East Germany - 5 Year Plan Issues Question

Good afternoon all!
I am currently re-organizing my East German 5 year plan issues, and notice in my Stanley Gibbons German catalogue a note with regard to official reprints of both the 1953 litho issue and the 1953-55 typo issue. Both these sets have watermark varieties (more in the typo) and I assume these varieties are only in the original stamps, not the reprints. Can anyone verify that for me?
Once again I find SG not precise enough, perhaps there is more clarification in Michel or Scott catalogues?
Thanks in advance...
DavidR

Pictures! No clue what you're talking about, especially since German stamps don't say "5 Year Plan," they say something else...

doug2222, with respect, pictures won't help. I thought I had been reasonably specific, I just wanted to ask if anyone had a note in another catalogue clarifying the reprint question.

DavidR, maybe these links might help

http://www.stampcollectingblog.com/...n-stamps.php

http://www.jaypex.com/Germany/DDR5YearPlan.htm

Thank you stampcoder, great info but unfortunately neither site clarifies if the watermark varieties are on the re-prints as well as the originals.

David, the first link that stampcoder gave you is very specific about watermarks towards the end. Not only that, it has a way of asking your question there!

David,
Reprints can't be distinguished from the original issues by watermark. If you want to get into the weeds, the original and reprints all have the same watermark variations except for the Michel 2Y types (Sorry, I don't know the SG equivalent), which are scarce.
Dan

Thanks danstamps54, that is really useful!
Now if I can find out which ones (in SG) are the Michel 2Y types........
Any idea on year, printing, value for those 2Y?

David,
Here is a scan from my Michel Spezial 2009 showing the difference:




The first stamp with a 2Y type in this series is Mi 367 (SG 125). They are peppered throughout the series.

As an example, the price in my Michel 2009 for a 2XI MNH (SG 125) is 3.50 Euro. A 2YI is 750.00 Euro!

This is really in the weeds.

99.9999% of the stamps you will encounter are the 2X types. For many issues, only 2X types exist (in both original and reprint). I don't recommend this as a way to distinguish originals from reprints.

The best way to get originals is MNH. Then you know they aren't reprints!

Dan

Thanks Dan. Confused? I am!
The watermarks are hard enough to see clearly, but now I have to measure them!

David,
For reasons that are a mystery to me, I happen to like this series.

Most collectors are content to collect just the major catalog numbers. That can be tough enough because some issues differ only by watermark (posthorn vs. quatrefoil).




You are getting into some hyper-specialized stuff. But... since you asked.

There is a "quick and dirty" way to check. I learned it from an old specialist in DDR. It works about 90% of the time for DDR stamps and will give you an indication if you want to check further.

Cup the stamp in your hand gum down and blow on it gently. It should curl. If the top and bottom curl, it's an XII or a YI. If the sides curl, it's XI or YII.

I've used this method and it works but I'm always scared to death that the moisture in my breath or on my hands will disturb the gum. Use at your own risk.

Dan

Exactly! danstamps54 is right
It's about watermarks parallel or orthogonal (perpendicular) to the axis of paper's curvature/curl

Hi

I made some graphics schemes :



The watermark :







More tips :

The overprinted issue exist with Typo surcharge (bright black ink) and Litho surcharge (dull black ink)
The 5th, 6th and 7th issue (with watermark DDR + Quatrefoil) never were reprinted.

Jorgesurcl,

Great graphical explanation!

Thanks!

Dan

I have some sheets of these; I'll have to try it.

danstamps54, jorgesurcl,
Really great, useful information!
I did rather think I was starting to "get into the weeds" with these, but now I have started, I will have to try to finish!
Thanks guys.