Deutsche Demokratische Republik

At one point I bought some DDR stamps. When I was still wondering how far along I would go with Germany. If they are "worthless" I may continue to pursue them just for fun. They were some of the first stamps I was exposed to.

I like the colors and the designs. I suppose you know about the "Sperrwert" singles? There are one or two for every set that the DDR produced less of than the others just to drive up their values. I collect DDR because I did my last semester study in "DDR Literatur und Alltagsleben" (DDR literature and every day life) in college. I was a German major. Also, the DDR is one of those countries I know I can get a complete collection of. It's not as if they're going to be releasing any new issues.

I found these a while back and looked them up in my 2008 Scott Catalogue:



German Democratic Republic Scott#78 and 79, Issued to publicize the 1951 Leipzig Fair. Surprisingly these have a C.V. of $14.00/12.50 each back in 2008. Totally surprised me!

Have a Good One,
Skilo54

I think DDR stamps have gotten a bad reputation because of the proliferation of CTO's and the much scarcer "Sperrwert" that can be frustrating to find. They do have some beautiful stamps. I am not aware that the CTO's have increased in value equivalent to "real" cancelled. (I can always hope!)

Not all DDR stamps are worthless. As I mentioned in an earlier post, some variations can run as high as 700 EUR. (Approx. US$990.00). Some of the earlier DDR issues can carry a good CV by themselves. For example, this stamp, SC 129, MiNr 334, has a '09 Scott CV of $180.00. (The SBZ version, 10N38, with a different watermark has a CV of $0.40)



Baba, that's one of the reasons I began collecting DDR too. It is possible to get a complete collection. Then I got hooked on some of the variations and I was off!

When you get to 50 posts, contact me and maybe I can fill in some holes in your collection.

Dan

Dan, I will definitely do that after the 50 post minimum is met. I used to be in touch with a stamp dealer in Germany and I got alot of my sperrwert issues from him. There are some really beautiful souvenir sheets. I have both variations of the 1964 "DDR Industries" massive sized sheet (Scott 724-738). In 1971 the DDR issued a set of stamps (Scott 1316-17) that commemorated the 10th Anniversary of the Berlin Wall. The West German Bundespost refused to deliver letters franked with these stamps. I've got a cover where the stamps were "blacked out" by the bundespost. So for me, DDR is quite interesting!

Smauggie: I wouldn't think of any stamps as "worthless" if you enjoy them. Even the "sand dunes" I collected as a kid have some sort of value to me, if only sentimental!

Baba,

Yes, some of their souvenir sheets are really beautiful! I am making my own album pages for the DDR and the "DDR Industries" sheet is giving me fits. It isn't going to fit a page!

I sure would like to see a scan of that cover refused by the Bundespost!


I have a Sammlerfreund in Germany that specializes in the DDR. If I can't help you, I'm sure he can.

You will get to 50 posts sooner than you think!

Dan

Dan
My DDR collection is in the US in the comfortable dry climate of my parent's home. I'm currently in Oman where it's already over 100 degrees with 40 percent humidity. However, I'll be home around julyish and will better be able to tell you what holes I need to fill.
I used to buy alot of DDR material off ebay.de and for about a year I was working in Halle/Saale in Eastern Germany. I quite enjoyed myself. It was nice to find department stores which still had stamp sections.

Wow! I would be like a kid in a candy store.

I've forgotten my manners. Welcome to the forum!

Dan

Thanks Dan. It was nice to have those department stores with stamps and supplies because it made things that much more accessible and interesting. I especially like the DDR issues at the end... the ones marked "Deutsch Post". I also just looked at my Scott 2008 (I have all the volumes scanned as Ebooks. Can't remember where I downloaded them from) and it says:

The government stamp agency post section started in 1949 to sell canceled sets of new issues.Used values are for CTO's for Nos 48-2831, except for souvenir sheets, which are valued as postally used.

So I suppose that means that all the CTOs and Postally used have the same values, except for Souvenir Sheets?

Speaking of DDR material, does anyone have any good sources (aside from ebay etc.) for affordable kiloware or packets?

The first and only stamp packet I have ever purchased (back in 1978 at a deparment store in a central america) was of Umm Al Qiwain. I was just fascinated by the odd name.

I used to have alot of those "Sand Dunes" and after awhile, I sent most of them to my duplicates automatically. I think they were mostly CTO. Now, that Um Al Qiwain is part of the UAE, these things are actually starting to have a value.. at least around here! :)

Yes, after July 1, 1990 DDR stamps no longer were identified as DDR and were valid in the Bundesrepublik.

I seldom get asked about DDR stamps so pardon my indulgence here:









Dan

The short answer is, "no."

If you want to get serious about German stamps, it would be helpful to scare up a copy of Michel Deutschland Spezial.

Michel lists separate prices for MNH (postfrisch), CTO, used, and on cover. Sometimes a CTO will have the same value as MNH (go figure) and both categories can be less than used or on cover,

Being a bold stamp collector, I've side-stepped the issue of CTO vs. used (I consider them all CTOs) and now collect MNH.

If you want packets of DDR, get to 50 posts! I have DDR coming out of my ears!

Souvenir sheets have four price categories in Michel: MNH, used, on cover, and "Sonderstempel" A "Sonderstempel is like a special event cancellation:




Sonderstempel values vary between MNH and less than used prices. It depends on the issue.

Dan