Defense

South Vietnam, Defense, October 26th, 1962, Michel Nr. 274-277; Four stamps in nominals of 50c, 1D, 1.50D and 7D were issued in perforation 13.

Here is the mint set.

Mint blocks of four with matching side margins. First Day cancel applied to the margins.

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. Here is the imperforate set in blocks of four.

Enpreuves de Luxe; “Atelier de Production des Timbres-Poste, 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 1.50D value.

Rare multiple franking of the 50c value on a domestic letter (full contents preserved) paying an overall postage of 1.50D sent from Go Vap (small post office) to a member of the military (KBC 3318) in March of 1963. Letters to members of the military only had to pay 50% of the regular postal tariff.

Mixed franking of the 50c Defense stamp together with the 1D Birthday of Ngô Đình Diệm paying an overall postage of 1.50D on a rare international printed matter mailing sent from Tourane (Da Nang) to the United States.

Mixed franking of the 1D Fight against Hunger and 0.50D Defense stamps paying the 50% discounted military tariff for a local letter sent in July of 1963 by a member of the military (KBC 4049) to a civilian in Cho Lon. Saigon machine transit cancel on the reverse. Red KBC seal on front.

Mixed franking of the 50c and 1D Defense stamps paying an overall postage of 1.50D on a domestic air mail letter sent by a member of the military (KBC 4109)to a civilian in Saigon in November of 1962. Members of the military only had to pay 50% of the standard postal tariff. Cancelled by the mute Quan Buu military cancel. Illegible red KBC cachet on front. Partial Saigon machine arrival cancel on the reverse.

Rare single franking of the 1D value on a small letter (most likely containing an invitation) mailed within Saigon in January of 1963.

Mixed franking of the 1D Defense stamps (2) together with two 10P Landscape stamps paying an overall postage of 22D on an international air mail letter sent from Saigon to Belgium in February of 1963.

Mixed franking of the 3D Four Years Constitution stamps together with the 1.50D Defense stamp paying an overall postage of 10.50D on an international printed matter mailing sent from Saigon to the United States in December of 1962.

Single franking of the 7D value on a registered domestic air mail letter sent within Saigon in December of 1966.

Single franking of the 7D value on a registered domestic air mail letter sent from Gia Dinh to Cam Ranh in July of 1969.Saigon machine arrival cancel on the reverse.

Mixed franking of the 3D values (2) together with stamps from the Buildings and Landscapes and Defense paying an overall postage of 20.50D on a registered international air mail letter sent from Saigon to France in April of 1965. Rare rural cancel from a suburban Saigon post office. French arrival cancel on the reverse.

Mixed franking of the 7D Defense stamp together with the 2D UESCO stamp paying an overall postage of 9D on an international air mail letters ent from Saigon to France in November of 1962.

Mixed franking of the 7D Defense stamp together with the 6D UNO stamp paying an overall postage of 13D on an international air mail letter sent to France in February of 1966. Paris arrival cancel on the reverse.