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first issues > countries > schleswig-holstein

Schleswig-Holstein

Friday, November 15, 1850

see Schleswig and Holstein, 1864

German State 4

SH1
  Schleswig-Holstein #1  

Imperforate, no watermark, typographed.
Printed by ???.

 

Description # issued # used Scott #
Schleswig-Holstein, November 15, 1850. Center embossed, silk threads.
1 schilling dull blue & greenish blue
 1,300,000 8,000 1
2 schilling rose & pink
 700,000 4,000 2
Schleswig, March 1, 1864. Typographed, rouletted 11½
4 schilling carmine
 ? ? 9
Schleswig, April 5, 1864
1¼ schilling green
 ? ? 8
Holstein, March 1, 1864. Lithographed, imperforate.
1¼ blue & gray
 ? ? 15 - 17
Holstein, May 15, 1864. Typographed, rouletted 8.
1¼ blue & rose
 ? ? 18

All issue quantities are approximate.
All stamps are listed in Scott under German States: Schleswig-Holstein.

The first issue was valid until the end of August, 1851. Very few stamps were used, and most of the cancels are smeared, almost obliterating the design. Beware of forged cancels.

Schleswig and Holstein had very shifting relations in the early stamp period. Schleswig and Lauenburg came under Danish rule from 1850, as a result of the war between Denmark and Prussia in 1848. Holstein was still somewhat independent, and could therefore enter the Austro-German Postal Union in 1851. As of February 1852 the postal authority in all three Princedoms was assumed by Denmark. From July 1, 1852 until Februar 28, 1864 Danish stamps were used exclusively, canceled with the assigned three-ring number cancels. Holstein and Lauenburg became independent in 1863, and in 1864 Schleswig came under Austro-Prussian administration, after yet another war with Denmark.

It may be easier to see the chronology in a table:
Date Name Scott SG Mi Y&T
November 15, 1850
Schleswig-Holstein
 1, 2      
July 1, 1852
Danish stamps
 Denmark 1 - 10 (15?)      
March 1, 1864
Schleswig
 8, 9      
March 1, 1864
Holstein
 15 - 18      
February, 1865
Schleswig-Holstein
 3 - 7      
November, 1865
Schleswig
 10 - 14      
November, 1865
Holstein
 19 - 25      
January 1, 1868
North German Confederation
 NGC 1 - 6      

The Danish stamps used in 1852 - 1864 are most likely Denmark Scott #2 to #10, since Scott #1 was intended for use in Copenhagen only, and since Scott #11 - 15 were issued in 1864.

Get an overview of Germany and German States 1849 - 1872.

Image from Cherrystone Auctions.

FI ref: 21 Page credit: JA

Page created 19 Feb 2014 Page updated 19-Jun-2017