Michel Germany Specialized 2025 – Volume II As of May 1945

German local stamps issued starting in 1945, including official and private stamps; joint issues, Berlin and Brandenburg, Soviet Zone; German Democratic Republic, Berlin (West), Saarland and Saarland as federal state of the F.R.G.; French Zone, American Zone and British Zone; F.R.G., foreign postal offices, international reply coupons.

Description:

Engelbert Schoner created detailed oil paintings, prints and bird drawings for the first bird identification books of the German Democratic Republic – but philatelists know him primarily as the designer of Thuringian postage stamps issued after World War II. He provided the portrait and architectural drawings for the reconstruction issues as well as the motifs for the Christmas donation blocks and the postage stamp series. By designing the “Fir Trees in the Thuringian Forest”, he created an unforgettable stamp design for the first German Christmas in peace times.

The new edition of the MICHEL Germany Special particularly focuses on the expressiveness of Thuringian postage stamps issued in 1945 and later, but also its susceptibility to errors due to the times and production methods. We have added approximately 30 colour illustrations as well as numerous new perforation variations, off-centre stamps on blocks, misprints and proofs. These also include extremely rare pieces, the scarcity of which is comparable to such philatelic icons as the Blue and Orange Mauritius.

In future catalogue editions we want to tell you more about such rarities of the “Mauritius category” in our catalogue than mere cataloging can provide. Starting with this edition of the Germany Special, in addition to the catalogue entries, we will feature fascinating stories about the history of special stamps and vouchers. You have probably already noticed the “Mauritius signet” on the cover of the new Germany Special. It marks our text contributions to the Mauritius category in the catalogue.

In the 2025 German Special you will find paper, colour and type variations as well as plate flaw and type variation supplements in the collection areas of the Soviet Occupation Zone (SBZ) and the G.D.R., additional information on engravers and designers, perforation and halftone types, type variations  and plate flaws as well as all stamp novelties up to March 2025, including a list of the postal service’s newly launched own edition in the F.R.G. collection area, and finally, a detailed revision of the Jungholz and Kleinwalsertal collection areas with revised texts, photos and prices.Speaking of prices:

In 2025, the most striking price fluctuations occurred in the collection areas of local issues, Soviet Occupation Zone (SBZ), Saarland and AM post as well as the youth stamps and complete annual issues of the Federal Republic of Germany.

Information:

Edition: 55th
Pages: 1504
Format: 155 mm x 230 mm Hardcover with bookmarker and watermark folding plate
Publishing House: Schwaneberger Verlag
First Day of Sale: 5 April 2025

Published in German