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Post by sharkman on Jul 8, 2021 22:12:39 GMT
I have reviewed some of the catalogs but I still cannot properly assess what I have here. Can anyone tell me if any of these have a real value or are they all just $.08 at best? I got these back in the 60's when I was actively collecting. Any and all feedback is greatly appreciated. BTW, I cannot tell what watermark each has if any since the are extremely difficult to see.
Thank You, Wes.
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Mr. H
Member 
Member - APS #129381
Posts: 935
What I collect: US, Netherlands, Whatever suits my fancy.
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Post by Mr. H on Jul 8, 2021 22:46:28 GMT
These are CTOs - Cancelled to Order from the German Democratic Republic (DDR). They were massed produced in '50s.
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cara
Member
Posts: 198 
What I collect: Germany (FRG, GDR, Berlin); occupied Germany 1945-1949, Deutsches Reich 1872-1945, Switzerland, USA (newbie)
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Post by cara on Jul 8, 2021 22:53:20 GMT
Hi sharkman , a very complicated collection area. As far as I can see on your photo the first two rows are offset lithographie. The rest is letterpress. Thats one criteria. Secondly I assume that all cancellations are CTO's, so the stamps were never on a cover. Whenever a quarter of the cancellation is on the stamp it is likely to be a CTO. Another criterium is when the cancellation is not matt but glossy. And gum on the backside you can be sure that it is a CTO. But nevertheless 5 year plan CTO's could have a higher value too, if you have the right watermark. And that is the problem. Mostly there are only two ways to distinguish between watermark 2XII/2YI und 2XI/2YII. First way with a magnifiying glass if you hold it correctly. Very difficult. Secondly a "blowing-technique". The different watermarks give a different structure to the paper, so if you blow against the stamp it bends from top to bottom or right to left. See attached picture. Mostly the only way to distinguish these watermarks. (the picture is from lumpus2000 a specialist of East-German stamps, who helped me a lot with my officials) And the 20 Pf overprint on 24 Pf is the highlight of collecting East-German stamps. There are many differentiating criteria and the value is between 0.30 Ct and 3,500 Euro; however, not for a CTO, where the value is insignificant.  Good luck cara |
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Post by sharkman on Jul 9, 2021 15:28:50 GMT
So I really need an expert to appraise what I have which most likely is not worth much. OK. Thank you everyone for the feedback. Always good to hear from you.
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Post by michael on Jul 9, 2021 17:29:18 GMT
I had loads of them in my childhood album from the 60s. They all went to charity.
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renden
Member
Posts: 8,705
What I collect: World W collector with ++ interests in BNA (Canada etc) and USA
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Post by renden on Jul 9, 2021 17:33:30 GMT
Do not collect DDR and minimal WW CTOs - sent them to a good home where they enjoy them
René
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cara
Member
Posts: 198
What I collect: Germany (FRG, GDR, Berlin); occupied Germany 1945-1949, Deutsches Reich 1872-1945, Switzerland, USA (newbie)
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Post by cara on Jul 11, 2021 13:05:11 GMT
An additional remark to CTO's.
If you collect DDR (East Germany), CTO's are part of a complete collection. Michel catalog lists the CTO's for DDR for each stamp with its own value (and all cancellations that were used).
In the five years plan there are CTO's with up to 150 Euro. Michel No. 432 DDR has 2 CTO's with values of 400 and 500 Euro and also with official stamps there are higher values.
With DDR very often the value depends on the watermark alone (which is unfortunately very difficult to identify in most cases).
Therefore, CTO's for DDR are perhaps to be considered differently than CTO's in other collecting areas.
Cara
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