South Vietnam, Inauguration of the new UNESCO Residence in Paris, November 3rd, 1958, Michel Nr. SVN 164-167; Four stamps in nominals of 50c, 2D, 3D and 6D (Q:1,000,000 sets) were issued in perforation 12.5:13.
Here is the mint set
and here the postally used set
These stamps were not officially released imperforate, however a small quantity of imperforate trial proofs have come to market.
Enpreuves de Luxe. Imprint of “Atelier de Fabrication des Timbres-Poste” in Paris 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 0.50D value. Note that the blue tone is different from the finally issued stamp.
Normally color trials were only produced in one nominal but there appears to be an exception with this set as color trials of the 2D value have appeared. These are substantially more rare than the trials for the 0.50D value. The 2D orange value shows a slightly darker orange than the finally issued stamp.
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 are two different versions of the 50c value in vivid brown-red and dark-brown-red (according to the Michel Color Guide). Both are signed by the stamp’s designer.
Sunken die proof of the 50c value in dark blue color, signed by the stamp’s designer.
Sunken die proof of the 50c value in black blue color, signed by the stamp’s designer.
Sunken die proof of the 6D value in brown-red (according to the Michel Color Guide), signed by the stamp’s designer.
Rare single franking of the 0.50D value on a small envelope, that most likely contained either a business card or an invitation sent to Hue.
Mixed franking of the 50c UNESCO stamp together with two 2D “4 Years Republic” stamps paying an overall postage of 4.50D on an international military letter sent to France in December of 1958. The letter was cancelled with the “mute” Quan Buu military cancel. The letter originated in KBC Unit Nr. 4277 as indicated by the circular red hand stamp and the senders line. KBC Unit Nr. 4277 has been unknown so far and is not yet listed in SICP member Andre Crenshaw’s project list. Rare.
Mixed franking of the 50c UNESCO stamp together with stamps from the Landscapes, Buildings and 4 Years Republic sets paying an overall postage of 1.70D on an international letter sent from Vinh Long to France in March of 1960.
Mixed franking of the 4D Reelection of President Ngô Đình Diệm stamps (2) together with the 50c UNESCO stamp paying an overall postage of 8.50D on an international air mail letter sent rom Cholon to the United States in June of 1961.
Mixed franking of the 50c UNESCO stamp together with two 3.70D Erring Soul and two Election of Ngô Đình Diệm stamps paying an overall postage of 8.50D on an international air mail letter sent from Saigon to the United States in May of 1959.
Mixed franking of the 50c UNESCO stamp together with two 2D Railline Saigon-Dong Ha paying an overall postage of 4.50D on an international air mail letter sent to France.
Mixed franking of the 50c and 2D UNESCO stamps together with stamps from the 3 Years Republic, Living Standards, Election of Ngô Đình Diệm, Buildings, Sisters Tru’ng and Children’s Day sets paying an overall postage of 18.00D on a registered international air mail letter sent from Tourane to East Germany in Marc of 1959.
Rare multiple franking of the 50c UNESCO value paying an overall postage of 2D on an international surface mail letter sent from Cholon to the United States in November of 1959. Saigon machine transit cancel on the reverse.
Rare single franking of the 2D UNESCO stamp on a domestic letter sent from Phan Thiet to Saigon in April of 1959.
Rare single franking of the 2D UNESCO stamp on a domestic letter (full contents preserved) sent from Can Tho to Chau Doc in July of 1959. Black propaganda cachet on front. Transit cancel on the reverse.
Rare multiple franking of the 3D UNESCO stamp (2) paying an overall postage of 6D on a registered domestic letter sent from Cantho to Bao Lieu in February of 1959. Bao Lieu arrival cancel on the reverse.
Mixed franking of the 3D UNESCO stamps (2) together with stamps from the Two Years Independence set paying an overall potage of 24D on a registered air mail letter sent from Saigon to India in October of 1958.
Single franking of the 6D UNESCO value on a domestic registered letter sent from Saigon to Cholon in December of 1958.
Singe franking of the 6D value on an international air mail letter sent from Saigon to India in July of 1964. Indian arrival cancel on the reverse.
Singe franking of the 6D value on an international air mail letter sent from Saigon to India in July of 1964. Cancelled with an unusual diagonal Saigon machine cancel. Indian arrival cancel on the reverse.
Rare multiple franking of the 6D UNESCO value paying an overall postage of 12D on an international air mail letter sent from Saigon to West Germany in May of 1964. The letter originated from a U.S. soldier as indicated by the sender information on the reverse.
Mixed franking of the 6D UNESCO stamp together with the 7D Prosperity Zones paying an overall postage of 13D on an international letter sent from Bien Hoa to the United States in March of 1964.
Mixed franking of the 8D Boy Scout stamps (3) together with two 6D UNESCO stamps paying an overall postage of 36D on a registered international air mail letter sent from Saigon to the United States in JUky of 1964. Phoenix arrival cancels the reverse.
Mixed franking of the 6D UNESCO stamp together with stamps from the Family Law and WorldRefuge Year sets paying an overall postage of 8.50D on an international air mail letter sent to the United States in April of 1960.
Mixed franking featuring the 0.50D Red Cross stamp together with stamps from the Human Rights and UNESCO sets paying an overall postage of 7.50D on an international printed matter mailing (full contents preserved) sent from Saigon to Germany in 1964.
Registration Nr. 200240
Comments are closed.