1851-52 Wurttemberg in Bud's Big Blue
Bud's Big BlueBud's Observations
(From Jim: Bud is well, but has a lot of non philatelic obligations and responsibilities at the moment. With his permission, I will upload country pages in his complete '69 Big Blue that so far has not been shown. He might add his observations later. Enjoy!)
Jim's Observations
The Kingdom of Wurttemberg, located between Baden and Bavaria, and on the Bodensee (Lake Constance) to the south, existed between 1805 (after the Napoleonic Wars) to 1918 in southern Germany. Prior to the Kingdom, it was the Duchy of Wurttemberg from 1495 to 1805.
Wurttemberg was a member of the German Confederation between 1815 and 1866. The Kingdom became a Federal State of the German Empire in 1870, persisted as such until the dissolution of the Empire in 1918.
The capital was Stuttgart, and the population was 2,100,000 in 1900.
Wurttemberg first issued stamps in 1851, having taken over the duties from the postal administration of Thurn and Taxis.
The postal authority was relinquished on March 31, 1902. German Empire stamps were then used for regular issues exclusively in the territory.
But Official stamps (Two major branches: "Communal Authorities" and "State Authorities" ) continued to be issued by Wurttemberg until 1923.
One should note that only Bavaria and Wurttemberg continued issuing stamps when all the other German kingdoms became part of the North German Postal Union and of the German Empire in 1869, and ceased their own issues.
During the stamp issuing era, (1851-1923), the reigning kings included William I (1816-1864), Charles I (1864-1891), and William II (1891-1918).
Of note, no monarchs of Wurttemberg appeared on stamps- save one (William II on 1916 ten stamp Official issue) - as they did with the German states of Bavaria, Hanover, Prussia, and Saxony.
William II abdicated on November 30, 1918 following WW I. The kingdom (monarchy) was replaced by the Free Peoples State of Wurttemberg (Democratic Republic). Wurttemberg was re-established as a member state of the Weimar Republic in 1922.
After WW II, the territory was occupied by the Americans (Wurttemberg-Baden) and the French (Wurttemberg-Hohenzollern). These two states were merged with Baden in 1952 to form the present day German State Baden-Wurttemberg.
The 2014 Scott Classic Specialized 1840-1940 catalogue has, for Wurttemberg 1851-1923, 251 major number descriptions. Of those (67 regular and 184 Official), 166 are CV <$1-$1+ (66%). The Officials, especially, are quite inexpensive. But the 19th century regular issues ( 11 only CV <$1-$1+ (16%)) tend to be much more expensive.
The coverage in the Scott catalogue is divided into three main categories: Regular; Official-Communal; Official-State.
The coverage in the Scott catalogue is divided into three main categories: Regular; Official-Communal; Official-State.
Big Blue '69, on five pages, has 180 spaces for the stamps of Wurttemberg.
Coverage is a healthy 72%.
Seven spaces for the earlier regular issues require an expensive stamp (Threshold: $10+). In fact, four of those spaces require a CV $52+-$160 stamp (In the "Most Expensive $35+" category).
Coverage is a healthy 72%.
Seven spaces for the earlier regular issues require an expensive stamp (Threshold: $10+). In fact, four of those spaces require a CV $52+-$160 stamp (In the "Most Expensive $35+" category).
For more on the stamps, as well as the checklist, click on the link below.
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