Wait,Wait..Don't tell me (Stamp edition)

I don't want to be monopolizing the answering.    I was leaving open the actual i.d. of the Ireland overprint so that someone could feel emboldened to try it.  They are intimidating, but can be approached methodically.

I think the point of this lively thread is not a contest to see who can answer the quickest or most times, but rather the information shared about difficult to identify stamps. That has often been provided with wit, aplomb and veiled clues. So, I don't care if someone "monopolizes." Sometimes, when all I have to offer is the puzzle stamp's identity, I wait a day before answering. But, if I have anything more to contribute, I post it straight away. I hope others enjoying this thread will do the same.

Here is one to try.

[click to enlarge]

The cancel is a traveling post office, for those that are interested in that sort of thing.

And you would be correct.   

Hex cancels in Spain that include "AMB" are railway cancels.  When you find the cancel on the stamp, itself, it usually means the letter was posted right at the train car. 

I wish I had a route map for early Spain railway post office operations.  The city of A Coruña is at the northwest corner of Spain, on the Atlantic.  Presumably, the end of the line.

Not only is this MR 1, but it's the first MR ever to be issued by any country -- a levy on pens to buy swords. Curious, isn't it, that communication was taxed to support wars when conflict resolution specialists tell us that good communication is essential for peace to flourish. I suppose these taxes were intended to spread the cost of war equitably in small increments. But those who were more communicative bore the heavier load. Most of these stamps, e.g., Canada, are inscribed "war tax", but it isn't war that's being taxed. It's pens.

Try this one on for size.  A beautiful set of five, printed by Waterlow.  Which set?

That would be it.

Wait, wait, I think I know this one -- Manchukuo. I believe Scott #39?

-- Dave

Philatarium (Dave)- You got it!

There are 6 characters on the top label in the 1934-36 issue (this one) compared to the 5 characters found with the 1932-34 issue.

I dub thee the (truly) last Qing Emperor of Manchuria.

?

Back side of NewZealand ?

You got it tomiseksj! 

Honorable Mention to Jack (Admin) and I.L.S.


New Zealand Scott 62 2p violet

In 1893, advertisements were put on the back of Scott 61-67, and 68-69.

It is great fun to examine these stamps in old New Zealand collections, and find a hidden surprise on the back.

tomiseksj, you are awarded Patent Odourless Waterproofs (Whatever they are )

Afghanistan is not one of my strong areas, to say the least.

I'll guess- and it is purely a guess- 1875 Scott 18 1 Abasi brown violet @ CV $78+  

I'd guess Afghanistan #17a with the wide outer circle. And Ireland (#22) wanted us to phone home, although the little guy in the Afghanistan stamp looks like ET.