SWH
Departed
Rest in Peace
Posts: 43 
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Post by SWH on Nov 19, 2016 10:05:30 GMT
After Germany occupied Lithuania in 1941, Russian stamps overprinted 'Vilnius' were issued. Does anybody know more about this issue? In particular, I would like to know just exactly where these stamps were used. Were they issued for local use in Vilnius or were they also used in other parts of Lithuania?  |
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Post by jaysee on Nov 19, 2016 13:07:10 GMT
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cjd
Member 
Posts: 1,107
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Post by cjd on Nov 19, 2016 16:10:44 GMT
I don't know anything about these issues, but the German Philatelic Society's Reference Manual of Forgeries describes these as issues for southern Lithuania. Their titles are fairly specific; for instance, if it was a local issue for Ponewesch, or Telsiai, they title it as such.
For whatever that's worth.
Also, at a quick glance, the overprint seems to match the genuine overprint they show.
eta: Looking at the cover at jaysee's link, the overprint on the 80k (Michel 17) is different from the others, which is correct according to the Manual. The forged overprint found on Michel 17 and 18 has a more-open "S" while the genuine overprint on those two stamps has a smaller opening in the top curve of the "S" as seen on that cover. Again, to a non-specialist's eyes.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Nov 19, 2016 21:02:42 GMT
 Vilnius Series - values are based on the 5 overprint positions some of which are shown above. To see a larger picture right click & "View Image" There is a 1r red and black machine gun with green ovpt. The same stamp with another occupation ovpt. was listed in Michel but was eventually removed as a probable forgery?? Anyway, I do not have much information on the use of these stamps (my Lithuania catalog is out & not available for awhile - so maybe more later) This article in my files describes the Russian occupation of Lithuania that preceded these issues. Not much is said in catalogs about forgeries but they definitely exist (particularly on fake covers) given the values of this issue. |
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