Nam Phương with Red Cross Overprint

South Vietnam, Nam Phương with Red Cross Overprint, November 10th, 1952, Michel Nr. SVN 88; In order to generate donations for the Red Cross the Nam Phương stamp was overprinted with the number +50 and a red cross. Vietnam was still very poor at the time so the stamp was not very popular with the general population and it was mostly used on philatelic First Day Covers and mailings. The stamp was valid postage until January 1st, 1956 when it became invalid.

Here is the mint stamp

The stamp was not officially released imperforate, however a small number of imperforate trial proofs have come to market. Here is one of them

Beware of overprint forgeries. Sometimes double overprints are offered that show indeed two overprints but the vertical distance between the red cross and the +50 differs between the two overprints. This, of course, is impossible as the overprint was executed in one step and hence the distance between the red cross and the +50 would have to be the same.

Postally used stamp

There was also a stamp booklet that was produced with these stamps by Helio-Vaugirad in Paris. It contained twenty of the overprinted stamps in two horizontal rows of ten. The stamps were protected from adhering to the booklet carton by parchment paper placed above and below the stamps.

It has become apparent, that the complete booklet sheet was not much been postally used. Below is the only booklet pane that the editor has so far seen that was cancelled:

Mixed franking of one of the overprinted Nam Phương stamps together with the 1.50P Bảo Đại Birthday stamp paying an overall postage of 3P on a local letter sent within Saigon. Special red Re Cross cachet on front. Special First Day of Issuance cachet on front.

Mixed franking of two of the overprinted Nam Phương stamps together with two 1.50P Bảo Đại Birthday stamp paying an overall postage of 6P on a local letter sent from Saigon to Cholon. Special First Day of Issue cachet on front.

The overprinted Nam Phương was not very popular with the general public due to its 0.50P surcharge. As a result it was virtually used only on philatelic mail. Here is a very rare commercial usage of the stamp in conjunction with the 3D Bao Dai stamp paying an overall postage of 4.50P on a domestic registered letter sent in July of 1953.