One kreuzer black

One kreuzer black
Country of production	Bavaria
Location of production	Munich
Date of production	1 November 1849
Number in existence	unknown
Face value	One kreuzer
Estimated value	Unused US $600 Used US $1,600

The One kreuzer black, or Schwarzer Einser, was the first postage stamp issued in the kingdom of Bavaria, and the first anywhere in the territories making up modern Germany. It was issued on November 1, 1849. 832,500 copies of the stamp was printed on hand-made paper in printing shop of University of Munich.

In October 1851 the stamps were removed from sale, but they remained valid for postage until August 31, 1864.

The design was developed by Johann Peter Haseney and engraved by F. J. Seitz and printed by J. G. Weiss; their initials 'PH', 'S', and 'W' are hidden according to Joseph de Heselle in the floral pattern of the numeral as a safety precaution against forgery.^[1] Stamp is black and in the center is a large numeric denomination. Later engraving was moved from wood to plaster, which has led to distortions in size of the print. Different varieties of the stamp also emerged due to the damage to the engraving press and engraving itself, such as color dots and damaged angles.

Subsequent stamps of Bavaria followed the same general layout, though with the numeral framed in a complete or partial circle.

This stamp is valued though not especially rare; the 2002 Scott catalogue values an unused copy at $600 USD and a used copy at $1,600.

See also

• Michel catalogue
• Scott catalogue

References

1. ^ Schenck, Gustav (1959). The Romance of the Postage Stamp. Garen City, NY: Doubleday & Co. pp. 191–192.