Unidentified Early Greek Stamp, With Overprint

Here is an image of an old Greek stamp that could be a "back of the book" issue. Looks like it was issued without a value but then had 1 drachma overprinted. Note what appears to be a handwritten date and, on the left side of the stamp, the right hand side of some sort of cancellation or stamp in what I am guessing is French based on the small letter e with a grave symbol - ...ères . Anyone have an idea as to what it is? Nothing obvious in 2012 Scott.

It appears to be a revenue stamp, so yes, back of the book (though not I the Scott catalog). It is denominated 1 Drachma.

Yes smauggie, I agree it's a Greek revenue stamp. As you say the value is one drachma, with "one" written out in full as "MIAS".

I'll look it up in Barefoot for the date when I get home later but I believe from the title at the top ("Greek Republic") that it's from the late 1920s/early 1930s.

Thanks, so far. Keep me posted on the search in Barefoot - is that I catalogue of Greek issues?? I'd also be interested in hearing ideas re the "French" stamp. Export or import of some goods??? Ouzo? Retsina??

Barefoot is a worldwide revenue catalogue, not just for Greece.

Actually there is no overprint; the printing was like some United States revenues, a common design with various denominations typographed on the basic stamp. Think of our later "wine" stamps, type numbers RE6 and RE7.

Thanks, Doug. I realized that but called it an overprint for lack of a better single word description. I could have saved myself $10 which is what I paid to APS to get their responses which haven't actually arrived yet for both this stamp and the one from Crete with Greek overprint. Glad I found this site. I will certainly be using it much more from now on.

Hi 1jayfrogel,

There were two similar long series of Greek general revenues issued in 1925. This is Barefoot #379 from the second series in which the black values were larger. I'm afraid this one has only minimal value and is listed at 25 pence.

John Barefoot is a stamp dealer based in York in England who has published a number of revenue stamp catalogues. They don't cover the whole world but he seems to publish a new one every year or so. I believe his latest one is for Italy.

He covers Greek revenues in his Albania & Greece Revenues catalogue.

Here's his web site:

http://www.jbarefoot.co.uk/

The last worldwide revenue catalogue was by Forbin way back in 1915.

All the best,
Nigel

Thanks, Nigel for the useful info. I think I got both this stamp and the Crete one about 4 years ago when I was buying collections of Greek stamps on ebay to augment my pre-WW II issues. I did get a number of quite high catalogue values in the lots for not very much cost. I'll check out the website you suggested. Most of my effort now is directed mostly towards pre-1960 British colonials. A big swath, certainly, but very attractive in appearance -esp. the engraved little scenics.

Jay

Hello,
I have two stamps but I can't find it in greek catalogues or in Barefoot.
Who can help me please?

Harald

HARALD ----Those are fiscal stamps from 1917 ,the K.N. black overprint is SOCIAL PROVIDENCE .

I think the red overprint is the coat of arms of the Postal Administration of Greece ,they used it on money orders and post cards between 1901 and 1920 . Someone may know the use of it on stamps .

Nice over print.

Hi Harald,

The stamp on the left is listed in Barefoot as a Welfare Tax (KP) stamp.

Stamps in the same design with similar surcharges of up to 20 lepta are listed in SG/Scott etc. as postal tax stamps.

Good morning to all,
I thank you very much for your answers. That helps me very much.

Have a good day,

Harald

Hello I find other stamps, it is not Greece but Kreta but I cannot find it in catalogue.Stamps exist but not with this color. Fiscal stamps or fantasie? Unissued stamps?
Harald