Surplus or laziness?

poland stamps world-war-ii
munich-riem-1939-860-190p.jpgSince 1934, international horse racing weeks were held on the Munich Belt in Munich. The highest prize was the German Brown Belt. The prize had been instituted by Hitler, who had declared the city of Munich the 'City of German Art'. Other festivities also took place during the horse races, such as the 'Night of the Amazons'. The 'German Brown Belt' prize in 1934 did not prompt the issuance of a stamp. Nor did it in 1935, when these races were held for the second time. However, the popularity of the event continued to grow, and in 1936 it was decided to go all out for the third Brown Belt races with a block containing a special stamp with a value of 42 Pfennig and a surcharge of 108 Pfennig. munich-riem-1936-853-400p.jpg The paper for the stamp block was specially made. It was handmade paper with the watermark 'München Riem 1936'. This watermark is clearly visible, not only on the back, but certainly also on the front. munich-riem-1936-854-190p.jpg munich-riem-1936-855-190p.jpg The block was issued on June 22, 1936, and was valid for postage until March 31, 1937. Unfortunately, I do not know the print run or the number sold. In 1937, the fourth races for the Brown Band took place. However, there was no issue of a new stamp. It was decided to overprint the 1936 block. munich-riem-1937-856-400p.jpg munich-riem-1937-857-190p.jpg munich-riem-1937-859-190p.jpg What was the issue? Were there too many blocks left over? That, too, is unclear to me. Or were the blocks reprinted and then overprinted? The former seems most likely to me. However, I do not know the print run or number sold for this either. The issue date of the block was August 1, 1937, and its validity for postage ended on June 30, 1938. A new stamp was issued for the 1938 season, however, also with a value of 42 + 108 Pfennig. The stamp was issued on July 20, 1938, and was valid until December 31, 1939. The stamp was designed by a certain Professor R. Klein, who had also designed the 1936 block. munich-riem-1938-860-190p.jpg munich-riem-1939-860-190p.jpg And so, a new stamp was issued every year for the Brown Belt of Germany, each time in the value of 42 + 108 Pfennig. In 1939, the stamp was issued on July 12, 1939. munich-riem-1940-861-90p.jpg munich-riem-1941-862-190p.jpg The Second World War broke out on September 1, 1939, when German troops invaded Poland. But the runs in Munich continued. On July 20, 1940, a stamp was issued, and a year later, on July 20, 1941, another stamp came out. munich-riem-1942-863-190p.jpg munich-riem-1943-864-190p.jpg In 1942, a new stamp was issued on July 14, and in 1943 on July 27. Professor R. Klein was still the designer, and the value was still 42 + 108 Pfennig. munich-riem-1944-865-190p.jpg stempel-10-jaar-bruine-band-1944-190p.jpg The last stamp was issued on July 23, 1944. The 'Brown Band' existed for 10 years. But after that, it was over. The end of the Second World War was also the end of the grand prize. Where did all the surcharge money go? I don't know that either! Do you?

2 comments

  1. I would like to know the values ​​of these stamps, as I own the block with the red German Imperial stamp.
    I look forward to hearing from you.

  2. The 'value' of the 1937 block with the red overprint is not so easy to determine. The catalogue value depends on the condition of the block. For example, whether it is 'mint' (as purchased at the post office counter), has adhesive patches (to secure the block in the album), is gummed (it may have been 'soaked off'), is stamped separately, or stamped onto a piece of mail. It also makes a difference whether it is an impression from a standard postmark or from the special (request) stamp of the Munich Belt. Any discoloration of the gum or the stamp paper also plays a role here. Furthermore, white and greyish paper were used. And… dangerous forgeries of the red overprint exist. Do you want the 'catalogue value', the purchase value at the stamp dealer, or the selling value at the stamp dealer? Or via an internet site, such as eBay? So, many factors to take into account!

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