1921 Scott 83 25m ultramarine, red & black
"Burbach Steelworks, Dillingen"
Quick HistorySaar or Saargebiet was a former piece of Germany by the Saar River occupied by France (mostly) and Great Britain after WW I. Saar was an industry and coal rich area, and hence an attempt by the Allied powers to neuter and punish Germany through the Treaty of Versailles.
Saarbeckengebiet Map
The territory was governed under the League of Nations mandate from 1920 to 1935. The coalfield production was given to France.
The capital was Saarbrucken, and the population was 812,000 in 1933.
Stamps were issued for the Saar between 1920-1934.
With the fifteen year Versailles Treaty mandate running out in 1935, a plebiscite was held, and 90% of the ethnic German population voted to join the German Reich. The other 9% voted "no", primarily because of fear of the Nazi government.
The territory was reunited with Germany on January 17, 1935.
German stamps were then used.
History repeated itself after WW II.
The territory became the Saar Protectorate under French influence on February 16, 1946. After a referendum in 1955, Saarland rejoined Germany on January 1, 1957.
1922 Scott 116 5fr brown & red brown
"Burbach Steelworks, Dillingen"
Into the Deep BlueThe 2014 Scott Classic 1840-1940 catalogue has, for Saar 1920-1934, 237 major number descriptions. Of those, 112 are CV <$1-$1+, or 47%. The WW classical collector should be able to find a representative selection for a modest outlay.
A closer look at the stamps and issues
100 Pfenning = 1 Mark
100 Centimes = 1 Franc (1921)
1920 Scott 8 20pf blue violet, Type I
1920 Scott 14b 60pf deep gray lilac, Type III
German Stamps of 1906-19 Overprinted
On January 30, 1920, stamps of Germany (1906-19) were overprinted "Saare" for the mandated territory. Seventeen major number stamps are found in the Scott catalogue, and CV ranges from <$1-$10+ for fifteen of them.
One will note, for Saar Stamps, that "used" often have a higher CV than "unused".
Type I: Larger letters, no control mark (short thin line) below bar. (illustrated)
Type II: Larger letters and control mark present.
Type III: Smaller letters and control mark present. (illustrated)
I find it is helpful to look at the "r" in "Saare". The "r" appears taller (2mm+) in Type I compared to Type III (2mm). (I don't have any Type IIs to compare.)
The Scott catalogue has Type I as major numbers, and Type II and Type III as minor numbers. Some of the minor numbers have a very high CV ($1,000+ !).
One will note, for Saar Stamps, that "used" often have a higher CV than "unused".
Overprint Types
The overprint is found with three types.Type I: Larger letters, no control mark (short thin line) below bar. (illustrated)
Type II: Larger letters and control mark present.
Type III: Smaller letters and control mark present. (illustrated)
I find it is helpful to look at the "r" in "Saare". The "r" appears taller (2mm+) in Type I compared to Type III (2mm). (I don't have any Type IIs to compare.)
The Scott catalogue has Type I as major numbers, and Type II and Type III as minor numbers. Some of the minor numbers have a very high CV ($1,000+ !).
1920 Scott 28 30pf orange
Bavarian Stamps of 1914-16 Overprinted
The March 1, 1920 issue used 1914-16 Bavarian stamps, and overprinted them. The eighteen stamps issue has a CV of <$1- $10+ for ten stamps.
I noticed in my collection that I do not have some of the low denomination stamps: Scott 19 2pf gray, Scott 20 3pf brown, and Scott 22 7 1/2pf green. There is a reason for that. ;-)
These particular stamps were never officially issued, but were available for postage, and can be found on cover. CV ranges from $35 - $1000 !.
I noticed in my collection that I do not have some of the low denomination stamps: Scott 19 2pf gray, Scott 20 3pf brown, and Scott 22 7 1/2pf green. There is a reason for that. ;-)
These particular stamps were never officially issued, but were available for postage, and can be found on cover. CV ranges from $35 - $1000 !.
1920 Scott 58 4m black & rose
German Stamps of 1906-20 Overprinted
On March 26, 1920, an 18 stamp issue using the 1906-20 German stamps, and overprinted "Saargebiet" was released. CV is a modest <$1-$8+ for the issue.
1921 Scott 67 10m on 15pf violet brown
Germany Scott 120 Surcharged
Three stamps were surcharged/overprinted in February, 1921. Although CV is a relatively modest <$1-$6+, forgeries exist.
In fact, this might be a good time to mention that "overprint forgeries exist" for all of the earlier issues of Saar.
In fact, this might be a good time to mention that "overprint forgeries exist" for all of the earlier issues of Saar.
1921 Scott 82 10m green & red brown
"Presidential Residence, Saarbrucken"
A lovely typographed mostly bi-color 16 stamp issue was produced in 1921. This was the first non overprinted issue for Saar.
One of the all time great stamp images in my view ( "25m ultramarine, red & black "Burbach Steelworks, Dillingen" ) from this issue heads the blog post
1921 Scott 96 2fr on 5m yellow & violet, blue surcharge
"St. Ludwig's Cathedral"
The preceding bi-color issue was surcharged on May 1, 1921, using three colors (red, blue, black), on 14 stamps. This was because of the changeover in currency ( Pfenning/Mark to Centimes/Franc).
1922 Scott 115 3fr orange & dark green
"Mettlach Church"
A somewhat less lovely eighteen stamp issue (more monochromatic), using the same vignette scenes found for the 1921 bi-color stamps, was issued between 1922-23 with the Centimes/Franc denominations. CV ranges from <$1-$3+ for 15 stamps.
1927 Scott 135 5fr deep brown "Burbach Steelworks"
Between 1927-32, a sixteen stamp set with seven scenes was issued. CV is <$1-$8+.
1934 Scott 150 1.50fr sapphire, blue overprint
Stamps of 1935-32 Overprinted in Various Colors
Plebiscite Issue
To publicize the plebiscite, sixteen regular issue stamps from 1925-32 were overprinted and released on November 1, 1934. The overprint is in various colors.
1926 Scott B3 50c + 50c red orange
"Children getting Drink at Spring"
Semi-postal stamps are more popular in Europe, and therefore it is not surprising to find semi-postals issued between 1926-1934. Generally, the 60 semi-postals found in the Scott catalogue have a higher CV than the regular issues. Most are in the $4+-$20+ range. Used condition has a higher CV.
An example from the first semi-postals- a 1926 four stamp issue- is shown here. Nicely designed.
An example from the first semi-postals- a 1926 four stamp issue- is shown here. Nicely designed.
1934 Scott B55 60c (+20c) red orange "Anxiety"
Overprinted in Various Colors Reading Up
Plebiscite Issue
On December 1, 1934, a seven stamp issue was issued- overprinted for the plebiscite- using the prior released March 15, 1934 semi-postal issue.
As far as I can tell, all of the Saar semi-postals were printed using photogravure.
As far as I can tell, all of the Saar semi-postals were printed using photogravure.
1928 Scott C2 1fr dark violet
"Airplane over Saarbrucken"
Air Post stamps for Saar were first issued in 1928 with a two denomination issue. CV is $3+-$4+.
1922 Scott O15 1fr brown red, blue overprint
Fifteen Official stamps were produced between 1922-23 on the regular 1922-23 issue using a "Dienstmarke" overprint, either in red or blue.
Of interest, the overprint can be found with two overprint types.
Illustrated above is Type 2: Center bar of "E" centered, "S" has a flat bottom, "A" slightly inclined to right.
Of interest, the overprint can be found with two overprint types.
Illustrated above is Type 2: Center bar of "E" centered, "S" has a flat bottom, "A" slightly inclined to right.
1922 Scott O3 10c blue green , red overprint
And here is the overprint Type 1: Center bar of "E" slightly above center, "S" has rounded bottom, "A" symmetrical.
1930 Scott O23 60c red orange "Colliery Shafthead"
Regular Issue of 1927-30 Overprinted in Various Colors
There was also a 1927-34 Official issue with eleven stamps, using the regular 1927-30 issue overprinted in various colors.
This issue also comes in two types of overprints.
Type II (shown above) is printed at a 23-25 degree angle.
This issue also comes in two types of overprints.
Type II (shown above) is printed at a 23-25 degree angle.
1927 Scott O25 1fr violet, red-orange overprint
This is an example of a Type I overprint, which is printed at a 32 degree angle.
Deep Blue
1921 Surcharged Issue in Deep Blue
Deep Blue (Steiner) has 16 pages for the major number spaces in the Scott catalogue.
For myself, I have many stamps in both unused and used condition, and I wanted to keep an example of both. So I have added several extra quadrilled pages .
1925 Scott 119 10fr black brown "Madonna of Blieskastel"
Big Blue
Big Blue '69, on five pages, has 132 spaces. Coverage is 56%.
The 1940s editions coverage is less, with 121 spaces.
BB has six spaces with CV > $10: one of which, the blank space choice official 1932 (Scott C4) 5fr dark brown, is CV $47.50.
Checklist
1920
4,5,6,7,8,11,12,
13,14,15,21,23,24,26,
41,43,45,46,48,50,52,
53,54,55,56,57,
42,44,47,49,51,
1921
68,69,70,71,72,
73,74,75,76,77,
Next Page
1921
78,79,85,86,87,
88,89,90,91,92,
1922
99,101,100,102,104,
108,109,110,113,115,
1923
103,105,107,112,
1925
118,
120,121,122,124,
Next Page
1927-32
123,125,126,127,
128,129,130,131,
132,133,134,135,
1934
140,141,142,144,
145,139,143,146,
147,148,149,(150),
Next Page
Semi-Postal
1926
B1,B2,
1931
B23,B24,B25,B26,
1929
B16,B17,B18,
1931
B30,(B31),(B32),
1934
B47,B48,B49,B54,B55,(B57),
Air Post
1928
C1,C2,
1932
C3,(C4),
1934
C5,C6,(C7),
Next Page
Official Stamps
1922-23
O1,O2,O3,
O4,O5,O6,O7,
O8,O10,O11,O12,
O14,O15,
Comments
A) Expensive stamps ($10 threshold):
1931 Scott B26 1.50fr (+75c) ($10+)
1931 Scott B30 40c (+15c) ($10+)
1931 (Scott B31) 60c (+20c) ($10+)
1931 (Scott B32) 1fr (+50c) ($10+)
1932 (Scott C4) 5fr dark brown ($47+)
1922 Scott O15 1fr brown red (Bl) ($10+)
B) ( ) around a number indicates a blank space choice.
1929 Scott B16 40c (+15c) olive green
"Orphaned" by Kaulbach
Out of the Blue
Every time I visit a "German Sphere" country, I am amazed by the beauty, as well as the implicit history of the stamps.
Note: Map appears to be in the public domain. Type I-III overprint scan is from the internet, but originally from a Michel catalogue. It is used here for educational purposes.
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