GERMAN COLONIES
SAMOA
OFFICIAL POSTCARDS
The postoffice, based in Apia, was opened on 21st Sep 1886 and from 1st Mar 1900 to 28th Aug 1914 the area was designated a protected area. Prior to 1900 there were no postcards published specifically for Samoa, postcards and stamps of the German Empire were used in the colonies in lieu of their own postcards and stamps. These pre-1900 German Empire postal items are referred to as 'Vorlaufer' or 'fore runners' and they can only be differentiated from the domestic mail items by the cancellation 'APIA'.
From Mar 1900 stamps and postcards of the German Empire, overprinted 'Samoa' (diagonally from bottom-left to top-right), were made available for use in Samoa. These Postcards P1 to P4 feature a pre-printed stamp Michel 2 or Michel 3 stamp.
From 1901 until 1919 postcards were issued with Kaiser's Yacht pre-printed stamps. These cards are P5 to P10. These cards are inscribed "SAMOA" in an arc along the top of the pre-printed stamp.
In 1914 the British occupied the protectorate and continued to use German issue Kaier's Yacht postcards, only now with the addition of the letters 'G.R.I' and a new value in pennies i.e. 'G.R.I. 1d' on two lines of text. These cards are also numbered P1 to P4 and should not be confused with the earlier issue P5 to P10 above.
To round out the postcards of the German colony/protectorate of Samoa there were two private postcards issued in 1886 and 1898.
MICHEL P1 to P4
(CROWN / EAGLE)
Postcards P1 to P4 are easily distinguishable from later Samoa postcards as they are the only cards featuring the crown/eagle stamps Michel 2 for P1 and P3, Michel 3 for P2 and P4. In addition P1 and P2 are postcards, whereas P3 and P4 are reply cards. The postcards measure 140 x 90mm and the reply cards 140 x 180mm
MICHEL P1
(POSTCARD)
Issued Mar 1900, postcard with 5Pf pre-printed crown/eagle stamp, Michel 2 . P1 with watermark, without printing/control date.
Michel P1
MICHEL P1 I
(POSTCARD)
Issued Mar 1900, postcard with 5Pf pre-printed crown/eagle stamp, Michel 2 . This time without the watermark and without printing/control date.
Michel P1
MICHEL P2
(POSTCARD)
Issued Mar 1900, postcard with 10Pf pre-printed crown/eagle stamp, Michel 3 . P2 with printing/control date (without letters) and also without watermark.
Michel P2
P2 PF III : Plate flaw, the "P" on the right currency "PF" has a short foot.
MICHEL P3
(REPLY CARD)
Issued Mar 1900, reply card with 5Pf pre-printed crown/eagle stamp, Michel 2 .Issued Mar 1900, postcard with 10Pf pre-printed crown/eagle stamp, Michel 3 . P3 with printing/control date (without letters) and also without watermark.
Michel P3
MICHEL P3 I
(REPLY CARD)
Issued Mar 1900, postcard with two 5Pf pre-printed crown/eagle stamp, Michel 2 . This time without the watermark and without printing/control date.
Michel P3 I
MICHEL P4
(REPLY CARD)
Issued Mar 1900, reply card with 10Pf pre-printed crown/eagle stamp, Michel 3 .Issued Mar 1900, postcard with 10Pf pre-printed crown/eagle stamp, Michel 3 . P4 with printing/control date (without letters) and also without watermark.
Michel P4
P4 Fd : With a white line in the frame.
MICHEL P5 to P10
(KAISER's YACHT STAMP)
Postcards P5 to P10 were issued from 1901 and are easily recognisable as they are the only Samoa postcards featuring the Kaiser's Yacht stamp Michel 8 or Michel 9. There are examples of P6 and P8 that have 56 instead of 60 and 74 instead of 70mm long third and forth address rows, respectively. These are test prints and command a higher price. In addition there are examples of P5 to P8 with a "Specimen" overprint, these also command a higher premium.
MICHEL P5
(POSTCARD)
Issued 1901. Without a watermark and featuring a Michel 8, 5Pf pre-printed Kaier's Yacht stamp.
Michel P5
MICHEL P6
(POSTCARD)
Issued 1901. Without a watermark and featuring a Michel 9, 10Pf pre-printed Kaier's Yacht stamp.
Michel P6
MICHEL P7
(REPLY CARD)
Issued 1901. Without a watermark and featuring two Michel 8, 5Pf pre-printed Kaier's Yacht stamps.
Michel P7
MICHEL P8
(REPLY CARD)
Issued 1901. Without a watermark and featuring two Michel 9, 10Pf pre-printed Kaier's Yacht stamps.
Michel P8
MICHEL P9
(POSTCARD)
Issued 1914 and featuring a 5Pf, green, Kaiser's Yacht pre-printed stamp. This card varies from P5 in that it has the address lines shortened to 85mm.
Michel P9
MICHEL P10
(POSTCARD)
Issued 1919 and featuring a Michel 8 Kaiser's Yacht pre-printed stamp. This time the word 'Postkarte' is printed in the centre and the card has a vertical dividing line not present on earlier cards.
Michel P10
P10 was only sold at the collector's counter in Berlin
MICHEL P1 to P4
(CROWN / EAGLE)
Postcards P1 to P4 are easily distinguishable from later Samoa postcards as they are the only cards featuring the crown/eagle stamps Michel 2 for P1 and P3, Michel 3 for P2 and P4. In addition P1 and P2 are postcards, whereas P3 and P4 are reply cards. The postcards measure 140 x 90mm and the reply cards 140 x 180mm
BRITISH OCCUPATION
MICHEL P1 to P4
These postcards were issued in 1914 following the Britich Occupation and are the same as P5 to P10 only now with a 'G.R.I.' overprint and new value and denomination.
MICHEL P1
'G.R.I' OVERPRINT
(POSTCARD)
Issued Sep 1914. Kaier's Yacht 5Pf with additional 'G.R.I | ½d' Overprint.
Michel P1
MICHEL P2
'G.R.I' OVERPRINT
(POSTCARD)
Issued Sep 1914. Kaier's Yacht 10Pf with additional 'G.R.I | 1d' Overprint.
Michel P2
MICHEL P3
'G.R.I' OVERPRINT
(REPLY CARD)
Issued Sep 1914. With two Kaiser's Yacht 5Pf stamps and with additional 'G.R.I | ½d' Overprint.
Michel P3
MICHEL P4
'G.R.I' OVERPRINT
(REPLY CARD)
Issued Sep 1914. With two 10Pf Kaier's Yacht stamps with additional 'G.R.I | 1d' Overprint.
Michel P4
MICHEL P1 and P2
(PRIVATE POSTCARDS)
These two cards are referred to as 'Samoan Private Postcards of J. Davis' and measured approximately 129 x 90mm (the dimensions vary somewhat). The pre-printed stamp features a group of palm trees.
MICHEL P1
(POSTCARD)
Issued 1886/1898 and featuring a pre-printed stamp valued at 'ONE PENNY'. There are two variations: Type 'a' is on grey, thin and rough card, Type 'b' is on greenish, thick, shiny card.
Michel P1
MICHEL P2
(REPLY CARD)
Issued 1886/1898 and featuring two pre-printed stamps valued at 'ONE PENNY'. There are two variations: Type 'a' is bright greenish, type 'b' is dark brown-grey.
Michel P6
This page was last updated
04-Aug-2021 07:02
'G.R.I' OVERPRINT
(POSTCARD)
Michel P1
'G.R.I' OVERPRINT
(POSTCARD)
Michel P2
'G.R.I' OVERPRINT
(REPLY CARD)
Michel P3
'G.R.I' OVERPRINT
(REPLY CARD)
Michel P4
(PRIVATE POSTCARDS)
(POSTCARD)
Michel P1
(REPLY CARD)
Michel P6
04-Aug-2021 07:02