Missing C's-Carinthia

1920 Austrian Carinthia Plebiscite Semi-Postal

60h olive green on azure

Quick History
After WWI, the Carinthian territory ( Composed of both German speaking and Slovene speaking peoples) was desired by both Austria , and the newly created Kingdom of Serbs,Croats, and Slovenes (Yugoslavia). A Plebiscite (Referendum) was held on October 10, 1920. The propaganda by both sides was intense prior to the vote. Austria emphasized the economic benefits of keeping the Klagenfurt basin a unity, and the brotherhood between the Slovene and German speaking peoples. The Yugoslavian propaganda emphasized  Slovene national awareness. Naturally, both sides used stamps as fund raising and propaganda tools. Austrian stamps of 1919-20, overprinted in black "Karnten Abstimmung", referring to the Plebiscite, were issued. These 19 semi-postals (B11-B29), sold at three times face value, and were for the benefit of the Plebiscite Propaganda Fund. Likewise, Six 1919 Solvenian newspaper stamps (4LB1-4LB6) were overprinted/surcharged in red , and had the initials "K.G.C.A.", which signify "Carinthian Government Commission Zone A". The outcome was a 60% vote for adhesion to Austria, and a 40% vote for the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes.

1920 Austrian Carinthia Plebiscite Semi-Postal

Scott B16 30h brown on buff overprinted "Karnten Abstimmung"

Big Blue Picture
The '47 and '41 editions, under "Carinthia", have a half page of Carinthian Plebiscite stamps from both Austria and Yugoslavia. This entry disappeared with the '69 and '97 editions. So the stamps are all gone from Big Blue also, right?

Not exactly.

The '69 edition transferred the Fifteen Austrian Carinthian Plebsicite stamps to the Austrian semipostal section, and for good measure, ADDED the last four Austrian Carinthian Plebiscite stamps to complete the nineteen stamp issue. Very nice!

Unfortunately, the same was not done for the Yugoslav (Slovenia Issues) stamps. These four stamps are gone.

By the way, if one wants to also complete the Slovenia set, 4LB5(<$1) and 4LB6($1+) could be added.

1920 Solvenia 5p on 4f gray & 15p on 4f gray

1919 Solvenia Newspaper stamps surcharged/overprinted "K.G.C.A."

Big Blue Checklist
Carinthia entry '47 & '41 editions
(Located after Cape Juby, and before Cape of Good Hope)

Semi-postal
1920 (Austria) Overprinted in black "Karnten Abstimmung"
B11,B12,B13,B14,B15,B16($1+),B17, (<$1 eN)
B18,B19($1+),B20,B21,B22, (<$1 eN)
B23(<$1) Granite paper Imperf
B24,B25,(<$1) Granite paper Imperf

Semi-postal
1920 Solvenian newspaper stamps overprinted/surcharged in red "K.G.C.A."
4LB1,4LB2,4LB3,4LB4,(<$1)

End of Carinthian entry for '47 and '41 editions.
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The Solvenian semi-postals (4:LB1,4LB2,4LB3,4LB4,) are NOT found in the '69 and '97 editions.

BUT, the Austrian semi-postals (B11-B25) ARE found in the '69 and '97 editions in the semi-postal section for Austria.
IN ADDITION, the '69 and ''97 editions complete the set by ADDING:
B26,B27,B28,B29,(<$1) Granite paper Imperf
Nice!

Location of Carinthia on Austrian Map

Kinds of Blue
As noted in the Checklist, the '47 and '41 editions ,under the "Carinthia" entry have the Austrian and Slovenian semi-postals for the Carinthian Plebiscite.

My '69 editions and my '97 edition do not have a separate entry for "Carinthia". But as outlined above, one of my '69's and the '97 DO have the Austrian Carinthian Plebiscite stamps PLUS four more stamps to complete the set in the Austrian semi-postal section. But neither the '69 not the '97 have the Slovenian semi-postals in the Yugoslavia section.

I said "one" of my '69s because my other '69 edition has no Austrian semi-postal section! Very curious indeed. The '69 that has the semi-postals, including of course the Austrian Carinthian Plebiscite stamp spaces, has the same layout as the '97 edition. These layouts are different than the '47 and '41 semi-postal Austrian sections, so the '69 semi-postal section is NOT borrowed or inserted from an earlier edition.

So why doesn't the other '69 edition have an Austrian semi-postal section? Frankly, I don't know. Several possibilities....
a) The semi-postal section was removed for some reason before I acquired the album. Possible, as not everyone is interested in semi-postals.
b) There are several "sub-editions" or iterations of the '69 edition. I'm beginning to wonder if this might be the case, because I've had other reports of '69 editions with additions/deletions that did not square with my edition(s).

"Painting in memoriam of the Carinthian Plebiscite" 

Felix Esteri 1930

Big Blue Bottom Line
If you have the '47 and '41 edition, you are in luck. One could add  (B26,B27,B28,B29) the rest of the Austrian Carinthian Plebiscite stamps to complete the series.

If you have the '69 or'97 editions ( provided your '69 actually does have the Austrian semi-postal section!), then you are mostly in luck. The  Austrian semi-postal section should have the complete series of Austrian Carinthian Plebiscite stamps. One would only need to find a spot to add the four Solvenian semi-postals to the album.

Note: Map and painting image appear to be in the public domain.

If you enjoyed this post, or have some information to share, or have some constructive criticism, please share your thoughts and reactions in the "comment" section.  Thanks!

1920 Austrian Carinthia Plebiscite Issue

2K pale blue