German Inflation Cancellations

Being that this area is a minefield, I would not dare claim the cancels to be genuine. However, I do believe there is a good chance that they are. What say you?

Genuine used hyperinflation stamps are extremely rare. Most collectors had these stamps cancelled to order and genuine cancellation devices were used. They do exist but the safest bet, and you would still need expert analysis, is an example on cover. I should add that many of these stamps were only of a value sufficient to mail anything for a period of a few days before inflation again rendered them virtually useless and thus not utilized.

Most of the stamps have illegible or partial postmarks so not too attractive to Germany collectors. They almost all have the minimum catalog value (2 euros).
The 30 Pfg green stamp with the 8 Tausend overprint has two varieties, with Lozenge watermark and with Network watermark. Lozenge = 2 euros, Network = 8,000 euros. Worth checking; chances are extremely slim but not zero. Even then you will need to get an Attest because then chances are high the postmark is forged. Mint the same stamp is only 30 euros.

I commented on the inflation period postmarks in Stampavalanche's other thread. Having now seen the close-up images, I think they are still interesting, whether or not they are certifiable as genuine. Where the dates are readable, are the stamps used "in period"? Also, are there many forged postmarks even for the stamps catalogued at only 2 euros - it hardly seems worth the forger's trouble?

Phil

I would think most 2 euro stamps would have genuine postmarks. On the other hand this is the material forgers would use for practice. There are several references for forged postmarks, this is one:



The book is only 54 pages long but lists approximately 1700 forged postmarks. This book was published in 1978 so it likely there are newer forgeries out there as well.

Thank you all for responding. I would like to have the cancellations inspected for authentication. Who or what agency would be a viable choice? Thank you for your help! Also, this is just a thought. The date on the cover of this stamp album is 1941. Why would someone forge a stamp when there was no value or at least collector's value for the cancel stamps at that time?

The point is being missed that many of the cancels are not necessarily forged but:

Most collectors had these stamps cancelled to order and genuine cancellation devices were used.

Proving genuine postal use for the purpose of certification without being on cover is almost impossible.

Proving genuine postal use for the purpose of certification without being on cover is almost impossible.

I totally accept this point, but, playing devil's advocate, what then is the purpose of a catalogue quoting values for used stamps off cover? Would that catalogue value only apply to stamps demonstrably CTO'd with a genuine device?

If I have understood this correctly, an expert might be able to tell the owner if a cancel is a forgery (or is known to have been forged), and whether or not the date is reasonable for when the stamp would have had some postal value, but most likely not whether it has had genuine postal use.

Phil

The vast majority (if not all) of those used stamps have a CV of about €2 each, so sending for certification likely wouldn't be worth the cost.

Good Morning Phil - As far as why the catalogs have prices for used without the usual precautionary notes about CTO's, it is likely because catalogs are primarily dealer driven instruments when it comes to pricing.

The entire CTO vs postally used condition to me is a cop-out by the catalog publisher's. Other than the obvious and well documented CTO centric issues of countries such as Russia most used stamps off-cover are a leap of faith IMO. Assuming genuine usage comes down more to historical understanding of the practices of an issuing authority at any given time. Taken to the extreme, can you to a legal standard truly prove that a stamp removed from its cover or package was genuinely postally used? We play by the odds and what the research of those who came before us tells us is likely.

If you want your Infla stamps expertized for genuine postmarks the current expertizers are listed here:
https://www.bpp.de/en/stamp-experti...-nos-98-337/

It's only worth it for stamps that have a huge difference between unused and used catalog value.
For minimal value stamps the expertizing cost will be more than the stamp is worth (the Michel catalog specifically warns about this).
If your stamp is off cover a socked-on-the-nose postmark, or at least most of the postmark, is required to be able to expertize it.
Germany collectors consider stamps that are postmarked with a genuine canceller but after the period of validity to have a forged postmark.
Some guidelines I use:
If used is cheaper than mint it is likely a genuine postmark.
If postmarked stamp has a catalog value of 5 euros or less it is likely to be genuine.
Hope this helps.

Just for the record ,I have four different collections of the German Inflation period .

They are as follows :
Stamps on cover
mint stamps with shade varieties
Used postage stamps
Fakes and questionable cancels

Here is something those who have a interest in German Inflation info. from my collection and you can down load it .

Here is a page on inflation stamps and how they can be displayed the correct way for me .

floortrader, the article on the 50 Tausend Mark stamp piqued my interest and made me check the catalog. In my Michel there is little difference between the a and the b shades - for MNH 0.50 euros vs 4 euros and for used 2 euros vs 9 euros. I wonder what happened.

Scott was likely operating off of bad info WRT the number in existence.