Mecklenburg-Strelitz

1864 Scott 2 1/3 sg green "Coat of Arms"

Quick History
Mecklenburg-Strelitz is the cousin Grand Duchy (literally!) to Mecklenburg-Schwerin. It consists of two detached sections on other side of Mecklenburg-Schwerin: Neustrelitz to the east, and the Principality of Ratzeburg to the west.

Mecklenburg-Strelitz (in yellow)

The Capital was Neustrelitz, and the population was 100,000 in 1867.

Like his cousin Frederick Francis, Charles II joined the North German Confederation in 1815, and became Grand Duke.

Stamps were produced in 1864: The only issue for the smaller Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Streltz.

Although small in stature and land size, the House of Mecklenburg-Strelitz married well, with Princess Charlotte being wedded to King George III of Great Britain in 1761, and others married off to King Friedrich Wilhelm III of Prussia, and King Ernst August of  Hanover.

Like their cousin Duchy, Mecklenburg-Strelitz joined the North German Confederation in 1866, and subsequently  the German Empire in 1871 as a state.

The Grand Dukes, known as the Prince of the Wends, continued through Adolphus Frederick VI, who, sadly, committed suicide in 1918. But the upheaval from WW I put an end to the Grand Duchy anyway.

More brightly, the House of Mecklenburg-Strelitz survives even today.

Mecklenburg-Strelitz Coat of Arms

Into the Deep Blue
The 2011 Scott Classic Specialized catalogue has, for Mecklenburg-Strelitz, six major stamp descriptions, all for the issue of 1864.

A closer look at the stamps and issues
30 Silbergroschen = 48 Schillings = 1 Thaler

1864 Scott 2 1/3 sg green "Coat of Arms"

The 1864 six stamp issue was rouletted 11 1/2, embossed, and consists of two "Coat of Arms" designs. The Coat of Arms is quite similar to the larger cousin Mecklenburg-Schwerin branch House, as one would expect. The A1 design is shown here. ( I don't have an example of the A2 design in my collection.)

1864 Scott 3 1 sch violet "Coat of Arms"

All of the stamps in the issue are less expensive in CV as unused. CV ranges from $20+-$30+ for two stamps, and $60+-$150 for the remaining four stamps. The good news is the German Philatelic Society shows no forgeries for this issue, although there are many cancellation forgeries*.

(*Update:" There are some rather bad litho fakes" - comment by falshung.)

Deep Blue

The Steiner, of course, has the six spaces on one page for the only issue of Mecklenburg-Strelitz.

Mecklenburg-Strelitz in the '47 Big Blue

Big Blue
Like Mecklenburg-Schwerin (and on the same page), the small space devoted to Mecklenburg-Strelitz in the '47 BB was eliminated by the '69 editors.

But Mecklenburg-Strelitz only had a six stamp issue, so three spaces by BB represents 50% coverage! And what (expensive) coverage it is with  $125, $35, $20+ CV stamps. All of these stamps are of the A2 "Coat of Arms" design. BB does not have the A1 "Coat of Arms" represented: the least expensive @ $60+ CV.

Checklist ('47/'43/'41 editions)

1864
4,5,6,

Comments
A) Expensive stamps ($10 CV  threshold):
1864 Scott 4 1 sg rose ($125)
1864 Scott 5 2sg ultramarine ($35)
1864 Scott 6 3sg bister ($20+)

Queen Charlotte who married England's King George III

Out of the Blue
One of the interesting habits of royal houses was their proclivity to marry off their daughters to other countries royal houses, thereby solidifying relationships. The Mecklenburg-Strelitz Duchy produced just six stamps, but was more successful at producing eligible royal daughters.

Note: Map, pics appear to be in the public domain

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