Here's another favorite from deep in the collection...
In 1942-43, the British created
this propaganda forgery depicting Heinrich Himmler, Reichsführer of the SS.
The stamp design is an imitation of the German Hitler Head definitives from 1941-44.
The British Political Warfare Executive (PWE) produced these stamps as part of a complicated propaganda campaign. The stamps were used on mail sent throughout Germany in the hope of spreading the rumor that Himmler had ordered the stamps as part of secret preparations to become the new Führer. The plan was a failure however, in that the rumor was too far-fetched, and the design of the stamp was so close to the original Hitler Head definitive design that few noticed the stamp.
Two major varieties exist. The first printing (28 II) from December 1942 has narrow lines, poor shading, white splotches on the face, and overall poor quality in the design.
The April/May 1943 printing (28 I) has wider lines, and overall a much better, more attractive design.
The Type numbers are the opposite of the printing order because the second printing (Mi 28 I) was the first reported variety.
The second printing (28 I) is much rarer than the first (28 II), and catalogs much higher (€2,000 vs. €1,000).
Posted 05/16/2013 06:04 am
