South Vietnam, Nam Phương, August 15th, 1952, Michel Nr. SVN 78-80; Empress Nam Phương (14 December 1914 – 16 September 1963), born Marie-Thérèse Nguyễn Hữu Thị Lan, was the first and primary wife of Bảo Đại, the last emperor of Vietnam, from 1934 until her death. She was also the second and last empress consort (hoàng hậu) of the Nguyễn dynasty. (Wikipedia). Three stamps in nominals of 30c, 50c and 1.50P (Q:1,000,000 each) were issued in perforation 12. The stamps were valid postage until January 1st, 1956 when they became invalid.

Here is the mint set

and here the postally used set

These stamps were not officially released imperforate however a very small number of imperforate trial proofs have come to market. Here is the imperforate set with full original white gum.

A very small number of Enpreuve de Luxe imperforate sheetlets, also called “Minister Blocks” were produced on light carton paper which had imperforate samples of the stamps attached and were 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 the Enpreuve de Luxe of the 1.50P value. It is covered by a glued on glassine with a message from the Postal and Telecommunication Ministry.

Mixed franking of the entire set postally used on the First Date of Issue on August 15th, 1952 and sent from Saigon to Morocco paying an overall postage of 3.80P.

Very rare single franking of the 0.50D Nam Phương stamp on a printed matter mailing sent from Saigon to Go Cong in April of 1955. Go Cong arrival cancel on the reverse.

Mixed franking featuring the 30c and 50c Nam Phương stamp together with values from the Landscape and Erring Soul stamps paying an overall postage of 3.20P on an air mail letter sent from Saigon to France in May of 1955. This was apparently not sufficient as upon arrival French postage due stamps in the amount of 13 French Franks were added. The 30c Nam Phương stamp is quite hard to find on postally used cover.

Single franking of the 50c value on an international air mail letter sent from Saigon to The United States in April of 1953. It is unclear why the low postage of 50c would have been sufficient for an international air mail letter as the standard domestic postage was already at 1.50P at the time. Nevertheless, the letter is of purely commercial nature and there is no indication that any stamps have fallen off. There is also no postage due remark. Unusual.

Rare usage of the 1P value (2) together with the 50c Nam Phu’o’ong stamp paying a fee of 2.50P on a money order over 5,000P sent to Can Tho in June of 1954.

Rare multiple franking of the 50c value (6) paying an overall postage of 3P on an international letter sent from Saigon to France on the First Day of Issuance on August 15th, 1952. The red propaganda cachet states “Aid Wounded Soldiers”.

Rare multiple franking of the 50c value (10) paying an overall postage of 5P on an international letter sent from Saigon to France in April of 1955.

Mixed franking of the 50C and 1P Landscape values paying an overall postage of 1.50P on a domestic postcard sent from Dalat to Saigon in April of 1953. The postcard features a landscape in Dalat.

Very rare single franking of the 1.50D value on a domestic letter sent from Ben Cat to Saigon . The letters features a Indochinese Rural Cancel that was continued to be used in the Republic of Vietnam in January of 1954. Thud Aumot transit cancel on there reverse.

Detail scan of the rural cancel.

Single franking of the 1.50P value on a international letter sent in January of 1954 from Saigon to France. Again, this is an unusual postage as the domestic standard letter rate was already at 1.50P and international letters normally carried a surcharge. May be domestic and international surface rates were identical?

Multiple franking of the 1.50P value paying an overall postage of 3P on an international air mail letter from Dalat to France in January of 1954.

Multiple franking of two of the 1.50P value paying an overall postage of 3P on an international letter sent from Saigon to France.

Mixed franking of the 1.50P Nam Phương stamp plus four of the 10c Landscape stamps paying an overall postage of 1.90P on an international letter sent by the Vietnamese Postal Administration to the United States.

Mixed franking of the 1.50 Nam Phương stamp together with the 5P Landscape value paying an overall postage of 6.50P on an international air mail letter sent from Saigon to France in June of 1955.

Mixed franking of the 1.50 Nam Phương stamp together with the 10c and 5P Landscape and 1P Radio Union values paying an overall postage of 7.90P on an international air mail letter sent from Saigon to England in May of 1955.

Registration Nr. 200020

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