Germany Sbz East Saxony Michele #43 - Need Expert's Opinion

I recently purchased few interesting glassine bags with SBZ stamps.
One bag was filled with multiple blocks and single stamps most likely coming from the same sheet. Please help with your suggestions - what is it?
Picture shows 3 colors for comparison:
- left stamp is most likely 43 Aa (black-yellow green)
- stamp in the middle is probably 43 Ab (black blue green)
- and finally the block is questionable. The color is definitely different, specifically under worm light. Perforation is L11, so it could be either 43 DIIb ( "postmaster separation") or possibly 43 C ("official test perforation" according to Michel). Both options described as "black blue-green" in Michel. However difference in color is obvious. I wonder if anybody has 43C (and 43 Ab) and could describe difference in color between 43C and 43 Ab (if any). If they have exactly identical colors then Michel could use the same color description 43 Cb, but they did not do it for some reason.
Another strange thing about this block - why perforation of right margin is different (holes seems smaller)? Thanks in advance for your advise.

What does "SBZ" mean ?

Peter

Hi.
SBZ = Sowjetische BesetzungsZone (Soviet Occupation Zone)

Igopp,

That's a tough stamp! I have a 43Aa and expertized copies of 43BI, 43BIIa, 43BIIb and a 43C but no 43Ab for comparison so I can't comment on the color differences.

My experience with Michel is that their color differentiation is sometimes very subtle and, frankly, beyond my simpleton color palate. I don't collect much on color variations. When I get one, I usually rely on BPP expertization. (BPP = A German expertization service for you onlookers)

Because of the variations in scanners etc., I'm not sure a scan of my copies would be too helpful. The only way to be sure of what you have would be, in my opinion, to get a BPP cert.

As for the perforation differences on the block, again, I would suggest a BPP cert. It is my understanding that the perforations were done mostly by hand. There are perforation irregularities and errors galore so it doesn't strike me as too strange to see an odd perf on the block.

Good luck with your search!

Dan

Dan, thanks for your always helpful advise. BTW - could you please recommend particular BPP expert for SBZ stamps?
As for colors - I think that your stamp 43BIIb has to have exactly the same color as any stamp #43 with color description "b". As I understand, postmasters simply did different custom perforations for imperforated sheets 43Aa or 43Ab, so perforated 43BIIb should have the same color as imperforated 43Ab.

igopp,

I haven't done much with my SBZ collection in a long time. Although I have some holes I'd like to fill, I'm pretty content with what I have. I haven't dealt with BPP for quite a while and I'm sure things have changed. Here's a link to their website for expertizing SBZ stamps. The website also has the experts listed and how to submit your stamps.

https://www.bpp.de/en/sonderpruefor...r-1-165.html

Below I've included a scan of my 43's if you want to do a comparison. Again, because of differences in scanners, graphic cards, monitors, etc, a 'match' or lack of one isn't, in my opinion, conclusive of anything.

Good luck!

Dan


My 43BIIb:



43BIIa:




My 43BIa:




43Aa:




And last but not least, 43C:

Dan - thanks for the scan. I see a very good match for 43C. I will send them to German expert. Thanks again.

Best of luck on your adventure into the BPP world!