Heligoland

1888 Scott 21 20pf vermilion & bright green  

"Coat of Arms"

Quick History
Denmark ceded Heligoland to the British in 1814, a half square mile island located 29 miles off the German coast on the North Sea. Although "British", in reality, Heligoland became a favorite seaside spa for wealthy Germans.

The reality is reflected in the first 1867 British stamp issue (actually printed by the Berlin Prussian State Printing Office, as where all subsequent issues), which has a portrait of Queen Victoria, but is denominated in Hamburg schillings. After 1875, the stamps had dual Pfennig & Farthing/Pence denominations.

Then in 1890, the island was traded to Germany in order for the British to be able to tighten their grip on Zanzibar without German interference, much like one would exchange real estate on a Monopoly board game. (The sultanate of Zanzibar had little to say on the matter.)

British stamp production ceased, and henceforth Helgoland (German), population 2,330 (1900), was part of the German Empire.

Heligoland circa 1890

Into the Deep Blue

When the classical stamp collector turns his or her attention to Heligoland, one word is paramount.

Reprints.

Consider this...

The original twenty six major Scott number description stamps issued between 1867-1890 had a production total of ~ 1 1/2 million.

The reprints, produced between 1875-1895, had an estimated volume of  7 million.

Then to complicate matters, the originals had up to eight separate printings, while Berlin, Hamburg, and Leipzig were the source of different reprints. 

And the Berlin reprints are often of fresher appearance than the originals.

Since "used" stamps often have a higher CV, forged cancellations are abundant.

The good news is there is a source where comparative study can be done.

http://www.fritzwagner.com/helgoland/robert_pollard_heligoland.html

The 2011Scott Classic Specialized catalogue has, from 1867-1888, twenty-six major stamp descriptions, with many more minor color descriptions. Seven stamps have a mint CV of $10+, with three more with a CV of $20-$30+.

The classical collector could send his or her Heligoland stamps to be certified by experts. But seeking expert opinion of the ten modestly expensive stamps listed above would not be cost effective for most collectors.

So, one is left with doing one's own research, or assume the specimens in the collection are reprints valued @ $1-$2.  ;-)

A closer look at the stamps and issues

1873 Scott 8 1/4 sch yellow green & rose, perforation 14

I don't have an extensive collection of Heligoland as one would expect from a collector of modest means. ;-)

But let us see what we can say about the stamps I have.

The 1873 issue (six stamps) are found on thick quadrilled paper. Reprints are not. The Scott 8 above is not on quadrilled paper: therefore a reprint. Once more, the 1/4 Schilling is usually found with a pale rose frame and a pale green Queen Victoria cameo background (Scott 7 CV $30+). Illustrated here is the 'error" Scott 8 with the reverse colors (CV $100+): Fat chance this is an original. ;-) 

One thing to note is the shape of the hair protuberance above the neck nape. There are three types, and this type is a corkscrew curl (Type 2). If one would like to separate the originals from the various reprints, the "Hair Protuberance" type is important.

Reviewing Pollard Chart 8 (found at the web site linked above), the above Scott 8 stamp (Type 2, perforation 14) is a 3rd Hamburg Reprint, March 21, 1895.

Well, that was kind of fun. ;-)

1875 Scott 14 1pf dark rose & dark green 

Perf 13 1/2 X 14 1/4

1875 saw a six stamp issue doubly denominated as above. 

The 1 Pfennig stamp illustrated is Perf 13 1/2 X 14 1/4. This eliminates the Hamburg reprints, as they are Perf 14, according to Pollard chart 13.

Does the stamp have large holes or small holes? I'm electing  large holes, which eliminates the Leipzig reprint.

( I might be wrong, as I have "nothing" to compare.)

The stamp is than either an original or one of two Berlin reprints.

Although the scan does not show as well, the stamp has a dark green color to the cameo. The Berlin reprint is "lighter and brighter". Therefore this could be an original (CV $10+).  ;-)

1875 Scott 14 -two copies

Note the lighter green color of the right stamp? (Reprint)

I have another copy of the 1875 1 Pfennig, which is also perforation 13 1/2 X 14 1/4 (right stamp). It has, however, a lighter green color to the cameo. This probably is one of the Berlin reprints.

1875 Scott 15 2pf yellow green & dark rose

Perf 13 1/2 X 14 1/4

Scott mentions that the 2pf (as well as the 1 pf) of the 1875 issue was often reprinted on very white paper. The description appears to fit here. 

Reviewing Pollard Chart 14...

The Hamburg reprints are perf 14, and the Leipzig reprints have small holes; neither apply here.

The original has dark green/ dark lilac carmine color. The Berlin reprints have dull green and light carmine red color.

This appears to be a Berlin reprint. 

BTW, an examination under ultraviolet light is recommended by Pollard to help differentiate the originals from the Berlin reprints.

1888 Scott 21 20pf vermilion $ bright green

"Coat of Arms"

Between 1876-88, two stamps with 3pf and 20pf denominations and "Coat of Arms" motif were issued.

The good news is there were no reprints of the 20 pfennig stamp.

If one wants to be sticky though, there are eight "original" printings of the stamp. ;-)  Consult Pollard chart 19, if interested, but the comparison is much easier with multiple examples.

The "Heligoland" cancellation on the stamp might very well have been "applied", as used copies are worth twice as much as mint (CV $30 vs $15).

Deep Blue

Deep Blue (Steiner), on two pages, has 40 spaces for the 26 major Scott varieties, as well as 14 spaces for minor number color varieties. For instance with the 1888 Scott 21 illustrated above, there are six spaces, reflecting the different color shades found with various printings.

Heligoland found in '41/'47; not in '69/'97 editions.

Big Blue

Unfortunately, Heligoland is one of the "lost" countries now in Big Blue. The '69 editors eliminated the Heligoland/Hanover/Hamburg coverage page.

But let's take a look at what was offered for Heligoland in the '47/'41 editions....

What was "41/"47 Big Blue thinking?.......   ;-)

Illustrated in the last cut is the 1875-76 Scott 20 (or 20a) 3 pfennig "Coat of Arms". CV is $250 for the Scott 20 or $175 for the Scott 20a. The much less expensive 1888 20pf  "Coat of Arms", placed above the cut in the photo, is CV $14+. ! Yet there is no space for the 1888 20pf. Note BB's dates only go to 1879, but a date expansion and a cut substitute to the 20pf would have solved this 'expensive" problem.

The other six spaces, including two blank spaces, offer a nice selection of CV $10+ Heligoland stamps.
Coverage by BB is 27%.

Actually, the prices for these classical stamps (except for Scott 20/20a) are quite reasonable. I suspect the abundant reprints ($1-2) have dragged down the CV of genuine Heligoland.


Checklist ('47 edition)
1867-74
3,(4),(13),

1875-79
14,15,17, 20a or 20

Comments
A) Expensive stamps ($10 threshold):
1867-68  Scott 3 2sch rose & pale green ($10+)
1867-68 (Scott 4) 6sch gray green & rose ($10+)
1874 (Scott 13) 1/4sch rose & yellow green ($10+)
1875 Scott 14 1pf dark rose & dark green ($10+)
1875 Scott 15 2pf yellow green & dark rose ($10+)
1875 Scott 17 10pf blue green & red ($10+)
1877 Scott 20a 3pf green & bright red  ($175) !

B) (  ) around a number indicates a blank space elective choice

C) Reprints are common and are $1-2 in value.

1875 Scott 14 1pf dark rose 7 dark green

Note lighter green in cameo, and the white paper? Probable Berlin reprint

Out of the Blue
I was pleasantly surprised that, at least roughly sorting out the originals and reprints, was not difficult with the on-line Robert Pollard charts.

Heligoland stamps, with the "British" queen portrait and the "German" printing, are fascinating designs. Big Blue should not have eliminated coverage of Heligoland in the '69 edition.

Although BB would not need to bring back the Scott 20/20a "Coat of Arms" $250/$175 stamp. ;-)

Note: Heligoland picture appears to be in the public domain.

Comments appreciated!