Help on show cancel for Germany IPOSTA 1930 S/S

[khj]

It's very tiring to pretend to be working. So I took a break and was thumbing through an old beat up Germany collection I had acquired. Stamps are in bad shape, but if you choose your purchase patiently and carefully, you can pick up a few high catalog space fillers. In this case, mild and modest premium scattered throughout. But then this caught my eye...


Scott Germany #B33, Michel Germany Block 1

The souvenir sheet is genuine. That I am certain (not the 1965 reprint). In the next post, I'll show a pic of the backside where you can see the special watermarks on each stamp.

My question is in regards to the cancel. Clearly a show cancel, so besides the condition, that may also knock off a good chunk of the catalog value. I normally don't collect special cancels, so this is far outside my comfort zone. I would like to read opinions regarding whether the show cancel is genuine or not.

I haven't checked the cancel forgery compilations (I admit, I'm too lazy to go through them all).

Even if you don't consider yourself an expert (and some of you ARE!), I would still appreciate your comments on the cancel. Sometimes a pair of fresh beginner eyes can spot the walrus in the forest.

Thanks!

k

[khj]

The backside showing the watermarks...

[khj]

I can upload a high-resolution crop of the top show cancel if anybody needs it for closer examination. Just let me know.

Thanks again!

[MikeC99]

khj, I am not an expert on cancellations but your cancel appears to be genuine and for the period of the exhibition. I did some searching on the internet and found a cancellation at the following link which looks like yours. www.ebay.ca/itm/Germany-Michel-446-9-SC-B33-Iposta-1930-Registered-Souvenir-Sheet-/160460123111?pt=Stamps_World_Stamps&hash=item255c2b2be7

Mike

[khj]

Thanks for the link MikeC99! Looks good so far. Too bad mine is not on cover like the example you linked to.

[PostmasterGS]

khj,

The cancel appears to be genuine. It's the Sonderstempel (Commemorative Cancel) that was available at the IPOSTA from 12-21 Sep 1930.



While your sheet would be worth more on cover, the difference isn't as dramatic as you might think. I did a quick survey of lots that are currently up for auction or have recently sold at the major German auctionhouses, and the condition appears to be more of a factor than on/off cover. Michel CV for with Sonderstempel is €2,000, and for on cover no price is given. It's not clear if the Soncderstempel price is for on- or off-cover. Looking at the auctions, most sell from €250-€600, whether on- or off-cover.

[PostmasterGS]

khj,

I also posted a quick thread with some additional info on the IPOSTA.

[khj]

Thanks, PostmasterGS! Including the pricing research.

Unfortunately, the condition on my mine is not good. It is folded and there are also wrinkles near the "IP" and "19". The stains are not ink stains, but based on the position, they are related to the gum on the 4 stamps and possibly an adhesive that was used to affix the entire S/S. So, the S/S was likely on cover or on piece at one time, but was soaked off.

Thanks again, all!

Any more opinions/observations are welcome!

k