Germany - American & British Zone #602var(MI #38Ic) 1947-1948 Reconstruction Definitive Issue With Banded Posthorn Overprint, 8pf Orange Red Shade, Ridged Gum,VFOG, Michel Cat. 15 Euro, Net Est. $15

A VFOG example of the 8pf orange red shade, which differs from the regular shades of the stamp in that the color contains a clear orange undertone. Most 8pf stamps appear to be shades of red or scarlet when you examine them closely. This is one of the shades that can only be found with the overprint, as it was made from new printings of the stamp, that were made specifically for over printing. Michael catalog 15 Euro. Our net estimate of the value is $15.

The reconstruction definitive issue and the subsequent posthorn overprints are particularly complex, and none of this complexity is dealt with by Scott. On this issue the complexity comes in the form of shade varieties on nearly every value, some of which fluoresce under UV light. As is the case with many of Michel's listings where there are very inexpensive stamps coupled with very expensive shades, it is generally imperative that the scarce shades match the Michel colour key for the corresponding shade exactly. Generally anything that does not match is simply treated as a variation of the most common shade, and great care must be taken, as there are a very large number of shades on many values, most of which hold no special value. Generally you will find that the listed better shades are quite outstandingly different from most of the stamps you see, and if you are sorting a large pile of common stamps they will clearly stand out as different. We have used the Michel colour key to check the shades, and we can say with confidence that the shades we have identified as being better do match the colour key swatches. If we weren't reasonably sure then we treated them as the common shades. The second main complication is that the network overprint exists with three different forms of distorted posthorn, and you will see a large number of these offered in this sale.