Addendum to Seebeck Originals & Reprints

A correspondent has pointed out that an easy way to identify originals of the 1896 issue of El Salvador is to look at the First Issue of 1895.

No reprints of the First Issue of 1895 are known EXCEPT for the unoverprinted ones and those with the coat of arms in the wrong color. In fact, the unoverprinted ones and the ones with the coat of arms in the wrong color exist ONLY as reprints. Thus, collectors can acquire mint copies of the 1895 First Issue with confidence they are originals.

Now, since the First Issue 1895 and First Issue 1896 issues were on the same plate you can use this to determine whether a First Issue 1896 stamps is an original or not. Just, closely compare the paper, gum and shade.

The plates used for these issues were of 200 subjects, 100 of each issue. Here are the known combinations of the plates:

1896 1895
1c + 5c
2c + 3c
3c + 2c
5c + 1c
10c + 30c
12c + 20c
20c + 12c
30c + 10c

A Different Kind of Camp Cover

Everyone has heard of the concentration camps in Poland during World War II but this cover if from a different kind of camp.

At first glace it appears to be a normal field post cover from Zakopane to Aryes in East Prussia. However, it was sent from a K L. V camp - Camp Boleslewska.

The K.L.V (Kinderlandversichkung) were camps for sending children to in the countryside. On September 26th, 1940 Baldur von Schirach, head of the Hitler Youth (HJ) was ordered to organize a K.L.V. effort for the whole German Reich.

Initially, the evacuation of children applied only to Berlin and Hamburg. In addition to the Hitler Youth the BDM (Bund Deutscher Mädel), the group for German girls, helped to run the K.L.V. camps.




Shown here is a full letter from Gisela Eichoff to her brother who has become a reserve officer. It also mentions the attacks on Hamburg, which is probably why she is in this camp.

1899 Cordoba Issue of Antioquia

Does anyone have a genuine postally used envelope bearing the 1899 Cordoba issue of the Colombian state of Antioquia? Or, does anyone know someone have one? I do not know if one exists. I have seen a cover dated one month before the supposed issue date of the stamps and it is either a philatelically inspired item or a fake. Fake covers and pieces are known.