German Democratic Republic (DDR)
(East Germany)
Stamps of 1953

Michel 374
"First Five Year Plan (I)"

Issued: 10th Aug to 21st Nov 1953. Perf: 13x12½, watermark Wz 2 and available on sheets (10x10). Designer by Gruner issued to coincide with the first 5 year plan.

The stamp image, comoposed of minute dots, differs from the re-print Michel 417 where the images are composed of solid lines. Also none of the stamps is this issue feature the designer's name at the bottom edge of the stamp, whereas many of the stamps in the second issue have Gruner's name at the bottom left.

Note also that the fonts are different (this issue the letters are thiner) and the 'A' of 'DEMOKRATISCHE' is between the 'H' and 'E' of 'DEUTSCHE', whereas in the second issue the 'A' of 'DEMOKRATISCHE' is directly under the 'E' of 'DEUTSCHE'.

For this stamp the laurel leaves also have a clear white outline when compared to Michel 417.

Mi 374
35Pf
lilac ultramarine

Quantities Issued: 20,000,000

Valid Until: 31st Mar 1959

line

VARIATIONS

Mi 374 X I
watermark Wz 2 X I

Mi 374 X II
watermark Wz 2 X II

PLATE FLAWS

NO KNOWN PLATE FLAWS

STAMPS FROM MY COLLECTION

Mi 374
Mint, Unused

German Democratic Republic (DDR) (East Germany) Stamps of 1953

Michel 374 "First Five Year Plan (I)"