Bergedorf is a small city situated at the mouth of the Elbe River in Northern Germany. It was not an independent territory, but was governed by Hamburg and Lübeck.
The postal history of Bergedorf began on June 25, 1859, when Postmaster Franz Paalzow asked Amtmann Dr. Theodor Daniel Kauffmann for permission to issue postage stamps.
On November 1, 1861, a series of 5 stamps were issued.
The motive of the series was a combination of the coat of arms of Hamburg and Lübeck.
The letters "L H P A" in the corners of the center piece stands for “Lubeck-Hamburgisches-Post-Amt”.
The stamps were lithographed by the printing works of Carl Fuchs of Hamburg.
The stamps were valid until the separate Bergedorf postal service was abolished on December 31, by Hamburg.
The postal history of Bergedorf began on June 25, 1859, when Postmaster Franz Paalzow asked Amtmann Dr. Theodor Daniel Kauffmann for permission to issue postage stamps.
On November 1, 1861, a series of 5 stamps were issued.
The motive of the series was a combination of the coat of arms of Hamburg and Lübeck.
The letters "L H P A" in the corners of the center piece stands for “Lubeck-Hamburgisches-Post-Amt”.
The stamps were lithographed by the printing works of Carl Fuchs of Hamburg.
The stamps were valid until the separate Bergedorf postal service was abolished on December 31, by Hamburg.
Relative sizes
They gradually increase in size according to the facial values, the lowest denomination measuring 15 x 15 mm. and the highest one 21 x 21 mm.
Mi 1a & 1b
There were two printings of “Ein Halber” schilling. The first printing was done on November 1st, 1861,the 2nd printing in 1867. Both printings were done in sheets of 2x100 consisting of 16 transfer blocks, each containing 12 positionable stamps (plus 2x4 single stamps of the same 12 types)
This value was printed in black on blue paper and it is the only one in which any color variation is noticeable.
The paper chosen was of a pale blue tint but during the process of printing this paper ran out of stock and the additional supply obtained was of a much deeper tint.
It is estimated about 160,000 1a and 40,000 1b were printed.
There are minor differences between the 2 printings aside from the paper color
The 1b is slightly narrower.
In the 1a, the bottom fractions have a small dot on the right. This is missing or nearly invisible in the 1b
Mi 1 Features
2 - 3 full bars and 1 partial
3 - Dash in ring left of the A
4 - Protrusion between the wing and leg
5 - The distinguishing mark of the 1a, dots besides both lower fractions - not always easily spotted.
The 1b also has a thinner T and overall is not as sharply detailed. It is also slightly narrower.
6 - Slight bulge & break in the right side of the O, the black dot is a plate position feature not a characteristic. The S beside it is slightly inclined
7 - The R & K have thick right legs the protrude out further than the top.
8 - The leg of the N has no dot in it. The dot is present in the reprints.
9 - The spaces between DOR are very small.
NOTE the rings are evenly shaped and overlap. Forgeries tend to have egg shape rings. There are 55 in the genuine
NOTE the shape of the fractions, each one is different
Forgeries
NOTE: genuine used copies are RARE
The CV of used copies is 10X to 100X times the CV of unused stamps.
Offers of used stamps in online auctions are possibly genuine issues with fake cancels or cancelled reprints.
Collectors should only consider certified used stamps
In comparing to the genuine look for letter uniformity and size, shape of ovals, missing "secret marks", shape and position of the head, shape of the wing and claws,
M1 1 Forgeries
1. there are spots of color outside the border besides the "H" and "B" of "HALBER"
2. there is spot of color outside the right border of the "½" at top right
Mi 2
The design measures exactly 16 mm. square. This value was printed in black on white paper in sheets of 200.
A block of ten transfers was taken from the original die and arranged in two vertical rows of five.
As the corner numerals in the original drawing were considered too thick and clumsy they were removed before making the transfers.
The workman then had to draw in the whole of the forty numerals by hand so that small differences may be found.
The workman inverted all the stamps in the lower pane so that each sheet provides ten tete beche pairs.
90,000 were printed. Of these 64,000 were sold during the period of their currency, leaving a balance of 26,000 in the remainders sold to M. Moens
A block of ten transfers was taken from the original die and arranged in two vertical rows of five.
As the corner numerals in the original drawing were considered too thick and clumsy they were removed before making the transfers.
The workman then had to draw in the whole of the forty numerals by hand so that small differences may be found.
The workman inverted all the stamps in the lower pane so that each sheet provides ten tete beche pairs.
90,000 were printed. Of these 64,000 were sold during the period of their currency, leaving a balance of 26,000 in the remainders sold to M. Moens
2 - Shield is blank
3 - Dash in ring
4 - Dots in the L
5 - Top of S much smaller than lower part
6 - Well defined crossbar in the A
7 - P indents into the O
8 - Secret mark dot
9 - Dot in ring
10 - Dots located here
Forgeries
They are likely an invention of the Irish Shanahan Stamps Scandal and ponzi scheme of the 1950’s orchestrated by “Dr.” Paul Singer on the right
Mi 3
It measures 17.75 mm. square. In the original design the value is inscribed “SchillingE” and though it seems certain that a stone was prepared from this and a number of sheets printed these stamps were never issued and can only be considered as essays. The spelling was objected to and the lithographer had to make a new stone.
The sheets consisted of 200 stamps in two panes of 100, placed one above the other.
There are eight tete-beche pairs in each sheet.
100,000 were printed and as only 32,000 were sold while the Issue was in use the remainders handed over to M. Moens consisted of no less than 68,000.
The sheets consisted of 200 stamps in two panes of 100, placed one above the other.
There are eight tete-beche pairs in each sheet.
100,000 were printed and as only 32,000 were sold while the Issue was in use the remainders handed over to M. Moens consisted of no less than 68,000.
2. Dot in circle under “E”
3. Well defined top of tower
4. Dot or dash in circle
5. Dot in circle
6. Spike on the “1”
7. Dot or dash sometimes difficult to see
8. “Secret Mark”
9. No lines in the shield
Forgeries
Peter Winter right, genuine left
Torres Forgery
Mi 4
The design measures 19¹/⁴ X 19³/⁴ mm. This value was printed in sheets of 160 in sixteen rows of ten. Altogether 80,000 of these stamps were printed of which about 37,000 were sold during the period of their currency and the balance of 43,000 was included in the parcel of remainders purchased by M. Moens
2. Lower leg of “E” longer and thicker than others
3. Dot in circle
4. Vertical stroke in “E”
5. Damaged M
6. Bottom of “P” attached to lower frame
7. 2 dots outside frame
8. Middle stroke of “E” generally detached
9. Several short lines in shield
The tower has many fine horizontal lines
Forgeries
Mi 5
The design measures 21 by 21 mm.
These stamps were printed in black on brown paper in sheets of eighty arranged in ten rows of eight
Altogether 80,000 of the 4 Sh stamps were printed, 30,000 being sold while the issue was current and the balance of 50,000 going to M. Moens
These stamps were printed in black on brown paper in sheets of eighty arranged in ten rows of eight
Altogether 80,000 of the 4 Sh stamps were printed, 30,000 being sold while the issue was current and the balance of 50,000 going to M. Moens
2. Dots and dashes in shield
3. Dot in “E”
4. Dot below frame
5. Dot left side of circle , may be difficult to see
6. Dots at the top and bottom of “B”
7. Small dot between claws
Note the rings are even in size and they all overlap.
The shape of the posthorn is often wrong in forgeries
Note also the size, position and shape of the letters LHPA
Forgeries
Reprints
For collectors of Bergedorf the main issue is not the forgeries but the large quantities of reprints (actually forgeries)
Mr. Moens of Brussels obtained the lithographic stones of Bergedorf and made reprints in 1872, 1874, 1887 and 1888.
He gave the printing stones of the Bergedorf stamps to the Berlin Postal Museum (Reichpostmuseum) in 1894.
According to B.W.H.Poole, Moens also possessed the cancelling device of Bergedorf, which was also given to the Berlin Postal Museum.
Fortunately they all have specific features to identify them.
This chart shows the values and dates of printing.
Mr. Moens of Brussels obtained the lithographic stones of Bergedorf and made reprints in 1872, 1874, 1887 and 1888.
He gave the printing stones of the Bergedorf stamps to the Berlin Postal Museum (Reichpostmuseum) in 1894.
According to B.W.H.Poole, Moens also possessed the cancelling device of Bergedorf, which was also given to the Berlin Postal Museum.
Fortunately they all have specific features to identify them.
This chart shows the values and dates of printing.
Reprints are valued at $1
Mi 1 Reprints
1872 reprint
- The H of SCHILLING is always without the cross bar and one (sometimes both) of the A's in the inscription are
also without the cross stroke.
- Dent in the top of the N in EIN
- Many letters are mutilated
- The rings of the chains are smudged.
- In the center shield there are only a few (two or three) faint lines visible.
- The H of SCHILLING is always without the cross bar and one (sometimes both) of the A's in the inscription are
also without the cross stroke.
- Dent in the top of the N in EIN
- Many letters are mutilated
- The rings of the chains are smudged.
- In the center shield there are only a few (two or three) faint lines visible.
- Notch in the upper part of the right N of EIN
- Less clear members of the ring chain
- Broken wavy lines
- Uneven, crude Letters
- In the upper ring of the chain a dot is faintly visible.
- The head of the griffin is without shading.
- The horizontal bars of the letters in the border inscriptions are badly mutilated.
- In the shield only slight traces of shading are visible.
Mi 2 Reprints
- There is a vertical dash in the center ring of the chain on the right as in the original.
- There is a dot in the center ring of the chain at the top as in the original.
- The numerals 1 in the four corners have pronounced feet.
- The horizontal bars of the letters are badly mutilated.
- A short line slanting downwards has its beginning below the top window in the right wall of the tower.
- Almost no crossbar of the H
1887 Reprint
1887 reprint
- The numerals are all smeared and much too thick
- Crossbars in letters are almost nonexistent
- Between the thigh and the claw there is often a dot.
- In the center ring of the chain on the left there is a dash.
- A dot appears in the center ring of the top chain
- Strong, thickened line to the right of the right tower as in the 1872 reprint
- Griffin neck partly lightly shaded
- The numerals are all smeared and much too thick
- Crossbars in letters are almost nonexistent
- Between the thigh and the claw there is often a dot.
- In the center ring of the chain on the left there is a dash.
- A dot appears in the center ring of the top chain
- Strong, thickened line to the right of the right tower as in the 1872 reprint
- Griffin neck partly lightly shaded
1888 Reprint
- The wavy linear pattern running under the design in the center piece is faded.
- The rings of the chain are very smudgy.
- The numerals 1 in the corners have little or no serifs
- In the center ring of the chain at the top there is a dot.
- A faint dot appears in the center ring of the chain on the right.
- All the letters are thick and crude
- The griffin has a white area in the neck
Mi 3 Reprints
- The inscription on the right reads: SCHILLINGE (Original: SCHILLING).
- The horizontal bars of the letters are mostly defective.
- Under the right side of the tower there is a shaded triangle.
- The rings of the chain are smudged.
- A dot appears in the center rings of the top, bottom, left and right.
- The fractional number 1 in the bottom left-hand corner has a single upstroke.
- Smeared Posthorn and triangular to down-looking smearing at right part of the castle-like crest half
- The head is shaped differently
- Black connecting line right at the top of the fraction number 1 in the upper left
Mi 3 1887 Reprint
- Denomination reads SHILLINGE
- Spikes in lower left 1 of fraction are barely visible
- Smeared Posthorn and triangular pointing downward blotch at the bottom right of the castle
- Wavy lines are unclear, some with significant breaks
- Side letters are thinner
Mi 4 Reprints
These reprints show a great deal of color variations
The label measures 191/4 X 191/2 mm.
- It can be at once distinguished by the absence of shading on the head of the griffin.
- Above the R of DREI, between the two frame lines, there are two dots.
- There is a dot above the second E of BERGEDORF
- The middle section of the S of POSTMARKE is thin.
- There is a black spot in the right loop of the letter S in POSTMARKE
- In the center ring of the chain on the right there is a dot.
- Broken wavy lines
- Animal head partially bright
- Blue line runs through the top of SCHILLINGE
The label measures 191/4 X 191/2 mm.
- It can be at once distinguished by the absence of shading on the head of the griffon.
- Above the R of DREI, between the two frame lines, there are two dots.
- There is a dot above the second E of BERGEDORF
- The middle section of the S of POSTMARKE is thin.
- There is a black spot in the right loop of the letter S in POSTMARKE
- In the center ring of the chain on the right there is a dot.
- Broken wavy lines
- Griffin head partially bright
- Blue line runs through the top of SCHILLINGE
- It can be at once distinguished by the absence of shading on the head of the griffon.
- Above the R of DREI, between the two frame lines, there are two dots.
- There is a dot above the second E of BERGEDORF
- The middle section of the S of POSTMARKE is thin.
- There is a black spot in the right loop of the letter S in POSTMARKE
- In the center ring of the chain on the right there is a dot.
- Broken wavy lines
- Griffin head partially bright
- Blue line runs through the top of SCHILLINGE
1888 Reprint
- The C has a narrow extension protruding left
- Wavy lines barely visible and they have many breaks
- Breaks in the right side of the M are missing
- Griffin head partially bright
- The middle bars of the top E’s are very small
- The OS of POST are shorter than other letters
Mi 5 Reprints
Measures 21 by 203/4 mm.
- In the vertical limb of the E in POSTMARKE there is a dot.
- An oblique line, pointing upward emanates from the center ring of the chain on the left. In this ring there is also a
dot.
- At the bottom of the second I of SCHILLINGE there is a dot.
- A dot may also be found in the foot of the vertical limb of the P of POSTMARKE
- The letters BE in BERGEDORF are very close together. The letters RG are welded together.
- In the vertical limb of the "B" in "BERGEDORF" there are two dots; one at the top and one at the bottom.
- The neck of the griffin is not shaded.
- A vertical line on the head of the animal
- Numerous breaks in the wavy lines of the background.
- The upper part of the coat of arms is without shading .
- The left upper part of the M in POSTMARKE is notched.
- There is a small black line protruding the griffin's mouth.
- The ring of the chain over the "P" in the lower left corner is broken.
- There is an oblique line by the I of VIER
- The letters of BERGEDORF are very irregular
- The background is very rough and lines are broken.
- Smeared very uneven letters
- Neck and head of griffin has white sections
- Dot in the second I of SHILLINGE
References
-Germany States - Muller 1933
-Handbuch der Posttreimarkenkunde·Altdeutsche Staaten -Hugo Krotzsch 1896
-Germany States - Poole 1891
-Forged Postage Stamps of Europe and Colonieis - H. Bynof-Smith:
-Klaseboer Forgery CD 2019
-Germany States Forgeries - Hermann Schloss 1930
-Germany States GPS Forgeries
-Handbok för filatelister Sigurd Tullberg.
-Altdeutschland spezial-katalog und handbuch, Grobe 1963
-Album Weeds Earee
-Bergedorfer postgeschichte : von den anfangen bis 1868, Karl Knauer 1961
-Étude sur les Faux Timbres d’Europe, A. de Haene
-Timbrex - Schloss 1944
-Seranne Forgeries
-650 falsche stempel und Prufzeichen BDph
-Early Forged Stamps - Pemberton
-Forged Stamps of All Countries - Dorn
-Fakes & Forgeries of Germany & Colonies - Germany Philatelic Society Inc, 1966
-Various Billigs catalogs - 1930's
-Forgeries Old and New - A. Johnson
-Distinguishing Characteristics of Classic Stamps - Schloss Hermann
-Michel Specialized Germany - 2016
-Images from personal collection, public auction sites and Germany forum members.
- Gerhard Lang for his assistance in identifying Torres stamps
-Germany States - Muller 1933
-Handbuch der Posttreimarkenkunde·Altdeutsche Staaten -Hugo Krotzsch 1896
-Germany States - Poole 1891
-Forged Postage Stamps of Europe and Colonieis - H. Bynof-Smith:
-Klaseboer Forgery CD 2019
-Germany States Forgeries - Hermann Schloss 1930
-Germany States GPS Forgeries
-Handbok för filatelister Sigurd Tullberg.
-Altdeutschland spezial-katalog und handbuch, Grobe 1963
-Album Weeds Earee
-Bergedorfer postgeschichte : von den anfangen bis 1868, Karl Knauer 1961
-Étude sur les Faux Timbres d’Europe, A. de Haene
-Timbrex - Schloss 1944
-Seranne Forgeries
-650 falsche stempel und Prufzeichen BDph
-Early Forged Stamps - Pemberton
-Forged Stamps of All Countries - Dorn
-Fakes & Forgeries of Germany & Colonies - Germany Philatelic Society Inc, 1966
-Various Billigs catalogs - 1930's
-Forgeries Old and New - A. Johnson
-Distinguishing Characteristics of Classic Stamps - Schloss Hermann
-Michel Specialized Germany - 2016
-Images from personal collection, public auction sites and Germany forum members.
- Gerhard Lang for his assistance in identifying Torres stamps
