Germany, French Zone, Baden Semi-Postal

I picked this lot up a couple of weeks ago, and was reviewing them today. The history behind these is really fascinating. Here is what I have learned so far ...

Stamps were issued during the Allied Occupation of Germany under US, British, French, and Soviet administration from 1945-1949. Each of the four allies agreed to govern zones based loosely on their primary concentration of troops after Germany's surrender. However, only the US and Britain shared the same stamps within their respective zones.

General postage for Germany, issued from 1946 to 1949 (Scott 530-664; B294-B308), are considered to be issued under US and British administration, and do not have their own section in the Scott catalogues. Stamps issued by France and the Soviet Union have their own section (Scott (FRD) Back of Book for France: 4N-8NB. Scott (DDR) Back of Book for Soviet Union: 11N-16N)

Initially, the French were not granted an occupation zone "due to concerns over the great historical animosity between France and Germany, as well as the relatively more minor role played by the French within the alliance." Only after Charles de Gaulle argued in favor of a French zone (read: threw a tantrum) was France granted two, non-contiguous areas to govern.


It was also agreed that Germany's capital city of Berlin, which was located deep inside the soviet zone, would be administered by all four governments simultaneously. We all know how that turned out.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allied...pied_Germany

Baden Semi-Postal were issued under the French occupation of Germany in 1949 only ... just months before the formation of a West German state, and were superseded by the stamps of West Germany (Bundesrepublik of Deutschland) and thus had a very short lifespan.

Because of this short lifespan, Baden Semi-Postal, if postally used, are uncommon and can be quite valuable.

Finally, after endless jabbering, here are Baden 5N41-5N46, 5NB5-8, 5NB8a, 5NB8b ... all Mint, Never Hinged.

My question is this: Why does Scott value 4 singles ($55 in NH) more than the complete souvenir sheets ($52.50 ea in NH)?!?

Edit: I was also curious what happened to the "7N" section of the Scott catalogue?

More endless editing. This time for grammar ...

There really isn't a good reason to value the singles more than the sheet. Likely just a mistake in valuing them.

Have you checked the Ingenieur-Kongress stamp closely? There were two printings, and the second one is considerably more valuable (in Michel, €650 v. €26).

I saw that there were two varieties, but without having both stamps side-by-side, I'm not certain I can differentiate one from the other. I don't suppose you have an image of the second printing available?

This isn't within my area of expertise, so take this for what it's worth.

Here are the two viewed together (Mi 46 I on top, 46 II on bottom).



According to Michel, the differences are:

The first printing has (1) a thick, smooth frame line; (2) thicker lettering; (3) a smaller upper loop on the "B" in "BADEN".

The second printing has (1) a finer, zig-zag frame line; (2) finer lettering; (3) a larger upper loop on the "B" in "BADEN".

Here is what I have in my loose collection. Worth anything?

I do not have Scott (yet). Thanks









There are DPF and PF meaning Deutsche Pfennig and Pfenning?

Thanks for the information, PostmasterGS! It appear I have a type I stamp. But now I'm armed with information that might net me a type II in the future!



Fifia,

Here's a summation of your stamps:

Image 1 - 5N1-5N8, mint .20/ea

Image 2 - 5N9-5N12, mint .20/ea

Image 3 - 5N29, 5N30 (no 'pf') .45, .60 respectively.

5N15 .30, 5N4 .30, 5N7 .20, 5N21 ('dpf') .95

Image 4 - 5N13 .20

Scott does not offer an explanation for the 'dpf' on your stamp. There were 4 stamps issued from this series with 'dpf'.

Brian

fifia,

Those are all fairly low value issues.

With regard to Pf versus DPf, in June 1948, currency reforms were enacted that replaced the Reichsmark (RM or M) with the Deutsche Mark (DM). The pfennig was still the pfennig. I'm not sure why several stamps of the 1948 set used DPf (Deutsche Pfennig), though it's entirely possible there was some confusion as to whether the pfennig was renamed as well as the mark.

Dankeschön! The reason I have not gotten a Scott is most of the
'loose' stamps I have are very common. I just enjoy piddling with them I put'm back in the stock book.....but then again - maybe one of these days....

Thanks again...

Fifia