South Vietnam, Nuclear Energy for Peace, February 3rd, 1964, Michel Nr. SVN 308-311; Four stamps in nominals of 80c, 1.50D, 3D and 7D were issued in perforation 13.

Here is the mint set.

and here the postally used set.

These stamps were not officially released imperforate, however, a small number of imperforate trial proofs have come to market. Here is the imperforate set with matching sheet margins.

Enpreuves de Luxe; “Atelier de Fabrication des Timbres-Poste, Paris” inscribed at front 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 0.80D value.

Part of the production process for stamps included the production of a small number of sunken die proofs. These were used to ensure the final appearance of a stamp met the expectations of the postal administration. These are generally rare. Here is one in the unissued black color. Signed by the stamp designer.

Sunken die proof of the 0.80D value in un-issued brown color signed by the stamp designer.

First Day Cover

Rare printed matter mailing featuring a mixed franking of the 80c Nuclear Energy for Peace stamp together with stamps from the Danhim Power Station and World Day of Meteorology sets paying an overall postage of 1.70D on a printed matter mailing sent from Saigon to France.

Mixed franking of the 1D Flowers and 80c Nuclear Energy stamps paying an overall postage of 1.80D on a domestic printed matter mailing from 1965.

Very rare single franking of the 80c value on a printed matter mailing sent within Saigon in May of 1964. Most of these mailings were simply tossed out and hence are very hard to find today.

Very rare single franking of the 0.,80D stamp on a very small envelope that most likely contained a business card and was mailed to Saigon.

Single franking of the 1.50D value on a domestic letter sent in June of 1964 by a member of the military (KBC 4100/Thu Duc Infantry School in Thu Duc) to a civilian in Saigon. Cancelled with the mute “QUan Buu” military cancel. Red circular KBC cachet on front. Note the military insignia o the top left. Two different Saigon machine arrival cancels on the reverse.

Single franking of the 1.50D stamp on a printed matter mailing sent from Banmethuot to the United States .

Mixed franking of the 50c World Day of Meteorology stamps (4) together with the 1.50D Nuclear Energy for Peace stamp paying an overall postage of 3.50D on a domestic letter front sent to Kotum.

Single franking of the 3D value on a domestic air mail letter sent from Da Nang to Hue.

Very rare international printed matter mailing sent from the United States Operations Mission in Vietnam, Saigon to Canada. The letter carries a single franking of the 3D value.

Single franking of the 3D value on an international air mail letter sen from Da Nang to the United States. Saigon transit cancel on the reverse. It appears that the 3D was insufficient to cover the standard letter rate to the U.S., but there is no indication that any postage due remarks were added.

Multiple franking of the 3D (15) value paying an overall postage of 15D on an international air mail letter sent from Saigon to the United States in May of 1964. The 15D rate looks much more correct than the above 3D tariff.

Mixed franking pf the 50c Buildings and Landscapes stamp together with the 3D Nuclear Energy stamp paying an overall postage of 3.50D on a domestic letter sent from Hue to Saigon in April of 1965. Two Saigon machine arrival cancels on the reverse.

Mixed franking of the 1D Dam stamp together with stamps from the Boy Scouts, World Day Meteorology and Atomic Power sets paying an overall postage of 44.50D on a registered international air mail letter sent from Saigon the United States n November of 1964.

Rare single franking of the 7D value on a registered letter sent from Long Xuyen to Mytho in December of 1964. Saigon transit and Mytho arrival cancels on the reverse.

Mixed franking of the 7D Nuclear Energy for Peace together with the 5D UNESCO stamp paying an overall postage of 12D on an international letter sent from Saigon to France in November of 1965.

Mixed franking of the 7D Nuclear Energy stamp together with the 1D Meteorology stamp paying an overall postage of 8D on a letter front sent from Loc Ninh (small post office) to France in January of 1965.

Mixed franking of stamps from the University Education, Nuclear Energy, Railroad and International Cooperation sets paying an overall postage of 24.50D on a registered international letter sent from Saigon to France in November of 1965.

Registration Nr. 200450

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