5 Bill Of Lading Stamps From Germany

I believe these are pre 1940 and they are not going to be in my Scott catalog. Can someone give me some other catalog numbers for these and maybe some near values? Thanks as always - Jeff

I don't have those stamps, so I don't know if I can help you much, but a quick web search revealed that the text roughly translates to Freight Revenue or stamps used for railway parcels or on bills of lading. There is apparently a special catalog work by William D. Barr "The Railroad Parcel Stamps of Germany" that catalogs these stamps, however that catalog retails for around $40.

The stamps themselves have occasional ebay listings, but most appear to command relatively modest values (under $10).

thanks as always for the effort wt1. One more step in the right direction. - jeff

They're listed in the Erler-Norton Katalog der Stempelmarken von Deutschland (Catalog of the Adhesive Revenues of Germany), Vol I as Bill of Lading Stamps from either 1906 or 1916/18, depending on color. Since the colors are difficult to match from a scan, here are the possibilities. Catalog values are as of 1998.

15 Pf
Erler L17a (light blue violet), $0.05
Erler L17b (grey blue), $0.05
Erler L17c (pale turquoise), $0.10

20 Pf
Erler 5a (ultramarine), $0.50
Erler 5b (grey ultramarine), $0.30
Erler 18a (light violet blue), $0.10
Erler 18b (light grey blue), $0.10

30 Pf
Erler 7a (olive brown), $0.20
Erler 7b (pale olive brown), $0.20
Erler 20a (yellow brown), $0.15
Erler 20b (pale olive brown), $0.15
Erler 20c (orange brown), $0.40

3 M
Erler 27a (olive brown, rose lilac), $0.30
Erler 27b (yellow brown, grey), $0.30
Erler 27c (brown, grey), $0.30

4 M
Erler 28a (pale violet blue, grey brown), $0.60
Erler 28b (pale violet, brown grey), $0.60

Since the 1916/1918 printings of these (Erler 15-31) are war printings, they tend to have large color variations, even within the existing color variants. The only way to be certain which colors you have would be to compare to other varieties or against the Michel color guide.

Thanks postmasterGS, you went to a lot of trouble for this, and I appreciate. I will compare from this end. You have been very kind and helpful. - Jeff

and I cant even tell looking at them, will have to take them home to the wife, so she can see the colors, but that wraps them up - thanks

Hello postmasterGS, thanks for the reference to the Erler-Norton catalogue. I've not heard of this before. Can you tell me if it's still in print? I don't have any catalogues for German revenues and would be very keen to get one if I can.

Erler's Germany series consists of 18 volumes. He also published a couple Germany-related volumes that aren't listed as part of the 18-volume series, (ex. The Stamps of the NSDAP [Nazi Party] and its Sub-Organizations, 1995). Some of the older ones are very difficult to find, but the more common ones can still be found new.

Vol. I – Deutsches Reich, 4th edition, 1998.
Vol. II – German Colonies & Overseas Steamship Lines, 5th edition, 1998.
Vol. III – German States: Anhalt to Kurhessen, 2nd edition, 1991.
Vol. IV – German States: Lippe to Wurttemberg, 2nd edition, 1992.
Vol. V – Danzig, Memel, Oberschlesien, 1995.
Vol. VI – Saargebiet, 1981.
Vol. VII – Court Fee Stamps after 1945 (1946-1973), 1981.
Vol. VIII – German Occupation Issues 1914-1919 / 1938-1945 & Allied Occupation Issues 1947-1951, 2nd edition, 1996.
Vol. IX – Fee Stamps of Bavaria Issue of 1957, 1982.
Vol. X – General Municipal Fee Stamps, 2nd edition, 2000.
Vol. XI – Berlin, 1st edition, 1990.
Vol. XII – SBZ/DDR, 1993.
Vol. XIII – Municipal Revenue Stamps of the Saargebiet, 1992.
Vol. XIV –Social Security Stamps: LVA Provincial Issues, 1994
Vol. XV – Social Security Stamps: Issues from 1.1.1923 On, 1994.
Vol. XVI – Social Security Stamps: Saargebeit.
Vol. XVII – Freight Stamps, Newspaper Parcel Stamps, Seat Reservation Stamps, Tax Substitute Stamps, 1999.
Vol. XVIII – Municipal Fee Stamps, 1999.

There are a few dealers that carry them, though you'll likely find only the newer, more common volumes. Try Werner Zielniewicz, Phil Bansner, or Eric Jackson.