Germany MI#959 (574)-962 (577) 1947-1948 Pictorial Issue, With Shade Variations, One Fluorescent Stamp, 11 Fine-Very Fine Mint NH, Click on Listing to See ALL Pictures, 2023 Michel Cat. 46.3 Euro

11 fine-very fine mint NH singles from the 1947-1948 Pictorial Issue, with all listed Michel shade variations of the 2m and 5m, plus four shade variations of the common blackish olive yellow shade of the 1m, and one unlisted shade of the 3m. Michel cat. 46.3 Euro for VFNH. Our estimate of the value is $25.

The reconstruction definitive issue and the subsequent posthorn overprints are particularly complex, and none of this complexity is dealt with by Scott. On this issue the complexity comes in the form of shade varieties on nearly every value, some of which fluoresce under UV light. As is the case with many of Michel's listings where there are very inexpensive stamps coupled with very expensive shades, it is generally imperative that the scarce shades match the Michel colour key for the corresponding shade exactly. Generally anything that does not match is simply treated as a variation of the most common shade, and great care must be taken, as there are a very large number of shades on many values, most of which hold no special value. Generally you will find that the listed better shades are quite outstandingly different from most of the stamps you see, and if you are sorting a large pile of common stamps they will clearly stand out as different. We have used the Michel colour key to check the shades, and we can say with confidence that the shades we have identified as being better do match the colour key swatches. If we weren't reasonably sure then we treated them as the common shades. The second main complication is that the network overprint exists with three different forms of distorted posthorn, and you will see a large number of these offered in this sale.