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
Beethoven, Types I and II
Types I and II
Germany, Rheinland-Pfalz postage stamp: Beethoven, Types III and IV
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
Germany, Rheinland-Pfalz postage stamp: Kettler, Types I and II
Types I and II
Germany, Rheinland-Pfalz postage stamp: Kettler, Types III and IV
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
Germany, Rheinland-Pfalz postage stamp: Winegrower, Types I and II
Types I and II
Germany, Rheinland-Pfalz postage stamp: Winegrower, Type III
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
Germany, Rheinland-Pfalz postage stamp: Porta Nigra, Types I and II
Types I and II
Germany, Rheinland-Pfalz postage stamp: Porta Nigra, Types IV and V
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
Germany, Rheinland-Pfalz postage stamp: Karl Marx, Types I and II
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
Germany, Rheinland-Pfalz postage stamp: Teufels Tisch, Types I and II
Types I and II
Germany, Rheinland-Pfalz postage stamp: Teufels Tisch, Types III and IV
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
Germany, Rheinland-Pfalz postage stamp: Winery, Types I and II
Types I and II
Germany, Rheinland-Pfalz postage stamp: Winery, Types III and IV
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
Germany, Rheinland-Pfalz postage stamp: Wormser Dom, Types II and I
Types II and I
Germany, Rheinland-Pfalz postage stamp: Wormser Dom, Types IV and III
Types IV and III
Germany, Rheinland-Pfalz postage stamp: Wormser Dom, Type V
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
Germany, Rheinland-Pfalz postage stamp: Mainzer Dom, Types I and II
Types I and II
Germany, Rheinland-Pfalz postage stamp: Mainzer Dom, Types III and IV
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
Germany, Rheinland-Pfalz postage stamp: Charles the Great, Types I and II
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 Germany Rheinland-Pfalz postage stamp error: Big colored spot in the upper part of the left frame. Big colored spot in the upper part of the left frame. 43
10 pf., slate blue Position in a sheet
I Germany Rheinland-Pfalz postage stamp error: Vertical stroke of letter R in RHEINLAND damaged at the bottom. Vertical stroke of letter R in RHEINLAND damaged at the bottom. 22 (?)
12 pf., green Position in a sheet
I Germany Rheinland-Pfalz postage stamp error: White spot on the left frame, next to the numeral 1. White spot on the left frame, next to the numeral 1. 8 (partially)
II Germany Rheinland-Pfalz postage stamp error: Box bearing country name shifted to the left, thin line over letters N, L and A of RHEINLAND. 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 Germany Rheinland-Pfalz postage stamp error: Big colored smudge in hair next to the right cheek. Big colored smudge in hair next to the right cheek. 79
II Germany Rheinland-Pfalz postage stamp error: Indentation on top left of numeral 1. Indentation on top left of numeral 1. 58
16 pf., light olive green Position in a sheet
I Germany Rheinland-Pfalz postage stamp error: White circle above letter Z in PFALZ. White circle above letter Z in PFALZ. 80
24 pf., crimson Position in a sheet
I Germany Rheinland-Pfalz postage stamp error: Big white spot in the right tower. Big white spot in the right tower. 14 (partially)
II Germany Rheinland-Pfalz postage stamp error: Thin line on top of the small tower to the right. Thin line on top of the small tower to the right. 94
45 pf., cerise Position in a sheet
Ia Germany Rheinland-Pfalz postage stamp error: Letter I in RHEINLAND broken. Letter I in RHEINLAND broken. 9 (?)
Ib Germany Rheinland-Pfalz postage stamp error: Letter I in RHEINLAND broken, colored spot on the chapel. Letter I in RHEINLAND broken, colored spot on the chapel. 9
II Germany Rheinland-Pfalz postage stamp error: Colored spot on top right of the numeral 4 additional dot to the left from 4. 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 Germany, Rheinland-Pfalz postage stamp plate error: The first N in RHEINLAND is damaged The first N in RHEINLAND is damaged. 26
75 pf., blue Position in a sheet
I Germany Rheinland-Pfalz postage stamp error: Pale circle behind head. Pale circle behind head. 85
84 pf., green Position in a sheet
I Germany Rheinland-Pfalz postage stamp error: Colored dot next to the numeral 4 in denomination value.
Another example		 Colored dot next to the numeral 4 in denomination value. ?
1 m., brown Position in a sheet
I Germany Rheinland-Pfalz postage stamp error: Big white circle between letters L and Z in PFALZ. Big white circle between letters L and Z in PFALZ. 49
II Germany Rheinland-Pfalz postage stamp error: White hook below left armrest. White hook below left armrest. 36
IIIa Germany Rheinland-Pfalz postage stamp error: Colored dot above numeral 1 in denomination value. Colored dot above numeral 1 in denomination value. ?
IIIb Germany Rheinland-Pfalz postage stamp error: Horizontal white line close to the right frame. Horizontal white line close to the right frame. ?

 

Possible constant varieties (not mentioned in literature)

2 pf., gray
1 Germany, Rheinland-Pfalz postage stamp: Big colored spot on Beethoven's left temples Big colored spot on Beethoven’s left temples.
2 Germany Rheinland-Pfalz postage stamp error: Dot on forehead above the left eyebrow, thin scratch above letter L in RHEINLAND. Dot on forehead above the left eyebrow, thin scratch above letter L in RHEINLAND.
3 Germany Rheinland-Pfalz postage stamp error: Thin line over the left side of the nose. Thin line over the left side of the nose.
4 Germany Rheinland-Pfalz postage stamp error: Thin line in the upper part of the left frame. Thin line in the upper part of the left frame.
5 Germany Rheinland-Pfalz postage stamp error: Colored dot above letters I and N in RHEINLAND. Colored dot above letters I and N in RHEINLAND.
3 pf., brown
1 Germany, Rheinland-Pfalz postage stamp: Colored dot inside the numeral 3. Colored dot inside the numeral 3.
2 Germany Rheinland-Pfalz postage stamp error: Thin line over the lower part of numeral 3. Thin line over the lower part of numeral 3.
3 Germany Rheinland-Pfalz postage stamp error: Dot above letter N of RHEINLAND. Dot above letter N of RHEINLAND.
4 Germany Rheinland-Pfalz postage stamp error: Colored dot below letters L and A in RHEINLAND. Colored dot below letters L and A in RHEINLAND.
5 Germany Rheinland-Pfalz postage stamp error: Colored dots on right temple. Colored dots on right temple.
10 pf., slate blue
1 Germany Rheinland-Pfalz postage stamp error: White spot on upper left side of numeral 1. White spot on upper left side of numeral 1.
2 Germany Rheinland-Pfalz postage stamp error: Big colored spot inside zero of denomination value. Big colored spot inside zero of denomination value.
3 Germany Rheinland-Pfalz postage stamp error: Colored dot on the left side of zero in denomination value. Colored dot on the left side of zero in denomination value.
4 Germany Rheinland-Pfalz postage stamp error: Big colored smudge between the left frame and letter P of PF. Big colored smudge between the left frame and letter P of PF.
12 pf., green
1 Germany Rheinland-Pfalz postage stamp error: Colored spot on the first window of the first row, just above the top of the fir tree. Colored spot on the first window of the first row, just above the top of the fir tree.
2 Germany Rheinland-Pfalz postage stamp error: Colored dot above the right tower. Colored dot above the right tower.
15 pf., purple
1 Germany Rheinland-Pfalz postage stamp error: Colored spot in hair. Colored spot in hair.
2 Germany Rheinland-Pfalz postage stamp error: Colored spot above above numeral 5. Colored spot above above numeral 5.
3 Germany Rheinland-Pfalz postage stamp error: Thin vertical line on the lower part of the left frame. Thin vertical line on the lower part of the left frame.
4 Germany Rheinland-Pfalz postage stamp error: Big colored spot in the second letter N of RHEINLAND. Big colored spot in the second letter N of RHEINLAND.
16 pf., light olive green
1 Germany Rheinland-Pfalz postage stamp error: Colored dot above letter F in PFALZ. Colored dot above letter F in PFALZ.
24 pf., crimson
1 Germany Rheinland-Pfalz postage stamp error: White dot in numeral 2 of denomination value. White dot in numeral 2 of denomination value.
50 pf., blue
1 Germany Rheinland-Pfalz postage stamp error: Small colored dot on top frame above numeral 5. Small colored dot on top frame above numeral 5.
60 pf., deep orange
1 Germany Rheinland-Pfalz postage stamp error: Scar below left eye. Scar below left eye.
2 Germany Rheinland-Pfalz postage stamp error: Thin vertical line over left side of the face. Thin vertical line over left side of the face.
84 pf., green
1 Germany Rheinland-Pfalz postage stamp error: Colored dot in letter A in PFALZ. Colored dot in letter A in PFALZ.
2 Germany Rheinland-Pfalz postage stamp error: Colored dot in the cloud next to the castle. Colored dot in the cloud next to the castle.
3 Germany Rheinland-Pfalz postage stamp error: Scratches inside top circle of numeral 8. Scratches inside top circle of numeral 8.
4 Germany Rheinland-Pfalz postage stamp error: Colored spot in the hill in the center. Colored spot in the hill in the center.
5 Germany Rheinland-Pfalz postage stamp error: River pollution next to the island. River pollution next to the island.
1 m., brown
1 Germany Rheinland-Pfalz postage stamp error: Colored spot close to the right frame on top, above letter S in CAROLUS. Colored spot close to the right frame on top, above letter S in CAROLUS.
2 Germany Rheinland-Pfalz postage stamp error: Scratches on letters N and D of RHEINLAND. Scratches on letters N and D of RHEINLAND.
3 Germany Rheinland-Pfalz postage stamp error: Small white dot between letters P and F in PFALZ. Small white dot between letters P and F in PFALZ.
4 Germany Rheinland-Pfalz postage stamp error: Colored line on the left side of the throne. Colored line on the left side of the throne.
5 Germany Rheinland-Pfalz postage stamp error: Colored dots above the left shoulder and around Globus cruciger. Colored dots above the left shoulder and around Globus cruciger.
6 Germany Rheinland-Pfalz postage stamp error: Thin line above the top frame. 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 Germany Rheinland-Pfalz postage stamp error: Box bearing country name shifted to the left, thin line over letters N, L and A of RHEINLAND. 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 Germany Rheinland-Pfalz postage stamp error: Colored spot to the left from the throne. Colored spot to the left from the throne. 42

 

Possible constant varieties (not mentioned in literature)

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

 

Coincidental varieties

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

Bibliography

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