Gallery

 

Conclusion - A Few Final Words


Arguably one of the more attractive and intricate stamp designs of the era is the five-Mark issue of Germany, the top value of the Germania series of that year. In the Scott Standard Catalogue, the vignette is identified as “Wilhelm II speaking at Empire’s 25th Anniversily Celebrattion. In the Michel Deutschland-Spezial, the vignette is described as “ReichsgrundungsdenkfeLer im weissen Saale des Berliner-Schiosses”.

So ends a brief study of a German stamp, interesting in its own right, that evolved to become a classic provisional issue of I)anzig. Hardly a definitive study of this stamp, it was a study illustrating the wide range of material relating to the issue.

The initial 5 Mark issue (Michel 66, Scott 65) was notable as the basic design that would be in use for more than twenty years in Germany, colonies, and areas such as l)anzig. The 1900 design was inscribed “REICHSPOST’; the 1902 design becomes “DEUTSCHES REICH”, and in 1906, watermark lozenges was added. In 1916, two types were released, differing in the number of perforations. Both the 25:17 and 26:17 perfs were used on this issue, which was adapted for use in Danzig by overprinting in 1920.

It was determined that the Free City of I)anzig would utilize then-current German stamps, overprinted for use in the City until locally designed and printed issues could be produced. This “First Provisioiial Issue” consisted of eleven satamps, as described on Page 3. It is interesting to note that the 4Opf was not available until September. II was a necessary addition to pay the Domestic Letter Rate.

The major ponion of the provisional set was released to the public on June 14, 1920 and would remain valid for postal services until September 30, 1922. Many color and printing varieties make the First Provisional Issue a worthy subject for study.

Figure 10- Only the overprint changes position in this used example of Michel 15K11, auctioned in September, 1994. for DM 34,000 with a catalog estimate 01DM 25. 000. (Now 50.000 in Michel.)

 

Danzig Report Vol. 1 - Nr. 109 - October - November - December - 2000, Page 16.