1. Anniversary of the Geneva Agreement

South Vietnam, 1. Anniversary of the Geneva Agreement, July 20th, 1955, Michel Nr. SVN 98-100; Three values in nominals of 30c, 50c and 1.50P (Q:3,000,000 sets) were issued in perforation 13.

Here is the mint set

and here the postally used set

These stamps were not officially imperforate, however, a small number of imperforate trial proofs have come to market. Here is the imperforate set from the bottom margin.

A very small number of Enpreuve de Luxe imperforate sheetlets, also called “Minister Blocks” were produced on light carton paper and 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.

Part of the production process for stamps included the production of a small number of sunken die proofs. These were used to ensure the final appearance of a stamp met the expectations of the postal administration. These are generally rare.

Here is a sunken die proof of the 50c value printed in two colors that were different from the issued value signed by the stamp designer.

Here is a sunken die proof of the 1.50P value printed in n unissued color.

Here is a sunken die proof of the 1.50P value in an alternative design that was submitted to the postal administration but was ultimately rejected. Signed by the stamp designer.

Multiple franking of the 50c value (5) paying an overall postage of 2.50p on a rare local letter sent from Cap Saint Jaques (Vung Tau) to Gia Dinh. Most local letters were destroyed by the humid climate, the multidecadal wars and recycling.

Multiple franking of the 50c value (5) paying an overall postage of 2.50P on an international letter sent from Soc Trang to France in August of 1956. Saigon machine transit cancel on the reverse.

Multiple franking of the 50c value (3) paying an overall postage of 1.50P on a rare local letter sent in November of 1955 from Saigon to Nha Trang. Saigon transit and Nha Trang arrival cancel on the reverse.

Mixed franking of pairs of the  50C and 1.50P value paying an overall postage of 4P on an international air mail letter sent to France.

Mixed franking of the 50c and 1.50P values paying an overall postage of 2P on a rare local lettre sent from Cholon to Nha Trang in January of 1956.

Mixed franking of the 50c and 1.50P value (4) paying an overall postage of 6.50P on an international letter sent from Cap Saint Jaques to France in January of 1956. Saigon transit cancel on the reverse.

Mixed franking of the 50c and 1.50P value (9) paying an overall postage of 14P sent by the U.S. Operations Mission to Vietnam at the U.S. Embassy in Saigon to a university in the United States in August of 1956. The aid division to the Vietnam U.S. embassy. The USOM sponsored a number of Vietnamese citizens in the participant program for international studies. The USOM also created a Public Safety Division which took the place of Michigan State in supervising police communications in 1960. (http://vietnamproject.archives.msu.edu). Pan American Airways label on front.

Mixed ranking of the 1.50P Geneva Agreement stamp together with the 5P Landscape stamp paying an overall postage of 6.50P on an international air mail letter sent from Cholon to Switzerland in June of 1956-

Mixed franking of the 0.50P Geneva Agreement stamp together with stamps from the Landscapes and Independence Palace sets paying an overall postage of 6.50P on an international letter sent from Saigon to Switzerland in June of 1956.

Mixed franking of the 50C value (7) together with the 4P Independence Palace stamp paying an overall postage of 7.50P on diplomatic mail sent by the Foreign Service at the American Embassy in Saigon to the United States. These letter were transported by diplomatic pouch but had to be franked with Vietnamese stamps as the Government had mail supremacy. The letters received a violet hand stamp stating “This article originally mailed in country indicated by postage” and were cancelled upon arrival in the recipient country (in this case Washington D.C.).

Mixed franking of the Geneva Agreement set plus the 3.70P Wandering Soul stamp paying an overall postage of 6.50P on an interntaional air mail letter sent from Saigon to Switzerland in June of 1956.

Single franking of the 1.50P value on a local letter sent in August of 1955 within Vinh Long. Vinh Long arrival cancel on the reverse.

Single franking of the 1.50P value on an international letter sent in October of 2955 from Mytho to France.

Rare multiple franking of the 1.50P value (3) paying an overall postage of 4.50P on an international letter sent from Saigon to France in October of 1955.

Registration Nr. 200100