*******I HAVE MOVED THIS QUESTION WITH A FEW SMALL ADDITIONS TO GENERAL DISCUSSION******
Hello,
A seller on eBay has a cover with 1934 Nuremburg Rally stamps with first day of issue cancels.
He tells me that his 2011 Michel Germany Specialized catalog lists FDC prices for those stamps (and other Third Reich issues) just below stamp valuation off cover.
I have the 2004 Michel but mine does not have that.
Can anyone verify this info for me. I would think that Michel Specialized for 2011 and on would have it then?
Thanks,
Bruce
I think there are many, many more of these stamps used with various ceremonial cancellations (including first day) than genuine postally used. So, while they're pretty to look at, they're not particularly rare, or even hard-to-find. And as such, in my humble opinion, often overpriced in the marketplace. But, that doesn't take anything away from the often very artistic designs of the stamps, cachets, and cancellations. They're hard to resist!
Interesting sidebar: The Nazis often compelled various large taxpayers (such as corporations, and perhaps event sponsors) to purchase quantities of semi-postal stamps as a way of funding government projects with the revenue from these sales. Sometimes, these entities devised creative ways to market semi-postal stamps, simply to recover their outlay. Here's a set of cards, with commemorative cancels on B134, B135, and B136, commemorating the Berlin Auto and Motorcycle show:
And, the reverse:
This set was issued to raise funds for Hitler's National Culture Fund. Deutche Bank sought to recover their outlay by issuing these cards for sale as souvenirs.
Hi Paul,
Oftentimes, the stamps were available for an event such as Hitler's birthday before the actual event. Special cancels were available for Hitler's birth in many of the larger cities; April 20. Hitler birthday stamps however were available before that date and if used with a normal cds would qualify as FDC.
Take, for example, the 1943 Hitler birthday set. Many people might believe the first day cancel would be the anti-communism large special cancellation indicating first day of use. Hitler's birthday was celebrated on April 20, 1943 but the stamp set was issued on April 13.
The example that you show appears to show stamps that were issued on the same day as the application of the special cancel. Perhaps these instances are different.
It seems for many of the Third Reich issues, the day of issue or FDC are much scarcer when dated earlier than the special cancels but I will now know for sure as I found an inexpensive Michel catalog that supercedes mine and has the FDC prices shown.
And you bring up another point: Michel cover catalog prices are for postally used examples on cover with valid postage for weight, destination, etc.
I agree with your assessment of FDC vs 'date-of-event' ceremonial cancellations. So, it was probably an oversimplification on my part to lump them together. On the other hand, it is usually a stretch to call any of these Genuine Postally Used, especially with frankings that do not match contemporary rates, as you point out. For me, it's fun to seek out FDCs or ceremonial cancellations that appear to be more legitimate GPU, although it's often a subjective call. No cachet is a pretty good indicator...These are what I might call 'accidental' or 'serendipitous' and I imagine they are more likely to slip past the notice of all but the most ardent FDC collectors.
I have a 'complete' a set of Hitler Geburtstag ceremonial cancellations on semi-postals, starting with the 1937 sheet of 4, cancelled on April 20, which can be harder to find. And I have duplicates for 1938, 1941, 1942, and 1944 cancelled in different cities. I am immensely attracted to propaganda-themed stamps, and the one from 1940 with Hitler bending over to clasp the head of a small girl in his hands (in full military uniform, no less) is quite virulent to my eye. Creeps me out.
The 1940 Hitler birthday stamp you describe was also issued here in the United States as an anti-Hitler cinderella--around the same date by a stamp dealer, I think. The image shows the little girl handing Hitler the flowers, but also spit spraying in Hitler's face. Like anything, this anti-Hitler issue has been reproduced.