South Vietnam, Crown Prince Bảo Long, June 15th, 1954, Michel Nr. SVN 91-97; Crown Prince Nguyễn Phước Bảo Long (4 January 1934 – 28 July 2007) was the eldest son of Bảo Đại, Vietnams last emperor. (Wikipedia). Seven stamps in nominals of 40c (Q:3,000,000), 70c (Q:3,000,000), 80c (Q:3,000,000), 90c (Q:1,000,000), 20P (Q:3,000,000), 50P  (Q:3,000,000) and 100P (Q:1,000,000) were issued in perforation 13.25. The high values were intended to cover the postage of large commercial envelopes and packages. The stamps were valid postage until January 1st, 1956 when they became invalid.

Here is the mint set

Mint blocks of four in matching corners with sheet numbers

Postally used set missing the the two top values

A plate error is known to exist on the 100D stamp on which the “U” in “BUU” in the to-inscription of the stamp is “partially filled”. Here is a pair with the error stamp being on the left.

Detailed scan of the affected area.

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 40c value in the issued color.

Here is a sunken die proof of the 40c value in the color of the 100P value

Here is a sunken die proof of the 40c value in the color of the 80c value.

Her is the sunken die proof go the 40c value in black signed by the stamp’s designer.

Here is a sunken die proof of the 50P value in the color of the 80c value.

Sunken die proof of an alternative design that was submitted to postal authorities but was ultimately rejected. Signed by the designer.

First Day Cover cancelled with the Saigon Philatelie cancel. Most FDC’s do not carry the high 50P and 100P values due to the high cost.

Very rare local printed matter mailing consisting of the balance sheet of a religious missionary operation franked with a single 40c Bảo Long and sent from Saigon to Tourane. Most of these printed matter mailings were simply thrown out and hence are very rare today.

Mixed franking of the 40c Bảo Long stamp together with the 4P Air Mail and 2P Landscape stamps paying an overall postage of 6.40 on an international letter sent in October of 1954 from Saigon to East Germany.

Mixed franking of the 3P (2)Bảo Đại stamps together with the 40c Bao Long stamp paying an overall postage of 6.40P sent from Saigon to West Germany in August of 1954.

Mixed franking of the 70c and 80c Bảo Long stamps paying the standard domestic letter rate of 1.50P on a local letter from 1954.

Rare multiple franking of the 80c Bảo Long value (5) paying an overall postage of 4P on an international letter sent in August of 1954 from Saigon to France.

Mixed franking of the 70c and 80c Bảo Long values together with the 60c Landscape and 3P Bảo Đại stamp paying an overall postage of 9.60P on an international letter sent from Dalat to Ireland in July of 1954. Irish arrival cancel on front.

Mixed franking of the 70c and 80c Bảo Long stamps together with the 4P Air Mail and 1P Landscape values paying an overall postage of 6.50P on an international letter sent from Saigon to France in October of 1954.

Rare usage of the 90C Bảo Long and 60c Landscape stamps paying the standard domestic letter rate on a package card from January of 1955.

Mixed franking of the 80c and 90c Bảo Long stamps together with the 3.7oP Erring Souls stamp paying an overall postage of 8.80P on an international letter sent from Hai Phong to the United States in January of 1955. By that time the country had already been partitioned and Hai Phong was situated in North Vietnam which was ruled by Ho Chi Minh and the Viet Minh. At this time North Vietnam already had her own stamps but an agreement had been reached that South Vietnamese stamps could be used in the North until March 31st, 1955. So, this letter is a late example of Southern stamps used in the North.

Rare multiple franking of the 0.90P value (2) paying an overall postage of 1.80P on a domestic letter sent from Cape St.Jacques (Vung Tau) to Saigon.

Rare Single franking of the 20P value on an international letter sent from Saigon to France in September of 1954. Fragment of arriving Paris free frank on front.

Mixed franking of two 5P Landscape stamps, the 3P Bảo Đại, 20P Bao Long and 4P Air Mail stamp paying an overall postage of 37P on a registered surface letter set from Saigon to the United States in August of 1954. Boston transit cancels on the reverse. The 20P Bao Long stamp on postally used cover as well as marine registered letters are very rare.

Mixed franking of the 20P Bảo Long stamp together with the 1P and 5P Landscape stamps paying an overall postage of 27P on a large commercial envelope sent from Saigon to France in July of 1954.

Mixed franking of the 20P Bảo Long stamp together with the 50c Landscape stamp and 4P Air Mail stamp paying an overall postage of 24.50P on a large commercial envelope sent from Saigon to France in July of 1954.

Mixed franking of five 20P Bao Long stamps together with two 1P Landscape stamps paying an overall postage of 102P on a large envelope sent from Saigon to the United States in November of 1954.

Mixed franking of the 70c and 50P Bảo Long stamp paying an overall postage of 50.70P on a large commercial registered letter front sent from To a Thanh to West Germany in July of 1955. Kempten-Ulm Railway cancel and customs sticker on front. The 50P stamp on postally used cover is extremely rare.

Very rare mixed franking of the entire Bao Long set on a register’s international letter sent from Saigon to England in September of 1954. Especially the 50P and 100P values on postally used cover are very hard to find.

Registration Nr. 200090

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