grey, and grey- papers in favor of stamps printed in lilac shades), 250,000." color on white. Designs for the new The 1 neu-groschen is known im- but l series were invited from engravers perforate vertically, and the 3pf, /2, 1 only four firms competed Hirschfeld, and 2 neu-groschen are known entirely Meinhold and Sons, and Blockman and imperforate. and Son, of Dresden, and Giesecke The post office of Saxony was included Devrient of Leipzig. The contract was in the post office system of the awarded to the last named firm and the North German Confederation on Jan- taille-douce was abandoned for process uary 1st, 1868, and the distinctive stamps the cheaper method of typography. The were consequently withdrawn. design consisted of the Arms of Saxony in colorless embossing within an upright oval engine-turned band with a scalloped outer edge. On the upper part of the band the name "SACHSEN" is shown, on the lower portion is the denomination and in the sides and below the Arms are oval discs containing the numerals of value. These are in color on a plain ground at the sides and in white on a ground of solid color below the Arms. The 3 pfennige and l values differ from the /2 neu-groschen Reference List. others in being enclosed within a rec- 1863. Arms in centre embossed. Perf. 13. tangular frame in which the numerals of 13. Scott's Nos. 15 or 15a. value are again shown in each of the 3pf green, 14. y2 ngr orange, Scott's Nos. 16 or 16a. spandrels. 15. Ingr rose, Scott's Nos. 17 or 17a. The advent of the new issue was 16. 2ngr blue, Scott's Nos. 18 or 18a. Scott's Nos. 19 or 19a. notified by a circular issued from Leip- 17. Sngr brown, 18. 5ngr violet or grey-blue, Scott's Nos. 20, zig on June 19th, 1863, and the stamps 20a or 21. were placed on sale on July 1st following. The denominations were the same as before except that the 10 neu- groschen was omitted, owing to the REMAINDERS. small use made of that value. The- stamps were printed in sheets of 100 At the time Saxony joined the North and perforation was introduced for the German Confederation there were large first time, the gauge being 13. There remainders of some of the values of are pronounced shades of all values the 1863 issues and smaller lots of all

84 values of 1856 and the 3pf of 1851. were advanced and the stamps were The Government made no attempt to then offered as follows : dispose of these in one parcel, as was 3pf of 1851, 15 marks " done by other German States, but of- Ingrof 1856, 1 2ngrof 1856, 2 fered the earlier issues at so much per " stamp and the 1863 issue at a few marks Sngrof 1856, 3 per 500 stamps. No information seems Sngrof 1856, 10 to have been published as to the num- None of the ^ and 10 neu-groschen bers available but as late as 1890 all were then available and the only value but the lOngr were obtainable at very of the 1863 series offered was the l/2 ngr low figures, though the lOngr was which was quoted at 6 marks per 500 quoted at 15 marks. In 1899 the prices stamps.

SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEIN.

Of all the stamps issiled by what we succeeded by the Angles, Jutes and now call the German States none are Friscians; but the greater part of the more complicated than those issued by Angles crossed over to England and the dual duchies of Schleswig and Hoi- their place was taken by the Danes. Then for a of stein and yet, on the other hand, none period more than a thousand delineate the chequered history of a years Schleswig-Holstein, and troublous period more clearly. The Lauenburg, which politically belonged to catalogues generally divide the stamps them, were a continual bone of conten- into three groups the issues for Schles- tion between Denmark and Germany. wig and Holstein, issues for Schleswig They were continually changing hands, now only, and issues for Holstein only. But belonging to Denmark with the though this rough and ready classifica- King of that country as their Duke, then ruled a tion has some advantages it is far from being by German prince, or being accurate and a collection of the sometimes independent. To give even stamps arranged by catalogue obviously a brief resume of all the happenings dur- fails to show the proper sequence of ing this lengthy period of unrest would historical events. pccupv far too much space but I think Although the stamps themselves are it will be interesting to record the most simple and straightforward in the main important events as outlined by Mr. it is fortunate that they have been ex- Duerst, viz. : tensively written up so that it is now The first church built on Danish possible to examine them from a his- ground was erected at Schleswig in torical point of view. While most of 850, the country evidently then be- the articles available for reference have longing to Denmark. In 934, however appeared in German periodicals an ex- it was ceded to Germany, and Henry cellent one from the pen of Mr. G. B. I established it as a separate depend- Duerst will be found in the Philatelic ency under the name of "Danish Journal of Great Britain for 1898 and Mark." The Emperor, Conrad II, from this I have drawn largely for much gave the country back to Denmark in of the following information. Much 1025. The Wendish tribes revolted valuable material has also been gleaned and founded in 1066 a mighty empire from an exhaustive study of the two under Kroko. This empire comprised first stamps, written by the veteran Mecklenburg, Holstein, Schleswig, Mons. L. Hanciau. and which appeared Lauenburg, Storman and Dithmar- in the MoiitJiIy Journal in the later schen. The Emperor, Lothair, ap- months of 1906. pointed, about the year 1230 or 1231, The former duchies of Schleswig and Duke Adolphus of Schauenburg, Duke Holstein, united with Lauenburg, now of Holstein, whereas Schleswig was form a province of Prussia, just south left with Denmark, and Lauenburg of Denmark. The total area of the pro- was given to Henry of Badewide. In vince is 7,273 square miles and it has a 1459, Adolphus VHI, Duke of Schles- population of about one and a half mil- wig and Holstein, died and his uncle, lions, most of the inhabitants being of King Christian I of Denmark, (the Low German stock. first ruler of the Oldenburg line), was At the dawn of history the duchies elected Duke of Schleswig and Hol- were inhabited by the Cimri, who were stein on the 5th of March, 1470, One of the principal clauses in the act of Lauenburg the currency was that of succession was "that these two coun- Mecklenburg, in which 48 schillinge tries should be undivided forever" were the equivalent of a thaler of three (ewich tosammende ungedeelt). About marks, or 72c in United States money. the year 1500, however, King John The Danish money was also used, in divided the countries again, and his which 96 skilling were equal to a rigs- brother, Frederic, received Tondern, bankdkler, worth about 54c. Four skil- Hadersleben, Tyle, Steinburg, Trittow, ling Danish were, therefore, equivalent Oldenburg, Plon and Kiel, whereas to 1^4 schillinge of Schleswig-Holstein King John retained Flensburg, Son- and l /l 2 schillinge of Lauenburg. derburg, Norburg, Hanrove, Rends- The first stamps issued by the duchies burg, Haseldorf, Apenrade and Sege- were those of the Provisional Govern- berg, t. e. the northern portion. By ment which appeared in 1850 and the last the treaty of Roeskilde, in February, series appeared in 1866. Although, 1865, Schleswig and Holstein were de- therefore, the philatelic history occupies clared to be independent of Denmark. the comparatively short period of six- This treaty, however, was never car- teen years so many were the changes of ried out, and the two duchies were government, as related in the foregoing sometimes united with Denmark, and historical sketch, that the stamps should sometimes independent, and under the really be considered in eight separate

rule of their own dukes. In 1720 periods as follows : England and France confirmed the A. Schleswig-Holstein. (Provisional the seat of at- conquest of Schleswig by Danes, Government ; government while Holstein was considered as be- Rendsburg) Nov. 15th, 1850-Feb. longing to the German Empire under 1st, 1851. the sovereignty of their own dukes. B. Schleswig-Holstein. (Danish Gov- At the end of the Napoleonic troubles ernment). Feb. 1st, 1851-March 1st, both duchies were left with Denmark, 1864. although it had been decided' that only C. Schleswig. (Governed by Commis- Schleswig should belong to Denmark. sioners appointed by Prussia and On the southern gate of Rendsburg Austria; seat of government at there is to be found the inscription Flensburg). Feb. 20th, 1864-Janu- "Eidora Romani Terminus Imperii" ary 24th, 1865. meaning that the river Eider is to be D. Holstein. (Governed by Commis- the frontier of the Roman Empre, and sioners appointed by Prussia and of the two seat of at the decision dividing Austria ; government duchies was based on it. In 1846, the Kiel). March 1st, 1864-Jan. 24th, question arose whether Schleswig and 1865. 'Holstein should belong to Denmark E. Schleswig and Holstein. (Governed or not, and when the Danish Con- by Prussia and 1 Austria combined; gress petitioned the King to proclaim seat of government at Flensburg). that Denmark, Schleswig, Holstein Jan. 24th, 1865-October 31st, 1865. and Lauenburg should be one united F. Schleswig, (Governed by Prussia) monarchy, the German population of Nov. 1st, 1865-Nov. 1st, 1866. the three latter provinces appealed to G. Holstein. (Governed by Austria). the German people and expressed the Nov. 1st, 1865-Nov. 1st, 1866. wish to be free from Denmark, and to H. Schleswig and Holstein united with become independent duchies affiliated Prussia. Nov. 1st, 1866. with Germany. An insurrection broke Provisional out in 1848, but was subdued by the Period A. Government of Danes in 1851, and it was not until Schleswig-Holstein. 1864 that the German asked Congress In 1848, the duchies of Schleswig and Prussia and Austria to interfere. The Holstein revolted from the rule of Den- of this was the war of consequence step mark and it was only after a struggle which ended Denmark 1864, by ceding lasting for three years that Frederic VII Holstein and to Schleswig, Lauenburg was able to quell the insurrection. In the victors. could These, however, spite of the constant warfare the revo- not sometimes the agree altogether, lutionary government, the seat of which two duchies were both, governed by was established successively at Rends- sometimes and Schleswig by Prussia, burg, Schleswig, and Kiel, found time Holstein Austria. The war of by to consider the issuing of postage 1866 between Austria and Prussia left stamps. In 1849, the Director of Posts the three duchies with Prussia. was sent to Germany and Belgium to The currency in Schleswig and Hol- study postal matters in those countries stein was the mark courant, of Ham- and find out how a postal system could burg, which was divided into 16 schil- be best ad&pted to fit the needs of linge and had a value of about 28c. In Schleswig-Holstein. The information he obtained was of a sufficiently satisfac- stamps in schilling of the currency of tory nature to induce the Department Schleswig-Holstein. of Finance to propose a law for the in- The franking stamps of the value of troduction of postage stamps. This 1 scheme was unanimously accepted by schilling are blue 2 are the National Assembly o'n March 26th, schilling red 1850 and on April 3rd; following, a law and are pierced a was lengthwise by passed in which the chief provisions blue silk thread, and are provided with were as follows : gum on the reverse side, for the pur- Article 1. The Department of Fi- pose of attaching them. nance is authorised to have manufac- (2) Only letters (not the packets tured stamps or "Postschillinge," by and envelopes which belong to the the of affixing which upon letters the transport post) may be franked by latter be in may franked, accordance means of stamps. The franking is ef- with the directions laid down in the fected by affixing as many "Post- tariff of postal charges. These stamps schillinge" as amount to the charge are to bear the Arms of Schleswig- under the tariff on the address side Holstein. of the letter, in the left upper corner, Article 2. Whoever shall by means of moistening the gum which (1) With fraudulent intent manu- will be found on the back of the facture ."Postschillinge" or forge them, stamps. Letters franked in this way and employ the forged "Postschil- may be deposited in the letter boxes, linge" for the franking of letters, or as may also unfranked letters; regis- cause it to be done by others; tered letters should in future, as here- (2) In collusion with the author of tofore, be handed in at the Postoffice window. In order to rend'er the the fraud, or with his assistance em- post- al tariff more accessible to the lists ploy, or cause to be employed by all, of are at the side others, such "Postschillinge" for the charges posted' up of the window and of the letter franking of letters, shall be punished boxes, and are also for sale at all with imprisonment with hard labor, copies at not exceeding five years. post-offices 1. schilling. Whoever shall knowingly employ, (3) In the case of letters which or cause to be employed by others, have not been sufficiently franked by for the franking of letters, imitations senders, the stamps which are affixed or falsifications of the "Postschillinge" to them will not be taken into con- without collusion with the author of sideration, bi;t the total charge must the fraud or his aid, will incur a pen- then be paid by the receivers. If alty of imprisonment with hard labor more than the required charge accord- for one year. ing to the tariff, is paid by the stamps The above law made no mention of affixed, the sender will suffer the loss. the actual values or the colors of the When a stamp has been used once it loses its value. stamps it was proposed to issue but in the Postal Gazette for November 9th, (4) None but the postal officials 1850, the public were informed of the and the persons duly authorised by forthcoming issue as follows : the higher postal authorities may sell the Xotice of the introduction of the franking stamps. Stamps for franking letters styled On the same day a further official no- "Postschillinge." tice was published for the instruction of In execution of the law to relating postal officials and this is by no means the introduction of for the stamps uninteresting. Article 1 states that the of dated franking letters, etc., April stamps are printed "80 upon a quarto Art. the in- 2nd, 1850, 1, following sheet" and that the post-offices must structions are brought to the knowl- never be without a stock of stamps suf- of the or- edge general public and ficient to last for fifteen days. It is also dained for of the the compliance postal expressly stipulated that each office is officials : responsible for the amount of stamps in (1) From the 15th November of its possession. Article 3 states that the this year there will be placed on sale post-offices must take care that the let- at the postoffices stamps for the frank- ters are sufficienty franked, see that the ing of letters "Postschillinge." These stamps are genuine and have not been stamps will bear the Arms of Schles- used before. After this careful exami- wig-Holstem, the inscription POST- nation the officials were instructed to T SCHILLI^ G, and. on a white ground, obliterate the stamps (the word schwar- the letters S and H, and numerals de- zen, "blacken," is used). Article 4 re- noting the values represented by lates to the providing of each office with a distinctive numbered cancelling stamp. scription provided by M. Rosenkranz

These numbers ran from 1 to 42. viz : The set, as will be seen from the forego- The stamps were separated from ing official documents, consisted of but two one another by a space of 1 mm., and denominations 1 and 2 schilling. Both were produced by three successive are alike in design and show the Arms processes. of the duchies of Schleswig and Hoi- The sheet first received an impres- stein together in a shield, impressed in sion from a plate of 80 cliches of an within an plain relief, oval which covers underprint, of an Eagle in light blue of the body a double headed eagle with or light red according to the value. is in color wings outspread. The eagle This Eagle was engraved on steel, and and rests upon a horizontally lined from the original die two lots of ground within a rectangular frame. In eighty cliches were prepared and ar- the upper corners are small uncolored ranged together in the form in which ovals containing the letters "S" and "H" the stamps would appear on the sheets, of the respectively (these course being thus making up two plates, one for initial letters of the names of the two the blue stamps and one for the red, duchies), while corresponding ovals in or 160 cliches in all. the lower angles contain the numerals of The second die contained the de- value. Above the central oval is sign of the stamp, and as the same and below is "POST" "SCHILLING" Eagle appears again upon this, the these inscriptions extending over the Eagle was transferred to a steel die eagle and being in large uncolored capi- in such a way that the impression tals. of The Arms Schleswig described from the second plate should fit ac- in are the orthodox heraldic manner curately upon that of the first. This lions "Or, two passant, or Beopardy, die was etched, and upon it were en- azure," while those of Holstein are graved the lines of the background "Gules, a triangular escutcheon argent, and the inscriptions 'POST' and coupe gules, supported at each side by 'SCHILLING,' while the four small three half leaves of holly argent, and ovals in the corners were left blank. accompanied by three Passion nails of Then 160 cliches were produced from the same, placed at even distances so this steel die and were made up into that their points appear to pierce the plates of eighty, and finally there were angles of the escutcheon." engraved upon each cliche the letters The dies were engraved on steel by 'S' and 'H' in the upper ovals and the M. Claudius, of Altona, and the stamps figures '!' or '2' in the lower. There were printed at the works of Messrs. H. are thus eighty different types of each W. Kobner and L. Kuhl, of that city, in of the tzvo values. These additions color on white wove paper, the Arms were made by means of punches, in the centre being in relief. which impressed the outlines of the let- The stamps were printed in sheets of ters and figures into the comparative- eighty, in ten rows of eight, upon "Dick- ly soft metal of the cliches, and the enson" paper with a blue thread running surrounding parts of the ovals were vertically through each stamp. Owing then cut away, for the differences are to imperfect feeding of the paper in the recognizable but exceedingly minute. printing press the silk thread does not I have never seen an entire sheet, but always appear in the centre of the stamps I have examined some fairly large as was intended, but may frequently be blocks of stamps which enable me to found at one of the sides. This paper affirm that this engraving was not was obtained from the same manufac- done upon a few cliches made from turers that supplied similar paper for the the original die, and then the remain- Bavarian stamps. ing cliches produced by reduplicating A variety of the 2sch is recorded with these matrices, but that the engraving a dot after the numeral "2" in the right was done separately upon each of the lower corner but what its position was eighty. in the sheet I am unable to A die * * * * say. " and plate for a 3 schilling stamp was Although excellent register was also preoared but this was never used. kept in the printing, close examination The dies were finished by M. Claudius shows that here and there the colour and the blocks necessary for the print- of the first printing appears at one ing plates were ready by October 20th, side or the other of the central oval. 1850. As a precaution against counter- The third printing produced the em- feiting somewhat elaborate methods bossed Arms in the oval in the center. were used in manufacturing these The Coat of Arms was* engraved in stamps and on this point I cannot do relief on a slightly convex steel die, better than quote from the excellent de- and from this eighty brass cliches were struck, which were burnished of l/10sch would be necessary, before and then arranged in a plate for the these could be issued the insurrection embossing. The steel die in relief was suppressed by the Danes. The Pro- was made somewhat convex as other- visional Government was dissolved on wise the central design would not im- February 1st, 1851, and a law was passed press itself sufficiently clearly in the on April 18th following according to brass cliches. All the stamps, both 1 which Danish postage stamps were to be and 2 schilling, were embossed with used in the duchies. The revolutionary the same plate. The Arms are not stamps were, however, permitted to be always set exactly in the middle of used until the end of August when the the oval at times are too much ; they large remainders were sent to Copen- to the right or left. Even in the hagen, together with the dies, plates and case of unsevered copies the position all postal documents. No special stamps of the Arms within the oval is not were used during this period of Danish it must therefore always the same ; rule. be supposed that when the brass cliches were soldered together, sufficient care was not taken in their Period C Schleswig; Governed by Com- exact arrangement. missioners appointed by Aus- tria and Prussia. The printers were under contract to furnish two millions of stamps in all Schleswig and Holstein being re- and these were supplied in four con- garded as belonging to the German Con- signments as follows : federation, the Congress of Frankfurt Nov. 1, 185080,000 Isch, 40,000 2sch in 1863 authorised Austria and Prussia Nov. 25. 185020,000 Isch, 20,000 2sch as the two principal German powers to Dec. 24, 1850100,000 Isch, 100,000 2sch force to Feb. 14, 18511,100,000 Isch, 540,000 2sch Denmark evacuate the two duchies. Denmark refused to be co- Altogether, therefore, 1,300,000 of the erced and the war of 1864 resulted. 1 schilling blue were printed and Denmark was badly defeated and 700,000 of the 2 schilling rose. The cost the two duchies thus fell into the hands of the dies, matrices, and other materials of the victors. The allied forces required was 1,000 marks (about $290), of Austria and Prussia occupied Flens- while the charge for printing, pressing, burg on February 7th, 1864, and no gumming and packing was lOsch per time was lost in superseding the Danish 1,000 which amounted to 1,250 marks or postage stamps. A notice was published about $360.00. from on March an- Although so many stamps were Flensburg 14th, 1864, nouncing the issue of a 4sch stamp for printed, a comparatively small number viz : were sold and of these not all seem to Schleswig, have been used. According to the offi- To replace the postage stamps in- cial records stamps to a total face value scribed in the Danish language hither- Schles- of 1,599 marks 2 schilling were sold to employed in the Duchy of in- and 8,701 letters were franked with wis:, new postage stamps with the the stamps. This accounts for the scription "HERZOGTHUM SCHLES- will be greater rarity of these stamps in used WIG" (Duchy of Schleswig) condition. put into circulation. The post offices in the Duchy of Schleswig will at first sell only stamps of the value of 4 schillinge printed in rose on white paper. Shortly afterwards this notice was followed by another announcing the issue of the l^sch stamps on the following April 1st. The reason for the issue of the two stamps is that the first of them was in Danish currency, and was Reference List. objected to on that account. The new Nov. 15th, 1851. Silk thread paper. Imperf. one in Hamburg currency was at once 1. Isch Scott's No. 1 or la. blue, ordered to take its place ; but not being 2. 2sch Scott's No. 2 or 2a. rose, ready in time the 4sch stamp was issued and continued in use for only sixteen days. This value is consequently much the scarcer used. Period B Danish Government. Both stamps were manufactured at Although the Provisional Government the State Printing Works in Berlin, and passed a law amending the postal rates are similar to each other in design. under which new stamps of the value Tin's shows the numerals of value in large figures on an upright oval ground three lines. This is enclosed within a of solid color. This is enclosed within square frame having posthorns in each an engine turned oval band inscribed of the four corners. In the frame are "HERZOGTH. SCHLESWIG" at top, the letters "HRZGL" at the left; and "SCHILLINGE" (for the 4sch) or "POST" at the top; and "FRM" at the "SCHILLING" (for the l^sch) at the right. This is an abbreviation for "Her- base. The stamps were embossed in zogliche Post Freimarke" meaning "Du- color on white wove paper and were cal Postage Stamp." At the bottom of printed in sheets of 100 arranged in ten the frame is "4 S. R. M." i. e. "4 Skil- rows of ten. ling Reichs Miinze" (4 skilling Reichs For some unexplained reason Gibbons' Mark or Danish currency). The span- catalogue gives 1865 as the date of issue drels are filled with wavy lines. of these two stamps. The stamps were lithographed by Kobner and Co., of Altona, in sheets of 100 in ten rows of ten. Before printing, the paper was covered with an under- print of wavy lines, of a grayish color, in metallic oxide which only becomes visible by chemical action. The fumes of sulpheretted hydrogen will cause the under-print to show. In the upper margin the inscription "HERZOGLICHE POST FREIMARKEN" appears in the wavy lines and in the central portion Reference List. of each stamp a capital "P" was also 1864. No wmk. Rouletted 11%. left clear of the under-print. There are 3. 4sch carmine, Scott's No. 13. three types of this stamp, printed from 4. IJ^sch green, Scott's No. 9. different stones, which appeared in the

order in which they are described, viz : Type I. The wavy lines in the span-

drels are close together ; the lettering Period D Holstein; Governed by Com- is small and there are periods after the missioners appointed by Prus- letters at the and "SCHILLING" sia and Austria. sides; is in large type. FIRST ISSUE. Type II. The wavy lines in the span- are drels coarser and farther apart ; the On the February 18th, 1864, following lettering is larger and there are periods notice was issued from Kiel the by after the letters at the sides; and the joint Commissioners of Austria and word "SCHILLING" is in small type. Prussia to the issue of new relating Type III. The wavy lines in the stamps : spandrels are similar to those of Type From the first of the II is still following ; the lettering larger and thick- month new stamps can be obtained at er and there are no periods after the all offices in post the Duchies of Hol- letters at the sides ; and "SCHILLING" stein and Lauenburg. These new has no dots above the two letters "I." stamps will be printed like those in The stamps were printed on white use at present in blue, and of the wove paper and they were issued in im- value of 1^4sch courant or 4sch Dan- perforate condition, though both types ish currency. I and III are known rouletted. As the From the same date Danish stamps rouletting was, however, entirely unoffi- cannot be used any longer for the cial the philatelic interest of these vari- franking of letters in both Duchies. eties is slight. All post offices are hereby instructed to forward to headquarters at the beginning of next month all such stamps they may have in stock. All persons having such stamps in their possession and wishing to exchange same for new stamps, must apply to the post offices before the first of next month. The design of the new stamps obviously owes its inspiration to the 1853 Reference List. design for Denmark. In the center is March 1864. Imperforate. a circular uncolored the space containing 5. Ij^sch blue (three types), Scott's Nos, value "VA SCHILLING CRT." in 15, 16, or 17.

90 SECOND ISSUE. (dated March 31st, 1865) stated their further use would not be permitted. Early in April, 1864, another official notice was issued from Kiel to the ef- Reference List. fect as that, the duchies of Holstein and May 1864. Lithographed, Rouletted 8. Lauenburg formed a territory of the blue, Scott's No. 18. German-Austrian Postal Union, the stamps would have to be altered and instead of being inscribed with an equivalent value in Danish currency they Period E Schleswig and Holstein: would have the value denoted according Governed by Prussia and to the currency of Lauenburg. To give Austria Combined. a little more time to get rid of the stock In the year 1865, prior to the Conven- in hand of the former issue, the stamps tion of Gastein, stamps were issued un- of the new issue were not in placed der the authority of Austria and Prus- circulation until about the end of May, sia for the whole territory comprised 1864. in the duchies. One of the chief rea- The design is somewhat similar to sons for this step was that of finance, that of the preceding issue, but the num- considerable economy being effected by erals of value in the center are much having one instead of two postal ad- and double-lined. instead ' larger Also, ministrations. At the same time the of confined within a circle the being head office was removed to Flensburg, value is in a square frame with "SCHIL- this place being considered the most LING CRT." in an upturned curve be- centrally situated. low and with small ornaments in each The first stamp to appear bore the of the angles. In the right hand side l facial value of /& schilling. This stamp, of the frame the indicating lettering, like those previously issued for Schles- Freimarken, now consists of "F R M R wig, was manufactured at the State K," thus the five letters on the balancing Printing Works, in Berlin. The design opposite side. At the base the inscrip- is similar to the Schleswig stamps of tion reads S L M" "lJ/ (Schilling 1864 but with the upper inscription al- that is Lauenburg Miinze), "schilling tered to "SCHLESWIG of The under- HOLSTEIN;' Lauenburg currency." and the lower one to "SCHILLING." The stamps were printed in sheets of 100, in ten rows of ten, upon white wove paper, and were rouletted in line about IV/2. This value was intended for local letters and superseded the split stamps which had been allowed to be used previously. It was issued on February 22nd, 1865. On June 1st, following, another value print, consisting of a pattern of diagonal of similar design but of the value of lines, is in pink and, as in the previous 1^4 schilling was issued. stamps, the letter "P" shows in the The IJ^sch, not being the exact equiv- centre of each stamp clear of the under- alent of 1 silbergroschen, a decree was print. The stamps, like the former is- published on August 5th, 1865, author- sue, were lithographed in sheets of 100 izing the issue of l^sch stamps the by Kobner and Co., of Altona. They exact value of a silbergroschen. It was are rouletted in line about 8. In pay- stated, at the same time, that for the ment of postage to foreign countries future this value must be "affixed to all this stamp is considered the equivalent letters addresed to places within the of 1 silbergroschen, although the sil- German-Austrian Postal Union. This bergroschen was really worth 1^ schil- stamp differs a little from the two pre- ling. ceding values for the whole of the value l The local rate at Altona and Kiel was is now denoted in the center, viz : \ /z y$ schilling and as no stamp of this SCHILLING (=lsgr). This occupies value was provided for the use of the three lines and in the lower part of public an official edict was published on the inscribed band a star takes the place November 22nd, 1864, permitting the of the word "SCHILLING." ]^sch stamp to be cut into halves, diag- On the 30th of June, 1865, the duchies onally, and each portion then served for concluded a convention with Denmark the prepayment of the local rate. These fixing the rate on single letters to that bi-sected stamps are, therefore, quite country at 2 schilling. This led to the legitimate provisionals. They were al- issue of another stamp, similar in de- lowed to be used for a period of about sign to the ^asch, but with a large four months until an official notice numeral "2." in the center.

91 In September, 1865, another addition Period G Holstein: Governed by Aus- to the set was made a 4sch stamp being tria. issued as the 3 representing silbergrps- chen rate within the German Austrian FIRST ISSUE. Postal Union. This is similar in de- to the and shows the value sign l^sch Co-incident with the issue of separate in and its in silber- schilling equivalent stamps for Schleswig a separate series in the central oval. groschen was also issued for Holstein. An official notice, dated from Kiel, October 5th, 1865, informed the public that the series heretofore in common use in both duchies would be replaced by a new series on November 1st following and that thereafter only the new stamps would be accepted for postal service within the Duchy of Holstein. The values in the new set corre- Reference List. sponded with those previously in use and were also similar to those in the 1865. No. wmk. Rouletted Iiy2 . series for The 7. J^sch carmine, Scott's No. 3. provided Schleswig. l 8. IJ-^sch green, Scott's No. 4. five values fall into two types: the /2 , 9. Scott's No. 5. l l^sch lilac, \ /4 and 2sch being of one design and 10. 2sch ultramarine, Scott's No. 6. the l l and 4sch of another. 11. 4sch bistre, Scott's No. 7. /3 In the first of these the numerals of values are shown in the center on an while the F oval of solid color inscrip- Period Schleswig Governed by tions on the surrounding frame are in Prussia. white letters on a colored ground. Shortly after the issue of the 4sch These inscriptions are "HERZOGTH. and of the last series disagreements arose HOLSTETN" in the upper part, between Prussia and Austria. These "SCHILLING" in the lower, small stars were patched uo and resulted in the separating them from each other. Convention of Gastein by the terms of The design for the 1^ and 4sch is which Schleswig was awarded to Prus- exactly like that employed in the previ- of the sia, while Austria received Holstein and ous series for the combined use Lauenburg. The natural result was duchies, the value in the center having that separate series for the two duchies its equivalent value shown in silber- were again required. It was also in- groschen. Claud- tended to issue special stamps for The dies were engraved by M. in Lauenburg but this fell through as ius and the stamps were printed Co. Prussia purchased this territory from sheets of 100 by Messrs. Kobner & white Austria for $1,411,250 and amalgamated of Altona. They were printed on rouletted 8. The it with Schleswig. wove paper and were The new stamps for Schleswig were stamps were embossed but the relief is inferior to the issued on November 1st, 1865, the de- very poor and much the nominations being exactly the same as stamps of similar type printed by those previously in use. The designs State Printing Works, Berlin. were similar to those of the Schleswig- Holstein issue of 1865 but with the upper inscription altered to "HERZOGTH. SCHLESWIG." These stamps, like those of the preceding series, were manufactured at the State Printing Works in Berlin. They were printed in sheets of 100 on white wove paper, and were rouletted 1154. The l^sch varies considerably in color being found in numerous shades of lilac, mauve and purple, and also in an almost pure grey. Reference List. Reference List. Nov. 1865. Rouletted 8. Nov. 1st, 1865. Rouletted 11^. 1st, 12. i^sch green, Scott's No. 8. 17. '/2sch pale green, Scott's No. 19. 13. l^sch lilac, Scott's No. 10 or lOa. 18. l^sch pale mauve, Scott's No. 20, 14. l^sch rose, Scott's No. 11. 19. l^sch carmine, Scott's No. 23. 15. 2sch ultramarine, Scott's No. 12. 20. 2sch pale blue, Scott's No. 21. 16. 4sch greybrgwn, Scott's No. 14, 21. 4sch bistre, Scott's No. 25, SECOND ISSUE. both duchies could be used indiscrimi- nately. The remaining stocks of the The design of the stamps with in- joint issue for the two duchies (as de- scriptions in white on color did not scribed under Period E) were also put meet with the approval of the ^author- into circulation again. When formal in- ities though they accepted them. When, corporation with Prussia was completed however, new supplies of the 1J4 and 2 on December 24th, 1866, the stamps of schilling were required in March and that State were likewise available for August, 1866, respectively, the opportun- use anywhere within the duchies so ity was taken of changing the design. that from that time, until the stamps of In this second issue, therefore, the in- the North German Confederation were scriptions are in color on an engine issued on January 1st, 1868, the inhabi- turned band. These values were not em- tants of Schleswig and Holstein had bossed, though, like the similar values ample choice as to the kind of stamps of the first issue, they were printed by they might use. Messrs. Kobner and Co. The stamps were printed in sheets of 100 on white wove paper and though normally roul- letted 8 both values may be found rou- REMAINDERS. letted 7. When the special stamps were super- Reference List. seded by the general issue for the North German Confederation a small stock of 1866. Typographed. Rouletted 8.

l most values of the series for Schles- 22. l /4 sch mauve, Scott's No. 22. 2::. 2sch blue, Scott's No. 24. wig and Holstein as well as of the issue for the combined use of both duchies remained and these were later acquired by M. Moens. The quantities of the Period H. Schleswig and Holstein several varieties were as follows: United with Prussia. Schleswig, 1864 Issue. The division of the duchies between \ schilling 173. Austria and Prussia did not entirely 4 schilling 21,000.,. Issue. allay the difficulties between the two Schleswig-Holstein, 1865 and after a time strained relations en- A,1 1%, V/3, 2 and 4 schilling, 20,000 of sued and ultimately war resulted. The each. war was of short duration and the by Schlesivig, 1865 Issue. of of 23rd, 1866, Treaty Prague, August 20,000 2sch, 20,000 Prussia had control of both duchies. Ij4sch, 20,000 4sch, 20,000 Xo were issued, how- special stamps l^sch, 20,000 ever. For a time each duchy used its Issue. own special stamps as described above, Holstein, 1865 and then, on November 5th, 1866, a ^sch, 1,000 I 2sch, 13,000 circular was issued from the postal de- l^sch, none 4sch, 20,000 of partment notifying that the stamps 7,000 I WURTEMBERG.

The kingdom of Wurtemberg lies be- they, in turn were subdued by the tween Baden and Bavaria and touches Franks. In the 9th century it was in- Switzerland (Lake of Constance) on corporated in the duchy of Swabia, Ul- the south. It entirely surrounds Hohen- rich (1241-65) being the first count. In zollern, in which state, as well as in 1495 the reigning count was made a Baden, it owns several enclaves. Its duke of the empire. Duke Frederick II, total area is 7529 square miles and it (1797-1816) on going over to the French has a population of about three millions. was rewarded with 850 square miles of It is drained for the most part by the new territory and an addition of 125,000 Neckar and its tributaries, while the subjects, as well as the dignity of Elec- Danube crosses the country towards the tor (1802). In Napoleon's war against south. The most striking geographical Austria (1805) he sided with the French, feature is the Swabian Alb, the most and his troops fought with them down to 1813 in characteristic portion of the South Ger- ; return for which he acquired man Jura. The Black Forest borders the kingly title and an increase of terri- the kingdom on the west. On the whole tory which more than doubled the num- the surface lies high (3000 to 1500 feet), ber of his subjects. Throwing in her the greater part belonging to one or lot with Austria in 1866, Wurtemberg other of the German plateau systems; was beaten at Konniggratz and Tauber- but there are many valleys, all of great bischofsheim, and her king (Charles, fertility. Agriculture is the principal 1864-91) was compelled to purchase industry; wine and fruit are produced peace from Prussia at the cost of an in large quantity; and market gardening indemnity of $4,000,000. is actively pursued at Stuttgart, Ulm, Heilbronn and elsewhere. Iron and salt are mined and there are numerous mineral springs scattered over the whole ITS POSTAL HISTORY. kingdom. There is a good deal of manufacturing industry of a varied char- From an early period the postal service acter, the more important branches proof Wurtemberg was, with some inter- ducing iron, gold, and silver goods, ruptions, in the hands of the princely cutlery, fire-arms, machinery, scientific House of Thurn and Taxis, but by an and musical instruments, chemicals, agreement dated March 22nd, 1851, the prints and books, confectionery and beer. Government of Wurtemberg liberated The capitol of the kingdom is Stuttgart. itself by purchasing the postal privileges The bulk of the people (69 per cent.) from July 1st of that year for the sum are Protestants the ; Roman Catholics, of 1,300,000 florins (about $525,000). It who have a bishop at Rottenburg, then proceeded to form its own adminis- amount to 30 per cent., and there are tration and to join the German-Austrian about 12,000 Jews. The state university Postal Union, established by the conven- is at Tubingen, and there is a polytech- tion of April 6th, 1850. As one of the nical high school at Stuttgart. Educa- provisions of this convention required tion stands at an exceptionally high gen- the adoption of postage stamps, prepara- eral level, even for Germany; there is tions were immediately made for pro- not a single individual in the kingdom viding them, and by a notice of October over ten years of age who is unable to 7th, 1851, the public were informed that read and write. Wurtemberg has four stamps of 1, 3, 6 and 9 kreuzer would votes in the Federal Council, and re- be on sale at the various post offices on turns seventeen deputies to the Imperial the 12th of that month, and that their Diet. The Wurtemberg troops consti- use would commence from the 15th of tute the 13th Army Corps of the German the same month. In design these stamps Army, having a total strength of about are very similar to those of Baden, is- 24,000. The king is a hereditary consti- sued a few months earlier. All values tutional sovereign and he is assisted by were printed in black on colored papers, two houses of parliament. The national the design, common to all, mainly fea- receipts and expenditures balance at turing large numerals to denote the re- about $17,500,000 per annum, while the spective denominations. In December, national debt, nearly all incurred for 1856, the numeral design was suppressed railways, stands at about $110,000,000. in favor of a new one showing the The territory now called Wurtemberg, Arms of the kingdom. The values were then occupied by the Suevi, was con- the same as before with an 18kr stamp quered by the Romans in the first cen- in addition, and all were printed in color tury, A. D. In the third century it was on white paper, the paper containing settled by the Germanic Alemanni and orange colored silk threads like the

94 "Dickinson" paper employed in Great the chief feature of the design but in Britain. In June, 1858, the stamps be- place of "WURTTEMBERG," the in- gan to appear on plain white wove paper, scription is "K.WURTT.POST". On without silk threads, while about No- May 28th, 1875, a further notice from vember, 1859, perforation was^ intro- the post office announced the discontin- duced. The next change, occurring in uance of the kreuzer series from the 1st February, 1861, was a somewhat minor of July following and the issue of a one affecting the paper which was much new series with values in pfennige. The thinner than before. In 1862, the 1, 3, 6 new stamps were 3, 5, 10, 25 and 50 and 9 kreuzer were issued with a per- pfennige and 2 marks, the latter taking foration gauging 10 instead of 13^ as the place of the 70kr stamp. The 50pf before, while in 1863-64 all denomina- as originally issued was printed in grey tions appeared in new colors conform- but by virtue of an agreement made ing to the color scheme adopted by the with the Imperial Post Office at Berlin, German-Austrian Postal Union. In 1865 its color was changed to grey-green in the 1, 3 and 6kr were issued with roulette February, 1878. In November, 1881, a 5 instead of perforation, the 9kr followed mark stamp was added to the series, this in 1867 and the 18kr in 1868 and in the being similar in design to the rest of the latter year a new value, 7kr, also set except that the central portion was rouletted, was added to the series. In uncolored and the numeral of value was 1868 the Government decided to abandon printed in this space in black by a second the typographic embossing process as it operation. On January 1st, 1883, a was foui.'d too expensive, especially in similar change in the color of the num- the case of the lower denominations. eral was extended to the 2 mark stamp. Ordinary typographic printing was Early in 1890 the colors of the 3, 5, 25 adopted and with the new process a new and 50pf stamps were changed and in design was introduced. In this the main 1893 a further addition was made to the theme was a large numeral in the cen- series by the issue of a 2 pfennige stamp. ter, to denote the value, surrounded by In 1900 two new values 30 and 40 pfen- suitable inscriptions and ornamentation. nige respectively were issued, these be- A post office notice, dated November ing like the mark denominations with 27th, 1868, stated that from January 1st, the numerals in black on a plain ground. 1869, the new 1, 3 and 7kr stamps would On April 1st, 1902, the kingdom of Wur- be issued according as the stocks of the temberg ceased the issue of its own former issues were exhausted. On May separate stamps, those for the German 3rd, 1869, another value of 14kr was Empire superseding them. added to the series In its ; on December 1st, addition to stamps for ordinary a 2kr was 1872, stamp issued ; and on use, Wurtemberg has issued Municipal January 15th, 1873, another stamp of the Service and Official stamps, both these value of 9 kreuzer appeared. About the special series still continuing in use. same time a 70 kreuzer stamp of the The Municipal Service stamps were first type of 1856 was issued, the object of issued in July, 1875, there being two de- which was to prepay heavy letters. nominations, 5 and 10 pfennige. The Towards the end of 1874 the system of first of these was for use on the official rouletting the stamps ceased, a new per- correspondence of municipalities, irre- forating machine, with a gauge of 11 spective of weight, and the lOpf was 11 by y2 , having been purchased. The for use on money orders and parcels. only stamps of the 1869-73 series per- In 1880 the color of the 5pf was changed forated by this machine were those of from mauve to green. In 1897 a change the 1 kreuzer, which was issued in No- in the postal rates led to the issue of a vember, 1874, as before it was necessary 3pf stamp and in 1900 other regulations to print any of the other denominations led to the issue of 2 and 25 pfennige the design was altered. values. In 1906 all five values were In 1874 it was decided to change the overprinted with the dates "1806-1906," currency, which up to then was that of surmounted by a crown in commemora- the florin of 60 kreuzer, to the Imperial tion of the centenary of Wurtemberg's currency of marks and pfennige, and being raised to a Kingdom. In 1906-7 all January 1st, 1875, was decided on as the five values were printed on paper water- date upon which the change should take marked with a design of crosses and effect. A Post-office Notice dated De- circles and at the same time 20 and 50 cember 23rd, 1874, announced that a pfennige values were added to the set. stamp of 20 pfennige of a new design Until April 1st, 1881, the correspond- would be issued on the following Jan- ence of the ministerial offices was con- ' uary 1st to take the place of the 7 veyed free of charge, but on the sup- kreuzer, as soon as the stock of that pression of this privilege a series of value in the various post offices was ex- stamps of special design was issued for hausted. Prominent numerals are again use on official correspondence. The values at first issued were 3, 5, 10, 20, 25 the right side 'Vertrag v. 6 April 1850. and 50 pfennige, but in 1882 a 1 mark These were set up in movable type, the stamp was added. In 1890 the colors of upper and lower ones in ordinary Ger- the 3, 5 and 25pf and 1 mark were changed man lower case characters with capital to conform with those of the regular initials, and those on the sides in diamond series. The color of the 50pf was also type, as in those of Baden. The spaces changed shortly afterwards and in 1900 between the rectangle carrying the num- a 2pf stamp was added to the set. In eral of value and the inner line of the 1903, 30 and 40 pfennige stamps were frame were filled in with arabesque or- issued in colors corresponding to those naments." of the ordinary stamps of 1900, while in The design is similar for all values 1906 all denominations were overprinted with the exception of the central portion in a similar manner to the Municipal carrying the numerals. In the case of Service stamps. During 1906-7 all de- the 1 and 6 kreuzer the background is nominations appeared on the new paper composed of lines running parallel to watermarked with circles and crosses. the sides of the rectangle making a design of small squares; in the 3 kreuzer, the ground consists of small ovals; in the 9 kreuzer the ground is composed of small circles resembling lace work; THE FIRST ISSUE. while on the 18 kreuzer the background is formed of horizontal lines. The Government of Wurtemberg ob- The dies were engraved at the Mint tained control of its own postal service in Stuttgart, where the electrotypes com- in 1851 when, as I have already shown posing the printing plates were also in my preceding notes, it was purchased made. The printing was done under the from the Prince of Thurn and Taxis. direction of the post office, in typo- The first series of stamps consisting of graphic presses, the sheets consisting of 1, 3, 6 and 9 kreuzer values were placed sixty stamps arranged in ten rows of six. on sale to the public on the 12th Octo- All denominations were printed in black ber, 1851, though their use for postal on colored papers. The paper was ob- purposes did not commence until three tained locally and while it is always wove, days later. In April, 1852, a new de- it varies considerably in thickness and nomination 18 kreuzer was added to most values provide numerous shades. the set and as the design is similar to The stamps were all issued imperforate. that of the lower values, all can best be Mr. Westoby tells us that, "It may be treated as one set. To quote the late noted that occasionally one or both of Mr. W. A. S. Westoby: "The resem- the full stops are wanting after the 'v' blance between the stamps of the first or the '6' in the inscription in the right series of Wurtemberg and those of the tablet of the 3 kreuzer, and there is a first series of Baden is so remarkable as difference in the position of the stop to leave no doubt that the Government after the word 'Postverein' in the left of Wurtemberg availed itself of the re- tablet. The first of these is probably sults of the investigations made by that due to imperfections in the moulds from of Baden previously to the issue of the which the electrotypes were made, while first series for this latter State, on May the second points to the making of new 1st, 1851. The dies were similarly con- plates." structed, the inscriptions were similar, Mr. Robert Ehrenbach, writing in the mutatis mutandis, and the stamps were London Philatelist for August, 1893, printed on colored paper. The matrix points out that differences in the posi- die was composite, the numeral of value tion of the period after "Postverein" in the center being within a frame, al- may be found in all values except the most square, of 9^ mm. placed angle 18kr. There are three types in all. In upwards within a frame measuring ex- Type I the period is between the second ternally 22^ by 22 mm. and internally and third points of the zigzag lines of 15^2 by 15 mm. and carrying the follow- the border; in type II it is exactly over ing inscriptions on tablets : In the upper the second point; and in type III it is one, running the whole width, was exactly above the third point. All three 'Wurttemberg,' and on a similar tablet at types are found on the 3 kreuzer, types the foot was 'Freimarke/ with an orna- I and II are found in the 1, 6 and 9 ment at each end resembling a vine kreuzer, while the ISkr is known only branch with the two bunches of grapes, with the first type. Whether the varie- the lower one of which was incomplete. ties are found side by side on the same the On tablet on the left side was'Deutsch- sheet or are the distinguishing points Oestr. Postverein,' and on another on of separate plates we are not told. On the left, for Swabia, three blaJc 20 ii r H r m b erg. lions, one above the other, also on a golden field; the lions have their tongues hanging out of their mouths, and their right paws are raised. These are the three lions of Hohenstauffen, and were only added to the arms of Wurtemberg in 1806 by King Fred- erick, in memory of the famous fam- crcnce List. ily of Hohenstauffen, which, in former times occupied the country which 1851-52. Imperf. now forms Wurtemberg. 1. Ikr black on Scott's No. 1. buff, The of the shield L'. :;kr black on yellow, Scott's No. 2 or 3. supporters are, :;. t;kr black on green, Scott's No. 4 or 4a. on the right, a black lion bearing a 4. !>kr black on Scott's No. f> or fia. rose, golden crown; and on the left, a .".. iskr black on lilac, Scott's No. 6. golden stag. The proper colors for the ribbon bearing the motto are purple with a black reverse, and the motto in reads THE SECOND ISSUE. itself, gold letters, "Furchtloss und treie," i. e. "Fearless Although it is obvious that the design and true." of first was in- Wurtemberg's stamps The design is the same for all de- the numeral series for spired by Baden, nominations, varying only in the desig- it was not long befoie more original nation of value. The dies were en- ideas and an new prevailed entirely graved and the electrotypes made at the series of was issued. The new stamps Mint in Stuttgart. The printing form shows the Arms of the design kingdom, for each value consisted of sixty elec- with and motto, embossed supporters trotypes, arranged in ten rows of six, in colorless relief on a work ground which were separated as a rule by a of color covered with white horizontal space of only Y^ mm. loops. This is contained within a rec- The varies in thick- mm. paper considerably tangular frame, measuring 22^ ness and that at first employed con- which is inscribed "FREI- square, tains orange colored silk threads similar MARKE" at the and with the value top to the "Dickinson" paper, found in con- on each of the other three sides. The nection with some of the early British are all in Roman inscriptions capitals stamps. These silk threads were so and the is the ad- design completed by placed that they traversed the stamps in dition of small stars in each six-rayed a horizontal direction, one thread being of the An excellent of angles. description apportioned to each horizontal row of the Arms in Gibbons' design appeared stamps. This paper was apparently ob- Stamp Weekly for September 5th, 1908, tained from Bavaria. I than which cannot do better repro- The values in this new series corre- duce : sponded exactly to those previously in In 1817, King William of Wur- use, the set being issued on Sept. 22nd, temberg simplified the Arms of the 1857, according to Mr. Westoby, Mr. kingdom, the proper arms of the royal Ehrenbach, and other writers on the house having become too complicated subject. In the Monthly Journal some through additions at various times. few years ago a copy of the 9kr was The arms now consist of an oval reported with cancellation dated Dec. shield divided into two parts or fields, 30th, 1856, and on the strength of this surrounded by a wreath of oak leaves, Gibbons' catalogue assigns the date De- This in gold, surmounted by a gold helmet cember, 1856, to the whole series. bearing a royal crown. seems particularly slender evidence on The two fields are: which to antedate the whole issue by On the right, for Wurtemberg, three some nine months for the cancellation an error for stag's antlers, in black, placed one might easily have been of other upon the other, on a golden field; the 1857. We should like to hear upper antlers having each four points, early dated specimens before accepting the lower one but three. These are 1856 as the correct date of issue. the original arms of the counts of Most of the stamps of this set vary Wurtemberg, and have reference to in shade but these variations are not their office of Hereditary Grand very striking being, as a rule, confined Huntsman. to pale and deep tints. tion machine was ordered from Vienna on the joint account of the postal administrations of Baden and Wurtemberg and this was set up at Carlsruhe. This machine was of the harrow type and was capable of perforating an entire sheet of 100 stamps at one operation, its gauge being 13^. Although the machine was primarily intended for use on sheets of 100 those of Reference List. stamps Wurtemberg remained the same as be- Sept., 1857 (?). Silk thread paper. Imperf. fore, i. e. sixty impressions in ten rows 6. Ikr Scott's No. 8 or 8a. brown, 7, of six. Some of the values 7. 3kr yellow, Scott's No. 9 or 9a. perforated 8. 6kr green, Scott's No. 10 or lOa. began to be circulated in November, 9. 9kr rose, Scott's No. 11 or lla. 1859. The paper, color, and arrange- 10. 18kr Scott's No. 12 or 12a. blue, ment of the cliches remained as before. Reference List.

1859-60. Thick paper. Perf. 13 Y2 . THE THIRD ISSUE. 16. Ikr brown.Scott's No. 19. 17. 3kr yellow, Scott's No. 20 or 20a. If we accept the date of September, 18. 6kr green, Scott's No. 21. 1857, as correct for the second issue the 19. 9kr rose, Scott's No. 22. use of the silk-thread paper lasted but a very short time for in June, 1858, the stamps began to appear on white- THE FIFTH ISSUE. wove machine made paper, without threads. This paper is usually fairly The next change, though it affected thick but, like that of the preceding is- all the values, was a somewhat minor sue, it varies in texture. The sheets one. It was found that the paper was contained sixty stamps as before but the a little too thick for easy working in electrotypes were re-arranged so that the perforating machine and, beginning the spaces between them varied from with February, 1861, a much thinner l \ /2 mm. to 1^4 mm. paper was employed. The Ic of this An interesting variety of the Ikr of series exists in a number of distinct this issue is described in the Monthly shades ranging from a palish brown to

Journal for September, 1904, viz : an almost black-brown. The 3kr and "Mr. Giwelb has shown our publishers 18kr differ in tint a little, while the 9kr a copy of the 1 kreuzer with a clear im- is found in two colors. The original pression on the back reading the right shade was rose, similar to that of the way. Probably a sheet that was defec- preceding issues, but early in 1862 the tive in some part of the impression was color was changed to a dull purple or passed through the press again, for the claret. sake of economy, but it is not the silk Imperforate specimens are known of thread paper. The specimen is post- all values but it is considered doubtful marked Stuttgart, 1 Jun 1867." that any were ever issued for use in The stamps of this issue are almost this condition though postally used exactly like the corresponding stamps on specimens are known. Mr. Westoby the silk thread paper and variations in ascribes the existence of these imperfo- shade are of little consequence with the rate varieties to "the difficulty attendant exception of the Ikr. This value exists on two administrations using the same in two very striking shades of brown perforating machine." one being yellowish and the other al- List. most a black-brown. Reference 1861. Thin paper. Perf 13^. Reference List. 20. Ikr brown, Scott's No. 23 or 24. 21. 3kr yellow, Scott's No. 25 or 25a. 1858. Without silk threads. Imperf. 22. 6kr green, Scott's No. 26. 11. Ikr brown, Scott's No. 13 or 14. 23. 9kr rose, Scott's No. 27. 12. 3kr yellow, Scott's No. 15 or 15a. 24. 9kr purple. Scott's No. 28. 13. 6kr green, Scott's No. 16 or 16a. 25. 18kr blue, Scott's No. 29 or 29a. 14. 9kr rose, Scott's No. 17 or 17a. 15. 18kr blue, Scott's No. 18 or 18a.

THE SIXTH ISSUE. THE FOURTH ISSUE. During the second quarter of 1862, it In describing the stamps of Baden I became necessary to overhaul the perfo- mentioned that in July, 1859, a perfora- rating machine and it was provided with a new set of punches having a gauge of THE EIGHTH ISSUE. ten, instead of Y6 /l 2 as before. Stamps with the new perforation began to ap- With the increasing use of postage pear about June, 1862, and all except stamps the Wurtemberg Government the 18kr were issued by the end -of the found considerable inconvenience and year. The 18kr in blue does not exist delay was occasioned by having to send with the 10 perforation, as plenty of the them to Carlsruhe to be perforated and 13^2 perforation remained in stock and this inconvenience became so great in by the time more were required, the time that the administration at Stuttgart color was changed. The 9kr is known ordered a machine from Berlin for in carmine as well as the more usual rouletting the stamps in line, similar to purple. These were probably due to one the Prussian stamps of 1861. This or more imperforate sheets of the pre- machine was set up in August, 1865, ceding issue, having been found and and the first stamps rouletted by it were perforated after the gauge of the ma- delivered in October following though chine had been changed. it was not until June, 1866, that the issue of the 1, 3, and 6 kreuzer was made; Refterenee List. and these were followed by the 9 kreuzer in Type as before but perf. 10. March, 1867; and by the 18 kreuzer 28. Ikr brown, Scott's Xu. :;. in February, 1868. The electrotypes all L'7. Mkr yellow, Scott's No. Ml or Mia appear to have been re-set and the dis- kr green, Scott's Xo. Ml.'. tance between the stamps is now 2 mm. LI i. !kr purple, Scott's No. 33. On November 23rd, 1867, an agreement was made with the North German Confederation by which the 2 silbergroschen rate was raised from 6 to 7 kreuzer. The Wurtemberg public were THE SEVENTH ISSUE. informed of this change by means of a post-office notice dated April 2nd, 1868, The German-Austrian Postal Union and at the same time it was stated that had adopted a regulation under which 6, 9, and 18 kreuzer values would cease all the members of the Union agreed to to be manufactured though they would use the same colors for their 3, 6 and continue available for postage purposes 9 kreuzer stamps. An order of the till the stocks were exhausted. The Minister of Finance of Wurtemberg, color chosen for the new value was dated September 12th, 1862, directed, blue though it was of a darker color therefore, that to conform with this than that used for the superseded 6kr the would for regulation stamps the denomination. future be printed in green for the 1 kreuzer, in rose for the 3 kreuzer, in Reference List. blue for the 6 kreuzer, in brown for the 1865-68. Types as before. Rouletted 10. 9 kreuzer, and in orange for the 18 35. Ikr green. Scott's No. 41. kreuzer. The issue in the altered colors 36. 3kr rose, Scott's No. 42 or 42a. 37. 6kr Scott's No. 48. was to have taken on blue, place October 1st, 38. 7kr deep blue, Scott's No. 44 or 44a. 1862, but as there were large stocks of all 39. 9kr brown, Scott's No. 45, 45a or 45b. 40. ISkr orange, Scott's No. 46. values in the old colors still on hand, it was decided to use these up first. Con- sequently, the new varieties appeared at various times as follows : the 1 kreuzer THE NINTH ISSUE. in February, 1863, the 3 and 9 kreuzer in June, 1863; and the 6 and 18 kreuzer The typographic embossing method of in June, 1864. The paper and perfora- production was found to be very ex- tion were as before. All values except pensive, especially in the case of the low the 18kr exist in a number of different denominations, and in 1868 the Govern- shades. Mr. Ehrenbach mentions a ment decided to abandon it in favor of minor variety of the 3 kreuzer which is ordinary typographic printing. That a considerable be probably worth looking for, viz : has saving would effected by the a prominent flaw in the upper right new method is conclusively shown corner a large red spot on a ground from the statement that while it cost 1 of white instead of the usual white star kreuzer to produce 22 stamps by the on a colored ground. embossed process 46 stamps could be produced for the same sum by the plain Reference List. typographic process. On November 27th, 1863-64. New Colors. Perf. 10. 1868, a Post-office circular was published 30. Ikr green, Scott's Xo. M4. M4a or M.". giving notice that from January 1st, Ml. Mkr Scott's Xo. MO or MOa. rose, 1869, stamps of a new of ML'. Ckr blue, Scott's No. 37 or 37a. design 1, 3, MM. 9kr brown, Scott's No. 38, 39 or M9a. and 7 kreuzer would be issued accord- M4. ISkr orange, Scott's No. 4O. ing as the stocks of the former series were exhausted. The actual date of is- of December 24th, 1872, was to prepay sue of these values is not known. On heavy letters. Its use was confined to May 3rd, 1869, another value of 14 the three chief post-offices of the king- kreuzer was issued in the same design, dom situated at Stuttgart, Ulm, and and on December 2nd, 1872, a 2 kreuzer Heilbron, and the stamp was not per- value was added to the set. Early in mitted to be sold to the public. Any 1873 the rate for single letters sent to letters requiring these high value stamps England, France, or the United States could be posted at other offices, when by way of Bremen or Hamburg was they were forwarded under official cover fixed at 9 kreuzer and on January 15th to one of the three above named offices, a stamp of "this value was issued corre- and then franked with the 70kr stamps. sponding in design to the other denomi- The design of this value is exactly nations then current. similar to that of the series of 1857, The design is the same for all six except that there is an exterior border values and shows large uncolored fopied of small dots. The stamps were shaded numerals in the centre on a printed in sheets of six, two horizontal ground of crossed lines, within an up- rows of three, on white wove paper and right oval with a band of oak leaves were not perforated. In the top margin around the edge. Around this is an is an inscription in black referring to oval band of horizontal lines inscribed the price of each stamp and the total

"POST" at the left, "FREI" at the top, value of each sheet, viz : and "MARKE" on the right, while there 6. St. Postfreimarken zu 70kr.=F1.1.10. is a small posthorn at the bottom. The =2 Mk. various inscriptions are separated by Ztisammen im Werthe von 7 Fl.=4 Thl. small ornamental scrolls. Surrounding =12 Mk. this is another inscribed oval band containing, on an uncolored ground, the Two plates were used for printing name "WURTTEMBERG" at the top these stamps differing chiefly in the ar- and the value in words at the base, the rangement of the dotted border. Whether two inscriptions being separated by both plates were used concurrently or small crowns. In the spandrels are at separate times does not appear to be small shields containing three lions in known for certain, though probably the the upper left and lower right corners former was the case if Mr. Ehrenbach's and stag's horns on the others. statement that postmarks of the same The die was engraved at Stuttgart, as dates are found on stamps from both in the case of the previous issues, the plates. Mr. Ehrenbach gives the best stamps being printed in sheets of sixty, description of the differences between

in ten rows of six, on plain white wove the two plates, viz : paper. The printing was heavy, conse- (1) The dark shade (believed by the is found quently design generally most people to be the first plate). deeply indented in the paper. The The dimensions of the little black stamps were rouletted with the machine dotted frame running round the used for the series. preceding stamps is 79^2 mm. horizontally, and 53 vertically. They are only divided from each other by a single line of little black dots. The stamps are 3^4 mm. apart from one another. In the inscription over the top row there is no stop after the word "Mk.", and the two little lines (denoting equal to) between 70kr, 1F1, 10, etc., are only Y$ mm. wide. Reference List. (2) The light shade. The Arms 1869-73. Rouletted 10. in the stamps are more embossed, the 41. Ikr green, Scott's No. 47 or 47a. stamps show a somewhat clearer im- 42. 2kr orange, Scott's No. 48 or 48a. pression. The dimensions of the 48. 3kr Scott's No. rose, 49. outer border are 77 mm. 52 mm. 44. 7kr blue, Scott's No. 50. by 45. 9kr bistre, Scott's No. 51 or 51a. The stamps are likewise printed 3^4 46. 14kr No. orange, Scott's 52 or 52a. mm. apart, but two dotted lines (M to 1 mm. apart) divided the stamps instead of one only. In the black in- THE TENTH ISSUE. scription on the top there is a stop after "MK.", and the lines (equal to) On January 1st, 1873, a stamp bearing are 1^2 mm. wide. the fiscal value of 70 kreuzer and in the Arms type of 1857 made its appear- Reference List. ance. The object of this high denomi- 1873. Embossed. Imperf. nation, as shown by a post office notice 47. 70kr violet, Scott's No. 53 or 53a.

100 THE ELEVENTH ISSUE. cease to be, valid , for , postal use. 'The y new denon)inatldns' co-as4stetT ipf 3,*5,'10, Towards the end of 1874 the perfo- 15, 25, and, 53 ^flfannige/ a^at stfrjlftr ceased as the Gov- J rating by rouletting type to the 20pf already described. At* ernment a new purchased perforating the same time the color of this latter machine having a of \l l 2 11. gauge / by value, which had hitherto been printed The value of the kreuzer series only in blue, was changed to ultramarine. this machine was the Ikr perforated by About the same time a 2 marks stamp which was issued in 1874. November, of similar type was issued in place of Before it was to further necessary print the 70 kreuzer. Its sale was prohibited of of the other values the supplies any to the public and its use was at first design was and changed though speci- confined to the offices of Stuttgart, Ulm, mens are known with this perforation and Heilbronn, though later it was ex- are fraudulent they productions. tended to almost every post office in the Reference List. kingdom. Notwithstanding this pro- 1874. Perf. 11^x11. hibition the stamp was frequently sold to the as 48. Ikr green, Scott's No. 54. public, appears from a post- office circular of August 18th, 1879, and in November of that year the stamp was printed in vermilion on orange THE TWELFTH ISSUE. colored paper, and on the back "un- verkauflich" (not to be sold) was printed In 1874 it was decided to change the in ultramarine. currency, which up to that time had The 50pf was at first in consisted of the florin of 60 kreuzer, printed grey but in on similar to that of the other States of February, 1878, consequent an agreement made with the south Germany, to the Imperial cur- Imperial Post-office at Berlin, its color was rency of marks and pfennige, and Jan- changed to grey-green. uary 1st, 1875, was fixed as the date for All values exist in a number of more the change. A notice, dated December or less striking shades and specialists 23rd, 1874, was issued by the Post-office, will also find that most of them exist stating that a stamp of 20 pfennige of a with yellow and white the latter new design would be issued on that day gum, representing the later to take the place of that of the 7 kreuzer, printings. just as soon as the stocks of the latter value held in the various post-offices were exhausted. The design shows uncolored numerals on a circular ground of lines crossing each other diagonally, above which, on a curved scroll is "K. WURTT. POST", while on a similar scroll below, the value is shown in words. On the left is a shield containing three stag's horns Reference List. and on the right are three lions in a 1875-79. Perf. similar shield. The whole is enclosed 49. 3pf green, Scott's No. 55 or 55a. by an ornamental rectangular frame 50. 5pf violet, Scott's No. 56. l 51. lOpf rose, Scott's No. 57. measuring 21 by lS 2 mm. / 52. 20pf blue, Scott's No. 58a. The die was engraved and the print- 53. 20pf ultramarine, Scott's No. 58. ing plates were constructed at the Mint 54. 25pf brown, Scott's No. 59. 55. 50pf Scott's No. 60. in Stuttgart and the was done grey, printing 56. 50pf grey-green, Scott's No. 61. under the direction of the Post-office as 57. 2mk orange, Scott's No. 62. in the case of the preceding issues. As 58. 2mk vermilion on orange, Scott's No. the new currency was a decimal one a change in the size of the plates was made and the stamps were printed in THE THIRTEENTH ISSUE. sheets of 100 arranged in ten rows of ten. They were perforated bv the new On November 1st, 1881, a 5 mark machine gauging 11^ by 11. stamp was issued and though this was On May 28th, 1875, the Post-office is- chiefly intended for telegraphic purposes sued another notice announcing that it was also available for postal use. from July 1st next the former series The design was similar to that of the of stamps in kreuzer would be entirely preceding series except that the central superseded by a new series with values circular portion was uncolored, and the in pfennige. These, it was stated, would numeral of value was printed on it in be on sale at the various post offices on black by a second operation. This value June 15th. and that after August 15th was reported with central numeral in- the stamps with values in kreuzer would verted some years ago and though the

101 error is listed in Scott's^- catalogue I one year on either side. On the date cannot -fthcT that its px?$tehcf was ever mentioned the separate issues of each " auttienj jcAted: , country will give place to a uni- On' January 1st, 1883, the 2 mark fied series inscribed "DEUTSCHES stamp was also issued with value in REICH." black on an uncolored ground. The Reference List. value is in distinct shades known two 1900. Perf. 11^x11. and is also a sheet known imperforate, 66. 30pf orange and black, Scott's No. 71. having been accidentally issued in this 67. 40pf rose and black, Scott's No. 72. condition.

MUNICIPAL SERVICE STAMPS.

With the exception of a few stamps issued by Bavaria in 1908 for the use of Railway Officials Wurtemberg is the only German State that has issued a regular series of official stamps. These fall into two classes those for general Reference List. use and those for the use of municipali- 1881-83. Perf. 11^x11. ties. The latter class, known as Mu- 59. 2 marks orange and black, Scott's No. nicipal Service stamps, was first issued 64 or 64a. on July 1st, 1875, for use on the official 60. 5 marks blue and black, Scott's No. 65. correspondence of municipalities within the kingdom of Wurtemberg. The rate of postage was fixed at 5 pfennige ir- THE FOURTEENTH ISSUE. respective of the weight of the letters. A stamp of this value printed in mauve Early in the year 1890 the colors of like the ordinary 5pf stamp then cur- the 3, 5, 25, and 50 pfennige values were rent was issued in a special design. changed to conform with those of the In the centre is a diamond of solid color corresponding denominations of Ger- on which a large "5" surrounded by many, while in 1893 a new value, 2 "POST-FREI-MARKE PFENNIG" is pfennige, was issued. The design and shown. Around this is a lozenge shaped perforation remained exactly as before. band inscribed "PORTO PFLIGHTIGE The 5pf is said to exist imperforate. DIENST SACHE" meaning "Service matter liable to In each of Reference List. postage." the four are small oval shields 1890-93. Perf. angles showing three stag's horns on their left 61. 2pf grey, Scott's No. 66. 62. 3pf brown, Scott's No. 67. and three lions on their right hand 63. 5pf green, Scott's No. 68 or 68a. sides. The design is completed by a 64. Scott's No. 69 or 69a. 25pf orange, thick frame line. These like 65. 50pf red-brown, Scott's No. 70 or 70a. stamps, those for ordinary use, were printed in sheets of 100, the dies and plates being manufactured at the Mint in Stuttgart THE FIFTEENTH ISSUE. and the printing taking place under the supervision of the Post-office. Imperfo- In 1900 the set was enriched the by rate specimens are known of this 5pf addition of 30 and values. The 40pf stamp. A lOpf stamp of similar design design was exactly like that of the other was issued about the same time for use values of the like the mark series, but, on parcels and money orders. the numerals of value denominations, In 1890 the color of the 5pf was were at a second in printed operation changed to green to conform with the black on a These were plain ground. change of color in the corresponding the last issued stamps by Wurtemberg value of the ordinary set. Several dis- for use for in 1902 its general postal tinct shades of this variety may be system was united with that of the Im- found. perial A in government. paragraph On January 10th, 1897, a new value Alfred Smith's Circular re- Monthly of 3 pfennige in brown was issued and ferred to the matter as follows : in 1900 a 2pf in grey and a 25pf in An agreement has been concluded orange appeared. The design of all between the Imperial Postal Adminis- three was similar to that of the first 5pf. tration and that of Wurtemberg by In 1906 all five denominations were which the postal systems are to be overprinted with a crown above the united for a definite period of four dates "1806-1906" in commemoration of years from April 1st, 1902, after the centenary of Wurtemberg's being which it will be subject to a notice of raised to the dignity of a Kingdom.

102 In 1906 some of the values began to Official stamps for franking cor- appear on paper watermarked with a respondence connected with the busi- multiple device of crosses and circles ness of the State, churches, schools, and by the following year all values and public benevolent institutions were had appeared on this new paper and issued, in part, on the first of April two new values 20 and 50 pfennige last, in terms of a decree, dated 26th were also issued. The stamps on this March, 1881, of the Ministry of watermarked paper were printed by the Churches and Schools. Article 3 of German Imperial Printing Office, at this Decree sets forth that "Delivery Berlin, and apparently the plates for of these stamps shall be made against the two new values were also made in printed acknowledgments of their re- Berlin. These stamps are still in use ceipt upon forms to be furnished by for the agreement between the Imperial the post-office department. At the Administration and that of Wurtem- end of every month the post-office berg regarding the unified series of authorities shall prepare a statement stamps affected those for public use of number of receipts in their pos- onlv. session for stamps issued, and shall submit it to our Department for examination and payment."

The values at 'first issued were 3, 5, 10, and 20 pfennige and these were followed on April 18th by 25 and 50 pfennige. The colors correspond to those of similar denomination of the ordinary series then current. The design, which is the same for all, shows uncolored labels on all four sides and a Reference List. fifth one the centre of the 1875-1900. Perf. 11^x11. crossing from the left lower to 66. 2pf grey, Scott's No. 218. stamps obliquely 67. 3pf brown, Scott's No. 215. the right upper corner. The labels at 68. opf mauve, Scott's No. 201. the sides are inscribed "K. WURTT." 69. 5pf green, Scott's No. 216 or 217. at the left, "*POST*" at the 70. lOpf rose, Scott's No. 202. top, 71. 25pf orange, Scott's No. 220. "PFENNIG" at the right, and the value in words at the bottom. The diagonal label contains the words "AMTLICHER VERKEHR" meaning "Official Busi- ness." On each side of the central label are escutcheons, containing the .numerals of value, resting on an ornamental background. - In 1882 a new value of 1 mark printed 1806 1906 in yellow was added to the series. In 1890 the colors of the 3, 5, and 1906. Overprinted in black. Perf. 25pf were altered to conform with those 72. 2pf grey, Scott's No. 224. of the ordinary stamps and at the same 73. 3pf brown, Scott's No. 226. time the color of the 1 mark was 74. opf green, Scott's No. 228. 75. lOpf rose, Scott's No. 229. changed to violet. Shortly afterwards 7>. 25pf orange, Scott's No. 233. the color of the 5pf was also altered in 1900 a added to 1906-7. Wmk. Crosses and circles. Perf. and 2pf stamp was the series. 77. 2pf grey, Scott's No. 238. 78. 3pf brown, Scott's No. 239. In 1903 30 and 40 pfennige stamps 70. 5pf green, Scott's No. 240. were issued and these, like the ones for 80. lOpf rose, Scott's No. 241. use were at two 81. 20pf blue, Scott's No. 253. ordinary printed opera- 82. 25pf orange, Scott's No. 242. tions with the value in each case in 83. 50pf lake, Scott's No. 254. black. In 1906 all ten values were overprinted in a similar manner to the Municipal OFFICIAL STAMPS. Service stamps in commemoration of the hundredth anniversary of Wurtemberg's Until April 1st, 1881, the correspond- existence as a kingdom, and in 1906-7 ence of the ministerial offices was con- all denominations were issued on the veyed free of postage, but at that time watermarked paper used for the Mu- the privilege was taken away and a nicipal Service stamps of the same date. series of special stamps was issued for These latter were printed in Berlin by use on all official correspondence. M. the German Imperial Printing Office and Moens described their issue as follows: they are still in use.

J03 the central portions and the frames without the inscriptions. These latter were, therefore, set up again, and small plates constructed consisting of six or twelve electrotypes. In the imitations the letters of "Wurttemberg" and "Freimarke" are smaller than in the originals, the letter "W" is 1 /l 2 mm. from the left side-line of the label in- Reference List. stead of 1 mm. as in the genuine, and 1881-82. Perf. 11^x11. the lower bunch of grapes in each of the 84. 3pf green, Scott's No. 203. two ornaments in the lower tablet are 85. 5pf mauve, Scott's No. 204. complete whereas in the originals they 86. Scott's No. 205. lOpf rose, are not These "reprints" 87. 20pf blue, Scott's No. 206. complete. 88. 25pf brown, Scott's No. 207'. should hardly confuse the most inexperi- 89. 50pf grey-green, Scott's No. 208. enced collector. Mr. Westoby tells us 90. Imk yellow, Scott's No. 209. that "In 1865 a further printing was on of various 1890-1903. Perf. made paper thicknesses, and of all the colors of the rainbow. 91. 2pf grey, Scott's No. 219. 92. 3pf brown, Scott's No. 210. The printing seems to have been special- 93. Scott's No. 211. 5pf green, ly confined to the 1 kreuzer, though the 94. 25pf orange, Scott's No. 212. other values are recorded as . 95. SOpf orange and black, Scott's No. 221. existing. 96. 40pf carmine and black, Scott's No. 222. The reprinting was made on the condi- 97. No. SOpf red-brown, Scott's 213. tion that the reprints should not be used 98. Imk violet, Scott's No. 214. postally." In 1864 all the values of the Arms 1906. Overprinted in black. Perf. of these 99. 2pf grey, Scott's No. 224. series were reprinted and some 100. 3pf brown, Scott's No. 225. are apt to prove rather confusing. 101. 5pf green, Scott's No. 227. None of the "Dickinson" paper 102. Scott's No. 230. original lOpf rose, the 103. 20pf blue. Scott's No. 231. with orange thread used for stamps 104. 25pf oran?e, Scott's No. 232. of 1857 remained in stock and though a 105. and Scott's No. 234. SOpf orange black, supply of silk-thread paper was obtained 106. 40pf carmine and black, Scott's No. 235. 107. 50pf red-brown, Scott's No. 236. from the Bavarian Administration the 108. Imk violet, Scott's No. 237. color of the thread was different, being red. The 6kr is known with yellow 1906-7. Wmk. Crosses and circles. Perf. thread and various values in fancy 109. Scott's No. 243. 2pf grey, colors are as existing with 110. 3pf brown, Scott's No. 244. reported 111. 5pf green. Scott's No. 245. green silk thread. The color of the 112, lOpf rose, Scott's No. 246. thread, therefore, is sufficient test in 113. 20pf blue, Scott's No. 247. whether the is an 114. 25pf orange, Scott's No. 248. detecting specimen detection of . 115. 30pf orange and black, Scott's No. 249. original or a reprint. The 116. and 40pf carmine black, Scott's No. 250. the reprints on paper without silk thread 117. 50pf red -brown, Scott's No. 251. is a more difficult matter for the colors 118. Imk violet, Scott's No. 252. of the originals were very closely copied and there is no appreciable difference in the paper. The original plates of 1857 did not so that the REPRINTS. exist, however, plates employed for the rouletted stamps at the time the were Few stamps have been more reprinted current reprints than the first three issues of Wurtem- manufactured were evidently used. On more wide- berg, and few Governments have shown these the stamps were much than in the the dis- greater docility in supplying enterprising ly spaced originals, the dealers and collectors, to order, with tance between stamps measuring 2 instead of mm. as in the supplies of the stamps in every abnor- about mm. Y^ mal color that could be desired by the genuine. In the case of pairs, there- are at once distin- most morbid imagination. The so- fore, the reprints with called reprints of the first issue are, in guishable and specimens unduly also be condemned fact, nothing better than official counter- large margins may without hesitation. feits. None of the printing plates were in existence when these imitations were None of the later issues were re- made in 1864, nor were the dies, except printed. ADDENDA.

BERGEDORF.

The following interesting letter is sent there by the Prussian Minister of self explanatory: Posts, which lasted until March 31st,

: 1847 Prussia notified the au- My dear Mr. Poole ; having Surely no reader of MEKEEI/S WEEK- thorities that it desired to terminate its LY has enjoyed more than I, your ex- contract. The completion of the railway cellent article on the stamps of Berge- from Hamburg to Berlin doing away dorf; and as I feel sure that the article with the necessity to convey as hereto- will be reprinted in pamphlet form for fore the mails by postchaise. On April easy reference, will you allow me to 1st, 1847, the P. O. was opened under furnish a few corrections, which I trust the auspices of the Government of the you will accept in the spirit in which two cities L. and H., and remained in they are made, viz. : in the interest of that way until December 31st, 1867, Philately, whose ardent followers we when in its place, it became a part of the both are. It is true, I was a mere boy North German Postal Confederation and at the time the stamps of Bergedorf finally, in 1870, part of the Imperial Ger- were issued, still as the P. O. was on man Post. the ground floor of the house my father I have not with me the article written occupied with his family, I was in and by me in the Virginia Philiatelist, but out of the office whenever out of school, think I explained in it how Bergedorf helping in a boyish way and very much was governed by a delegation of the interested in everything that went on Senates of both Lubeck and Hamburg, there, and even in those days I was a called in Bergedorf the "Visitation" to stamp collector. In fact when my father whom, in the week which they spent went to Hamburg to see Mr. Fuchs to each summer in Bergedorf, all matters confer about stamps for Bergedorf, he were referred to for adjustment, consti- took with him my collection (stamps tuting as it were a court of last resort, pasted flat in a copy book no printed so the report you mentioned as being albums then) to discuss designs and made in 1859 was to them and nothing colors. I remember distinctly telling further was done that year, than to him to beware of such stamps as the order the preparation of stamps for se- then current ikr Austria, which under lection and one sheet of each value was artificial light could hardly be distin- struck off. In 1860 the visitation did guished. nothing further about the adoption of I pass over your description of how stamps for Bergedorf, but when they Bergedorf became finally the property were there again during the summer of Lubeck and Hamburg jointly, for to of 1861, it was ordered that stamps go into a description like I find in a should be issued, but the colors of the Chronicle of Bergedorf, issued there in half and the three shilling did not please 1894 and a copy of which is before me, them and they were ordered to be would be taking too much time and printed in the colors as described in space, and I will come at once to the the order of October, 17th, 1861. postal history as I find it recorded In urging the issuing of stamps and there and of part of which I have per- to show how they would appear when sonal knowledge. on letters, there were cut from each of The Counts of Thurn and Taxis, who the five sheets printed, a block of six held the postal privilege in Germany and each block pasted on a large sheet for centuries, tried to open a P. O. of blank paper, and I think the original there in 1788, but it was discontinued block of six of the half shilling is now almost at once, as it had been estab- in the Postal Museum in Berlin. Those lished without the consent of the Senates found in Lubeck's archives are evidently of Lubeck and Hamburg. In 1838 a a similar set probably furnished by my Prussian P. O. was established there father to the Lubeck delegates in 1860, with my father as postmaster, he being and I have no doubt if Hamburg's ar-

105 chives were searched, a like find would cerning Bergedorf were settled by the be made there. The time from mid- "Visitation" throws light upon the last summer 1861 to November 1st, 1861, was paragraph of my father's letter to Mr. necessary to have the stamps printed, Moens. As your translation reads: for I am sure that up to that time only "The pourparlers and discussions were one sheet of each denomination had never exchanged directly between the been furnished to my father by Mr. Bergedorf authorities and myself, and Fuchs in Hamburg, who had the con- were mostly carried on verbally, which tract to lithograph the stamps. shows that there can be no documents You judge from the wording of the on this subject." To make it clear last paragraph in the report of 1859, there should be added after exchanged that there must have been a Danish P. "in writing" and after myself instead of O. in Bergedorf, but there never was. "and" should be "but," for it is a fact Danish stamps of the value of four skil- that all conferences on the subject of lings (Scott's 7 and 9) had been sold issuing stamps were only held during at the Bergedorf P. O. for a number of the time the "Visitation" was in Berge- years for the reason that Denmark, dorf. recognizing the usefulness of having Your mention of the fact that the mail matter prepaid by stamps, made obliterating stamp was also acquired by a difference in the rates of prepaid by Mr. Moens leads me to add one little stamps and prepaid in cash or unpaid let- piece of information, which may be of ters, for while a letter from Bergedorf use to some one who has Bergedorf to the Duchies of Schleswig, Holstein stamps cancelled in the following man- and Lanenburg (not Luxemburg as ner and which perhaps have been thrown you have it, and Oldenburg must also aside as counterfeit or as bearing a be a mistake as that never belonged to false cancellation. The obliterating Denmark) then under Danish Dominion stamp was made of brass and was a as well as Denmark proper, when pre- perfect square having five straight, equi- paid by stamps cost only 1% schilling distant lines on it, so that an ordinary currency, if prepaid in money or sent cancellation would have been something unpaid cost two schillings. The stamps like this were furnished by the Royal Danish P. O. in Hamburg. I see that you have the signature of my father misplaced under the decree of October 17th, 1861. Nothing should be after the (signed) Paalzow. There was no Imperial Post in existence at that time so he could not well have been a Director of Post. It belongs, however, under the letter to Mr. Moens, March 29, 1873, for then he was Director of Imp. Post and former Postmaster of the I know that in a number of instances I L. H. office in Bergedorf. have seen the clerks and have done so Another misprint is in naming the often myself, use the cancelling stamp Vierlande. You enumerate, Neuen- twice, the second time reversed so that gramm, Altengramm which should both the postage stamp was cancelled not by small be spelled without r, viz. : Neuengamm, straight lines, but by squares. Altengamm. This explains such cancellation and Then you speak about the issuance of should give a stamp so obliterated a stamps in Lubeck and Hamburg, Janu- good philatelic standing. Again assur- ary 1st, 1859, and continue that, "shortly ing you that all the foregoing has not after these labels appeared letters posted been written in a censorious spirit, but in the Bergedorf district were required with the sincere desire to throw as much to be prepaid with Hamburg stamps." light as possible upon the subject treated This is incorrect, for while it is a fact and to bury forever the claim of the that a very few Hamburg stamps have essays of the half schilling black on vio- been used in Bergedorf at that time, let and the three schilling black on rose their use was never officially sanctioned as legitimate postage stamps, for they and there was no requirement for even were never issued as such. prepayment of any correspondence. Very sincerely yours, Having explained how all matters con- JOHN PAALZOW.

1C6

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY BERKELEY

Return to desk from which borrowed.

This book is DUE on the last date stamped below.

NOV17 1947 REC'D LD JAN 6 1948

NOV 1 J956

EC'D LD

AN 5 1957

APR 21A953L REC'D

6 19B8 LC)AN

1956 EC

LD 21-100m-9,'47(A5702sl6)476 M80838

THE UNIVERSITY OF CAUFORNIA UBRARY