The Principality of Serbia

Newspaper stamps of 1866

Designed by Mr. Anastas Jovanović, printed by State Printing Works in letterpress. Imperforate. Sheets consisted of 12 stamps (4×3). Every stamp in a sheet has unique characteristics (flaws) that enable collectors to easily reconstruct entire sheets.

CHARACTERISTICS BY FIELDS
Field No. 1 para 2 pare
1
  • Colored spot below left numeral 1.
  • External frame line broken at the bottom right corner,
  • the numeral 2 on the right touches the frame line,
  • Colored pot between letters Ш and Т in ПОШТА.
2
  • Inner upper right frame broken in height of the sixth horizontal line.
  • Colored spot below letter Ш in ПОШТА.
3
  • Top left corner diagonally blunted.
  • Letters О and Ш in ПОШТА linked by a line below.
4
  • Outer top right frame uneven and merged with inner frame.
  • Letter Ш in ПОШТА looks like recumbent 8,
  • letters С and П in К. С. ПОШТА touch the top frame.
5
  • Vertical outer frame in the top right broken.
  • The upper left frame sags at the left.
6
  • Vertical outer frame below top left corner damaged.
  • Small colored spot before the letter П in ПОШТА.
7
  • Diagonal line between left numeral 1 and letter П of ПАРА,
  • vertical lines of letter П of ПАРА linked by a horizontal line below.
  • Vertical frame line thicker in the bottom right,
  • right part of the bottom line missing.
8
  • Two colored spots in the top left corner, above the first and below the third horizontal line.
  • Frame line in the upper left corner broken.
9
  • Vertical frame lines merged, except where they touch the circle.
  • A pearl from the circle missing at 4 o’clock,
  • right leg of letter А in ПОШТА prolonged.
10
  • A patch on the left connects frame lines and the circle,
  • white pearl in the circle missing.
  • The circle between the pearls and О of ПОШТА damaged,
  • letter Ш of ПОШТА enclosed on the upper right side.
11
  • Lower right corner deformed, in a shape of a pointed tip.
  • Big colored spot connecting letters П and А in ПАРЕ.
12
  • Inner frame line on the upper left has three breaks.
  • Two lines of the circle below letter О in ПОШТА joined.
THE FIRST PRINTING
Printed on the 26 April, issued on 1 May 1866:

  • 1 para: yellowish-green on bright pink paper. Circulation: 2.040 stamps.
  • 2 para: dull green color on dove-blue paper. Circulation: 1.944 stamps.

The reason for very small runs was the hurry in completing the work as the stamps had to be ready by 1 May 1866. The stamps were used up very quickly and a new printing became necessary.
F1 F2 F3 F4 F5 F6 F7 F8 F9 F10 F11 F12
THE SECOND PRINTING
Printed on the 13 May, issued on 22 May 1866:

  • 1 para: yellow green, olive-green or bronze-green on thicker, softer light rose surface-colored paper. Circulation 18.300 stamps.
  • 2 para: red-lilac brown, chocolate-lilac on thicker, lavender surface-colored paper. Circulation: 18.360 stamps.

The gum is colorless with traces of bubbles.
F1 F2 F3 F4 F5 F6 F7 F8 F9 F10 F11 F12
Serbia 1866 newspaper stamp second printing 1 para stamp field 3 Serbia 1866 newspaper stamp second printing 1 para stamp field 8 Serbia 1866 newspaper stamp second printing 1 para stamp field 12
Serbia 1866 newspaper stamp second printing 2 para stamp field 2 Serbia 1866 newspaper stamp second printing 2 para stamp field 6 Serbia 1866 newspaper stamp second printing 2 para stamp field 9
THE THIRD PRINTING
Printed on 10 November, issued on 14 November 1866:

  • 1 para: dark-green on thin, hard violet-rose surface-colored paper. Circulation 6.000 stamps.
  • 2 para: copper-red or red-brown on thin, hard lavender blue surface-colored paper. Circulation: 10.000 stamps.

The gum is colorless without traces of bubbles. This issue was printed on imported paper, however a few sheets of each value were printed on remaining paper of the first and second printings. These are very rare and are known only as single items.
F1 F2 F3 F4 F5 F6 F7 F8 F9 F10 F11 F12
Serbia 1866 newspaper stamp third printing 1 para stamp field 3 Serbia 1866 newspaper stamp second printing 1 para stamp field 8
Serbia 1866 newspaper stamp second printing 2 para stamp field 11
THE FOURTH PRINTING
Printed on 10 December, issued on 14 December 1866*:

  • 1 para: deep-green on thin, hard rose-violet paper (both sides). Circulation 6.000 stamps.

Gum is colorless and generally unevenly applied, traces of brush can be clearly seen.
* Note: some authors claim that stamps of the fourth printing were never placed on sale.
F1 F2 F3 F4 F5 F6 F7 F8 F9 F10 F11 F12
Serbia 1866 newspaper stamp second printing 1 para stamp field 3

1868/69. Newspaper stamps.

Between 1868 and 1869 there were at least two issues of newspaper stamps with effigy of Prince Mihajlo (Michael) III Obrenović. The first issue was released on 11 March 1867, stamps were perforated and printed in sheets of 50 (10×5). The second issue was released in November 1868, this time stamps were imperforate and printed in sheets of 100, with or without a gutter between the blocks of 50 stamps. The third issue is disputed as no official documentation on it exists, but due to significant differences in colors, papers and gum the stamps are classified as a separate issue.

ISSUES
Value Color Issue Run Perforation Paper Gum Print
1 para yellow-green to olive-green 1st 60.600 line 9½ ordinary, pelure is rare colorless or yellowish, with bubbles clean and clear
2 pare yellow-brown to olive-brown 1st 59.050 line 9½ ordinary, pelure is rare colorless or yellowish, with bubbles clean and clear
1 para green to dark green 2nd 26.900 imperforate ordinary colorless, with bubbles
2 pare reddish brown 2nd 23.800 imperforate ordinary colorless, with bubbles
1 para pale brown-olive-green to dark brown-olive-green 3rd ? imperforate thin, hard, brittle colorless without bubbles blurred
2 pare yellowish-brown 3rd ? imperforate thin, hard, brittle colorless without bubbles blurred

In all printings the same cliches were used as the same plate errors as in the first printing occur in the second printing as well. In the second printing only the sequence of individual horizontal rows was changed.

RECONSTRUCTION OF 1867/68 1 PARA NEWSPAPER STAMP SHEET
Serbia 1867 newspaper stamp flaw field 9 Serbia 1867 newspaper stamp flaw field 10
1st: 1 1st: 2 1st: 3 (?) 1st: 4 1st: 5 1st: 6 1st: 7 1st: 8 1st: 9 1st: 10
2nd: 31 2nd: 32 2nd: 33 2nd: 34 2nd: 35 2nd: 36 2nd: 37 2nd: 38 2nd: 39 2nd: 40
Serbia 1867 newspaper stamp flaw field 17 Serbia 1867 newspaper stamp flaw field 19 Serbia 1867 newspaper stamp flaw field 20
1st: 11 1st: 12 1st: 13 1st: 14 1st: 15 1st: 16 1st: 17 1st: 18 1st: 19 1st: 20
2nd: 11 2nd: 12 2nd: 13 2nd: 14 2nd: 15 2nd: 16 2nd: 17 2nd: 18 2nd: 19 2nd: 20
Serbia 1867 newspaper stamp flaw error 21 Serbia 1867 newspaper stamp flaw error 22 Serbia 1867 newspaper stamp flaw error 30
1st: 21 1st: 22 1st: 23 1st: 24 1st: 25 1st: 26 1st: 27 1st: 28 1st: 29 1st: 30
2nd: 41 2nd: 42 2nd: 43 2nd: 44 2nd: 45 2nd: 46 2nd: 47 2nd: 48 2nd: 49 2nd: 50
Serbia 1867 newspaper stamp flaw error 35
1st: 31 1st: 32 1st: 33 1st: 34 1st: 35 1st: 36 1st: 37 1st: 38 1st: 39 1st: 40
2nd: 21 2nd: 22 2nd: 23 2nd: 24 2nd: 25 2nd: 26 2nd: 27 2nd: 28 2nd: 29 2nd: 30
Serbia 1867 newspaper stamp flaw error 49
1st: 41 1st: 42 1st: 43 1st: 44 1st: 45 (?) 1st: 46 1st: 47 1st: 48 1st: 49 1st: 50
2nd: 1 2nd: 2 2nd: 3 2nd: 4 2nd: 5 2nd: 6 2nd: 7 2nd: 8 2nd: 9 2nd: 10
FORGERIES
I serbia-principality-postage-stamp-forgery
Original (left) and a forgery (right)		 The “Paris forgery” (stamp to the right):

  • four vertical scratches inside the medallion to the left,
  • hairlines thick and bent downwards,
  • eye wide open,
  • beard sloping.

The Prince Milan IV Obrenović Issues (1869-1880)

Before formation of the Universal Postal Union postal conventions were signed between individual states. New postal treaty between Serbia and Austria-Hungary and also the change of ruler in Serbia after the death of Prince Mihajlo III Obrenović made it necessary to print new stamps.

The new postal treaty required denominations of 15, 25, 35 and 50 para. Stamps were printed in letterpress in Belgrade State Printers (Državna štamparija).

This issue was in use for 11 years. During this period stamps were repeatedly reprinted on various kinds of paper, colors and shades. The great Serbian philatelist Eugen Derocco grouped 10 printings into 5 groups based on appearance of stamps. His classification is still valid today and used in most world stamp catalogs.

Characteristics of print groups

DIFFERENTIATING BETWEEN PRINT GROUPS

General characteristics of Group A printings:

  • appearance clean and clear due to superior ink: Prince Milan’s neck is always clearly separated from the background,
  • medium hard paper (0.055-0.06 mm), smooth, slightly transparent under the influence of the gum,
  • stitch-watermark can be found on some stamps,
  • space between stamps in a sheet is 2-2.5 mm, giving them a narrow margin (click here for an example),
  • line perforation:
    • narrow 11½-12½,
    • wide 9½,
    • compound 9½ x 12 (narrow side varies between 11½ and 12½),
    • compound reversed 12 x 9½ (narrow side varies between 11½ and 12½).
Serbia, Prince Milan, 1 para postage stamp, first group

1 para (stamp for newspapers)

  • light lemon, lemon yellow, golden yellow,
  • space between stamps is 2 mm, (narrow margin),
  • line perforation:
    • narrow 12-12½,
    • compound 9½ x 12 (narrow side varies between 11½ and 12½).

First printing (28 October 1869): 170.000 stamps.
Serbia, Prince Milan, 10 para postage stamp, first group

10 para

The first printing:

  • light reddish brown color,
  • paper sometimes yellowish buff,
  • space between stamps is 2 mm, (narrow margin),
  • line perforation:
    • compound 9½ x 12 (narrow side varies between 11½ and 12½).

The second printing:

  • yellowish brown,
  • space between stamps is 2 mm, (narrow margin),
  • line perforation:
    • narrow 11½-12½,
    • wide 9½,
    • compound 9½ x 12 (narrow side varies between 11½ and 12½),
    • compound reversed 12 x 9½ (narrow side varies between 11½ and 12½).

First printing (28 October 1869): 99.000 stamps.
Second printing (12 May 1870): 200.000 stamps.
Serbia, Prince Milan, 15 para postage stamp, first group

15 para

  • orange yellow, orange,
  • space between stamps is 2 mm, (narrow margin),
  • line perforation:
    • narrow 11½-12½,
    • wide 9½,
    • compound 9½ x 12 (narrow side varies between 11½ and 12½),
    • compound reversed 12 x 9½ (narrow side varies between 11½ and 12½).

First printing (28 October 1869): 214.000 stamps.
Serbia, Prince Milan, 20 para postage stamp, first group

20 para (for ordinary letters weighing up to 3 drams)

  • light blue, milky blue, blue, ultramarine blue, deep blue,
  • space between stamps is 2¼ mm, (narrow margin),
  • line perforation:
    • narrow 11½-12½,
    • wide 9½,
    • compound 9½ x 12 (narrow side varies between 11½ and 12½),
    • compound reversed 12 x 9½ (narrow side varies between 11½ and 12½).

First printing (28 October 1869): 766.500 stamps.
Serbia, Prince Milan, 25 para postage stamp, first group

25 para

  • carmine red, dark carmine,
  • space between stamps is 2½ mm, (narrow margin),
  • line perforation:
    • narrow 11½-12½,
    • wide 9½,
    • compound 9½ x 12 (narrow side varies between 11½ and 12½),
    • compound reversed 12 x 9½ (narrow side varies between 11½ and 12½).

First printing (28 October 1869): 196.300 stamps.
Serbia, Prince Milan, 35 para postage stamp, first group

35 para

  • light green, light bluish green,
  • space between stamps is 2¼ mm, (narrow margin),
  • line perforation:
    • narrow 11½-12½,
    • wide 9½,
    • compound 9½ x 12 (narrow side varies between 11½ and 12½),
    • compound reversed 12 x 9½ (narrow side varies between 11½ and 12½).

First printing (28 October 1869): 406.600 stamps.
Serbia, Prince Milan, 40 para postage stamp, first group

40 para

  • violet, reddish violet, violet-purple,
  • space between stamps is 2¼ mm, (narrow margin),
  • line perforation:
    • narrow 11½-12½,
    • wide 9½,
    • compound 9½ x 12 (narrow side varies between 11½ and 12½),
    • compound reversed 12 x 9½ (narrow side varies between 11½ and 12½),
  • freak perforations:
    • 12½ x 12 x 9¼ x 12,
    • 9½ x 12½ x 9½ x 9½.

First printing (28 October 1869): 434.000 stamps.
Serbia, Prince Milan, 50 para postage stamp, first group

50 para

  • dark green,
  • space between stamps is 2½ mm, (narrow margin),
  • line perforation:
    • narrow 11½-12½,
    • wide 9½,
    • compound 9½ x 12 (narrow side varies between 11½ and 12½),
    • compound reversed 12 x 9½ (narrow side varies between 11½ and 12½),

First printing (28 October 1869): 206.900 stamps.

General characteristics of Group B printings

  • appearance clear, Prince Milan’s neck is still clearly separated from the background,
  • mesh paper (0.065-0.075 mm), harder with net structure,
  • gum slightly yellowish and glossy,
  • ink in combination with paper didn’t produce gloss effect,
  • horizontal distance between stamps in a sheet is 3-4 mm, vertical distance from 3.25 to 3.75 mm, giving them a wide margin,
  • line perforation:
    • imperforate (only 1 para stamp),
    • narrow 12 (11½-12½),
    • wide 9½,
    • compound 9½ x 12 (narrow side varies between 11½ and 12½),
    • compound reversed 12 x 9½ (narrow side varies between 11½ and 12½).
Serbia, Prince Milan, 1 para postage stamp, second group

1 para (stamp for newspapers)

  • light yellow, gray yellow, reddish yellow,
  • space between stamps is 3½ horizontally, 3 mm vertically (wide margins),
  • imperforate.

Third printing (6 May 1872): N/A.
Serbia, Prince Milan, 10 para postage stamp, second group

10 para

  • yellow gray brown,
  • space between stamps is 3-3½ mm, (wide margin),
  • paper always 0.065-0.07 mm thick,
  • due to poor ink the printing is often spotty,
  • line perforation:
    • narrow 12 (11½-12½),
    • compound 9½ x 12 (narrow side varies between 11½ and 12½),
    • compound reversed 12 x 9½ (narrow side varies between 11½ and 12½).

Third printing (6 May 1872): N/A.
Serbia, Prince Milan, 20 para postage stamp, second group

20 para

  • light blue, blue,
  • space between stamps is 3-3½ mm, (wide margin),
  • paper thick and medium thick,
  • due to poor ink the printing is spotty,
  • line perforation:
    • narrow 12 (11½-12½),
    • wide 9½,
    • compound 9½ x 12 (narrow side varies between 11½ and 12½),
    • compound reversed 12 x 9½ (narrow side varies between 11½ and 12½).

Third printing (6 May 1872): N/A.
Fourth printing (February 16-June 14, 1873): N/A.
Serbia, Prince Milan, 25 para postage stamp, second group

25 para

  • rose, carmine rose,
  • space between stamps is 3-3½ mm, (wide margin),
  • paper always very thick (0.07-0.075 mm),
  • line perforation:
    • narrow 12 (11½-12½),
    • wide 9½,
    • compound 9½ x 12 (narrow side varies between 11½ and 12½),
    • compound reversed 12 x 9½ (narrow side varies between 11½ and 12½).

Third printing (6 May 1872): N/A.

General characteristics of Group C printings

This printing group used the same blocks as the printing group B.

  • printing is poor and blurred, transition from Prince’s hair to the medallion is even more blurred to the rear of the portrait, lines at the bottom of the neck form a solid block of color,
  • gum on stamps printed on paper is white to slightly yellowish, regularly applied and on stamps printed on ordinary paper yellowish, sometimes thickly applied,
  • line perforation narrow 12 (11½-12½),
  • The 5th printing (10 and 20 para):
    • thin porous paper (0.04-0.045 mm) and ordinary paper (0.05-0.055 mm),
    • horizontal distance between stamps in a sheet is 3 mm,
  • The 6th printing (20 para):
    • thin porous paper (0.04-0.045 mm),
    • horizontal distance between stamps in a sheet is 3½ mm.
Serbia, Prince Milan, 10 para postage stamp, third group

10 para

  • yellowish brown,
  • space between stamps is 3-3½ mm, (wide margin),
  • thin and ordinary papers.

Fifth printing (4 June 1874): 97.400 stamps.
Serbia, Prince Milan, 20 para postage stamp, third group

20 para

  • blue and cobalt blue on thin paper; blue, bray blue on ordinary paper,
  • space between stamps is 3-3½ mm, (wide margin),
  • thin (1875) and ordinary papers (1874).

Fifth printing (4 June 1874): 200.000 stamps.
Sixth printing (19 May 1875): 380.000 stamps.

General characteristics of Group D printings

  • printing is poor Prince’s neck forms a homogeneous part with the medallion, 40 para print is of better quality than the print of other two values,
  • distance between 10 and 20 para stamps in a sheet is 3-3½ mm (click here for an example), distances between 40 para stamps are 2½ mm,
  • ordinary, white, soft, smooth, slightly porous paper of medium thickness (0.055-0.06 mm),
  • two types of gum:
    • transparent, greasy, details of the design clearly visible from the reverse,
    • slightly yellowish, not quite transparent (not found on 40 para stamps),
  • line perforation:
    • narrow 11½-12½,
    • wide 9½,
    • compound 9½ x 12 (narrow side varies between 11½ and 12½),
    • compound reversed 12 x 9½ (narrow side varies between 11½ and 12½).
Serbia, Prince Milan, 10 para postage stamp, fourth group

10 para

  • dark reddish orange, dark reddish brown,
  • space between stamps is 3 mm (1876) and 3½ mm (1877),
  • line perforation:
    • narrow 11½-12½,
    • wide 9½,
    • compound 9½ x 12 (narrow side varies between 11½ and 12½),
    • compound reversed 12 x 9½ (narrow side varies between 11½ and 12½).

Seventh printing (22 April 1876): 290.000 stamps.
Eighth printing (22 August 1877): 326.000 stamps.
Serbia, Prince Milan, 20 para postage stamp, fourth group

20 para

  • ultramarine, dark ultramarine,
  • space between stamps is 3 mm (1876) and 3½ mm (1877),
  • line perforation:
    • narrow 11½-12½,
    • wide 9½,
    • compound 9½ x 12 (narrow side varies between 11½ and 12½),
    • compound reversed 12 x 9½ (narrow side varies between 11½ and 12½).

Seventh printing (22 April 1876): 420.000 stamps.
Eighth printing (22 August 1877): 513.300 stamps.
Serbia, Prince Milan, 40 para postage stamp, fourth group

40 para

  • dull violet,
  • space between stamps is 2½ mm,
  • line perforation:
    • narrow 11½-12½,
    • wide 9½,
    • compound 9½ x 12 (narrow side varies between 11½ and 12½),
    • compound reversed 12 x 9½ (narrow side varies between 11½ and 12½).

Seventh printing (22 April 1876): 215.000 stamps.

General characteristics of Group E printings

  • printing poor and blurred (except that of the 40 para stamp), fine contours of the design largely lost, overinking is frequent,
  • distance between 10 and 20 para stamps wide, up to 4 mm (click here for an example), distances between 40 and 50 para para stamps are mostly narrow,
  • white paper, generally glossy surface, medium thickness (0.055-0.06 mm),
  • two types of gum:
    • yellowish, medium glossy to glossy, sometimes with cracks,
    • yellowish, glossy and thinly applied and leaves an impression of greasiness,
  • line perforation: 11½-12½.
Serbia, Prince Milan, 10 para postage stamp, fifth group

10 para

  • yellow orange, orange,
  • space between stamps is 3½ mm,
  • line perforation: 11½-12½.

Tenth printing (8 February 1879): N/A.
Serbia, Prince Milan, 20 para postage stamp, fifth group

20 para

  • steel blue, gray blue,
  • space between stamps is 3-3½ mm,
  • line perforation:
    • 11,
    • 12 x 11,
    • 11 x 12,
    • 11½ x 12½,
    • 11 x 12½.

Tenth printing (8 February 1879): N/A.
Serbia, Prince Milan, 40 para postage stamp, fifth group

40 para

The stamps were printed from the same plate as the previous printings of 40 para stamp (Groups A and D)

  • lilac,
  • space between stamps is 2½ mm,
  • line perforation: 11½-12½.

Tenth printing (8 February 1879): N/A.
Serbia, Prince Milan, 50 para postage stamp, fifth group

50 para

  • bluish green,
  • space between stamps varies between 2¼ and 2¾ mm,
  • line perforation: 11½-12½.

Tenth printing (8 February 1879): N/A.

Constant varieties

CONSTANT VARIETIES
Group B: 1 para
I Serbia, Prince Milan postage stamp, 1 para perforate Most of the 1 para stamps of printing Group B are imperforate. The other stamps have sharply pointed perforation 12, looking different than other Prince Milan stamps. Their origin is not certain.
Field №: ? Pane: N/A
Other nomenclatures: –
Notes: part perforated examples.
Value €: –
Group B: 10 para
I Serbia prince Milan postage stamp plate error: Circular scratch below Prince's ear Circular scratch below Prince’s ear.
The printing was done from new plates and new cliches, this flaw appears on all stamps in this and the four printings that followed.
Field №: ? Pane: N/A
Other nomenclatures: –
Notes: –
Value €: –
Group D: 20 para
I Serbia Prince Milan postage stamp plate error 20 para bird Crack inside medallion (“the bird”) in ex Yugoslavia also known as the snake (“zmija”).
Field №: ? Pane: N/A
Other nomenclatures: Rasic, p. 91 c
Notes: –
Value €: 35
II Serbia, Prince Milan postage stamp, 20 para crack in plate Crack in a plate below denomination box in the upper left corner.
Note: circle in the medallion in front of Prince’s nose is not constant.
Field №: ? Pane: N/A
Other nomenclatures: Rasic, p. 90 a
Notes: –
Value €: 25
Group E: 20 para
I Big crack in the ornament to the right and damage spreading from the medallion to Prince’s hair. Numeral 2 in the upper right corner touching the frame.
Field №: ? Pane: N/A
Other nomenclatures: –
Notes: another example.
Value €: 20
II Prince’s effigy faded, left border damaged.
Field №: ? Pane: N/A
Other nomenclatures: –
Notes: another example.
Value €: 15
Group E: 50 para
I Zero of the top right denomination wider at bottom.
Field №: ? Pane: N/A
Other nomenclatures: –
Notes: another example.
Value €: 20

Possible constant varieties

POSSIBLE CONSTANT VARIETIES
Group A: 50 para
1 Frame above denomination value in the upper left corner broken, medallion broken behind Prince’s ear. Serbia, Prince Milan postage stamp error, 50 para
Group B: 1 para
1 Line over numeral 1 in the upper right corner. Serbia Prince Milan 1 para postage stamp error
Group D: 10 para
1 Scratch in the medallion in front of Prince’s nose. Serbia, Prince Milan postage stamp error, 10 para
Group D: 40 para
1 Prince’s ear filled with color. Serbia, postage stamp error: Prince's ear filled with color
2 Numeral 4 in the upper left corner thick. Serbia, Prince Milan postage stamp error, 40 para, thick 4
Group E: 10 para
1 Upper frame next to denomination to the right broken. Serbia, Prince Milan postage stamp error, 10 para, broken frame
2 Broken frame on the bottom, next to the denomination value to the left. Serbia, Prince Milan, 10 para stamp error: broken lower frame
3 Upper frame damaged, imperforate at the bottom. Serbia Milan imperforate at the bottom
4 White line going through Prince’s head, colored spots on the face. Principality of Serbia, Prince Milan, postage stamp error
4a Colored spots on Prince’s face (similar to 4).
5 Lower left corner damaged. Serbia Milan postage stamp 10 para plate flaw lower left corner
Group E: 20 para
1 Vertical scratches in the medallion behind Prince’s head. Prince Milan 20 para postage stamp error
Group E: 40 para
1 White dot in medallion below letters ТА in ПОШТА. Serbia prince Milan postage stamp error: White dot in medallion below letters ТА in ПОШТА
2 Color line on Prince’s neck. Serbia, Prince Milan postage stamp error, 40 para, color line
3 Zero in bottom denomination to the left broken. Serbia, Prince Milan postage stamp error, 40 para, broken zero
4 Colored spot above Prince’s eye.
Group E: 50 para
2 Zero in upper denomination to the right thick. Serbia, Prince Milan postage stamp error, 50 para, zero thick

Coincidental varieties

COINCIDENTAL VARIETIES
GROUP E: 10 para
1 Shifted perforation. Serbia, Prince Milan postage stamp error, 10 para, shifted perforation
2 Imperforate at the bottom, upper frame damaged. Serbia Milan imperforate at the bottom
GROUP E: 50 para
1 Overinking. Serbia, Prince Milan postage stamp error, 50 para. overinking
2 Wide margins due to imprecise perforating. Serbia, posta stamp Milan

The Newspaper Stamps Issues of 1873 and 1878

Although they cannot be taken out of the context of other Prince Milan issues, the 2 para stamps are presented separately due to the change in the design. The first run (Type I) was issued on 1 June 1873 is placed in times of the fourth printing of Prince Milan stamps. The second run (Type II) is placed in times of the ninth printing (29 June – 29 December 1878).

The need for the 2 para newspaper stamp arose with the new law of 23 October 1871 which, starting from 1 January 1872, imposed postage of 2 para for newspapers that went through the mail. Until then, newspapers went free if sent domestically from publishers to subscribers without wrappers. The law of 19 December 1879 reintroduced free domestic mailing of newspapers, beginning 1 May 1880.

TYPES
2 para
Type II:

  • letter Т in ПОШТА broken,
  • white dot behind Prince’s ear,
  • broken frame next to the upper right numeral.

The first printing in 1873 (Type I): 1.590.000 stamps.
The second printing in 1878 (Type II): 1.044.000 stamps.
Type I Type II
PANES
Type II, front
Type II, back
COINCIDENTAL VARIETIES
1 Offset. Serbia Prince Milan newspaper stamp error

The issue of 1880-1890

This is the last issue of the Principality and at the same time the first issue of the Kingdom. The stamps were issued on 1 November 1880 and were in use until 3 March 1890, even though Serbia was proclaimed Kingdom on the 12 February 1882.

Adoption of the metric system in 1880 and changes in monetary system (from 40 para = 1 grosch to 100 para = 1 dinar) made a new issue of stamps necessary. Accordingly, postal rates were geared to the new metric system. The rate for 20 grams letter inland became 10 para and abroad 25 para. The old issues were demonetized.

Stamps were printed in letterpress by Belgrade State Printers (Državna štamparija), paper ordinary, perforation comb 13X13½. Sheet consisted of 100 stamps divided by horizontal and vertical gutters into panes of 25. Sheets had no margins.

There were several printings which can be distinguished by differences in gum, perforations, colors and transparency of print. All denominations can be found on two types of paper:

  1. 1880-1889: ordinary papers of medium thickness with differences in strength and quality.
  2. 1886-1889: grained paper of analogous thickness.

Types of gum:

  1. neutral, yellowish or brownish, applied thinly and regularly.
  2. neutral, yellowish, applied thinly, greasy appearance, so that the design of the stamp is clearly recognizable from the back.
  3. yellowish or brownish, applied thinly and irregularly, often with fine cracks.
CONSTANT VARIETIES Field number
I Serbia 1880 postage stamp plate error White spot above the right value, touching the upper parts of both figures.
Field №: 73 Pane: N/A
Other nomenclatures: –
Notes: –
Value €: 15
POSSIBLE CONSTANT VARIETIES (not mentioned in literature)
1 Heavily shaded area at the back of the head. Serbia 1880 postage stamp error

 

Issues of the Kingdom of Serbia

References

Bibliography

  1. Kardosh, Dr. Velizar M., The Principality of Serbia: postal History and Postage Stamps (1830-1882). ISBN 3-9521083-1-6.
  2. Katalog poštanskih maraka jugoslovenskih zemalja (1991), Jugomarka (Belgrade). YU ISSN 0351-4447
  3. Rasic R., Mirko (1979): The Postal History and Postage Stamps of Serbia. The Collectors Club Handbook No. 25, published by The Theodore E. Steinway Memorial Publication Fund. ISBN 0-912574-25-9.

Contributors
Some of the images on this page were contributed by:

  • Mr. Predrag Simić, link