GPS May 2020
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German Postal
Specialist
May 2020
Volume 71 No. 04
Whole No. 779
The Feldeisenbahn Evidence Stamps
by W. David Ripley III Page 152
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German Postal Specialist
German Postal Specialist
Volume LXXI, No. 04 Whole Number 779 May 2020
Columns
Letters to the Editor.....................................148
President’s Message....................................149
Articles
The Feldeisenbahn Evidence Stamps
by W. David Ripley III......................................151
An Interesting Post World War II French
Stationery Card
by Harold Peter..............................................159
Germans in the French Foreign Legion
by Jerry H. Miller.............................................161
Deutscher Reichspost-Kalender 1931.......163
The 50th Anniversary of the Moon Landing
by Rudi Anders...............................................164
Occupations and Plebiscites, Part 4
(Conclusion)
by Larry Wirth................................................167
Query #2. Follow-Up. Michel 200 B x
A Blind Overprint?
by David Mielke..............................................178
Deutscher Reichspost-Kalender 1939.......187
News
Announcement from the Third Reich Study
Group
by Christopher Kolker, M.D............................181
New Issues.....................................................182
GPS Study Groups.........................................188
GPS Chapters.................................................189
Adlets..............................................................190.
Germany Philatelic Society
www.germanyphilatelicsocietyusa.org
American Philatelic Society Affiliate No. 48
Opinions of the authors expressed herein are not necessarily those of the Germany
Philatelic Society.
Copyright 2020, Germany Philatelic Society. The German Postal Specialist
(ISSN: 0016-8823) is published 12 times per year by the Germany Philatelic
Society. Periodical postage paid at Chesterfield MO 63006-6547 and additional
mailing offices.
Postmaster: Send address changes to Germany Philatelic Society, 627 Goodrich
Ave., St. Paul, MN 55105-3522. Subscription rate $40 annually. Single copies $3.
Germany
Philatelic Society
Dedicated to the documentation,
preservation, advancement and promotion
of the stamps and postal history of
Germany and its related areas through
education, study, research and services.
Rudi Anders, President
3230 E. 24th Street.
Minneapolis, MN 55406
rudi.anders@iphouse.com
Don Unverrich, Vice-President
PO Box 10285,
Ogden UT 84409
516mru@gmail.com
Marcus Meyerotto
Secretary-Treasurer
PO Box 40
St. Charles, MO 63302-0040
marcusmeyerotto@gmail.com
Peter Weisensel, Editor of the
German Postal Specialist
502 Lynnhurst Ave. E., #404, St. Paul,
MN 55104.
weisensel01@gmail.com
Peter Weisensel & Rudi Anders
Advertising Managers
Lena and Don Unverrich
GPS Research Librarians
P.O. Box 10285
Ogden, UT 84409
Email: 516mru@gmail.com
Ph. 801-309-0466
Harold E. Peter
Director International Relations
37850 S. Golf Course Drive
Tucson, AZ 85739
hepeteramgs@aol.com
May 2020 147
Letters to the Editor
Regarding Ken Gilbert’s article in the March and
April 2020 Specialist, pp. 75-79, and 104-113. It has
been a long time since something new – not just a
rehash of a catalog everyone owns – and ORIGINAL
AND informative AND interesting.
GOOD WORK!!!
Dr. Jason Manchester
Re: Bruce Wright’s German Gem item in the April Specialist, I am
not looking to nitpick or belittle the significance of his Schalburg sheet.
However I would like to point out for the sake of accuracy that the
Schalburgs were a private non-postal issue apparently created to be sold
to raise funds for the Danish Nazi Party. They had no postal validity and
are therefore more properly classified as labels rather than stamps.
Whether the Schalburgs ever appeared on any Feldpost covers
as did the Belgian and French Legion private issues, I can not say.
Whether singles or pairs of Schalburg labels are fairly common as Bruce
Wright believes may be open to question, based on the relatively high
prices presumably genuine examples bring in auctions. Unfortunately
what are fairly common are the high number of forgeries that are out
there.
Complicating matters, according to Michel the German BPP will
not authenticate these issues.
Martin Blumenthal
weisensel01@gmail.com
Have a correction or reaction?
Want to respond to an article?
Write a letter to the editor!
148
German Postal Specialist
President’s Message
Rudi Anders
Annual Meeting ZOOM
Captain Kirk ordered the Enterprise slowed from warp speed as the
ship entered the orbit of the third planet from its distant sun. The giant
screen in front of him flickered and revealed the face of a weary-looking
commander quarantined at the Federation’s only remaining outpost
on the planet’s surface. Ever optimistic, Kirk responded with a greeting:
“Thanks for zooming in.”
200 years earlier - At the time of writing this message, Jerry Jensen,
past President of the GPS, and I are planning to use Zoom* to hold the
2020 GPS Annual Board meeting. We hope that the meeting will take
place by mid-May. Why are we doing this? In the very unlikely event
that Covid-19 will have disappeared later this year, there is no guarantee
that we can hold a ‘regular’ meeting this year. But even if that were
the case, a meeting in May is needed in order to inform the Board of our
finances, present a budget, and plan for next year’s GPS elections. Some
of this could be done by email, but Zoom allows us to discuss issues
and forge a consensus for future action in a meeting-like environment.
Beyond that, we need to be prepared to hold other Zoom meetings –
perhaps quarterly – to more effectively communicate.
Does the GPS face an immediate crisis? NO. But we must look
beyond the next few months and be nimble enough to respond quickly
if issues arise. Let’s focus on two issues: Membership and financial
solvency.
Membership:
I just looked at the April mailing list and find we’re mailing ‘paper’
Specialists to 686 person/entities. Add in the digital Specialists we’re
over 700 members. (We have 19 complimentary memberships – nine
of these are to the German Federation leadership per agreement reach
in 2019). Before getting too deeply into the weeds, what matters: how
many paying members? Answer: 643 regular and 33 life members. (This
includes 39 foreign members – some are life members). Assuming we
remain at same levels we would expect to receive dues of ca. $28,000.
May 2020 149
Financial solvency:
The assessment of Marcus Meyerotto, Sec. /Treasurer is that GPS
will break even this year. That assessment is based on the past nine
months. But with dues income of ca. $28K and expected expenses of
about 48K – we must make up the difference with ca. $5K in advertising
and the rest from donations (direct money & auctions). As a non-profit
we’re not expected to generate a profit, but we do need to look ahead. I
will not recommend a dues increase, but will recommend that the Board
helps to generate added income and/or offers suggestions for cuts. My
preference is for generating more income. Thus I’m recommending a
budget which assumes we can generate more income. Yes, that’s realistic!
We’ve been very successful doing just that for the past 9 months
– roughly $20K. Admittedly, given the impact of the current pandemic,
raising money will be more difficult. But the Board can help brainstorm
how we can accomplish that mission.
Mr. Sulu - Let’s put this ship into warp speed.
*Zoom is per Wikipedia an “American cloud-based videotelephony,
online chat, and business telephone system service”.
With so many GPSers homebound and
bored because of COVID-19, now is a good
time to investigate the dealer and auction
websites, to merge new stamp purchases
with the old in your albums, to write up
descriptions of recently purchased covers
(e.g., why did I buy this?), or to verify your
old identification of problematic, pesky
varieties.
150
German Postal Specialist
The Feldeisenbahn Evidence
Stamps
W. David Ripley, III
Following the Rundfunkmarken (radio permit stamps) listing at
the end of the Generalgouvernement section of the Michel Deutschland-
Spezial catalog is a paragraph about the so-called Feldeisenbahn (field
railway) evidence stamps. It indicates the stamps are not postage
stamps and were attached to the ID cards of workers employed by the
Feldeisenbahn and the stamps are watermarked quatrefoils. There is no
mention of how many values exist. Very little information about these
stamps can be found in the literature. The original Michel Feldpost catalog,
published in 2002, listed 6 different colors; dark grey, red, brown,
violet, light grey and blue, all with “1944” overprints in green indicating, at
that time, the use of the stamps was not known. The Michel Deutschland
Spezial catalog now shows black & white images of both unoverprinted
and overprinted stamps depicting the so-called hoheitszeichen (eagle
perched on swastika). An old ARGE Generalgouvernement listing indicated
12 colors without and 11 colors with the overprint were known at
that time Today, 12 colors of each type are known.
BACKGROUND
The Feldeisenbahndirektion was established on March 20, 1941 in
Wehrkreis IV in Dresden in preparation for the forthcoming invasion of
the Soviet Union. After annexing Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, the
Soviet Union embarked on a program to convert all the existing standard
1435mm European gauge railway lines of the Baltic States over to the
wider 1524mm Soviet gauge. Because of this, the Germans knew there
would be much work to do to convert the Soviet railway lines back to
the European gauge in order to supply a swift moving German invasion
force. Although the Soviets had converted a few key lines, the conversion
process was slow. By the time of the German invasion in June 1941,
much gauge conversion work still had not been completed. This was
fortunate for the Germans as they had fewer railway lines to convert in
the Baltics.
However, despite this advantage, the Germans still did not possess
enough qualified personnel to convert, maintain and manage the Soviet
May 2020 151
railway system effectively, so they clearly needed to supplement their
forces. This was achieved by employing local civilians after the East
Front moved eastward, most of whom had previously worked for the
Soviet state railway. Accounts regarding the number of employees and
the length of the railway system operated vary greatly; between about
36,950, of which about 11,390 were Germans, operating about 2,040
kilometers of tracks, to about 58,420, of which about 10,280 were
Germans, operating about 2,520 kilometers of track. Regardless of the
true number of civilian employees, identity papers and proof of employment
were necessary.
THE STAMPS
For security purposes, bilingual German/Russian identification
papers and ID cards were issued to the local civilian Feldeisenbahn
employees. Monthly validation of an individual’s ID card required a
cancelled proof of employment, or a so-called evidence stamp.
Based on this, it is reasonable to assume exactly 12 colors make a
complete set of each type. Image 1 shows 12 different color unoverprinted
stamps and 12 different color overprinted stamps. While the
colors are all different in each set, note there is a close correspondence
between colors in the unoverprinted and overprinted sets.
interested
in German Philately -
maybe a friend is too.
Why not ask your
friend to join you and
become a member of
the GPS?
152
German Postal Specialist
Image 1: 2 Full Sets of Feldeisenbahn Stamps. Identifying the colors is subjective,
however, my best guess is as follows:
Row 1 (Non-overprinted): Dark Brown, Red Brown, Sienna, Lilac, Red Orange, Red
Row 2 (Non-overprinted): Blue, Turquoise, Olive Green, Violet, Grey, Green
Row 3 (Overprinted): Dark Brown, Light Brown, Brown, Dark Lilac, Orange, Red
Row 4 (Overprinted): Blue, Turquoise, Olive Green, Violet, Light Grey, Dark Grey
THE ID CARD
A bilingual folded ID card is shown in Image 2 (outside) and Image
3 (inside) which verifies the stamps were used as proof of employment
and renewed monthly. The unoverprinted stamps were used in
1943 and the overprinted stamps were apparently intended for use in
1944. To my knowledge, the Feldeisenbahn ID cards are the only such
ID cards to have text in both German and Russian. On the top part of
both sides the text is in German and on the bottom side the text is in
Russian. Each line of text has been translated into English below, but
it is interesting to note: the Russian equivalent of the German text was
determined by either a German with a very poor command of Russian
or an illiterate Russian with little understanding of German. Any reader
fluent in Russian can easily see this.
May 2020 153
Image 2: The Outside of an ID Card
Belong to a local stamp club?
It’s amazing what you can learn.
154
German Postal Specialist
Image 3: The Inside of an ID Card
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May 2020 155
TEXT TRANSLATION - IMAGE 2
The ID card is only valid in connection with the temporary identity card.
ID card Nr. ______
Surname: ______
Occupation: ______
First name: ______
Place of residence: ______
is in the service of the German Wehrmacht. He is employed at the
official field railway station: (Handwritten name of station)
In the exercise of his service: he is allowed to enter the railway systems. It
may not be used elsewhere by another agency.
Signature / “Hauptman u. Komp.=Führer” (Handstamp)
Invalid without a validation stamp with cancel in the current month field.
TEXT TRANSLATION - IMAGE 3
The ID card is only valid, if the month field contains a validation stamp with
official cancel.
This is followed by a 3 row, 4 column grid providing space for each
month’s proof of employment stamp.
THE CANCELS
There are two different almost illegible cancels on both side of
the ID card. By examining parts of the various cancels I have determined
most of the text. On the outside of the ID card (Image 2) the
cancel on the left (Cancel-1) reads “Dienststellefeldpostnummer <illegible
5-digit number>” (Command Headquarters for Fieldpost Number)
around the inside of a circle. The Hoheitszeichen appears in the center
with a star or asterisk underneath just inside the circle. The cancel on
the right (Cancel-2) reads “Feldeisenbahnbetriebsdirection 16” (Field
Railway Operations Office) also around the inside of a circle with the
Hoheitszeichen in the center but with “1” just under the swastika. The
same cancels appear on the inside of the ID card (Image 3). The top
3 stamps are tied by Cancel-1 and the remaining stamps with Cancel-
2. Based on this it is likely this employee moved to a new location after
serving 3 months at the previous location.
156
German Postal Specialist
REMAINING QUESTIONS
The use of the stamps has been known for some time but the ID
cards are very hard to find. From Image 3 we can determine the month
of use, presumably in 1943, of 7 unoverprinted stamps. At first glance,
it appears the months of February through August of 1943 are populated;
however, with a closer look, the handwritten text in the January
space tends to indicate this employee’s service began in June, 1943. This
would make these 7 stamps used from June to December, despite being
placed in the incorrect spaces. Because the top section of the ID card
is in German and the bottom section is in Russian, one can speculate
German or Russian speaking employees were supposed to use the appropriate
section for each months evidence stamp. However, in this case,
as shown in Image 2, because the outside is written in both German and
Russian, it appears this speculation, if true, was not enforced.
Another question involves the number of unused Feldeisenbahn
stamps vs the lack of Feldeisenbahn ID cards, or used stamps, on the
market today. It’s not too difficult, however, to surmise no local civilian
who had been in service to the Germans would want it known to
the Soviets when the East Front moved westward. This would indicate
many of the ID cards were destroyed by employees in an effort not to be
identified as a German collaborator, hopefully avoiding a death sentence.
This could also be the reason why the intended use of the stamps was
not known when the 2002 edition of the Michel Feldpost catalog was
published. This also implies the unused stamps on the market are
remainders, possibly liberated by Soviet troops, the employees themselves,
or other wartime profiteers. Additionally, this would explain why
most of the unused stamps on the market are the overprinted stamps. It
is likely the overprinted stamps were prepared in advance but saw much
less use, if any, as the East Front moved westward in 1944.
The stamps themselves also depart from the typical monthly dues
stamps used by many Nazi organizations. The Feldeisenbahn stamps
are beautifully executed, printed on high quality paper in 12 different
atypical colors with evenly applied vertically ribbed gum. While
no information concerning the printing house is known, it is clear the
product was superior to most other dues stamps printed in Germany.
Many Nazi organizations used the same dues stamp for longer periods
of time together with a date cancel to tie the stamp to a dues receipt
card. Perhaps additional security was necessary in this case enforced by
a color-coding scheme.
May 2020 157
REQUEST FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
It would be very enlightening if other collectors shared additional
information, or can refute my speculation, concerning these stamps
or have examples of ID cards, especially from 1944. However, after
almost 8 decades, it might not be possible any longer to determine which
colors were used for which months. Any additional information is
certainly welcomed. Please contact me through the editor with any new
information.
Your membership
dues and donations
finance the GPS.
When the time comes,
be sure to renew
your membership,
and please consider
making a donation.
158
German Postal Specialist
An Interesting Post World War II
French Stationery Card
Harold Peter
Image 1: Kurzbefund, front
This is a French Occupation Zone card, Michel P C 814 b II, original
(Ur) card P 314 II, used as a “use up issue” (Aufbrauchausgabe) plus
postage paid (Gebühr bezahlt) for the pencil manuscript 60 Pf, upgrade
imprint for 6Rpf – Gubühr bezahlt and 6 Pf (Mi 4z) Washington printing,
totaling 72 Pf, paying for the registered out of town card rate due as
of March 1, 1946. The card was mailed from Regensburg 1e on 03.5.46 –
16, and has an arrival postmark 7.5.46 – 8 in Wurmannsquick a.
What is interesting is the fact that it is a French Occupation Zone
card used in the American Zone. Though the French Occupation Zone
card was not valid in the American Zone, it was validated by the postal
clerk, who undoubtedly lacked the knowledge.
May 2020 159
Image 2: Kurzbefund, back
Errata:
In the May Specialist in Ken Gilbert’s “An
Introduction to German Rural Mail Markings
and Cancels, Part 2,” there are two errors
on p. 106. In the paragraph beginning in the
middle of the page, Image 6 should read Image
5, and Image 11 should read Image 6.
Editor
160
German Postal Specialist
Germans in the
French Foreign Legion
Jerry H. Miller
The ‘French Foreign Legion’ is a voluntary military group composed
primarily of non-French volunteers. As an arm of the French military,
Legion members are not so-called mercenaries but serve minimum
five-year-duty contracts. Serving twenty years entitles participants to a
French-paid pension as well as lifetime health care at military hospitals.
The Legion was organized in 1831 for missions in Algeria, which
mostly consisted ofsuppression of local uprisings. Between 1831-1999, it
was actively involved in twenty-four wars or campaigns worldwide. The
Foreign Legion as well as the Paratrooper Unit Command are considered
the elite of French fighting forces.
German-speakers were volunteers in the Legion from its origin,
becoming 35% of its total force post World War II.
Before German prisoners of war were released from French camps at
the end of the war, the Legion is known to have recruited inmates.
Upon release from Allied camps in Europe & abroad, many former
members of the German Wehrmacht returned home to civilian life often
finding towns and cities in ruins with few employment opportunities.
Some of those young men, had volunteered or were drafted into German
service between 1939-1945 prior to completion of apprenticeship or
occupation training. Many of those returnees therefore returned to civilian
life with only qualifications relating to military service motivating
them to join the Legion.
In post-war French-Occupation-Zone Germany, an estimated third
of men between 18-20 years of age were enrolled in the Legion, not all
of whom were volunteers, since the French were known to have pressed
some of them knowingly or unknowingly into service. After signing
volunteer contracts, they were smuggled into France wearing uniforms
and brought to Legion bases.
The numbers of German speakers in the Legion were highest during
the French Indo-China and Algerian conflicts of the 1950s, decreasing
by 1962. A large number of casualties occurred with the French defeat
May 2020 161
at Dien Bien Phu in Indo-China with over 11,000 Legion losses with an
estimated 80% of those German-speakers.
German-Soldier Legion Mail was free-frank through the French
Military Post Office for mail from Indo-China to France. If such mail
was destined for Germany, it went free-frank to France with postage
affixed & postmarked by the French Military Post Office in France,
transferred to the French Civilian Post Office and forwarded to its
destination.
Image 1: Free-frank cover, military-unit validated & military post office postmarked
in French Indo-China on 21 March 1950, sent by Private “Jürgen Pattinger” to his girlfriend
located in Chemnitz (later renamed “Karl Marx Stadt”), Russian-Occupation
Zone of Germany, with additional 25 Francs postage added (UPU Single-Weight
Foreign-Bound Letter-Rate) and military-postmarked on 26 May 1950.
Even though today only 2-3% of Legion members are Germanspeakers,
Legion Member associations exist in the German Cities of
Mannheim, Dresden, Hanover, Dortmund, Frankfurt and Kassel. Only
members of the legion, not deserters or dishonorably discharged individuals,
are accepted into those associations, as supported by the French
Military which monitors membership.
Bibliography:
Wikipedia.de
Scholl-Latour, Peter, Der Tod im Reisfeld – 30 Jahre Krieg in Indochina
(Death in the Rice Field – 30 Years War in Indochina), Penguin Books, 1986.
162
German Postal Specialist
Deutscher Reichspost-Kalender
(18-19 Juni 1931)
Customer service in the summer season
In the bathing and health resorts, special facilities are being used
to cope with the increased post, telegraph and long distance traffic. The
Kraftpost [i.e., Deutsche Post busses] ensure adequate postal connections
as well as quick and good accommodation for travelers.
The German Kraftpost is never missing
(Thanks to Cheryl Ganz for lending the GPS her copy of the 1931
Deutscher Reichspost-Kalender)
May 2020 163
50th Anniversary of the Moon
Landing – Another Stamp
Rudi Anders
164
German Postal Specialist
Someone recently sent me a question about whether the Deutsche
Post had issued a stamp to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the
moon landing. I think he is not a member – no matter, because I always
see such questioners as potential members. I had to look this up. The DP,
in fact, issued a 370 Cent stamp in sheetlets of 10. But a single stamp in
a small souvenir sheet format was also issued in the same denomination.
May 2020 165
Michel numbers are: 3479 (stamp) and souvenir sheet is Block 84 (size
153 x 93 mm = ca 6 in x 3.7 in). These were issued on July 1, 2019.
So much for the ‘regular’ issues. I also remembered that at our Salon
last March in St. Louis I had received a gift of several folders commemorating
the 50th anniversary. The folders containing 10 x 45 Cent stamps
were produced for the firm of Hermann E. Sieger and feature 10 stamps
- all with a different design – i.e. personalized stamps. The designs have
some of the iconic images some of us may recall from the media in the
summer of 1969: the rocket; the capsule; Neil Armstrong climbing down
the steps of the lander; the footprint in the moon dust; and the return
landing in the ocean. The 45 Cent represents the domestic postcard rate.
The open folder size is about 11.5 in x 8.5 in. When folded it’s 5.75 in
wide and 8.5 inches tall.
I contacted the Sieger firm and was told that they still had some
of these “Portocard[s]” products. The cost of the Portocard “50 Jahre
Mondlandung” is 19.50 Euro plus shipping. I do wonder if the 45 Cent
stamps, used on card, could be purchased, or whether there are other
such stamps commemorating the anniversary.
Write an article
for the Specialist.
Your research is
welcome to us all.
166
German Postal Specialist
Occupations and Plebiscites
Part 4 (Conclusion)
Larry Wirth
(Memel continued)
Annexation Commemoratives
12.4.1923
Image 1.
May 2020 167
While on its face, this series with its nautical themes celebrates
Lithuania’s obtaining a seaport, it also commemorates Memel’s annexation
by Lithuania, an act as illegal as the occupation itself. Eventually
this country would pay a huge price for this hubris, but at the time
Germany was powerless to do anything about either event. Stamps were
lithographed by the Margolin Printery at Kaunas.
Philatelically, they are undistinguished, with few variants. But with
only 30,500 sets issued, a bit more uncommon that the usual run, particularly
when we consider their later overprints.
Second Provisionals
1. Denominations in “Centu”
18-20.4.1923
Image 2.
Because Lithuania had been given independence by force of German
arms, its economy remained closely tied to that of Germany. As a result,
the inflation devastating Germany and her former territories was also
visited upon Lithuania. The authorities embarked on currency reform,
but, while successful, it also left Memel again without usable stamps.
To correct this deficiency, the new Lithuanian Printery at Memel
surcharged the first definitive series with appropriate values.
Overprinting was by means of typeset plates that seems to have
done in two passes. One pass included the obliteration bar at the top
168
German Postal Specialist
and the word “centu” at the bottom and the “u” in that word comes in
two types; this is common to all denominations. On the second pass
thru the presses the value numeral was added and each of those has two
types.
As a result of combination, each denomination is found in at least
four types with a total of 37 types. The extra nine varieties arise from
the two digit numerals, which can have the two digits of either type.
Premiums for scarce types range up to 500%. All of this is well covered
by Michel, all type plate type positions are known and, as the stamps
aren’t too expensive to begin with, the interested fanatic could spend a
lot of type hunting them all down.
As you might expect, these are also found in se-tenants with different
types, so Michel lists 52 horizontal and 42 vertical such pairs!
Rounding things out are nine flavors of double and inverted overprints
and a dozen plate flaws (mostly broken letters), one of which is quite
valuable.
2. Denominations in “Cent.”
16.4, 16.5.1923
Image 3.
While the 5c on 300M was a necessary part of the above set, the
30c on 500M is difficult to explain. The only real difference between it
and its immediate predecessor was a change in the spelling of “centu” to
“cent.” for reasons unknown.
There are four plate types of the 5c and 5 of the 30c, plus the combination
se-tenants as with the preceding set. Taken together, the nine
items comprising these two sets had print quantities ranging from
100,000 to 220,000.
May 2020 169
3. Supplementary Surcharges
23.4 – 18.5.1923
Image 4.
In retrospect, it is clear that Memel’s postal officials expected a new
set of stamps from Lithuania. When that hope didn’t materialize, it
became necessary to surcharge more available values of the first definitives
to meet spot shortages of the low, commonly used, values. A 1
Litas denomination was added.
These were again printed from plates having movable type, so they
appear with many, many minor differences in font, spacing, etc. As they
are denominated in “cent.” the “u” variant isn’t involved, but there were
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German Postal Specialist
many more numeral variations giving us a total of 27 plate types in all,
three of which come from only a single plate position. Since quantities
were again small, the scarcest item only ever existed in a dozen copies.
While they aren’t terribly expensive, good luck ever seeing them for sale.
The usual se-tenants exist plus a whole new range of mis-struck and
flawed overprints And, this is already more information than anyone
reading this probably wants or needs.
4. New Surcharge Settings
5.1923
Image 5.
May 2020 171
When it became clear that no new stamps would by available from
Kaunas, Memel Post decided to regularize the surcharging of the first
definitives by making new plates without the nonsense of type font position
types. They are, however, far from flawless, with a listed total of 41
plate flaws of various kinds, some involving the original stamps, others
the overprinting and occasionally both.
Because quantities varied from 7000 to 40,000 for all but the two
top values (which are more common, this is a pricy set of stamps and
some of the flaws are very expensive items.
5. Surcharged Commemorative Issues
6.1923
Image 6.
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German Postal Specialist
The official Lithuanian position was that Memel was part of it, so
there was no reason to continue issuing stamps for the place. The League
of Nations, however, refused to accept that contention, so interim stamps
were still needed. Having run out of stocks of the first definitives, the
Lithuanian Printery (in Memel) surcharged remainders of the April
“Seaport” commemoratives to meet needs.
Again, no plate types but a total of 18 various overprint and plate
flaws on the basic stamps. As these are more abundant (70-163,000)
both the stamps and the flaws are more reasonably priced.
Also note that if the 1 Litas value was in strong demand, the new
currency unit must have had a very low rate of foreign exchange.
6. New Surcharges on First Definitives
6.1923
Image 7.
As summer turned to fall, it was evident that Lithuania’s difficulties
with the League might well be resolved later rather than sooner, and the
shortage of postage in Memel was becoming critical. Instead of printing
a fresh series with the new currency, resort was made to surcharging the
few remaining stocks of the first definitives with the denominations most
necessary for everyday use.
Although the “set” contains 24 stamps, there are only four
May 2020 173
denominations involved, each in six colors. Of the denominations
surcharged, the 1000M was in shortest supply, so the bluish green values
are comparatively scarce, followed by the brown 400M. Quantities
ranged all over the map from 12,000 to 127,000 and prices vary accordingly.
Overall, this is one of Memel’s more valuable sets.
A return to plates with movable type brought back the same issues
previously discussed, this time producing 158 plate types in all, of
which a robust 54 are known from only one plate position. As noted in
the above discussion, some of these plate types are rare. Michel doesn’t
bother listing the se-tenants that must exist in the hundreds of combinations.
And finally, there are 45 collectible inverts, double printings,
overprint and plate flaws.
7. Surcharges on First Provisionals
12.192
Image 8.
A small stock of the first provisionals was found and also pressed into
service via these surcharges. Between three and eight plate types are
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German Postal Specialist
known of each of the denominations. The total for each denomination
varied from 17-80,000, but the number of each type varies widely
making a handful very scarce. A dozen outright mistakes of the usual
kind are also known, all of which are almost certainly scarcer than their
prices would suggest.
8. Surcharges on Commemoratives
11.1923
Image 9.
A comparative handful of the “Seaport” issue was found and
employed for this short set. There are two types for each, but type II
of this surcharge comes only from position 100 and all denominations
must be considered rare. The type I’s are none too common either, only
about 6000 of each denomination being available. This in turn makes it
Memel’s most expensive set at a price (light hinged) of about 700E.
Michel offers no explanation for why the last two short sets are
listed after the December provisionals, but it is possible the two sets were
unknown when catalog numbers were assigned for the December issue.
As exact issue dates are not known, various other possibilities exist such
as that the earlier dates of the final two sets hadn’t been established.
May 2020 175
The philatelic history of Memel ended with a whimper, not a bang.
Early in 1924, the League of Nations acceded to French demands and
accepted the Lithuanian annexation, the first of many such instances
leading to 1939, where this well-intentioned organization could be seen
to have failed in all of its fundamental goals.
* * *
All very interesting, you may say, but while unfortunate, where’s the
tragedy? That came later, taking many years to fully unfold.
As a part of gaining League of Nations’ sanction for the annexation
of Memel, the government of Lithuania was forced to make a number
of concessions. Memel was officially bilingual, and had considerable
discretion concerning regional affairs over such matters as taxation and
marriage. Secular “mixed marriages”’ were permitted in Memel but not
in Catholic Lithuania.
A regional parliament was authorized and close ties with East
Prussia permitted to continue largely without interference from the
central government.
Despite the concessions, the inhabitants of Memelland remained
unhappy and staunchly pro-German. This situation grew worse over
time. At no point in time did the Prussian Lithuanians exercise control
over the parliament; census figures showed a continuing 80%+ of
ethnic Germans and Memellanders, despite Lithuanian attempts at
colonization.
Over time, the port of Memel was modernized and enlarged by
Lithuania, probably the biggest undertaking on its part during the interwar
years, and that country’s most important outlet to the world at large.
As Lithuania slipped into a fascist dictatorship under Antanas
Smetana, residents concluded that as long as a dictatorship was to be
their lot, it may as well be one that was showing great economic success
during the ‘thirties. Adolf Hitler was a better wager at that point.
By 1935, the sentiment for German re-unification had reached 81%;
by 1938 it was 87%. Just prior to the final vote, Lithuania had withdrawn
·its police and turned responsibility for keeping order over to German
auxiliary police, in effect admitting it had lost control of the area. The
Memel parliament petitioned the German government to redeem
the country.
On 19 March 1939, the German Foreign Ministry summoned their
Lithuanian opposite numbers to Berlin and offered them a deal they
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German Postal Specialist
couldn’t refuse: return Memelland to Germany or face war.
The stolen property was returned on the spot with only a concession
that Lithuania would have free access to the port facilities for 99
years. The event was openly and emotionally celebrated by the citizens of
Memel.
Germany immediately began conversion of the port facility into a
major naval base in preparation for the coming war against the Soviet
Union. The war years passed quietly until after the failure of Operation
Barbarossa.
By October 1944, the Soviet army had surrounded Memel, and
while most of the German civilians were evacuated by ship to Danzig
and elsewhere, the German Army made a stand.
The siege of Memel lasted three months, during which time virtually
all civilians in Memel had fled west. Those who made it to Danzig
would flee again a few months later as the Soviet Army closed in on
Berlin to end the war.
When the German military finally evacuated Memel in January
1945, the victorious Russians sacked the city, finding only 6 living
human beings. After the war, Memel became a part of the Kaliningrad
(Königsburg) Oblast of the Soviet Union, but was transferred back to
Lithuania in 1947. All the while, Memellanders, including Lithuanians
who objected to Soviet rule continued their exodus. Those who could
emigrated to West Germany, those who couldn’t wound up in the Gulag.
By 1950, not a single inhabitant of this once quiet German city remained
in Memelland. And that, my friends, was an immense tragedy for all
involved.
We want to ensure you
recieve your GPS issue.
If you’ve changed your
address please notify the
editor, he’ll see that the
change is made.
weisensel01@gmail.com
May 2020 177
Query # 2 – Follow-up Michel
200 B vx – Blind Overprint?
David Mielke
Thanks for that Query #2 article in the January/February issue of
the German Postal Specialist. Rudi Anders asks if someone has seen this
item in an auction (etc.) I have two copies of that stamp, including the
“Discovery Copy” with a Weigelt attest.* The other copy is very obvious
when you look at the back of the stamp. I am sending you some photocopies
of what I have.
The blind overprint on the non-expertised copy is clearly visible. I
just don’t want to pay “big bucks” to have it certified. I believe Weigelt
overstated the value of the stamp because it is not one, which would
be attractive to collectors. I obtained both stamps at a fraction of what
Weigelt stated as their worth.
Doesn’t it take five examples to be recognized in Michel?
*[That attest is identical to the one shown on page 44 where the
number is 399/96, except that its number is 398/96 – but also dated 14.
Okt. 1996]
Because of our forced isolation from
one another, this is a good time to
call or email our philatelic friends,
maybe to share coping strategies and
news of good luck (or near misses) in
recent auctions.
178
German Postal Specialist
May 2020 179
AUCTION
GALLERIES Hamburg
vormals SCHWANKE GmbH
CONSIGNMENTS ARE
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• Discreet and high-quality advice
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Give us a call:
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Contact us by mail:
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INTERNATIONAL
AUCTIONS 2020
Member of the company group
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17 th AUCTION
12 - 13 June 2020
18 th AUCTION
11 - 12 September 2020
19 th AUCTION
27 - 28 November 2020
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realized: 15,800 $ *
16 th Aucon | lot 1896
* hammer price + premium
GPS 05-2020
AUCTION GALLERIES Hamburg vormals Schwanke GmbH · Kleine Reichenstr. 1 · 20457 Hamburg
Tel. +49-(0)40-33 180 71 57 · Fax. +49-(0)40-33 13 30 · info@aucon-galleries.de German · www.aucon-galleries.de
Postal Specialist
News
Third Reich Study Group
Announcement
Christopher Kolker M.D.
Greetings Third Reich Study Group enthusiasts:
What a month it has been! So many changes, so many dangers. It
simply is a different world out there than it was just 4 weeks ago.
What everyone needs is to stay safe and to enjoy their favorite hobby
at home.
That’s where we come in. The latest issue of the Third Reich Study
Group Bulletin is out and available at www.trsg-usa.com. It’s another great
issue, and for those of you online, it is still free. Just click on the “Our
Journal” button, on the homepage, and there you are. In it you will find:
• The Feldpost in North Africa
• The Daimler stamp and story - And some great classic cars to boot!
• A great scan from Jerry Crow
• More interesting stuff form the Channel Islands’ Society
• A wonderful article from the Danzig archive
• And yes, Trivia - this one is a challenge
• And check out the very last page - a nice propaganda piece!
• I do have a special request from each of you. Please read the Editor’s
letter.
Stay safe, keep calm, and enjoy the Bulletin!
Your Editor,
Chris
May 2020 181
New Issues
Richard von Weizsäcker
Design: Andreas Ahrens, Hannover
Theme: Portrait of Richard von Weizsäcker with a quote from him;
Porträt © picture alliance/dpa
Value: 0,80 EUR
Size: Width 44,2 mm; Height 26,2 mm
Issue Date: 2 April 2020
Richard von Weizsäcker (1920-2015) is one of the outstanding
German statesmen of the 20th century. From 1984 to 1994 he was the
sixth Federal President of the Federal Republic of Germany and also
the first of reunited Germany. Many citizens have remembered the law
degree as the ideal embodiment of a head of state. Significant historical
events occurred during his tenure, including German reunification and
the end of the Cold War. The present stamp will appear on the occasion
of his 100th birthday. Richard von Weizsäcker nad been a member
182
German Postal Specialist
of the CDU since 1954 and was involved in the Evangelical Church
in Germany. He enjoyed a high reputation among the population and
across all parties. He has been awarded numerous prizes and honorary
doctorates for his political and social work. Even after he left the Federal
President’s Office, he remained in the public consciousness as the political
voice of the Federal Republic of Germany.
Marienplatz München
Design: Jennifer Dengler, Bonn
Theme: U-Bahn-Station Marienplatz München © Chris M Forsyth
Value: 0,95 EUR
Size: Width 39,00 mm; Height 33,00 mm
Breite: 115 mm; Höhe: 158 mm
Issue Date: 2 April 2020
The Marienplatz stop shown on the first stamp from the new special
postage stamp series “U-Bahn-Stations” is the most important transfer
station in the Munich transport network. Located directly below
May 2020 183
the central square of the city center and the beginning of the pedestrian
zone, the station extends over four levels, on which the U3 and
U6 subway lines and the S1 to S8 S-Bahn lines run. The Marienplatz
underground station, designed by the architect’s office Alexander
Freiherr von Branca, stood out with its orange wall panels, the subtly
used ultramarine and dark green tiles as well as the white, light-reflecting
ceilings and its curved lines when it opened on October 19, 1971, in
the manner of the other subway stops in Munich. From 2003 to 2006,
two additional pedestrian tunnels were created, which almost doubled
the space available at the station: In addition to the platforms, two
100-meter-long tunnels were dug, each of which was connected to the
existing platforms by eleven wall openings.
Zinnia
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German Postal Specialist
Design: Stefan Klein und Olaf Neumann, Iserlohn
Theme: Zinnia © Stefan Klein und Olaf Neumann, Iserlohn
Value: 0,50 EUR
Size: Width 21,50 mm; Height 30,13 mm
Issue Date: 2 April 2020
The zinnia (Zinnia elegans or Zinnia violacea) shown on the new
special postage stamp from the permanent series “Flowers”, which originally
comes from Mexico, is a summer flower that also thrives extremely
well in our temperate climate. Since the 19th century, the nectar-rich
flowers with their variety of colors and shapes have not only adorned
parks and decorative beds in domestic gardens, the robust and undemanding
perennial from the daisy family (Asteraceae) has also set colorful
accents as a container plant on balconies and window sills. The colorful
flower heads are also ideal as cut flowers. In early 2016, an orange
zinnia was grown on the International Space Station, which has since
been the first flower grown in space. The zinnias were part of NASA’s
veggie program, which the US space agency uses to research the growth
of plants in zero gravity. The experiments should lead to space travelers
being able to supply themselves with vegetables they have grown in the
future.
Two Shades of Gray
May 2020 185
Design: Thomas Steinacker, Bonn
Theme: Two shades of gray look differently bright but are exactly the
same © Thomas Steinacker, Bonn
Value: 1,10 EUR
Size: Width 39,00 mm; Height 33,00 mm
Issue Date: 2 April 2020
Free Square
Design: Thomas Steinacker, Bonn
Theme: Where does the free square come from in the lower triangle?
© diskoVisnja/Shutterstock.com
Value: 1,70 EUR
Size: Width 39,00 mm; Height 33,00 mm
Issue Date: 2 April 2020
Some optical illusions were known in ancient times and even today
the different types of visual illusions are a popular pastime for young
and old. They are based on errors in the processing of information from
optical impressions or misinterpretations of visual stimuli and are therefore
also described as perceptual delusions of the visual sense. The optical
186
German Postal Specialist
illusions depicted on the two new stamps from the special postage
stamp series of the same name fool the viewer in different but different
ways. The optical illusion Two Shades of Gray? is called the Cornsweet
Illusion after the American experimental psychologist Tom Norman
Cornsweet (1929-2017) and is an example of the relativity of color and
brightness perception. There is an optical illusion if the subjectively seen
does not match the objectively measurable reality. Is that the motif of the
stamp two shades of gray? the case: the viewer does not see what is actually
there.
The Free Square on the stamp? The illusion shown here is called a
triangle puzzle and goes back to the American amateur magician Paul
Curry (1917-1986), who probably invented the riddle in 1953.
Deutscher Reichsbahn-Kalender
(23-25 März 1939)
Reichsautobahn, Reichsbahn and Landscape
This+ is a country with heavy all-round traffic, the Bergliche
Land, which is traversed by the Reichsautobahn Cologne - Düsseldorf
- Duisburg (-Berlin) and numerous, heavily used main lines of the
Reichsbahn. The picture shows the lines of the Reichsautobahn in
the area near Düsseldorf. It is crossed by the oldest railway in western
Germany, Düsseldorf - Wuppertal, on which heavy freight trains climb
the steepest incline.
(Thanks to Rainer Jaeschke for lending the GPS his copy of the
1939 Deutscher Reichsbahn-Kalender)
May 2020 187
STUDY GROUPS
German Colonies Collectors Group Contact: Oliver Wyrtki, 203 Mill
Xing, Yorktown VA 23693-3805. Email: germancoloniescollectorsgroup@
gmail.com. Publication: Vorläufer, published semi-annually. Sample copy
$5. Annual dues $18 (US, Canada and Mexico), $26 international (airmail).
Website: http://www.germancoloniescollectorsgroup.net/
Germany Revenues Study Group Contact: Jim Kellogg, PO
Box 5251, Q Supercentre, Mermaid Waters, QLD 4226, Australia.
Email: jim@aquakleen.com.au Free membership. Join online:
www.groups.yahoo.com/group/GERMANY REVENUES
Stadtpost Study Group Contact: Peter Rogers, 31 Springfield Road, Bury
St. Edmunds, Suffolk 1P33 3AR, UK; email: peterrogerscsc@aol.com
Color Study Group Computer identification of the various stamp colors
and shades. Various communications via emails. Contact John Cibulskis,
email: jcibulskis@sbcglobal.net
DDR Study Group. For all information contact Rudi Anders,
rudi.anders@iphouse.com or Richard Slater, richandpam@iinet.net.au
Third Reich Study Group Contact Dr. Christopher Kolker, email:
ctkolker@mail.com
An electronic version of the GPS is now available.
Contact our webmaster, Michael Wilhelm, at
webmaster@germanyphilatelicsocietyusa.org
188
German Postal Specialist
GPS CHAPTERS
Baltimore (#16): Third Sunday at 1:30 p.m., Baltimore Philatelic Society Clubhouse, 3440 Ellicott
Center Drive, Suite 103, Ellicott City, MD 21043, Contact: W. David Ripley III, Box 854,
Beltsville MD 20704-0854, telephone: 301-785-0210, email: wdrip3@gmail.com
Carolinas (#37) Third Saturday at 11 a.m. at various locations in the Carolinas. Contact: Dave
Mielke at stettindave@gmail.com or telephone 336-264-4069
Central Florida (#23): Second Sunday at Grace Lutheran Church, 745 South Ingraham Ave.,
Lakeland, FL. Contact Priit Rebane, 8192 Wild Oaks Way, Largo FL 33773, telephone: 727-812-
1255, email: priit@rebane.com
Chicago (#5): Fourth Friday at 7:15 p.m. at the Burgundy Restaurant banquet dining room,
5959 West Irving Park Road, Chicago, IL Contact Bernard Bucholz, 0N079 Vermont Ct.,
Winfield, Il 60190 email bwb0269@gmail.com
Columbus (#20) Second Monday (plus other events). Chapter 20 meets with the Columbus
Philatelic Club, Wesley Glen Wellness Center, Guild Room, 101 Fenway Rd.,
Columbus, OH 43214. Contact: Jason Manchester, PO Box 20711, Columbus OH 43220-2,
email: jhm1939@yahoo.com
Denver (#27): Second Wednesday at Rocky Mountain Philatelic Library, 2038 South Pontiac
Way, Denver, CO. Contact: Patrick McNally, 4530 W 34 TH Ave, Denver CO 80212-1813,
email: diealtemarke@comcast.com
Milwaukee (#18): Third Sunday at 1 p.m. at German Festival Building, W140 N5761 Lilly Rd.,
Menomonee Falls, WI 53051 Contact George Breu, gbreu@aol.com, phone: 262-781-6135.
New York City (#1): First Thursday (except July and August) at Collectors Club of New York, 22
E 35 th Street, New York City. Contact Ron Morgan, email: rnldmrgn@aol.com
Omaha (#43): Third Wednesday at 8:15 p.m. at TUVA Enterprises, 721 South 72 nd St.,
Suite 108, Omaha, NE. Contact Bob Hoff, 4706 Redick Ave, Omaha NE 68152-2562,
email: Hoff860@cox.net, phone: 402 884-6468,
Philadelphia (#2): Third Thursday of every month, social hour 6-7 p.m., meeting starts at 7 p.m.,
at Giuseppe’s Pizza, 1380 W Street Rd., Warminster, PA 18974 (215-674-5550). Auction will follow
the meetings. Contact Rich Nalichowski, PO Box 116, Zionhill PA 18981-0116, or email:
richnebay@yahoo.com
St. Louis (#26) 3rd Tuesday evenings at Petros Restaurant, 3801 Watson Rd., St. Louis,
MO. Contact: Marcus Meyerotto, 411 Meramec Way, Saint Charles MO 63303-8447,
email: mmarkie@swbell.net, phone: 636-447-0383
Tucson (#41): Second Saturday (except July and August). Contact Larry Wirth, 14490 S Stagecoach
Rd, Tucson AZ 85736-1430, email: sbgolfhi@msn.com
Twin Cities (#10): Second Friday at 7 p.m. at Gideon Pond, 9901 Penn Ave. South, Bloomington,
MN Contact Rudi Anders, 3230 E 24th St, Minneapolis MN 55406-1406, email:
rudi.anders@iphouse.com
Virginia (#44): Second Saturday at members’ homes. Contact Oliver Wyrtki, 203 Mill Xing,
Yorktown VA 23693-3805, email: okeeper@hotmail.com
Please send changes or corrections to the editor: Peter Weisensel,
627 Goodrich Ave, Saint Paul MN 55105-3522, email: weisensel01@gmail.com
May 2020 189
ADLETS
Third Reich Propaganda postcards. Good selection for sale. Barry Hoffman, 291 Spurwink
Ave. Cape Elizabeth, Maine 04107. email: pakistan@tiac.net
For Sale: 1 frame exhibit of AMG Stationery Michel P-902 5 Pf green. Plated with 16 cards
utilizing very scarce uncut printing plate of 16 cards incl. 1 card single franking, catalog Euro
1,500, $1,950 - H.E Peter,
email: Hepeteramgs@aol.com (sa)
Canadian “Marke Individuell” stamps and FDC printed by Canada Post commemorating
various German anniversaries: Martin Luther Reformation Red Baron Richthofen, Koehls
Transatlantic Flight, Sistine Madonna, Ludwigsburg Palace, Helgoland, Bavarian Purity Law, 2014
Soccer World Cup etc. Contact: K. Peter Lepold, 278 Bornais St., Kelowna, BC, Canada, V1X7B6 –
email: lepold@telus.net (sa)
Wanted to Buy German Postal Stationery, official and private, mint and used. Peter M. Ross,
711 Terrace Lake Drive, Brea CA 92821.
email: Peter1937ross@gmail.com (sa)
BUYING AND SELLING Germany, Austria, Denmark, World. Old and new stamps, covers,
postcards, collections, accumulations. Jon Krulla, P.O. Box 88, Downsville, NY 13755. (sa)
Third Reich specialized stamps, propaganda cards, fieldpost, occupations, labels/poster stamps,
etc. Manfred K. Hoffelner (APS). email: mhoffelner@aon.at (sa)
Changing your
mailing address?
Notify the editor
(weisensel01@gmail.com).
He’ll see that the
change is made.
190
German Postal Specialist
Guidelines for Articles
Text
Text should be sent as a Word document using the “Normal” style - don’t
attempt to format for the magazine! Bold text, italics and tabs are ok. It may
be sent as an email attachment or submitted via CD.
Do not imbed illustrations in the text document! Show the preferred location
if you wish but leave the actual illustration out - send them separately.
Simple, plain text works best.
Illustrations
Illustrations may be sent to us as either high quality photocopies (hard copies
made using a color laser copier and mailed to us) or as electronic files (scans).
Scans must be sized at a minimum of 100% and scanned at 300 dpi TIF or
JPG files for optimal quality. Internet transmittals can be used. A typical
cover should be at least 1,500 pixels wide.
Originals may be sent. We will make scans and return them immediately by
the same method as they are sent to us. The mails are not risk free – FedEx
may be a better alternative.
Deadlines
Deadline for the receipt of articles, letters, advertising and news is the first of
the month preceding the month of publication. For example, we need everything
for February by January 1.
Your attention to and compliance with these standards will assure the best
quality we can get. Thanks for your contribution!
May 2020 191
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192
Hasengartenstr. 25 · 65189 Wiesbaden · Germany
Phone +49 611 34 14 9-0 · Fax +49 611 34 14 9-99
www.heinrich-koehler.de · info@heinrich-koehler.de
German Postal Specialist