South Vietnam, 1. Anniversary of Independence, October 26th, 1956, Michel Nr. SVN 127-130; Four stamps in nominals of 50c, 1.5D, 2D and 4D (Q:500,000 sets) were issued in perforation 13. The stamps were valid postage until January 1st, 1966 when they became invalid.

Here is the mint set

and here the postally used set. Michel reports that the stamps became invalid on December 31st, 1965.

These stamps were not officially released imperforate but a small quantity of imperforate trial proofs has come to market. Here is the set in imperforate pairs.

A plate error is known on the 1.50D value that shows a broken A in “HOA”.

Detailed scan of the affected area.

Enpreuve de Luxe on glossy carton paper. Japanese printing company inscription at bottom right.

Very rare single franking of the 0.50D value on a printed matter mailed within the city of Saigon.

Mixed franking of pairs of the 50c and 1.50 stamps paying an overall postage 4D on an international letter sent from Saigon to France in December of 1956.

Mixed franking of the 0.50D Anniversary of Independence stamp together with stamps from the United Nations and NGo Dinh Diem sets paying an overall postage of 6.50D on an international air mail letter sent from Saigon to West Germany in March of 1957.

Mixed franking of the 0.50P and 4P Independence stamps together with 0.50P Geneva Agreement stamp paying an overall postage of 6P on an international air mail letter sent from Saigon to the Netherlands in November of 1956.

Mixed franking of the 1.50D Independence stamp together with stamps from the Air Mail, Ngô Đình Diệm, Landscapes and Election of Ngô Đình Diệm sets paying an overall postage of 8.60D on an international air mail letters ent from Saigon to the United States October of 1957.

Mixed franking of the entire Election of Ngô Đình Diệm set together with stamps from the Ngô Đình Diệm, National Assembly, Independence and War Invalid sets paying an overall postage of 26D on a registered international air mail letter sent from Vinh Long to France in April of 1958. French arrival cancel on the reverse.

Multiple franking of the 2D value on an international air mail letter sent from Saigon to Italy in August of 1957. The letter was apparently under-paid and hence received a black “T” (Postage due) hand stamp along with a manuscript ruddle “T20” remark. The Italia post hence charged 60 Lira postage due via a blue free free frank that was applied on the reverse of the letter Torino machine arrival cancel on the reverse as well. Unusual item.

Mixed franking of the 2D Independence stamp together with stamps from the Landscape and United Nations sets paying an overall postage of 8.50 on an international air mail letter sent from Hue to the United States in December of 1955. Hue was located in North Vietnam and South Vietnamese stamps were outlawed there as of March 31st, 1955. So, technically the franking was invalid but the letter was nevertheless transported without any postage due remarks. Unusual usage.

Mixed franking of the Colombo set together with stamps of the National Assembly, Election of Ngo Dinh Diem, Independence  and Domestic Landscape sets paying an overall postage of 24.90D on an international air mail letter sent rom Blao (small post office) to the United States in December of 1957.

Rare single franking of the 4P value on an international air mail letter (full contents preserved) sent from Saigon to India in February of 1958. Indian arrival cancels on the reverse.

Mixed franking of the 50c and 4D Independence stamps together with stamps from the Ngô Đình Diệm, UPU and United Nations sets paying an overall postage of 10D on an international air mail letter sent from Saigon to West Germany in March of 1957.

Mixed franking of the 4D Independence and 50c Ngô Đình Diệm stamp paying an overall postage of 4.50D on an international letter sent from Saigon to France in May of 1958.

Mixed franking of the 4D Independence stamp together with the 50c Ngô Đình Diệm and 2D Election of Ngô Đình Diệm stamp paying an overall postage of 6.50D on an international air mail letter sent from Saigon to England in August of 1957.

Mixed franking of the 2D Election of Ngô Đình Diệm stamps (2) together the stamps from the Ngô Đình Diệm and Independence sets paying an overall postage of 8.50Don an international air mail letter sent from Saigon to the United States in January of 1958.

Mixed ranking of the 0,50 and 4D value (2) paying an overall postage of 8.50D on an international air mail letter sent from Saigon to the United States in 1957.

Interesting letter sent by an American defense contractor to Senator Lyndon B. Johnson in December of 1957 that would go on to become President of the United States after the assassination of John F. Kennedy. It probably contained a Christmas greeting but documents how chummy politics and defense industries already were in 1957. The letter is franked with four of the 4D Independence stamps together with the 2D and 3D Colombo Conference stamps paying an overall postage of 21D. Interesting historical document.

Mixed franking of the 4D Independence stamps (4) together with the 3D Election of Ngô Đình Diệm stamp paying an overall postage of 19D on an international letter sent from Saigon to the United States in August of 1957.

Registration Nr. 200160

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