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Post by jamesw on Jun 24, 2014 3:08:16 GMT
This one's got me scratchin' my head. Google translates Brief Marke as....wait for it...stamp. Duh. But what KIND of stamp. Sure it is Austrian (heller currency gives that away) and it came in with a bunch of other Austrian stamps (which is by no means a give away). Hand written numeral 10 is interesting. A temporary postage stamp? All purpose? I can't find it in Scotts. Any ideas?  |
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Mick
Member 
Posts: 992 
What I collect: Mostly covers and postmarks. Also miscellaneous paper ephemera.
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Post by Mick on Jun 24, 2014 4:56:34 GMT
Could it be a quick and dirty postage due stamp?
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rod222
Member
Posts: 11,044
What I collect: Worldwide Stamps, Ephemera and Catalogues
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Post by rod222 on Jun 24, 2014 9:44:16 GMT
This one's got me scratchin' my head. Google translates Brief Marke as....wait for it...stamp. Duh. But what KIND of stamp. Sure it is Austrian (heller currency gives that away) and it came in with a bunch of other Austrian stamps (which is by no means a give away). Hand written numeral 10 is interesting. A temporary postage stamp? All purpose? I can't find it in Scotts. Any ideas? Guess: Austria. Colour printing sample, test stamp. Never Issued. Check on the internet for link to "Dummy Stamps" to perhaps confirm. |
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Ryan
Moderator 
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Posts: 2,749
What I collect: If I have a catalogue for it, I collect it. And I have many catalogues ....
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Post by Ryan on Jun 24, 2014 12:43:33 GMT
I thought it must be a revenue stamp, so I looked at my 1915 Forbin but I don't see it there. Then I figured maybe the stamp was just a bit too new for a 1915 catalogue so I searched for "Austria revenue" and found over 1000 hits on both Delcampe and eBay, but I didn't see the stamp there either. Nor is it listed in my Michel Specialized or Netto Specialized, not any of my ancient catalogues (1940 Michel, 1939 Froede, 1931 Senf, 1927 Y&T, etc.). Don't have a clue!
Ryan
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rod222
Member
Posts: 11,044
What I collect: Worldwide Stamps, Ephemera and Catalogues
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Post by rod222 on Jun 24, 2014 13:29:57 GMT
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Post by jamesw on Jun 25, 2014 2:28:52 GMT
Interesting Rod. Am I to assume it's part of the 1908 series? It is similar, which is why I figured it was Austrian. Not mentioned in Scott's though, as I said.
The line over HELLER leads me to believe it's not a test stamp, since a value can be written in, as it has been on my stamp
Postage due would say PORTO (a number of them do, anyway).
Hmmm. A true mystery? At least for now.
edit - the word I was trying to think of while typing the above missive was - PROVISIONAL.
Perhaps this is a provisional stamp available to make up postage when proper denominations aren't available? Anyone heard of something like that? Or am I making things up again.
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rod222
Member
Posts: 11,044
What I collect: Worldwide Stamps, Ephemera and Catalogues
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Post by rod222 on Jun 25, 2014 4:41:37 GMT
Interesting Rod. Am I to assume it's part of the 1908 series? It is similar, which is why I figured it was Austrian. Not mentioned in Scott's though, as I said. The line over HELLER leads me to believe it's not a test stamp, since a value can be written in, as it has been on my stamp Postage due would say PORTO (a number of them do, anyway). Hmmm. A true mystery? At least for now. edit - the word I was trying to think of while typing the above missive was - PROVISIONAL. Perhaps this is a provisional stamp available to make up postage when proper denominations aren't available? Anyone heard of something like that? Or am I making things up again. To be frank, James, I really don't know. I am sticking by "test" stamps, albeit, the issue date of 1908 leaves me uneasy. A mystery indeed, but the answer shall pop up sooner or later. |
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Post by jamesw on Jun 30, 2014 3:39:35 GMT
I've said it before and will say it again...Google is our friend. After my original post I did a little googling and came across the Austrian Philatelic Society www.austrianphilately.comIt never hurts to ask, so I sent a scan of the mystery stamp and a request for help. I heard from Mr Andy Taylor, the Editor of the society and he sent two remarks. The first he thought it to be part of a children's game. His second message follow (Mr Taylor, if you are reading our forum, I hope you don't mind my sharing your response. Many enquiring minds here want to know...) Mr Taylor writes, "The expert says: It isn't a children's play item. It's a Schulungsmarke, used in formal lessons especially in what I would call Technical Schools on how to carry out the umpteen complicated functions required of a Post Office employee. I add: There was a series of Exams which a prospective employee had to pass. I had thought that they might be recruited first and trained by their employer, but it looks as if they had to get themselves trained at the State's - or more likely their own - expense." google translates schulungsmarke as 'training brand' Obviously some more research is warranted, but still, interesting, no? |
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rod222
Member
Posts: 11,044
What I collect: Worldwide Stamps, Ephemera and Catalogues
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Post by rod222 on Jun 30, 2014 4:32:09 GMT
Nice detective work, James.
PO Training stamps.
Only others come to mind are the training stamps of GB
valued issues in different colours, and the QE2 issues with graphite bars.
...and Sudan opt "school"
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Post by jamesw on Jul 1, 2014 15:53:13 GMT
I sent a message to Mr. Taylor thanking him for his help. He suggests calling it a 'teaching stamp' as opposed to training (the term I used as well), to emphasise that the teaching is being done in an educational establishment, not by the Post Office.
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