South Vietnam, President Ngô Đình Diệm, July 7th, 1956 (50c, 1.5D, 3D, 4D, 35D) and November 9th, 1956 (all other values), Michel Nr. SVN 111-122. Twelve stamps were issued in this definitive series. They carried nominals of 20c (Q:2,000,000), 30c (Q:2,000,000), 50c (Q:2,000,000), 1D (Q:2,000,000), 1.5D (Q:5,000,000), 3D (Q:1,000,000), 4D (Q:2,000,000), 5D (Q:1,000,000), 10D (Q:500,000), 20D (Q:500,000), 35D (Q:2,000,000)and 100D (Q:500,000) were issued in perforation 13. The stamps were valid postage until December 1st, 1964 when they became invalid.

Here is the mint set

and here is the partial postally used set

These stamps were not officially released imperforate, however a very small number of imperforate trial proofs has come to market. Below are mint imperforate pairs with matching bottom selvage that shows the Japanese inscription of the printing company there. There is only a single stamp in each sheet that shows the Japanese inscription at the bottom.

A very small number of Enpreuve de Luxe imperforate sheetlets, also called “Minister Blocks” were produced on light carton paper which for each of the stamps. They were handed out or sent to very important people of other countries. These early sheetlets are very rare and seldom come to market. They are not comparable to Enpreuve de Luxe issued later primarily for the benefit of collectors.

First Day Cover of the stamps issued on July 7th on a postally used air mail letter sent from Saigon to France.

Here is the same First Day Cover but this time on a large commercial envelope sent by registered mail from Saigon to the United States. New York arrival cancel on the reverse.

Mixed franking of the 20c (3), 30c (3) and 4D paying an overall postage of 5.50D on an international letter sent from Saigon to France in April of 1957. The small nominals are very hard to find postally used.

Rare mixed franking of the 0.20D Ngo Dinh Dem stamp together with two 0.50D Independence stamps paying an overall postage of 1.20P on a surface printed matter mailing sent from Saigon to the United States in May of 1960. Linear Saigon machine cancel.

Mixed franking of the 0.20D, 0.30D, 1D and 5D Ngô Đình Diệm stamps paying an overall postage of 6.50D on an international air mail letter sent from Saigon to the Netherlands in January of 1957. The small nominals are very hard to find postally used.

Unusual use of the 50c value together with the 2D Election of Ngô Đình Diệm paying an overall postage of 2.50D on a money transfer receipt over 20,000 Francs.

Very rare single franking of the 0.50P stamp on an international printed matter mailing sent from Saigon to France in July of 1958. Cancelled with the linear Saigon machine cancel. Most of these items were simply shown away so are very hard to find these days.

Rare multiple franking of the 50c value (5) paying an overall postage of 2.50D on a military letter sent to France in August of 1957. The letter originated in KBC Nr. 6097 as indicated by the circular military hand stamp. This KBC number is so far not listed on SICP member Andrew Cranshaw and hence is rather rare. The letter was cancelled with the standard “mute” Quan Buu” military cancel in unusual blue color.

Mixed franking of the 0.50 Ngo Dinh Diem stamp together with the 3D Colombo Conference stamp paying an overall postage of 3.50D on an international air mail letter sent from Saigon to the Philippines (rare destination) in December of 1958.

Mixed franking of the 0.50D and 4D Ngo Dinh Diem stamps paying an overall postage of 4.50D on an international letter sent from Long Thanh to France in September of 1958. Saigon machine transit cancel on the reverse.

Mixed franking of the 0.30 Children Day stamp together with stamps from the Air Mail, President Ngo Dinh Diem, Election of Ngo Dinh Diem, 2 Years Independence, Colombo Conference and Main Post Office (overprinted) paying an overall postage of 8.90D on an international air mail letter sent from Saigon to Canada. Unusual Saigon Airport cancel from November of 1958.

Mixed franking of the 20c, 30c and 1D Ngô Đình Diệm stamps paying an overall postage of 4.50D on an international air mail letter sent from Saigon to France in May of 1957.

Mixed franking of the 1D and 1.50D values paying an overall postage of 7.50D on an international air mail letter sent from Tourane to France in May of 1957.

Mixed franking of the 50c and 1D Ngô Đình Diệm stamps together with the Ngô Đình Diệm Elections and Air Mail stamps paying an overall postage of 9.80D.

Mixed franking of the 50c, 1.5D and 4D Ngô Đình Diệm stamps paying an overall postage of 6.50D on an international air mail letter sent from Dalat to France in April of 1957.

Mixed franking of the 1.5D Ngô Đình Diệm stamp together with the 7D Wealth Zones stamp paying an overall postage of 8.50D on an international air mail letter sent from Saigon to the United States in December of 1960. Unusual Saigon machine cancel.

Multiple franking of the 1.5D value (3) paying an overall postage of 4.50D on an international air mail letter sent  from Dalat to France in February of 1957.

Mixed franking of the 1.5D Ngô Đình Diệm stamp (5) together with two 50c Sisters Tru’ung stamp paying an overall postage of 8.50D on an international air mail letter sent from Saigon to the United States in November of 1958.

Mixed franking of the 1.5D and 3D Ngô Đình Diệm stamps paying an overall postage of 4.50D on an international letter sent from Saigon to France in March of 1957.

Mixed franking of the 50c and 3D Ngô Đình Diệm stamps together with stamps from the Air Mail and Landscape sets paying an overall postage of 21.10D on a large commercial registered air mail letters ent from Saigon to India.

Mixed franking of the 50c and 4D (2) Ngô Đình Diệm stamps paying an overall postage of 8,.50D on an international air mail letter sent from Saigon to the United States in January of 1958.

Mixed franking of the 4D Ngô Đình Diệm and 2D Ngô Đình Diệm Election stamps paying an overall postage of 8D on an international air mail letter sent from Saigon to the United State in October of 1957.

Mixed franking of the 50C and 4D Ngô Đình Diệm stamps (3) plus the 1D United Nations stamp paying an overall postage of 13.50D on an international letter sent from Saigon to Switzerland in September of 1957. Swiss arrival cancel on front.Vietnamese propaganda cachet on the reverse.

Rare multiple franking of the 4D value (6) paying an overall postage of 24D on a large commercial registered air mail letter sent from Tourane to France in May of 1957.

Rare single franking of the 5D Ngô Đình Diệm value on an international air mail letter sent from Gia Dinh to France in October of 1957.

Single franking of the 5D value on an international air mail letter sent from Saigon to France in December of 1959. Linear Saigon machine cancel.

Single franking of the 5D value on an international air mail letter sent from Saigon to India in March of 1957. Indian transit and arrival cancel on the reverse.

Rare multiple franking of the 5D Ngô Đình Diệm value (4) paying an overall postage of 20D on an international letter sent from Saigon to the United States.

Mixed franking of the 3D and 5D Ngô Đình Diệm values together with the 50c National Assembly stamp paying an overall postage of 8.50D on an international letter sent from Cholon to the United States in June of 1958. Saigon transit machine cancel on the reverse.

Mixed franking of the 10D Ngô Đình Diệm stamp together wit the 4D National Assembly stamp paying an overall postage of 14D on an international air mail letter sent from Saigon to the United States in April of 1958.

Mixed franking of the 10D Ngô Đình Diệm stamp together wit the 4D Children Day stamp paying an overall postage of 14D on an international air mail letter sent from Saigon to the United States in December of 1960.

Mixed franking of the 1D and 10D Ngô Đình Diệm stamps paying an overall postage of 11D on a registered international letter sent from Tourane to France in February of 1957.

Rare multiple franking of the 20D Ngô Đình Diệm stamp paying an overall postage of 60D on a registered international air mail letter sent from Saigon to the United States in August of 1961.

Mixed franking of the 5D, 10D and 20D Ngô Đình Diệm stamp together with stamps from the United Nations, Independence and UPU membership (overprinted) stamps paying an overall postage of 46.50D on an international air mail letter sent from Saigon top the United States.

Large commercial registered air mail letter featuring three of the 20D Ngô Đình Diệm stamps together with two Air Mail and two Ngô Đình Diệm Election stamps paying an overall postage of 72D.

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.

Registration Nr. 200140

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