Germany Mi#92IIa (SC#89a) 60pf Blackish Grey Lilac, 1915-1920 Germania Issue Wmk Lozenges, A FNH Example of the Scarce Shade, Wartime Printing, Michel Cat. 90 Euro, Est. $35

A FNH example of the blackish grey lilac shade of the 60pf magenta Germania issue wartime printing. Michel cat.90 Euro. Our estimate of the value is $35.

In distingusing the wartime from peacetime printings of the lozenges watermarked Germania Issues, you need to consider: (1) the appearance of the printing impression, particularly the horizontal background lines; (2) the appearance of the gum; (3) the appearance of the paper and (4) the clarity of the watermark. Peacetime printings will generally have crackly white gum, be printed on high quality smooth paper that is often surfaced, and as a result, the printing impression will be cleaner, with thin, uniform horizontal background lines, and smooth, clean lines overall. The watermark will generally either be clearly visible when the stamp is turned over, or if held up to backlight it will be clearly and easily visible. On the other hand, wartime printings will have shiny, thick yellowish gum, be printed on a rougher, unsurfaced paper, and as a result the lines will often show little breaks. The horizontal background lines are generally thicker and heavier, giving the whole stamp a coarser appearance. The watermark is usually not clearly visible, whether the stamp is turned over or held up to back light. More often than not, you have to dip the stamp in watermark fluid to see the watermark clearly.

Shades on these issues are highly variable, and Michel does not list the majority of them separately. The better listed shades are nearly always outstanding when compared to the cheaper ones, and they will generally match the colour key produced by Michel, which we have and which we used here in describing the better shades