Numerous sought-after values from the Old German states can be found, including two cabinet pieces of the ‘Bayern Einser’ (MiNo. 1a). One copy of plate I cancelled with the semicircular cancellation ‘HASSLOCH’ on a letter piece, the other of plate II with the closed mill wheel cancellation ‘372’ from Wallerstein, each with photo certificate Brettl BPP at minimum bids of 1,500 and 1,300 euros respectively. Subsequently, a quality offer of the stamp issues of Brunswick in mostly above-average condition and currently BPP-examined should attract particular attention. As always in the e@auctions, Dr Reinhard Fischer is offering several hundred lots across all areas for dedicated stamp collectors.
The era of the German Reich offers all the standard issues that are in demand, as well as rare colour, watermark and paper variants. In particular, the period from the Empire to the Germania issues is well represented, made possible by the dissolution of an extensive specialised collection. Rarely offered variants can also be found, right up to the 20-pfennig Germania in the shade grey ultramarine MiNo. 72c as a mint luxury piece in far above-average colour freshness and perforation. Bids of €6,000 and more will be accepted for exceptional unsigned items. The aerophilatelic collection is equally impressive, with Zeppelin flights and postal station items that are rarely offered. For example, a forwarded cover from Austria to Vaduz in 1930 (Sieger no. 79A) is worth mentioning. Only a few covers sent from this flight are known. The 10g postal stationery card with airmail stamps in colourful additional franking, offered at 4,500, is one of only three known covers from the Austrian postal service.
From the German colonies, popular standard values up to the 5-mark imperial yacht from Cameroon in the peace print (MiNo. 25IA) are offered in perfect condition (minimum bid 1,200.-), but also rare specialities such as the overprint issue ‘5 Pf’ on 3 pfennig imperial yacht from the Caroline Islands: Two mint copies with inverted overprint (MiNo. 7PvK) are offered on a single cover, one with a starting price of €2,000 and another with a horizontally displaced overprint so that ‘f 5 P’ is read instead of ‘5 Pf’. The latter variety is unknown to Michel and has so far only been documented in this unique specimen – the starting price for this is 8,000 euros.
In addition, the 2nd e@uction offers more than 1,000 lots with numerous colour variants, types and an extensive range for the experienced stamp collector.
Traditionally, Dr Fischer’s collection includes a large number of German regional and occupation issues. In particular, the Saar region boasts a wide range, including numerous variants, blocks of four, but also rarely seen issues with genuine postmarks, such as the Volkshilfe set around the ‘Brown Madonna’ (MiNo. 12 8/34) at an estimate of €1,600 or the ‘flood block pair’ MiNo. 1/2 at an estimate of €1,800 – naturally in impeccable condition and with certificates. Even long-standing collectors should find something in the highly specialised range, including among the lots no. 4580. During the Second World War, the American Office of Strategic Services produced propaganda counterfeits of, among others, the 6 and 12 pfennig Hitler definitives. Specimens of those issues on yellow paper were produced in strips of five. Even individual values of these proofs are among the rarities of propaganda forgeries; a set in horizontal pairs is unlikely to be found a second time – and the call of 8,000 euros is correspondingly high.
In addition to the sought-after standard issues, post-war philately offers a wide range of specialised lots from all areas, with a focus on the occupation zones. For example, there is an extensive range of Soviet zone block issues in various versions and conditions, including the rarer version of the large Thuringia Christmas block on yellowish-grey paper (Bl.2t) in genuinely stamped, perfect condition, with an opening bid of €1,000. A pretty showpiece for collectors of the Federal Republic is offered with a block of four with upper margin of the 70 pfennig ‘Posthorn’ in impeccable, fresh condition for the same starting bid.
For collectors of non-German areas, the auction catalogue this time offers a wide range from Italy, Austria and Switzerland. The latter starting with the classical period with rare values such as the 40 Rp. ‘Sitzende Helvetia’ in the light yellow-green first edition as a very well-preserved unused cabinet piece with original gumming at a minimum bid of 2,500 euros.
All individual lots, including their certificates, as well as selected mixed lots, can be viewed in Dr Fischer’s online catalogue. Further information about the auction and the auction house can be found on the website www.ReinhardFischerAuktionen.de.
Translated with DeepL (www.deepl.com)
