Prussia

1850 Scott 3 1sg black/rose 

"King Frederick William IV"

Quick History
Prussia was, by far, the leading German Kingdom, and in 1871 the German Empire was created under it's domination.

The population was 24.7 million in 1871 (60% of the German Empire's total population), and the capital was Berlin.

Expansion of Prussia 1807-1871

But before Prussia was part of the North German Confederation and the German Empire, it was a separate Kingdom that issued stamps between 1850-1867.

The 1850-1860 stamps had the monarch King Frederick William IV (Reign 1840-1861) as the subject. A romantic and a conservative, he was followed in 1861 by his brother William I (Wilhelm I).

William I (Reign 1861-1888, with 1871-1888 as German Emperor) and Chancellor Otto von Bismarck (In office 1871-1890) unified Germany under their leadership.

The stamps of 1861-67 Prussia show the Prussian Coat of Arms.

Prussian Coat of Arms 1871-1914

German Empire Coat of Arms 1889

Note the similarities between the Prussian and German Empire Coat of Arms. 

Coincidence? I think not. ;-)

1850 Scott 5 3sg black/yellow

"King Frederick William IV"

Into the Deep Blue
The 2011 Scott Classic Specialized 1840-1940 catalogue has, for Prussia 1850-1867, 27 major descriptive numbers. Of those, 8 are CV <$1 -$10+, or 30%. A nice sampling of Prussian stamps are available for the WW classical collector for a not too expensive outlay.

A closer look at the stamps and issues
12 Pfennigs = 1 Silbergroschen
60 Kreuzer = 1 Gulden (1867)

1850 Scott 2 6pf ( 1/2sg) red orange

"King Frederick William IV"

Background of Crossed Lines

The 1850-56 engraved imperforate set of five stamps shows the reigning monarch, and has a background of crossed lines. Three of the stamps have a CV of $8-$10+ -relatively modest, no doubt because Prussia was populous, and stamp use was comparatively high.

1850 Scott 4 2sg black/blue

The postmarks during this era often consist of an identifying town number surrounded by four concentric circles (Vierringstempel). The 1sg, 2sg, and 3sg denomination stamps are on rose, blue, and yellow paper respectively.

Wmk 162

The 1850-56 issue also has a Laurel Wreath watermark (Wmk 162): here, so obvious that watermark fluid is not needed.

1857 Scott 6 1sg rose

Solid Background

A three stamp typographed issue was released in 1857. These stamps have a solid background.

1858 Scott 9 4pf green

Background of Crossed Lines

A typographed 4pf green with a background of crossed lines was issued in 1858. This is a stamp where a forgery exists, according to the German Philatelic Society Forgery Manual for the German States. The forgery is cruder with no arched shading lines on the forehead, and the "Freimarke" script only 1.25 mm high rather than 1.5 mm high.

1858 Scott 11 1sg rose

1sg, 2sg, and 3sg denomination typographed stamps were produced between 1858-60. CV ranges from $2+ - $10+.

1858 Scott 13 3sg orange

The 3sg orange shows a nice town cancel (Ortsstempel).

1861 Scott 15 4pf yellow green

Embossed, Rouletted 11 1/2

"Coat of Arms"

The Prussian "Coat of Arms" was used for the six stamp 1861-67 set. The new monarch, William I, for some reason, was not chosen for the visage. The subtle hand of Chancellor Otto von Bismarck, as he attempts to unify Germany?

1861 Scott 18 2sg ultramarine

The 1861-67 set was embossed, and was rouletted 11 1/2. CV is <$1-$20+.

There is, in addition, a similar five stamp 1867 set (not shown), which is valued in  Kreuzer denominations.

The stamps of Prussia were superseded on January 1, 1868 by those of the North German Confederation.

Deep Blue

Prussia 1850-1860 Issues in Deep Blue

Deep Blue (Steiner) has two pages for the stamps of Prussia, and gives a space for all Scott major numbers. A quadrilled page might also be nice for minor number variations or extras.

1857 Scott 12 2sg blue

Big Blue

Big Blue '69, on two lines of one page, has 13 spaces. Only one line though- 6 spaces- is actually stamps of Prussia. Coverage is 22%. and consists entirely of the embossed 1861-67 issue. 

Expensive stamps include the 1867 Scott 14 3pf red lilac ($20+) and the 1861 Scott 16 6pf orange ($10+).

Of note,  BB specifies the 1865 3p "red violet" color, now a minor number (14a), with a CV of $250! But, as a general rule, if BB asks for a minor number in a space, the major number is also permitted: hence the 3pf red lilac ($20+).

The other line in the '69 BB has 7 spaces for the 1903 Local Official stamps for Prussia, but these stamps are listed under Germany in the catalogue.

In the 40s editions, the 1861-67 issue coverage is 4 spaces, but there are 3 spaces for the 1850-1860 stamps. Also, there are 15 spaces for the 1903 Local Official stamps for Prussia.

The coverage for Prussia in the '69 is located on the same page as Nyassa and Obock, and before Oltre Giuba.

For the 40s BB editions, the coverage is found after the Paraguay - Pitcairn Islands page.

Checklist ('69 version)

1861-65

14a* or 14,15,16,17,18,20,

Official Stamps

1903*

OL9,OL10,OL11,OL12,OL13,OL14,OL15,

Comments

A) Expensive stamps ($10 threshold):

1867 Scott 14 3pf red lilac ($20+)

1861 Scott 16 6pf orange ($10+)

B) *14a or 14- BB specifies the 1865 3p "red violet" color, now a minor number (14a), with a CV of $250! But we have a general understanding for the checklist that if BB asks for a minor number in a space, the major number is also permitted: which here is the 3pf red lilac ($20+).

C) *1903 Official issue are for local use in Prussia. But they are listed in the Scott catalogue as part of the issues of Germany.

1861 Scott 17 1sg rose "Coat of Arms"

Out of the Blue

I would like to do a little more investigation of the stamps of Prussia- but, for the present, I have to move on. ;-)

Note: The maps and "Coat of Arms" images appear to be in the public domain.

Comments are appreciated.

Prince Edward Island

1862-65 Scott 6 3p blue "Queen Victoria"

Quick History
Anne of the Green Gables (1908) , a novel set in Victorian times on Prince Edward Island, forms for many, the first exposure to the people and landscape of this small province, located in the Canadian Maritimes.

Prince Edward Island 

Known as St. John's Island until 1798

The Capital is Charlottetown, and the population was 92,000 in 1940.

Great Britain obtained the island from France in 1763, under the Treaty of Paris. The island was a separate British colony from 1769 to 1873, when it belatedly joined the Canadian Confederation.

Prince Edward, Duke of Kent and Strathearn  (1767- 1820)

Father of Queen Victoria

The island was renamed from St.John's Island (because of confusion with the cities of St. John's in New Brunswick and Newfoundland) to Prince Edward Island in 1798 in honor of Prince Edward, the fourth son of King George III. As it turned out, the choice was also fortuitous, as Alexandrina Victoria was born in 1819, and Edward, then, was the father of the Queen.

Stamps were introduced in 1861, and sixteen stamps were forthcoming through 1872, when the British colony elected to join the Dominion of Canada on July 1, 1873.

1872 Scott 12 2c ultramarine "Queen Victoria"

Into the Deep Blue
The 2011 Scott Classic Specialized 1840-1940 catalogue for Prince Edward Island 1861- 1872, has 16 major descriptive numbers. Of those, seven are CV $5+-$20, or 43%. Three more are CV $20+-$35. A representative collection is available if the WW classical collector accepts these costs.

A closer look at the stamps and issues
12 Pence = 1 Shilling
100 Cents = 1 Dollar (1872)

1862-65 Scott 5 2p rose "Queen Victoria"

A three stamp typographed issue of Queen Victoria was released January 1, 1861. This issue has perf 9, and is quite expensive (CV $300-$1000+).

The three frame and denomination designs, though, were repeated for the 1862-65 issue, along with two new frame designs. All have the same queen vignette.

The 1862-65 five stamp issue has a much different perf: 11 1/2- 12 for the major numbers.

1862-65 Scott 8 9p violet

The 1862-65 issue has a CV of $7+ - $90+. The paper may be either white or yellow.

1868 Scott 9 4p black

A four pence denomination was issued in 1868. CV just misses the $20 mark.

Of interest, this stamp was forged by S. Allan Taylor of the Boston Gang in the 19th century. It was a quite crude lithographic imitation, for the Queen has no mouth!

Actually, few of the Prince Edward Island stamps were forged, as so many genuine remainders were left after the colony joined the Canada, keeping the prices down, that it was not worth the effort.

1870 Scott 10 4 1/2p brown "Queen Victoria"

A lovely 3/4 portrait view of the queen was issued on a 4 1/2p denomination in 1870. The portrait and design looks quite similar to the New Brunswick 1860-63 three stamp issue of the Queen.

1872 Scott 14 4c green "Queen Victoria"

In 1872, the colony changed the denomination values to Cents/ Canadian Dollar, and hence new stamp were needed.

The somewhat older queen's vignette was the same for all six denominations, but the frame design was different for each one, as well as, naturally, the color of the stamp. 

1872 Scott 15 6c black

CV for the six stamps in the issue ranges from $5+-$20+, with unused of less value than used. As this issue was released only 18 months before joining the Dominion of Canada, there were plenty of remainders that became available to collectors, keeping the CV fairly low. Yes!

Deep Blue

Prince Edward Island Issues in Deep Blue

Deep Blue (Steiner) has one page for Prince Edward Island. Adequate, if one wishes not to collect variations.

1862-65 Scott 4 1p yellow orange

Big Blue
Big Blue '69 has Prince Edward Island on two lines of one page, shared with Penrhyn Island. There are nine spaces, or 56% coverage of the total stamp output. The page is located after Panama, and before Papua.

The 40s BB editions have the same coverage, but the page is located before Persia.

The coverage cannot be faulted, as any missing spaces are more expensive.

There are three stamp spaces in BB with CV $10+-$20+.

Checklist

1861- 68 (Actually - 1872)
1 or 5*, 2 or 6, 9, (14)
11,12,13,15,16,

Comments
A) Expensive stamps ($10 threshold):
1862-65 Scott 6 3p blue ($10+)
1872 Scott 12 2c ultramarine ($20+)
1872 Scott 13 3c rose ($20+)
B) * 1 or 5 & 2 or 6 are perf 9 vs perf 11 1/2 -12 respectively.
C) (    ) around a number indicates a blank space choice

   1872 Scott 13 3c rose

Out of the Blue
Except for the 1870 3/4 portrait queen which is engraved, all the other issue stamps are typographed. I admit I prefer engraved stamps for my "classics". I think they look better.

But the prices are right for these unused specimens- so I am not complaining much. ;-)

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

Have a comment?

The "Real" Green Gables Farmhouse in Cavendish, Prince Edward Island

Portuguese India

1882-83 Scott 168 8t orange "Portuguese Crown"

Quick History
Portugal and India have been interacting with each other ever since Vasco da Gama landed in Calicut on the Malabar Coast in 1498. Portuguese India ( Estado da India Portuguesa), a colonial state, was founded in 1505, and the capital was Cochin through 1530, then Nova Goa.

Note Portuguese India settlements: Calicut (1498), Cochin (1500),

Goa (1510), Diu (1535), Daman (1558)

Goa (1510) became the most important settlement; and , in fact, "Portuguese India" was often referred to as "Goa". A post office was opened in Goa in 1854, and stamps for local use within the colony were issued in 1871.

Population for the colony was 624,000 in 1940.

1893 Map of India

Note Portuguese Indies label along the West Coast of the Indian Peninsula

By the 19th and 20th century, "Portuguese India" consisted of Goa, Daman, and Diu (See map). Portugal, however, did not get the hint that the colonial era was over, and finally India invaded these territories. The Governor of Portuguese India signed the Surrender Document on December 19, 1961, ending 450 years of Portuguese rule.

Our Lady of Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Goa, founded in 1540

Although Goa (Today Panjim) is now part of India, the city still has a remarkable Portuguese flavor, with the red tiled roofs, cobbled streets, and church architecture.

1902 Scott 209 1t carmine rose "King Carlos"

Into the Deep Blue
The 2011 Scott Classic Specialized 1840-1940 catalogue has, for Portuguese India 1871-1938, 501 major descriptive numbers. Of those, 202 are CV <$1-$1+, or 40.3%. The earlier 1871-1883 Scott 1-161 are rather expensive for the WW classical collector. The rest of the issues tend to be less expensive (66% @ <$1-$1+). Clearly, a nice accumulation of Portuguese India can be had for little CV. Now, one just needs to find a dealer that has them. ;-)  I, for one, could significantly strengthen my collection.

A closer look at the stamps and issues
100 Reis = 1 Milreis
12 Reis = 1 Tanga (1881-820
(Real = singular of Reis)
16 Tangas = 1 Rupia

1873 Scott 25 20r vermilion "Numeral of Value"

Re-issues; Thin Bluish Toned Paper

The earlier Issues (1871-1877) were handstamped from a single die, and were intended for local use in the colony. They were rather crudely done, and the perforations are often rough. They can be found on various papers and perforations.The inscriptions are "Servico Postal", and "India Post". The CV is generally in the Tens- Hundreds range. The 1873 issue (six stamps) on thin bluish toned paper - and illustrated here- is actually a re-issue.

1882-83 Scott 164 6r green "Portuguese Crown'

The "Portuguese Crown" design was used for a 1877-81 issue- 14 major numbers. Scott lists 25 bolded minor numbers for thin/medium paper and different perforations.

The design was used again in 1882-83 for a seven stamp set- which is illustrated above.

These "Portuguese Crown" stamps were reprinted on very white paper in 1885 and 1905.

1886 Scott 176 6r deep green "King Luiz"

A seven stamp set with "King Luiz" was issued in 1886. CV is $1+-$4+.

1895-96 Scott 181 1 1/2r black "King Carlos'

A "King Carlos" eight stamp issue was produced in 1895-96. CV is <$1-$3. Note the "Nova-Goa" postmark.

 1898 Scott 189 1 1/2r blue green "Fleet Departing"

The omnibus 1898 Vasco da Gama issue naturally is found for Portuguese India, and is especially relevant, as it depicts the discovery voyage to India.

1902 Scott 200 2r orange "King Carlos"

The 1898-1903 "King Carlos" issue, some 25 stamps, has a CV ranging from <$1-$10+.

This particular example is an argument in favor of a nice cancelled specimen.

1911 Scott 250 6r gray green

Stamps of 1898-1903 Overprinted in Lisbon in Carmine or Green

The October 5, 1910 revolution in Portugal is reflected in the 16 stamp "Republica" overprinted issue of 1911. Note this overprint was applied in Lisbon. There are other issues (1913-15), where the overprint was applied locally.

1912-13 Scott 260C 1r on 2r orange

Perforated Vertically through the Middle 

Each Half Surcharged with New Value

This flawed example is shown to illustrate the interesting 1912-13 thirty-two stamp issue, where the stamp is vertically bisected in the middle with perforations, and each side is surcharged.

1913 Scott 296 4t orange brown "Flagship San Gabriel"

Overprinted

The change in government created an overprinted Vasco da Gama issue in 1913 on eight stamps.

1913-21 Scott 358 1 1/2r yellow green "Ceres"

Between 1913-21, a 19 stamp "Ceres" set was issued.  CV ranges from <$1-$10+.

I should mention that Scott, since 2013, has begun to re-number and more finely parse the Ceres issues for Portugal and colonies based on perforation ( 12 X 11 1/2, 15 X 14) and ordinary/chalky/glazed paper. But my 2014 Scott Classic Specialized 1840-1940 catalogue still has the "old" numbers for Portuguese India.

Update: The Afinsa specialized catalogue for the Portuguese colonies has a further breakdown of the orientation of the stars on either side of the Ceres issue colony name. See the blog post for Portuguese Congo for specifics.

1914 Scott 384 1 1/2r on 4 1/2r red 

"Fleet Arriving at Calicut"

Surcharged in Black

In 1914, the Vasco da Gama issue was surcharged on six stamps as shown here.

1931 Scott 416 6r red violet "Image of St. Francis"

For the exposition of St. Francis Xavier at Goa, in December, 1931, a six stamp issue, each with a different design, was produced.  CV is from <$1-$4+.

1933 Scott 424 1r bister "Portugal"

A design showing "Portugal" and "San Gabriel", the flagship of Vasco da Gama, was used in 1933 on 15 stamps. CV is <$1 for 11 stamps of the issue.

Postage Due 1904 Scott J8 2t gray brown

A Portuguese functional "Postage Due" issue of 11 stamps was produced in 1904.

Postal Tax 1925 Scott RA2 6r rose & black

"Planning Reconstruction of Lisbon"

Pombal Issue

The "Common Design" Pombal three stamp issue for Postal Tax use is illustrated here.

Deep Blue

1914 Surcharged Vasco da Gama Issue in Deep Blue

Deep Blue (Steiner) has 30 pages for Portuguese India, and naturally includes a space for all the major Scott numbers. 

The 1877-81  "Portuguese Crown" stamps, which come in two perforations, and either thin or medium paper, have 25 bolded minor numbers in Scott. These are not given spaces in Steiner, and I will put any minor number specimens I accumulate on a separate quadrilled page.

1913-21 Scott 363 5r blue green "Ceres"

Big Blue
Big Blue '69, on five pages, has 155 spaces for Portuguese India. Total coverage is 30.9%. As BB does not cover the earlier more expensive 1871-1883 Scott 1-181 issues, the remaining coverage is 45+%, which is reasonable for a representative album.

There is only one stamp @ CV $10+, and that is for a blank space choice.

Of interest, Scott has a space for both the 1898-1903 "King Carlos" Scott 206 9r dull violet, and the minor number Scott 206a 9r gray lilac. Checking the '47 Scott catalogue, I note that both colors were then major numbers.  But the "Scott 207 1902 9r gray lilac" major number was subsequently dropped to a minor number in later catalogues.

Checklist

1882-83
162,163,164,165,166,

1883
169, (170),

1885
174,175,176,

1895
181,182,183,(185),

1898
189,190,191,192,193,

1898-1900
198,203,204,206,208,210,213,

1902
224,225,226,227,231,232,233,

1902
239,240,241,

1902-03
197,199,200,

Next Page

1902-03
201,202,205,206a* ,209,211,(214),

1911
244,245,246,247,248,249,250,
251,252,253,254,

1912-13
260C,261,265,
283,283B,284,285,285B,289,

1913
293,290,291,292,294,

1914
384,385,386,387,388,

Next Page

*2017 Update: The Ceres issue presented here below originally had the (now "old") numbers in the 2011 catalogue. By 2015, Scott had parsed the Ceres into 1914 Perf 15 X 14 chalky paper, 1916-20 Perf 15 X 14 ordinary paper, & 1921-23 Perf 12 X 11 1/2 ordinary paper, all with major numbers. I will present both here: "old" and "current" numbers.

1913-22 Ceres (Old Numbers)
357,358,359,360,361,401,362,363,
364,365,366,367,402,368,403,369,
370,

1913-22 Ceres (New Numbers)
First row: 357 or 375A or 375J, 358 or 375B or 375K, 359 or 375C or 375L, 360 or 375D or 375K, 361 or 375E or 375M, 375N, 362 or 375F or 375O, 363 or 375P,
Second row: 364 or 375G or 375Q, 365 or 375K, 366 or 375S, 367 or 375H or 375T, 375U, 368 or 375I or 375V, 375W, 369 or 375X,
Third row: 370 or 375Y,

1914
376,377,

1925
411,412,

1931
415,414,416,417,419,418,

1933
424,425,426,427,428,429,
430,431,432,433,434,(435),

Next Page

1938
439,440,441,442,
443,444,445,446,
447,448,449,

Next Page

Postage Due
1904
J1,J2,J3,J4,J5,J6,J7,

1911
J12,J13,J14,J15,J16,J17,J18,

Air Post
1938
C1,C2,C3,C4,C5,C6,

War Tax
1919
MR1,MR2,MR3,

Postal Tax
1925
RA!,RA2,RA3,

Postal Tax Due
1925
RAJ1,RAJ2,RAJ3,

End

Comments
A) Expensive stamps ($10 threshold):
1883 (Scott 170) 4 1/2r olive green ($10+)
B) (    ) around a number indicates a blank space choice
C) *206a- BB specifies the minor number color here 9r gray lilac. As there is already a space for 206- 9r dull violet- one will need to put the minor number color in here -See discussion..
D) *2017 Update: The Ceres issue presented here below originally had the (now "old") numbers in the 2011 catalogue. By 2015, Scott had parsed the Ceres into 1914 Perf 15 X 14 chalky paper, 1916-20 Perf 15 X 14 ordinary paper, & 1921-23 Perf 12 X 11 1/2 ordinary paper, all with major numbers. I will present both here: "old" and "current" numbers.

1938 Scott 444 1t bright red violet 

"Mousinho do Albuquerque"

Out of the Blue
If I ever get to India, I would like to visit Goa. ;-)

Note: Maps and Cathedral pic appear to be in the public domain.

Have a comment?