South Vietnam, Air Mail, November 21st, 1960, Michel Nr. SVN 223-226; Four stamps in nominals of 1D, 4D, 5D and 10D were issued in perforation 13.

Here is the mint set

Mint block of four of the 10D value with sheet number

and here the postally used set

These stamps were not officially released imperforate, however, a small number of imperforate trial proofs have come to market.

A very small number of Enpreuve de Luxe imperforate sheetlets, also called “Minister Blocks” were produced on light carton paper as sunken die proofs 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. Here is a sunken die proof of the 2D value in black color.

Enpreuves de Luxe; “Atelier de Fabrication des Timbres-Postes, 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 1D value.

Postally used First Day Cover featuring the entire set and mailed as a registered air mail letter sent within Saigon. Registration receipt still attached to the cover.

Very rare single franking of the 1D value on an international surface printed matter mailing sent from Saigon to the United States in June of 1961. Illegible transit cancel on the reverse.

Mixed franking of the 0.20D President Ngo Dinh stamp together with the 1D Air Mail stamp paying an overall postage of 1.20D on a rare printed matter mailing from Saigon to New York City.

Mixed franking of the 0.50D Reelection of Ngo Dinh Diem stamp together with stamps from the Air Mail, Properity Zones, World Food Organization, Children Protection, 4 Years Constitution, Development of Agriculture and Election of Ngo Dinh Diem sets paying an overall postage of 8.50D on an international air mail letters ent to the United States in June of 1961.

Rare single franking of the 4D value on a domestic letter (full contents preserved) sent from Saigon to Cholon.

Multiple franking of the 4D value (2) paying an overall postage of 8D on an international air mail letter sent from Saigon to France in February of 1965.

Mixed franking of the 1D Land Reform stamp together with the 4D Air Mail stamp paying an overall postage of 5D on a domestic letter (full contents preserved) sent by a member of the military (KBC 4420/2d, 3d and 4th Battalions) to a civilian in Phuoc Tuy in July of 1962. The postage was insufficient and hence  a black “T” hand stamp was applied on front indicating that additional postage was due upon delivery.

Mixed franking of the 4D Air Mail stamp together with the 2D General Mobilisation paying an overall postage of 6D on a domestic letter sent from Long Xuyen to Nha Trang in December of 1969.

Mixed franking of the 4D and 10D Air Mail stamps paying an overall postage of 14D on an international ir mail letter sent from Saigon to the United States in January of 1961.

Mixed franking of the 4D Air Mail stamp together with stamps from the National Unity and General Mobilization sets paying an overall postage of 16D on an international printed matter mailing (full contents preserved) sent from Saigon to the United States in October of 1969.

Very rare registered mixed franking of the military stamp together with two 4D Air Mail stamps paying for a registered domestic letter sent from a member of the military (KBC 4323/2nd Division, 2nd Battalion Company 3) to a civilian in Cholon. The letter received a military R-label and was cancelled with the “mute” Quan Buu cancel. Red propaganda sticker on front.

Mixed franking of the 50c (2) and 1D Buildings and Landscapes stamps together with stamps from the Air Mail, Railway Line, Meteorology, Moral Arming of Youth, UNESCO and Revolt against Ngô Đình Diệm sets paying an overall postage of 28D on an international air mail letter sent from Saigon to the United States in January of 1965.

Mixed franking of the 10D Development of Agriculture stamps plus stamps from the Air Mail and Madonna sets paying an overall postage of 33D on an international air mail letter sent from Saigon to The United States in February of 1967.

Mixed franking fo the 5D Air Mail stamp (3) together with stamps from the UNESCO and Fight Against Hunger sets paying an overall postage of 22D on an international air mail letter sent from Saigon to West Germany in January of 1964.

Rare multiple franking of the 5D Air Mail stamp (2) paying an overall postage of 10D on an international letter sent from Saigon to the United States in January of 1961.

Mixed franking of the 2D Madonna stamps (2) tighter with stamps of the Air Mail, Moral Arming of Youth and WHO sets paying an overall postage of 25D on an international air mail letter sent from Saigon to the United States in October of 1966.

Mixed franking of the 20D Urban Development stamp together with stamps from the Air Mail and Fight against Malaria sets paying an overall postage of 27D on an international letter sent from Saigon to West Germany in June of 1968.

Single franking of the 10D vale of an international air mail letter sent to the United States.

Mixed franking of the 10D Air Mail and 8D Human Rights stamps paying an overall postage of 18D on an international air mail letter front sent from Saigon to Switzerland in May of 1967.

Mixed franking of the 10D Air Mail and 8D Madonna stamps paying an overall postage of 18D on an international air mail letter sent from Saigon to Sweden in August  of 1967.

Mixed franking of the 10D Air Mail and 6D Red Cross stamps paying an overall postage of 16D on an international air mail letter sent from Saigon to the United States.

Mixed franking of the 7D Protection of Children stamp together with the 10D Air Mail stamp paying an overall postage of 17D on an international air mail letter sent from Saigon to France.

Mixed franking of the 10D Air Mail stamps (3) together with the 3D Flower stamp paying an overall postage of 33D on a registered international air mail letter front sent from Saigon to Switzerland in July  of 1967.

Mixed franking of the 10D Air Mail stamp (3) together with the 2D Fight against Malaria stamp paying an overall postage rate of 32D on an international express mail letter sent from Cholon to the United States in December of 1964. There was apparently a fee that was to be collected by the postal officer from the recipient at the first address (see red hand cachet on front). Various New York arrival cancels on the reverse.

Mixed franking of the 3D Fruits stamp together with six 10D Air Mail stamp paying an overall postage of 63D on a rare registered express air mail letter sent from Saigon to West Germany in October of 1967. Frankfurt transit cancel on the reverse.

Registration Nr. 200230

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