Hanover

"1861 Scott 23 3g brown "King George V"
Reprint

Quick History
Through 1837, Hanover (or Hannover) was the family seat of the Hanoverian Kings of Great Britain. The last British monarch who ruled in Hanover was William IV (1830-37). But on his death, he had no legitimate children. Victoria, his niece, than ruled in the United Kingdom, while his brother, Ernest Augustus I, succeeded for the Kingdom of Hanover. This occurred, as according to Salic Law, Hanover could only be inherited by males. So, although Victoria herself was a descendant of the House of Hanover, she could not rule there.

Kingdom of Hanover, 1815-1866

The population of Hanover was 3,200,000. Stamps were issued for Hanover from 1850-1864. The stamps of Prussia superseded the stamps of Hanover on October 1, 1866. Why? Because Hanover was on the losing end of the Austro-Prussian War of 1866. The Kingdom was dissolved, was annexed by Prussia, and became the Province of Hanover.

The Leine River at Hanover City

Into the Deep Blue
The 2011 Scott Classic specialized catalogue has, from 1850-1864, 25 major descriptive numbers for Hanover. Eight stamps are CV $2+-$25+. A choice group can be collected without a large outlay.

A closer look at the stamps and issues

The 1851-55 "Coat of Arms" design (five stamps)  has a CV of $40+-$60, save for the  Scott 2 1 g g (Gute Groschen) black/gray green for CV $5+, which unfortunately I don't have. ;-)

"1856-57 Scott 9 3pf rose & black"

Large network

A five stamp issue was produced in 1856-57 with CV ranging from $5+-$200+. Scott states "The reprints have white gum, and the network does not cover the outer margin" I'm afraid this is probably a reprint. Actually, finding an original Hanover in my collection does not look promising. 

"1859-61 Scott 22 3g yellow "King George V"
Reprint

1859-64 found eleven stamps produced, either in imperforate, or in Perce en Arc 16. CV ranges from $2-$200+.

Scott states "reprints of...3g yellow have white or pinkish gum, while originals have rose or orange gum". This is a reprint until proven otherwise.

George V was the last King of Hanover (1851-66), as his army had to surrender to the Prussians in 1866, and he fled to Austria.

"1861 Scott 23 3g brown "King George V"

Two copies: Reprint

The above 3g brown is a CV $20+ stamp, and I found two in my casual collection of Hanover? Doesn't appear to have rose or orange gum as the originals- or any gum, for that matter.

No doubt reprints.

Deep Blue

The Steiner album has two pages for Hanover, following the Scott catalogue for major numbers exactly.

Big Blue "47 and Hanover

Big Blue
Hanover was part of the 1969 BB housecleaning, so Hanover is a missing "H" country.

In the '41/'47 Big Blue, on one line of one page, there are seven spaces for the years 1850-1864.

General comments...
A) One stamp, forced by a blank space choice, crosses over the $35 threshold (Scott 22 3g yellow ($50)), while three more are CV $10+-$20+.

B) I could find only one stamp (1864 Scott 25 3pf green ($20+)) that might be added to BB's inventory.

Checklist

1850-51
1 or 2

1853-59
11, (12),

1859-64
19 or 27,(20),(22),(23),

Comments
A) Most expensive stamps ($10 threshold):
1856-57 Scott 12 1/30 Thaler black & rose ($20+)
1859-61 (Scott 20) 2g ultramarine ($10+)
1859-61 (Scott 22) 3g yellow ($50)
1861 (Scott 23) 3g brown ($20+)
B) (  ) around a number indicates a blank space choice.

Coat of Arms Hanover 1837

Out of the Blue
I wonder what an original Hanover stamp looks like? ;-)

Note: Map, Coat of Arms, and Hanover pic appear to be in the public domain.

Comment?