Friday, March 12, 2010

Germany Gandhi 1969 Black test stamps or Photographic proof or German Archive proof prints

Hello Gandhi Collector,

Following is interesting blog posts about test stamps which I recently bought it.


Germany has issued a surprising number of "proof prints" commonly called "black prints" or in some cases referred to by the post office as, "test stamps". After stamp is selected they come up with color trials which you will see from different countries but very rarely seen this tests stamps.

These items are officially produced by the post office for a number of uses and generally find their way to collectors, though usually in very limited distribution.

Test Stamp is a label not valid for postage, used by postal authorities on sample mail to test various sorting and cancelling machines or machines that can detect the absence or presence of a stamp on an envelope. May also be known as "dummy" or "training" stamps.



In most cases, the "proof prints" from Germany have been made using the
engraved portions of issued stamps. They are usually imperforate, printed in one color (different than the issued stamp).

If you notice that there is difference in price on the issued stamp and this test stamps. Issued stamp was 20 Pfennig(0.20 Deutsche Mark) where as test stamps are 30 Pfening (.30 Deutsche Mark).

I don't have test stamp of the issued one but I have other 6 test stamp which were created for selection process.

Also not sure why they changed price to 20 from 30 Pfennig.? Need further study for this.

You will also find color trials of this 20 Pfennig stamp in blue,red,green & yellow which you can see on Dr. Rajan's website.

I am specially looking for TEST stamp of issued stamp(20 Pfennig). If someone has this black test stamp of issued stamp, please let us know so we can update this blog.

BTW:- I had returned this because it was not proof but PHOTOGRAPH. I also beleive that this was cut from 1969 yearbook and than photographed to sale as Photographic proof. This is another way to make money from Gandhi Philately items. So in future if you are willing to add in your collection than please make sure it is real.(I don't think it's real!!)

Above is copy of 1969 yearly Germany Stamp book
How you can make TEST stamp.

1) Print above sheet
2) Cut it
3) Print more on kodak paper or any good paper
4) start selling.!!



Again thanks for reading this blog post and  Please share your thoughts in the comments section.



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