Netherlands Imperforated Varietie

Trying to shed some more light on these imperf stamps. Catalogue mentions imper varieties as proofs. However, it is my understanding that it is highly unlikely to come across a used proof.

First stamp, I suspect, is a regular postage due stamp with trimmed perforations.

The second, is most likely a stationary cutout. The paper is rougher, slightly thicker, and darker than the regular stamp. I would assume that there were stationaries/wrappers issued with this design, as it was also used for postal cards.

The fourth, Ned Indi stamp, can be a proof, but the paper is also rougher, slightly thicker, and darker than the regular stamp. Does anyone know if this design was used for stationaries/wrappers?

The third stamp is a mystery to me. The paper is as fine, thin, and white as the regular stamp. There are plenty of margins left to rule out trimmed perfs. However, it is used, which rules out a proof. Any thoughts?

The last three look very much like cut squares.

The to-pay label was issued by the stamp merchant Moens with gum. NVPH calls it a proof, but I cannot imagine a Belgian merchant gumming Dutch proofs and selling them.

As for the Dutch East Indies one: here is a piece of stationery with that one.
https://www.lastdodo.nl/nl/items/11...g-willem-iii

The 5 cent one on a postcard
https://www.lastdodo.nl/nl/items/97...g-willem-iii
https://www.lastdodo.nl/nl/items/77...g-willem-iii

The second one appeared on postal cards and postal reply cards in the 1870s. 5 cents paid the rate for cards going abroad. In 1881, the paper for the 5-cent William IIIs changed to light blue.

NSK

Thank you very much for confirming that 25 Cent Ned. Indie is a cut out from a stationary. The color don't match, but I assume it is close enough.

The 5 cent blue is not a card cutout, I have a couple of those. The paper is thin as in the envelope/stationary or wrapper, but slightly thicker than the stamp paper.

The 12.5 cent imperf is on a very good quality and thin paper, it is actually smoother, harder, and slightly thinner that the paper on the perforated stamp. It is a bit unusual to see a stationary/wrapper made out of such good quality paper, but you are probably right.

This is the indicium from the 1876 envelope, G#1 in the Geuzendam catalogue.

The 5c appeared on a lot of stationery items.

I have not had time to go through the separate stationery section on LastDodo. It is a mess, but a lot is posted there. Since there is a 25 cent Dutch East Indies stationery item, I expect a Dutch 12.5 cent item will have existed. LastDodo would be the place to find an item.

My guess is it will be an item with special service such as registration or express delivery. It might be a commercial item. That would put it in the separate stationery and not the stamp section of LastDodo.

As to the to-pay label: the paper appears to lack its orange colour to make it the Dutch stamp and it lacks the yellow in the brown ink to be the Dutch East Indies one, It would require identification of the type to know.

One thing that makes me consider it might be the latter is the number style of he "44" when compared to the "91" on the 12.5 cent. But this is not my area. I have difficulty imagining to-pay postal stationery. Then again, I am not an expert and have been surprised before.

Another explanation might be that it had wide margins and the perforation tips have been cut off.

Edit: the 12.5 cent tariff appears to have been a letter rate to the Dutch East Indies via Brindisi, Naples, or direct.

Michel # U2 (1876)

The nr. 44 cancellation is for 's Gravenhage.

danko (OP) was thinking that his 5c was too thin for a postal card or postal reply card, and wondered if it had appeared on an envelope. It did, at the time of the 12.5c envelope posted by vayolene.

More than on one cover type.

https://www.delcampe.net/nl/verzame...8647256.html

Thank you all so much for provided references. I mostly collect stamps and don't have a good library of stationaries to reference. ChatGPT wasn't much help here.

My primary collecting interest is early wordwide airmail stamps. However, I find the the Higgins & Gage Postal Stationary catalog is very helpful in identifying those cut-square items.