Deutsche Demokratische Republik

Dan, I knew about the Sonderstempel. I've got some from the 40 Anniversary of the Borderguards etc. with those. I have a mixture of CTO and MNH in my collection. I try to find postally used. When I was actually living in the former Eastern Germany it was pretty easy. Alot of my friends gave me things.

I've just picked up on this thread, and its answering a lot of questions that I never got around to asking about German stamps, so thanks for all the input and I'm going to keep watching and learning!

I always thought that Sonderstempel (as per Michel) means special cancellation
relative to the event on the stamp.

@Baba: Did you keep the stamps you were given on cover or on piece? Sometimes you can distinguish a CTO from a "regular" cancel by the type and position of the cancel but when it is tied to an envelope there isn't much room for doubt.

I don't know your approach to collecting but if you prefer detail, the Michel catalog, with its Teutonic precision, will give you enough information to make your head spin.

Whatever your approach, I hope I can help fill in some holes when you get back to your collection.

Right now I am working on SBZ (Soviet Zone) and DDR officials. I am looking for a good copy of "Schnörkelschrift." At least they were honest that the stamp was worthless!The cursive script says the stamp is "invalid" and "worthless"



@Litho: That's pretty much how I see "Sonderstempel" too. There is an interesting Wikipedia article on them in the German Wikipedia.
http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonderstempel br /

I can't get the translated page to link. (Sorry)

@Stampgal: Welcome to the thread! Maybe we can recruit another DDR collector!

Dan

Dan,
I've kept alot of them still intact, especially stamps from places like "Karl Marx Stadt" which has now reverted back to Chemnitz.

I used to buy the "Deutsche Briefmarken Zeitung" when I was over there. There was alot of useful information in there as well as address for ALOT of stamp dealers. However, I am still plagued with the issue on what to do with the "Industries of the DDR" giant souvenir sheets that I've got. Does anyone make mounts that big? Any ideas?

I haven't completely solved that issue either. Mine came from a dealer in Germany. It is in a plastic sleeve that just fits the sheet and is about 1 cm taller than the sheet itself with a paper (I hope archival) backing for support. My problem is that the sheet is so large there was no room on the margin for mounting holes and its height is larger than my album. At least it has some protection until I figure out a more permanent solution.

I am making my own album pages so when I get to 1964 it is going to be a problem.

Next time I correspond with my Sammlerfreund, I'll ask.

Dan

Dan, have you got many DDR covers? I used to buy them up quite often when I was in Halle. I especially preferred the DDR "Vacation village" type postcards. It must have been nice to have the firm you work for pay for your vacation! I've also got a few East German Army draft cards which were sent in the mail and used as passes for free transportation to and from processing or whereever. What I'd really like to get my hands on would be a cover sent from the East German military field posts stationed in Czechoslovakia during the Prague Spring!

Rod, the "dots" must be damn small...to me the background looks solid !

I received some beautiful DDR blocks of 4 - CTOs but still very nice. I will try to scan and upload them soon.

I received some beautiful DDR blocks of 4 - CTOs but still very nice. I will try to scan and upload them soon.

Phil,
Rod is correct. SC O1 - O17 have dots in the background.



Better scan
Dan

Baba,

My DDR cover collection is virtually non-existent. I hope you have a good scanner! I am drooling with envy to see scans of your covers!

A DDR cover from the Prague Spring would really be sweet!

Dan

Yirmeyahu

Welcome to the forum! I'm looking forward to seeing the scans!

Dan

Dan, I believe Rod...perhaps I need a more powerful magnifying glass..or mine are fake !!