GERMAN COLONIES
SUDWEST AFRIKA
STAMPS
1888 / 1892
Forerunners are stamps of the German Empire that were in circulation in foreign countries and the colonies without any special identification (i.e. not overprinted "Southwest Africa"), until issue of their own stamps. 'Proper' forerunners were officially delivered to post offices and were sold from postal counters, stamps that were not used or not officially issued are non-proper forerunners. All forerunners and interim stamps can only be recognised by the cancellation and as such there is no such thing as an unused forerunner.
MICHEL VO44 OTYIMBINGUE FORERUNNER (VO) From 16th Jul 1888 to Mar 1892, the German office in Otyimbingue used German Empire stamps. Michel Nr 37 (internal service: number in oval). Michel Nr 39 to 44 (number and/or imperial eagle in oval, so-called "Pfennig".
Mi VO44
50 Pf
olive green
50 Pf
olive green
VARIATIONS
Mi VO44b
50 Pf
dark olive
(1888-91)
50 Pf
dark olive
(1888-91)
Mi VO44c
50 Pf
bright olive green
(1888-91)
50 Pf
bright olive green
(1888-91)
PLATE FLAWS
Mi VO44 PF III
tip not filled out in ornament centre right
tip not filled out in ornament centre right
STAMPS FROM MY COLLECTION
