GERMAN EMPIRE
OFFICIAL
POSTCARDS
1890
All 1890 Official postcards are now on this page. Official postcards are cards that were issued by the Reich’s post office, had pre-printed (indicia) stamps and were widely available throughout German towns and cities.
Secondly Printed to Private Order postcards are postcards that were generally issued by entities that were advertising an event or commemorating an anniversary, and also had pre-printed stamps, but were not widely available throughout Germany (most were only available at the event they were commemorating).
Thirdly Other postcards are postcards that fall into the same general category as printed to private order however they do not have pre-printed stamps.
Finally, Miscellaneous postcards is where you will find postcards that do not fit into the first three categories (i.e. they are not official, they do not have pre-printed stamps, and they do not commemorate an event).
Quick Links:
POSTCARDS:
P24, P25, P26 and P27
ROHRPOSTUMSCHLÄGE (ROHRPOST ENVELOPE):
RU2
MICHEL P24 to P27
(CROWN / EAGLE)
Changed numerals and lower case letters now for all cards control codes, for double cards only on the question part of the card has print control date data. Address form with a narrow dot line spacing (10: 11: 11mm); with point gap.
The 10Pf postcards below exist with any one of four types of border. The images below can be used to determine the border type.
MICHEL P24
OFFICIAL POSTCARD
5 PFENNIG
Issued 1890.
Distinguishing Features:
1. 5Pf Green pre-printed value stamp with number in circle and inscribed "REICHSPOST"
2. Distance between dotted address lines 10:11:11mm.
3. "An" directly above "in" on the left.
4. Control Print Data: Yes, number and letter (see below).
5. Watermark: No
6. Gap in 4th Address line: Yes.
Click here for more details.
Michel P24
5Pf green stamp
5Pf green stamp
FROM MY COLLECTION
MICHEL P25
OFFICIAL POSTCARD
10 PFENNIG
Issued 1890. Very similar to P21 but now with print control data numbers and lower case letters for all cards. Address form with a narrow dot line spacing (10: 11: 11mm) with dot gap. There are two variations for this card depending on the frame type.
P25/01: frame type 'a'
P25/02: frame type 'b' (see description above).
Click here for more details.
Michel P25 Type 'a'
CODE 593c
CODE 593c
FROM MY COLLECTION
MICHEL P26
OFFICIAL REPLY CARD
5 PFENNIG
Issued 1890.
Distinguishing Features:
1. 2x 5Pf Green pre-printed value stamp with number in circle and inscribed "REICHSPOST"
2. Distance between dotted address lines 10:11:11mm.
3. "An" directly above "in" on the left.
4. Control Print Data: Yes, number and letter (see below).
5. Watermark: No
6. Gap in 4th Address line: Yes.
Click here for more details.
Michel P26
Reply Card
2x 5Pf green stamp
Reply Card
2x 5Pf green stamp
MICHEL P27
OFFICIAL REPLY CARD
10 PFENNIG
Issued 1890.
Distinguishing Features:
1. 10Pf carmine pre-printed value stamp with large eagle in circle and inscribed "REICHSPOST"
2. Distance between dotted address lines 10:11:11mm.
3. Control Print Data: Yes, number and letter (see below).
4. Watermark: No
5. Gap in 4th Address line: Yes.
there are three versions of P27 depending on border type:
P27/01: with frame type a/c
P27/02: with frame type b/d
P27/03: with frame type b/c.
Click here for more details.
Michel P27/03
FROM MY COLLECTION
MICHEL RU2
OFFICIAL ROHRPOSTUMSCHLÄGE
30 PFENNIG
The earliest known usage of this envelope is Mar 1890. This Rohrpost envelope features a 'Large Eagle in Circle' 30Pf dark blue stamp and the envelope measures 126 x 81mm. The envelope has a rose coloured interior.
Click here for more information.
Michel RU2
30Pf dark blue stamp
30Pf dark blue stamp
FROM MY COLLECTION
