South Vietnam, 5 Years Republic, October 26th, 1960, Michel Nr. SVN 217-220; Four stamps with nominals of 50c, 1D, 3D and 7D (Q:2,000,000 sets) was issued in perforation 13.

Here is the mint set

and here the postally used set

These stamps were not officially released imperforate, however, a number of imperforate trial proofs have come to market. Here is the entire imperforate set in blocks of four.

Enpreuves de Luxe; “Atelier de Fabrication de Timbres-Postes, Paris” imprint at bottom right.

Color Trials; prior to authorizing the final printing run for stamps the Vietnamese Postal Authority requested a few sheets of color sheets on one particular value of a set in order to decide which final color combination would be best suited for each stamp within the set. The color sheets had the size of a standard sheet but contained alternating color options on the designated nominal value. While these sheets were only intended for internal postal use some of them came to market. Virtually all of these complete sheets were cut apart. So one mostly finds single color proofs or small strips of them. While they are actually very rare one can still obtain them for under $10 a piece (with some exceptions) as not many collectors appear to have an interest in them so far. Here are various color trials for the 0.50D value.

Mixed franking of the 4D and 8D Boy Scout stamps (2) together with stamps from the Ngô Đình Diệm, World Food Organization and 4 Years Constitution sets for an overall postage of 35.50D on a larger envelope sent from Saigon by register mail to India in November of 1960.

Mixed franking of the 2D Reelection of President Ngô Đình Diệm stamps (2) together with the 50c “5 Years Republic” stamp paying an overall postage of 4.50D on an international air mail letter sent from Saigon to France in July of 1961.

Rare postal notification card featuring the 4D Reelection of President Ngô Đình Diệm stamp together with the 50c “5 Years Republic” stamp paying an overall postage of 4.50D mailed within Saigon in May of 1961.

Mixed franking of the 8D Moral Arming of the Youth stamp together with the 50c “5 Years Republic” paying an overall postage of 8.50D on an international air mail letter (full contents preserved) sent from Cholon to the United States in October of 1961.

Rare single franking of the 1D value on a small local letter probably sent as a printed matter mailing from Da Nang to Saigon.

Mixed franking of the 6D Land Reform value (3) together wit stamps from the Election of Ngô Đình Diệm, Family Law and 4 Years Constitution paying an overall postage of 19.50D on an international letter sent from Saigon to the United States in June of 1961.

Mixed ranking of the 3D Tru’ung Sisters stamps (4) together with two 1D Four Years Constitution stamps paying an overall postage pf 14D on an international air mail letter sent from Saigon to the United States in October of 1961.

Rare single franking of the 3D value on a domestic registered letter sent from Saigon to Cong Hoa in June of 1963.Saigon transit cancel on the reverse.

Rare single franking of the 3D value on a domestic letter (full contents preserved) sent from Chi-Be (small post office) to Nha Trang in April of 1963.Saigon transit cancel on the reverse. Saigon machine transit and Nha Trang arrival cancel on front and reverse.

Mixed franking of the 3D Prosperity Values together with stamps from the de Rhodes and 4 Years Constitution sets paying an overall postage of 12D on an international surface letter sent from Saigon to France in July of 1963.

Mixed franking of the 3D Four Years Constitution stamps together with the 1.50D Defense stamp paying an overall postage of 10.50D on an international printed matter mailing sent from Saigon to the United States in December of 1962.

 Mixed franking of the 1D and 7D “5 Years Republic” stamps together with stamps from the National Assembly set paying an overall postage of 10.60D on an international letter (full contents preserved) sent from Hue to the United States in March of 1961. Saigon machine transit cancel on the reverse.

Rare Single franking of the 7D value on a registered domestic letter  sent from Saigon to Cholon in December of 1967.

Multiple franking fo the 7D value (2) paying an overall postage of 14D on an international air mail letter sent from Saigon to France.

Mixed franking of the 3D 15. Anniversary of the general Declaration of Human Rights stamp together with two “5 Years Republic” (2) paying an overall postage of 17D on a registered air mail letter sent from Saigon to France in November of 1964. Rare octagonal cancel of small post office in the suburbs. Various French arrival cancels on the reverse.

Registration Nr. 200300

Comments are closed.