Unified Vietnam, Flowers, September 10th, 1977, Michel Nr. 927-930; Four stamps with the nominals of 6 xu (two stamps) and 12 xu (two stamps) were issued in perforation 11.0.

Normally the yellow print run and red print run cover identical areas so that the red flower takes on a more orange tinge. Here is a pair that shows a significant passer-shift of the yellow color making it look like the stamps have a yellow background print.

Perforation errors do occur. Here is a single mint 6 xu stamp that was most likely delivered to the post office imperforate by mistake. In order to rectify the error the post master must have resorted to a very rough sewing machine type perforation (6.5) that is visible on the sides and the top of the stamp. Imperforate at the bottom.

Here is a mint block of four of the 12xu value that shows double perforation strikes on the horizontal plane. This was caused my the sheet not properly moving forward during the perforation process.

Here is a block of nine of the 6 xu value that shows a blue instead of a green stem on the middle right stamp:

Here is a detailed scan of the stamp that shows the blue stem:

Are-occuring plate error is known to exist on the 12 xu stamp (Dahlias) stamp (here the top left stamp of the block of four). According to Klewitz it occurs on the 84th stamp of each sheet. It consist of two red lines that run diagonally across the stamp. The error partially impacts the stamp to the right as well.

Detailed scan of the plate error:

Here is a rare printing error of the 12 xu stamp on which both the yellow and red print run is missing entirely. The stamp is also imperforate:

Very rare im-perforated trial proof. Note the printer guiding marks surrounding the stamp.

There are two distinct color variations on the light blue 12 xu value. One type shows grey-blue inscriptions and more muted colors  while the other type shows black inscriptions and more intense colors (especially on the back-ground color).  The left block of four is Type 1 and the right block of four is of type 2. 

Here is a printing flaw on the top right 12 xu stamp with black inscription. It was most likely caused by a small object falling on the printing plate creating a yellow/redspot that distorts the design.

Here is a close-up of the printing flaw:

Other production errors do occur. Here is a block of six of the 12 xu stamp with grey-blue inscription that shows various color omissions of the light blue background color. Also note that the color of the flowers is darker in the top row and lighter in the bottom row. This is not just a printing flaw but an actual plate error as can be seen by the identical block of six on a letter below.

Top right stamp shows some of the light blue color missing 

Similar color omission on the bottom middle stamp and bottom left stamp.

Rare single franking of the 6xu value on a letter sent from the Cambodian occupation zone to HCM City. The standard letter was amounted to 12 xu, so this letter must have been sent using the intra-province rate of 6 xu. HT 7A was in charge of the Cambodian border area and all mail was centrally transported to HCM City for processing. Hence most Cambodian mail carries a HCM City canceler.

Rare multiple franking of the 6xu value paying the domestic letter rate that was in force in October of 1978. T.P.HCM arrival machine cancel on the reverse.

Another rare multiple franking of the 6xu value paying the domestic letter rate that was in force in November of 1976. Sent from HCM City to Tay Ninh. Full contents preserved. Various transit/arrival cancels on the reverse.

Rare multiple franking of the 6xu value paying the 30xu domestic letter rate in 1981 (full contents preserved).

Rare single franking of one of the 12xu values on a local letter sent from Song Be (small post office) to Quan I in June of 1979.

Another rare local letter with a single franking of the 12xu stamp sent from Hanoi to Dong-Mai in August of 1979. Xuyen Moo arrival cancel on the reverse.

Multiple franking of the 12xu stamp paying an overall postage of 24xu on a domestic  air mail letter sent within HCM City in August of 1979.

Multiple franking of the 12xu stamp (2) paying an overall postage of 24xu on a domestic air mail letter sent from Long Ly to Da Nang in January of 1980. Da Nang arrival cancel on the reverse.

Rare single franking of one of the 12xu stamps on a local letter sent from Hanoi to a member of the Vietnamese Military (note the Hom Thu number on the address) in March of 1978.

Multiple franking of the 12 xu Flower stamp paying the second weight level of the domestic letter rate on a domestic letter sent to HCM City in January of 1978. HCM City arrival cancels on the reverse.

Rare multiple franking of the 12xu value on a letter sent to a Vietnamese contract worker in East Germany paying an overall postage of 60xu in February of 1978. Transit cancel on the reverse.

Here is a single franking of the 12xu value on an international letter sent in June of 1978 from Lao Lang to East Germany. The postage tariff had been raised from 12 xu to 60xu and as a result a boxed “T” hand stamp was applied that indicated that the letter was short by 48 xu. However, it does not look like that the additional postage was ever collected in East Germany.

Rare registered express mail letter sent from Haiphong to Klewitz in August of 1978. It carries pairs of the grey-blue inscription 6 and 12 xu stamp and pairs of the other 6xu and 12 xu stamps. There are also two of the 30 Dong National Liberation Front (Viet Cong) stamps. The currency of the Viet Cong stamps represented the currency of the South Vietnamese Regime and hence was not compatible with the Dong of North Vietnam. Also Viet Cong stamps were, according to postal regulations, not to be used or cancelled in the North. This regulation clearly was disregarded in this particular case. Disregarding the technically invalid Viet Cong stamps the overall postage amounted to 4.28 Dong. Fulda arrival cancel on the reverse.

Mixed franking on a damaged registered letter sent from Ca Mau (small post office) to Belgium in July, 1978. The recipient apparently was not at home so the post office in Belgium attached a sticker (in French and Dutch) that he/she has left a notice in the post box. The letter carries a number of the 20xu Cuban Vietnamese Brotherhood stamps, two of the 60xu HCM stamps and two 6xu Flower stamps for an overall postage of 2.52D.

Rare registered letter sent from Quang 5 (Cholon) in January of 1982 to Klewitz. It features the same block of six of the 12 xu value with grey-blue inscription. Note the same color variations and production flaws (omitted colors) as on the mint block of six above. Errors stamps on postally used cover are very rare. The overall postage (which includes two red free franks for a postage of 6.30 Dong) amounted to 7.85.

Rarer express mail letter sent from Ho Chi Minh City to Klewitz in January of 1980. It carries blocks of four of the 6 xu and 12 xu value (black inscription). Together with the red free frank of 2.40 Dong the overall postage amounted to 4.79 Dong. Fulda arrival cancel on the reverse. Fulda green custom cachet on front.

Very rare  registered express mail letter sent from Hue to Klewitz in March of 1978. It carries one of the 12 xu flower stamps and the very rare “Upside Down Tank” error. This error was created by an upside-down print run of the blue color that was erroneously carried out. Error stamps on postally used cover are very rare. Overall postage amounted to 5.15 Dong. Fulda arrival cancel on the reverse. Green Fulda customs cachet on front.

Here is a close-up of the error stamp:

Another very rare  registered express mail letter sent from Hue to Klewitz in March of 1978. It carries five of the 12 xu flower stamps and the very rare “Upside Down Tank” error. This error was created by an upside-down print run of the blue color that was erroneously carried out. Error stamps on postally used cover are very rare. Overall postage amounted to 5.01 Dong. Fulda arrival cancel on the reverse. Green Fulda customs cachet on front.

Here is a close up of the error stamp:

Rare registered express mail letter sent to Klewitz in December of 1978. It features the green 12 xu stamp of the issue plus a range of other NVN stamps from the period. The overall postage amounted to 5.74 Dong. Fulda arrival cancel on the reverse. Fulda green custom cachet on front.

Very rare registered express mail letter sent to Klewitz in March of 1979. It features half of the im-perforated Chrysanthemum set plus one of the 6 xu and three of the 12 xu Flower stamps from the period for an overall postage of 4.54 Dong. Im-perforated stamps on postally used cover are very rare. Fulda arrival cancel o the reverse.

Very rare registered express mail letter sent to Klewitz in March of 1979. It features the other half of the im-perforated Chrysanthemum set plus the 6 xu and 12  xu Flower stamps for an overall postage of 4.39 Dong. Im-perforated stamps on postally used cover are very rare. Fulda arrival cancel o the reverse.

Very rare registered express mail letter sent to Klewitz in February of 1980. It features the set with two color variations of the 12 xu Einstein value. It also carries a 12 xu Einstein stamp without the black printing run. Error stamps on postally used cover are very rare as few philatelist water to expose their error stamp to get lost or damaged during transit. There are also five of the 12 xu flower stamps on the reverse. The overall postage amounted to 4.80 Dong. Fulda arrival cancel on the reverse. Fulda green custom cachet on front.

Another very rare registered express mail letter sent to Klewitz in April of 1980. It features the set and also carries two 12 xu Einstein stamps without the black printing run. Error stamps on postally used cover are very rare as few philatelist water to expose their error stamp to get lost or damaged during transit. There are also two of the flower stamps. The overall postage amounted to 4.98 Dong. Fulda arrival cancel on the reverse. Fulda green custom cachet on front. Interesting hand-made Express Mail label produced with a typewriter.

Rare express mail letter sent from Hai Phong to Klewitz in August of 1978. it caries a number of different color variations (including the blue stem and blue pistil variations) of the other flower set plus two of the 12 xu stamps. The overall postage amounted to 4.82 Dong. Fulda arrival cancel on the reverse. Green Fulda custom cachet on front.

Another rare registered express mail letter sent to Klewitz in November of 1978. It carries different color variations of the 5 xu and 10 xu stamp of the other flower set plus a block of four each of the 6 xu and 12 xu stamps with identical plate errors (red lines running across the bottom two stamps). The overall postage amounted to 4.27 Dong. Fulda arrival cancel on the reverse. Green Fulda custom cachet on front.

Rare registered express mail letter sent to Klewitz in November of 1978. It carries three of the olive-green 6 xu stamps without the name of the designer at the bottom plus many other flower stamps. The overall postage amounted to 4.02 Dong. Fulda arrival cancel on the reverse. Green Fulda custom cachet on front.

Here is a letter that on its surface looks favor cancelled. The overall postage amounted to 78 xu which was insufficient postage for a standard letter to West Germany in 1979, especially for an express mail letter. However there is a Fulda arrival cancel on the reverse so the letter must have traveled through postal chancels. No additional postage due was indicated or collected.

Rare express mail letter sent from Hai Phong to Klewitz in June of 1979. It carries both inscription color versions of the 12 xu flower stamp in pairs plus a pair of the olive-green 6 xu stamps with the missing designer name at the bottom. The overall postage amounted to 4.92 Dong. Fulda arrival cancel on the reverse.

Another rare express mail letter sent from Hai Phong to Klewitz in February of 1980. It carries the 12 xu flower stamp in both inscription versions (blue and black) and other flower stamps. The overall postage amounted to 4.80 Dong. Fulda arrival cancel on the reverse. Green Fulda custom cachet on the reverse.

Rare express mail letter sent to Klewitz in July of 1980. It carries a number of the flower stamps including a pair of the green-olive 6 xu value without the designer name and another pair with the blue pistils. The overall postage amounted to 4.80 Dong. Fulda arrival cancel on the reverse. Green Fulda custom cachet on front.

Rare registered letter sent from Quan 5 (Cholon) to Klewitz in October of 1981. It carries a number of the flower stamps including two fo the 10 xu stamps that show an up-side down double print of the yellow color. Errors stamps on postally used cover are very rare. There are also two of the black inscription variety of the 12 xu stamp. The overall postage amounted to 7.90 Dong. Fulda green custom cachet on front.

Very rare air mail letter sent in August of 1979 from Ho Chi Minh City to Hong Kong. The letter carries the Children error stamp without the red printing run. Error stamps on postally used cover are very rare. There is also a 6 xu Flower stamp. The overall postage amounted to 1.68 Dong.

Very rare air mail letter sent from Ho Chi Minh City to Hong Kong in October of 1978. It carries a pair of the Children stamps that is im-perforated inbetween the stamps. Error stamps on postally used cover are very rare. There is also a 6 xu Flower stamp. The overall postage amounted to 1.30 Dong.

Another very rare registered express mail letter sent to Klewitz in September of 1978. The letter caries the other half of the im-perforated Sport Games set plus seven of the 12 xu Flower stamps Two of the 12 xu stamps show the error “blue stem”. Im-perforated stamps on postally used cover are very rare. The overall postage amounted to 3.56 Dong. Fulda arrival cancel on the reverse.

Registered air mail letter sent to Klewitz in April of 1983. It features a number of the color variations and passer-shifts of the HCM Museum set. There are also a number of the Flower stamps. The overall postage amounted to 2.68 Dong (including the 1.38 Dong free frank). Note that the two 10 xu flower stamps also show a printing flaw that looks like diagonal lines across the stamp image and pale inscriptions. Fulda arrival cancel and green Fulda custom cachet on the reverse.

Rare registered express mail letter sent to Klewitz in December of 1980. The letter carries two of the 1 Dong Day of the Child stamps plus two 6 xu Flower stamps (one with and one without the designer name). It also shows a 2 Dong Lenin National Liberation Front (Vietcong) issued in 1970. NLF stamps were denominated in South Vietnamese Dong and hence they were not valid for postage in North Vietnam. Nevertheless it appears that the postal clerk did not object to the invalid stamp. There are also a number of the Flower stamps. The overall postage amounted to 5.01 Dong. Fulda arrival cancel on the reverse. Green Fulda custom cachet on front.

Very rare registered express mail letter featuring two 6 xu stamps and two 12 xu stamps with the post master perforation of the Socialist Republic stamps sent from Da-Lat (a mountain resort outside of HCM City) to West Germany sent in July of 1980. It also carries a number of the Flower stamps. The overall postage amounted to 4.80 Dong. Fulda arrival stamp on the reverse. Green Fulda custom cachet on front. Unusual hand-made express mail label.

Rare registert express mail letter sent from Dalat to Klewitz in May of 1981. It carries a wide variety of the 1977, 1978 and 1980 Flower stamps for an overall postage of 13.54 Dong (including the black free frank for 8.4 Dong). Strip of four of the Lotus stamp in post master perforation 9.5 on white paper. There are also a number of the 1977 and 1978 Flower stamps. Post master perforations on postally used cover are very rare. Frankfurt transit and Fulda arrival cancel on the reverse. Unusual black free frank. Green Fulda custom cachet on front.

Rare registered express mail letter sent from Quang 5 (Cholon) to Klewitz in September of 1981. It carries the Lotus stamp in a number of perforations and paper (pair Perf 9.5 on yellowish paper, strip of three Perf. 11 on yellowish paper, pair Perf 9.5 on white paper, im-perfroated stamp on white paper). Post master perforations and im-perfroated stamps on postally used cover are very rare. There are also a range of the Flower stamps from 1977/78. The overall postage (including the 9.70 red free frank) amounted to 14.22 Dong. Green Fulda custom cachet on front.

Registered letter sent from Quan 5 (Cholon) to Klewitz in December of 1981. It carries two stamps from the Independence set with sheet numbers. Stamp with sheet numbers on postally used cover are rare.  There are also there of the Lotus stamps with post master perforations of 14 and 15 (yellowish paper) and one with perforation 15 (white paper). Several stamps from the 1978/79 Flower set. The overall postage amounted to 8.32 Dong.

Registered letter sent from Quan 5 (Cholon) to Klewitz in October of 1980. The letter carries pairs of the Women Union set plus some other NVN stamps for an overall postage of 7.93 Dong. There are two of the 12 xu Flower stamps that show different background colors. Green Fulda custom cachet on front.

Very rare registered letter sent  from Hanoi to Klewitz in June of 1981. The letter carries half of the im-perforated Intercosmo set, some of the Cat stamps plus four Flower stamps for an overall postage of 5.50 Dong. Im-perforated stamps on postally used cover are very rare.

Registration Nr. 102580

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