Question On German Democratic Republic 1956 Stamp

Rod,

Double check the used one at top left. I shouldn't have listed the two varieties with a "-" in the Michel CV (MiNr. 28 x X II and MiNr. 37 y A X) in that manner, as I don't think they actually exist (Michel differentiates between a blank value [doesn't exist] and a "-" value [exists, but unknown value]).

As you can see in the actual catalog excerpt below, Michel only lists a value for the MiNr. 37 y A X as a reprint CTO (to the right of the vertical line at right), which I listed in the chart as MiNr 37 y A X N. So, I don't think that combination you show actually exists, as yours isn't a CTO.

I've corrected the table above to show only 21 Michel varieties rather than the previous 23 by removing MiNr. 28 x X II and MiNr. 37 y A X.

Several months ago, I tried to identify these stamps.
Unfortunately I didn't find it.
I try to explain with pictures with stamps how you can identify valuable stamps (Michel ed.2011) I do not know German so I can make mistakes in my explanations.
For sorting it was easier for me to use print types (See Fig 1). Scott # O1-O17 litho print.After, only typo print.
Litho print in two emissions (See Fig.2):
-first emission (with 3 lines of points) originals
-second emission ("nachdruck" term in Michel-with 5 lines of points and only CTO) They have a very small value except the values of 12.15,16 and 70 pfennig which can be found without CTO (300 Euro)
Follow the typo print emission (See Fig 1) with different papers, watermarks and perforations.
Michel's page with valuable stamps - See Fig. 6.
The conditions to be met are:
-perforation 13x12.5
-granite paper (See Fig 4-textile fibers in composition)
- type I or II stamp (See Fig 3) I saw in a preview post a change in Michel ed.2019?
- 2XI or 2XII watermark (See Fig 5) - I failed to distinguish them on my stamps (watermark 297 in Scott)
If you have watermark 3X (Scott 313) the stamp is a low value (See Fig 7)

Granted I'm new to stamp collecting, but you guys are blowing my mind! So many possibilities. My stamp is a design 4 (compass arc to the right, compass knob open, hammer shadow on the left). It's perf 14, and I'm guessing it's the granite paper based on the fibers on the back. Which brings us to the watermark, which I'm having difficulty discerning (a common problem I'm running into). I use the clarity fluid with a small black tray. Might be time for me to bring it to someone that knows what they're doing to identify the watermark.

Stampy1,

It is granite paper. You don't need to check the watermark on a perf 14. Only the 1957 issues came in perforation 14. It's a Scott O40, Michel Nr. 37yBY. It has a Wz 3Y watermark if you want to check though.

Dan

My initial tiny table was intended as a quick and dirty way to distinguish among the three stamps listed in Scott, O22, O22a and O40 and the one unlisted variety, Michel 32Y without getting into the weeds. I'm happy to see the discussion that followed. I've always thought of DDR stamps as the "unloved step-child" of German philately.

As PostmasterGS correctly described in depth, if you look at DDR stamps with all the plate flaws and watermark variations instead of "just a bunch of CTOs," there is some interesting and challenging collecting to be done. There are a number of definitive DDR issues that are complicated such as: The Portrait Types, President Pieck series, President Ulbrecht series and the ever-popular Five-year plan series.

Dan

Stampy1




Keep at it! Practice on other stamps. DDR watermarks don't always "pop" like other German issues.

Dan

Danstamps54- I'll say. I have two others, and I can't detect even a trace of a watermark on either.

Thanks all, this has been very informative!

I know this is very late to the party but I wanted to shout out to all the helpful peeps and the excellent info.

I recently purchased the entire set of stamps, Granite paper with the posthorn watermark and sure enough the 20p was misidentified: the WZ 3 (Scott WMk 313). In my search for these valuable post-horn-granites, I have constantly run into this issue, even with reputable dealers.

As was mentioned, sorting out these officials beyond the CTO garbage is a challenge and it's become a specialty for me, (as well as a quest.) I was actually working up a chart as an easy identifier reference when I came across this post. Thanks to everyone for the efforts in charting out the myriad of differences. Super helpful. Thank you again to all the creators.

The watermarks can be the biggest pain - they are often not that clear and I have found myself cycling between my Signoscope and fluid in a tray, usually one works when the other doesn't.

It's really a bummer that these officials often get passed over because of the sheer magnitude of CTO's that you'll find in every stamp mixture. It's actually very rewarding when you get into MNH and certified varieties and can learn the ins and outs. Michel Germany Specialized 2 is a necessity. Don't read German? The Google app on your phone has a great translator.

Another tip: A lot of the listings for the DDR Officials on ebay and HipStamp are misidentified - shop carefully and makes sure returns are accepted.