Luna 16

North Vietnam, Luna 16, September 17th, 1971, Michel Nr. 669-671; Three stamps in the nominals of 12 xu (two stamps) and 1 Dong were issued in perforation 11.0 and im-perforated. The 12 xu stamps were printed attached to each other in the same sheet.

Here is the mint perforated set (partially in pairs):

Here is the im-perforated set in pairs:

Very rare registered express mail letter sent to Klewitz in November of 1971 featuring four pairs of the im-perforated 12 xu stamps. Im-perforated stamps on postally used cover are very rare. The overall postage of the letter amounted to 1.84 Dong which was in excess of the required tariff for a standard 20 gram registered express mail letter to West Germany.

There is interesting printed handwriting on the large selvage of the 12 xu stamp that seems to read “Chin”. These were probably printer notes that ended up printed.

Very rare registered express mail letter sent to Klewitz featuring an im-perforated block of four of the 1 Dong stamp. Im-perforated stamps on postally used cover are very rare. While over-franked at 4 Dong overall postage still a very rare cover of the high value.

Mixed franking of the 1D Luna 16 stamp plus stamps from the Plants and October Revolution paying an overall postage of 1.50D on an international air mail letter sent from Hai Phong to Switzerland in August of 1975.

Registration Nr. 101940