Most Unique Philatelic Item

Ok, I know, that doesn't really exist, or should I say, there's no way to bring consensus as to objectively define "most unique philatelic item".

On the other hand, if we consider mint postal office issues only (disregarding philatelic covers), there is one issue in my opinion that deserves this title objectively for its controversy and philatelic contradiction: the Netherlands 2006 Rembrandt (joint) issue booklet.

As you may know, this booklet was initially intended to be a joint issue with Germany. The booklet indeed contains a German stamp, but because its phosphor bar shape is different from the version released in Germany, we now have a German stamp variety that could be only purchased within Netherlands! Since the issue was small (45 000 booklets), this made Geman collectors unhappy to the point that the German Post denied the validity of that German stamp in the booklet, and the Netherlands post accepted this ex-German stamp to be considered a simple label.

The interesting part is, the Netherland Post also stated that it would accept this 'label' (yes! the one written Deutschland!) for domestic use winthin Netherlands. This contradiction seems to be compromise as not to anger the German post. For what is the difference between the appellation stamp vs "label" if the latter has all the characteristics of a stamp AND is postally valid?

I believe, IMHO, that this is the only time an 'X-denominated' country stamp is declared invalid in country 'X' but at the same time can be used in country 'Y' !

I call upon this forum pool of knowledge to expose other contenders to the title.

Thanks for reading!

Here is a picture of the souvenir sheet within the booklet.

As a reinforcer, I believe philiatelic items need not be expensive to be considered truly unique. Here is one!

So very cool.

Just a reminder, if there is more than one, it isn't unique.

This is how the dictionary defines the term Unique. Perhaps #5 applies in this case. Even for a philatelic item that is truly "unique", #1 definition, (only one in existant such as the British Guiana), it is better and safe to use the term "only example recorded"; because, all YOU have to beat an "unique" item is to find another one.
u·nique [yoo-neek] Show IPA
adjective
1.
existing as the only one or as the sole example; single; solitary in type or characteristics: a unique copy of an ancient manuscript.
2.
having no like or equal; unparalleled; incomparable: Bach was unique in his handling of counterpoint.
3.
limited in occurrence to a given class, situation, or area: a species unique to Australia.
4.
limited to a single outcome or result; without alternative possibilities: Certain types of problems have unique solutions.
5.
not typical; unusual: She has a very unique smile.

Very interesting .... so are there many legitimate covers on which the stamp was used?

The way I read this ricecooker is referring to the issue and use of one country's stamp by another country. That is what he believes is unique. I think he is right.

Terry

That is, with a Netherlands cancel. Note that it would not have been impossible to use the real German stamp in Netherlands, as I doubt the Netherlands postal autorities would check the phosphor bars to determine which is which.

Thanks to Fotofila for citing the definition of 'unique'. # 1 definition is not what we are looking for in this case. On these grounds, it would be impossible to assess which of the following items is more unique: the British Guiana or the Treskilling Yellow? only one example is believed to exist for both of the stamps.

The #5 definition of uniqueness is in my opinion understating the exceptional attributes of what is considered unique. Maybe in this case I should state 'unique in its kind' issue.
What perplexes me is that no other issue (from any country since the beginning of postal history) has had such attributes.

Ricecooker, I do agree that you have a "unique" situation here! Being Dutch, I have a question for you. Rembrandt van Rijn was a Dutch painter; I believe he lived in Amsterdam. Why would the Germans issue a stamp to commemorate him? Peter

Not quite the same thing, but this cover





was sent from another country (Karachi, in British India, now in Pakistan of course) to a town in Las Bela State, using only a Las Bela stamp and the Las Bela postal system operating outside the State, in British India.

I have been looking for several years and this is the only one of these that I have ever seen

Is it unique??????? Uniqueness is in the eye of the beholder I reckon

Hi Petert4522,

The appreciation for Rembrandt's works went (and still go) far beyond the boudaries of Netherlands.
His works were very famous in the rest of Europe, notably Germany, France and the UK.
It therefore makes sense for a country whose people have historically admired the artist's works to celebrate Rembrandt's 400th year.
A sizeable portion of his artwork at the present time is in Germany, perhaps even more than in Netherlands, where the artist spent his life.

Below is a great link of his artwork for your viewing pleasure, hope you will all like it:

http://www.rembrandtpainting.net/re..._museums.htm

The initial spirit of the post was to look at 'post office fresh' philatelic items, ie. not philatelic covers.
That being said, I am very happy that tonymacg and huckles888 posted pics of these extraordinary items.

To tonymacg: As you said, the existence of extraterritorial postal offices for Indian feudatory states, such as the ones in Karachi for Las Bela, make this possible.
In order to compete with your field of uniqueness, one would need to find a similar situation.
Postal letters sent from extraterritorial postal offices at Sialkot and Amritsar for Jammu & Kashmir, and at Ujjain in Gwalior for Indore, would make your postal cover not unique anymore.
That does not mean you don't have a very interesting piece of philatelic item in your hands, far from that.
Maybe you will start hunting for those other covers to complement your collection, or better yet, you already have them. ~ ^^

Thanks so much for sharing!

Ricecooker, I have several from the Indore Post Office at Ujjain, and I've been working through my Jammu & Kashmir covers for a reverse direction cover, so far without luck.

Here is an example used from the Indore State PO in Gwalior State:





I can also offer this very nearly triple 'country' item from Dhar, Indore and Gwalior:



The Sundarsi enclave, where this postcard originated was administered by Dhar, Indore and Gwalior. The card, issued by Indore, was cancelled at the British Indian Sundarsi Post Office under Dhar State jurisdiction and travelled (across British India and Gwalior) to Indore.

I have some very plain white paper Framas from Australia that say "TRAINING" on them.

To huckles888: Your philatelic cover is the result of human error; the fact that Spain also used the same currency denomination PTAS as Guinea Equatorial probably contributed to the mixing up.
While definitely an eye-opener, any similar parcel with a wrong country stamp affixed to it that manages to avoid the post office's scrutinity would equal your find.
But I do agree these are hard to find.

As fo the Australian framas, I am no expert in that field, but can error CVPs or trial CVPs from other countries not rival with your field of uniqueness?

Thanks for sharing knowledge.