South Vietnam, 9 Years Presidency of Ngô Đình Diệm, July 7th, 1963, Michel Nr. SVN 288-291; Four stamps in nominals of 30c, 50c, 3D and 8D were issued in perforation 13. The stamps were valid postage until May 1st, 1964 when they became invalid.
Here is the mint set
and here the postally used set
A printing flaw is known on the 3D stamp. Below is a mint block of four on which the bottom right stamp shows an ink blot in the color of the stamp.
Detailed scan of the affected area.
These stamps were not officially released imperforate, however, a small number of imperforate trial proofs have come to market. Here is the imperforate set in pairs.
Enpreuves de Luxe; “Atelier de Fabrication des Timbres-Poste, Paris” inscribed 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.
First Day Cover
Postally used First Day Cover sent on July 7th, 1963 from Saigon to Upper Volta which was a rare destination.
Propaganda forgery of a commemorative envelope honoring the November 1st, 1963 coup against Ngo Dinh Diem (ex Schwirtz).
Mixed franking of the complete set on an unusual First Day Cover that originated from a military unit (KBC 4002/General Staff and Command in Saigon) and was sent to a military officer in the United States on an air mail letter. The overall postage amounted to 19.80D.
Mixed franking of the entire Country Dfense set together with stamps from the Four Years Republic and Prosperity Zons sets paying an overall postage of 39.30D on a registered air mail letter sent from Saigon to France in July of 1963.
Very rare multiple franking of the 30c value (3) paying an overall postage of 90c on a domestic printed matter mailing from October of 1963.
Mixed franking of Presidency of Ngo Dinh Diem and Fighters of the Republic stamps paying an overall postage of 0.80D on a small domestic letter in January of 1965 sent from Tanan (small post office) to Saigon. The letter was assessed as deficient in postage and, unusually, a black “T” in a triangle was struck directly on all stamps. There is no indication if the postage due was collected.
Very rare single franking of the 50c value on a domestic printed matter mailing sent within Saigon in February of 1964.
Mixed franking of the 0.30D (2), o.50D (3) and 3D Ngo Dinh Diem stamps plus stamps from the Buildings and 5 Year Republics sets paying an overall postage of 8.50D on an unusual registered letter that was sent by surface mail from Hue to the United States in July of 1963. The great majority of registered letters was sent via air mail.
Single franking of the 3D value on a domestic letter sent within Saigon in December of 1963. Saigon arrival cancel on the reverse.
Single franking of the 3D value on a local letter sent from Mytho to Cholon in January of 1964. Saigon machine transit cancel on the reverse.
Mixed franking of the 3D 9 Years Presidency of Ngô Đình Diệm stamps (2) together with the 2D UNESCO stamp paying an overall postage of 8D on an international air mail letter sent from Saigon to France in 1963.
Single franking of the 8F value on an international letter sent from sent from Vinh Long to France in 1963.
Mixed franking of the 8D 9 Years Presidency of Ngô Đình Diệm stamps (3) together with stamps from the Sisters Tru’ng and National Assembly sets paying an overall postage of 44.50D on a registered air mail letter sent from the Japanese Embassy in Saigon to the United States.Kansas City arrival cancel on the reverse.
Registration Nr. 200400
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