French Zone of Occupation, issues for Rheinland-Pfalz

Definitive issues in years 1947-1949 were printed in multiple types that appear in the same sheet of stamps. In case of small denominations (up to 60 pfennig) types are arranged by columns. In case of large denominations (1 mark) types are arranged in distinct pattern.

Designs that were printed in multiple denominations may or may not have the same types. Details are described in tables below representing each type.

Presentation of types

LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN	Description
Types I and II Types III and IV Types V and VI	Type I: white line outlining dark area on the right ends in a point. Type II: the white line ends in a wider gap breaking the right frame. Type III: zero in denomination touching the right frame, triangle above letters RH in RHEINLAND bright (raster barely visible). Type IV: zero in denomination touching the right frame, the triangle above letters RH in RHEINLAND colored. Type V: zero in denomination further away from the right frame, the triangle above letters RH in RHEINLAND colored. Type VI: the triangle above letters RH in RHEINLAND bright (without raster). Type VII: the triangle above letters RH in RHEINLAND colored (with raster).

LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN

Description

Types I and II

Types III and IV

Germany, Rheinland-Pfalz postage stamp: Beethoven, Type V

Germany, Rheinland-Pfalz postage stamp: Beethoven, Type VI

Types V and VI

Type I:

white line outlining dark area on the right ends in a point.

Type II:

the white line ends in a wider gap breaking the right frame.

Type III:

zero in denomination touching the right frame,
triangle above letters RH in RHEINLAND bright (raster barely visible).

Type IV:

zero in denomination touching the right frame,
the triangle above letters RH in RHEINLAND colored.

Type V:

zero in denomination further away from the right frame,
the triangle above letters RH in RHEINLAND colored.

Type VI:

the triangle above letters RH in RHEINLAND bright (without raster).

Type VII:

the triangle above letters RH in RHEINLAND colored (with raster).

Denomination	Year	Type I	Type II	Type III	Type IV	Type V	Type VI	Type VII
2 pf., gray	1947	1-4, 6-9	5, 10	–	–	–	–	–
60 pf., orange	1947	–	–	1, 2, 6, 7	3, 5, 8, 10	4, 9	–	–
2 pf., deep orange	1948	1-4, 6-9	5, 10	–	–	–	–	–
60 pf., gray	1948	–	–	–	–	–	1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8	4, 5, 9, 10
2pf., orange	1948	2-5, 7-10	1, 6	–	–	–	–	–

WILHELM EMMANUEL FREIHERR VON KETTLER	Description
Types I and II Types III and IV	Type I: shade on the right side of the letter P in PFALZ. Type II: without shading on the right side of the letter P. Type III: shade behind Kettler’s back touching collar. Type IV: shade is short and doesn’t touch the collar.

WILHELM EMMANUEL FREIHERR VON KETTLER

Description

Types I and II

Types III and IV

Type I:

shade on the right side of the letter P in PFALZ.

Type II:

without shading on the right side of the letter P.

Type III:

shade behind Kettler’s back touching collar.

Type IV:

shade is short and doesn’t touch the collar.

Denomination	Year	Type I	Type II	Type III	Type IV
3 pf., brown	1947	1-4, 6-9	5, 10	–	–
6 pf., lilac brown (PF. below denomination)	1948	–	–	1-4, 6-9	5, 10
6 pf., lilac brown (without PF. below denomination)	1948	–	–	1-4, 6-9, field 100	5, 10, not field 100

WINEGROWER	Description
Types I and II Type III	Type I: letter R in RHEINLAND thick. Type II: vertical line in letter R in RHEINLAND short and thin. Type III: vertical line in letter R in RHEINLAND short and thick.

WINEGROWER

Description

Types I and II

Type III

Type I:

letter R in RHEINLAND thick.

Type II:

vertical line in letter R in RHEINLAND short and thin.

Type III:

vertical line in letter R in RHEINLAND short and thick.

Denomination	Year	Type I	Type II	Type III
10 pf., deep blue	1947	1-4, 6-9	5, 10	–
10 pf., olive brown	1948	1-4, 6-9	5, 10	–
10 pf., dark green	1948	4, 9	–	1-3, 5-8, 10

PORTA NIGRA	Description
Types I and II Types IV and V	Type I: shade on the right side of the first tower uninterrupted. Type II: the shade is split by a white horizontal line. Type III: branch on the large fir thick and well visible. Type IV: the upper branch on the large fir thin. Type V: the upper branch on the large fir thick, white spot on the tower, just above the fir. Type VI: five windows on top of the tower on the right. Type VII: four windows on the tower dome.

PORTA NIGRA

Description

Types I and II

Types IV and V

Type I:

shade on the right side of the first tower uninterrupted.

Type II:

the shade is split by a white horizontal line.

Type III:

branch on the large fir thick and well visible.

Type IV:

the upper branch on the large fir thin.

Type V:

the upper branch on the large fir thick,
white spot on the tower, just above the fir.

Type VI:

five windows on top of the tower on the right.

Type VII:

four windows on the tower dome.

Denomination	Year	Type I	Type II	Type III	Type IV	Type V	Type VI	Type VII
12 pf., green	1947	1-4, 6-9	5, 10	–	–	–	–	–
8 pf., green	1948	–	–	2-4, 7-9	5, 10	1, 6	–	–
12 pf., red	1948	1-4, 6-9	5, 10	–	–	–	–	–
8 pf., carmine	1948	–	–	4, 9	1-3, 5-8, 10	–	–	–
40 pf., pink	1948	–	–	–	–	–	1, 3-6, 8-10	2, 7

KARL MARX	Description
Types I and II	Type I: letter K in KARL curved at the bottom. Type II: the letter K straight.

KARL MARX

Description

Types I and II

Type I:

letter K in KARL curved at the bottom.

Type II:

the letter K straight.

Denomination	Year	Type I	Type II
15 pf., dark violet	1947	1, 2, 4-7, 9, 10	3, 8
15 pf., light blue	1948	1, 2, 4-7, 9, 10	3, 8
5 pf., light blue	1948	1, 2, 4-7, 9, 10	3, 8

TEUFELS TISCH (DEVIL’S TABLE)	Description
Types I and II Types III and IV	Type I: the upper tree branch touching the upper frame. Type II: the branch not touching the upper frame. Type III: short line below the tree on the rock. Type IV: the line below the tree on the rock is long.

TEUFELS TISCH (DEVIL’S TABLE)

Description

Types I and II

Types III and IV

Type I:

the upper tree branch touching the upper frame.

Type II:

the branch not touching the upper frame.

Type III:

short line below the tree on the rock.

Type IV:

the line below the tree on the rock is long.

Denomination	Year	Type I	Type II	Type III	Type IV
16 pf., dark green	1947	1-4, 6-9	5, 10	–	–
16 pf., dark violet	1948	1-4, 6-9	5, 10	–	–
4 pf., dark violet	1948	–	–	1, 3-6, 8-10	2, 7

WINERIES	Description
Types I and II Types III and IV	Type I: sculpture on the facade detailed. Type II: the sculpture less elaborated with only one diagonal line. Type III: window above the small tree is white. Type IV: the window above the small tree is shaded.

WINERIES

Description

Types I and II

Types III and IV

Type I:

sculpture on the facade detailed.

Type II:

the sculpture less elaborated with only one diagonal line.

Type III:

window above the small tree is white.

Type IV:

the window above the small tree is shaded.

Denomination	Year	Type I	Type II	Type III	Type IV
20 pf., deep blue	1947	1-4, 6-9	5, 10	–	–
20 pf., light blown	1948	2-5, 7-10	1, 6	–	–
20 pf., rose lilac	1948	–	–	1, 2, 5-7, 10	3, 4, 8, 9

WORMSER DOM	Description
Types II and I Types IV and III Type V	Type I: horizontal lines in letters A in RHEINLAND-PFALZ on high. Type II: horizontal lines in letters A in RHEINLAND-PFALZ on high, white vertical line on the middle tower. Type III: horizontal lines in letters A in RHEINLAND-PFALZ laying lower, upper horizontal line on the left tower shorter. Type IV: horizontal lines in letters A in RHEINLAND-PFALZ laying lower, both upper horizontal lines on the left tower of equal length. Type V: horizontal lines in letters F and A in PFALZ on the same height, upper horizontal line on the left tower shorter. Type VI: horizontal line on the right tower thick. Type VII: horizontal line on the right tower thin.

WORMSER DOM

Description

Types II and I

Types IV and III

Type V

Type I:

horizontal lines in letters A in RHEINLAND-PFALZ on high.

Type II:

horizontal lines in letters A in RHEINLAND-PFALZ on high,
white vertical line on the middle tower.

Type III:

horizontal lines in letters A in RHEINLAND-PFALZ laying lower,
upper horizontal line on the left tower shorter.

Type IV:

horizontal lines in letters A in RHEINLAND-PFALZ laying lower,
both upper horizontal lines on the left tower of equal length.

Type V:

horizontal lines in letters F and A in PFALZ on the same height,
upper horizontal line on the left tower shorter.

Type VI:

horizontal line on the right tower thick.

Type VII:

horizontal line on the right tower thin.

Denomination	Year	Type I	Type II	Type III	Type IV	Type V	Type VI	Type VII
24 pf., rose (the first run)	1947	1-3, 5-8, 10	4, 9	–	–	–	–	–
24 pf., rose (the second run)	1947	–	–	2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10	4, 9, field 91	1, 6	–	–
24 pf., dark green	1948	–	–	2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, field 91	4, 9, field 92	1, 6	–	–
40 pf., olive brown	1948	–	–	–	–	–	1-4, 6-9	5, 10

MAINZER DOM	Description
Types I and II Types III and IV	Type I: small windows, just above the roofs, on the second tower from the left well visible. Type II: the small windows barely visible or absent. Type III: thick vertical line above letters L and A in RHEINLAND. Type IV: the vertical line thin.

MAINZER DOM

Description

Types I and II

Types III and IV

Type I:

small windows, just above the roofs, on the second tower from the left well visible.

Type II:

the small windows barely visible or absent.

Type III:

thick vertical line above letters L and A in RHEINLAND.

Type IV:

the vertical line thin.

Denomination	Year	Type I	Type II	Type III	Type IV
45 pf., magenta	1947	2-5, 7-10	1, 6	–	–
50 pf., deep blue	1947	–	–	1, 3-6, 8-10	2, 7
30 pf., magenta	1948	–	–	1, 3-6, 8-10	2, 7

CHARLES THE GREAT	Description
Types I and II	Type I: white reflection on the left foot smooth, uninterrupted. Type II: the reflection on the left foot interrupted.

CHARLES THE GREAT

Description

Types I and II

Type I:

white reflection on the left foot smooth, uninterrupted.

Type II:

the reflection on the left foot interrupted.

Denomination	Year	Type I	Type II
1 M., brown	1947	Diverse
1 M., blue	1948	Diverse

Varieties

May 1947 – February 1948 Definitive set: scenery and famous persons from Rheinland-Pfalz. Denomination in Reichmarks, printed in photogravure.

Constant varieties

2 pf., gray			Position in a sheet
I		Big colored spot in the upper part of the left frame.	43
10 pf., slate blue			Position in a sheet
I		Vertical stroke of letter R in RHEINLAND damaged at the bottom.	22 (?)
12 pf., green			Position in a sheet
I		White spot on the left frame, next to the numeral 1.	8 (partially)
II		Box bearing country name shifted to the left, thin line over letters N, L and A of RHEINLAND.	26
15 pf., purple			Position in a sheet
I		Big colored smudge in hair next to the right cheek.	79
II		Indentation on top left of numeral 1.	58
16 pf., light olive green			Position in a sheet
I		White circle above letter Z in PFALZ.	80
24 pf., crimson			Position in a sheet
I		Big white spot in the right tower.	14 (partially)
II		Thin line on top of the small tower to the right.	94
45 pf., cerise			Position in a sheet
Ia		Letter I in RHEINLAND broken.	9 (?)
Ib		Letter I in RHEINLAND broken, colored spot on the chapel.	9
II		Colored spot on top right of the numeral 4 additional dot to the left from 4.	81
60 pf., orange			Position in a sheet
I		The first N in RHEINLAND is damaged.	26
75 pf., blue			Position in a sheet
I		Pale circle behind head.	85
84 pf., green			Position in a sheet
I	Another example	Colored dot next to the numeral 4 in denomination value.	?
1 m., brown			Position in a sheet
I		Big white circle between letters L and Z in PFALZ.	49
II		White hook below left armrest.	36
IIIa		Colored dot above numeral 1 in denomination value.	?
IIIb		Horizontal white line close to the right frame.	?

Possible constant varieties (not mentioned in literature)

2 pf., gray
1		Big colored spot on Beethoven’s left temples.
2		Dot on forehead above the left eyebrow, thin scratch above letter L in RHEINLAND.
3		Thin line over the left side of the nose.
4		Thin line in the upper part of the left frame.
5		Colored dot above letters I and N in RHEINLAND.
3 pf., brown
1		Colored dot inside the numeral 3.
2		Thin line over the lower part of numeral 3.
3		Dot above letter N of RHEINLAND.
4		Colored dot below letters L and A in RHEINLAND.
5		Colored dots on right temple.
10 pf., slate blue
1		White spot on upper left side of numeral 1.
2		Big colored spot inside zero of denomination value.
3		Colored dot on the left side of zero in denomination value.
4		Big colored smudge between the left frame and letter P of PF.
12 pf., green
1		Colored spot on the first window of the first row, just above the top of the fir tree.
2		Colored dot above the right tower.
15 pf., purple
1		Colored spot in hair.
2		Colored spot above above numeral 5.
3		Thin vertical line on the lower part of the left frame.
4		Big colored spot in the second letter N of RHEINLAND.
16 pf., light olive green
1		Colored dot above letter F in PFALZ.
24 pf., crimson
1		White dot in numeral 2 of denomination value.
50 pf., blue
1		Small colored dot on top frame above numeral 5.
60 pf., deep orange
1		Scar below left eye.
2		Thin vertical line over left side of the face.
84 pf., green
1		Colored dot in letter A in PFALZ.
2		Colored dot in the cloud next to the castle.
3		Scratches inside top circle of numeral 8.
4		Colored spot in the hill in the center.
5		River pollution next to the island.
1 m., brown
1		Colored spot close to the right frame on top, above letter S in CAROLUS.
2		Scratches on letters N and D of RHEINLAND.
3		Small white dot between letters P and F in PFALZ.
4		Colored line on the left side of the throne.
5		Colored dots above the left shoulder and around Globus cruciger.
6		Thin line above the top frame.

June – August 1948 Definitive set: scenery and famous persons from Rheinland-Pfalz in changed colors. Denomination in German Marks, printed in photogravure.

Constant varieties

12 pf., crimson rose		Position in a sheet
I	Box bearing country name shifted to the left, thin line over letters N, L and A of RHEINLAND.	26
1 D.M., bright blue		Position in a sheet
I	Colored spot to the left from the throne.	42

Possible constant varieties (not mentioned in literature)

8 pf., blue green
1		Big colored spot in the sky below letter P in D.PF.
12 pf., carmine red
1		Red dot next to the numeral 1 in denomination.
2		Colored dot above numeral 1 in denomination value.
15 pf., blue
1		Colored dot on shirt above letter A in RHEINLAND.
20 pf., brown
1		Broken letter F in PFALZ.
24 pf., green
1		White spot on the left wall.

Coincidental varieties

10 pf., brown
1		Perforation error: double perforation vertically.

November 1948 – July 1949 Definitive set: scenery and famous persons from Rheinland-Pfalz in changed colors. Without currency abbreviation, printed in photogravure.

Possible constant varieties (not mentioned in literature)

4 pf., violet
1		Left vertical frame prolonged at the bottom.
5 pf., blue
1		Colored dot on forehead above left eyebrow.
2		Indentation in upper frame above letter L in KARL.
10 pf., dark blue green
1		Grapes falling from the basket.
2		Line above the grapes curved.
3		Letter Z in PFALZ damaged to top left.
4		Letter A in PFALZ filled with color.
20 pf., cerise
1		Wide white line on roof below numeral 2.
2		Colored spot on the wall, right from the tree.

Bibliography

Michel Deutschland-Spezial 2005, Band 2: Ab Mai 1945 (Alliierte Besetzung bis BRD), Schwaneberger Verlag GmbH, ISBN 3-87858-145-9