High-value stamps with the inscription Reichspost in 1900 (part 1)

In addition to the 'Germania' series, a set of four high-value stamps in German Marks was issued starting April 1, 1900. The four stamps bore the inscription REICHSPOST. The images, with the exception of the 1 Mark stamp, were derived from paintings. The 1 Mark stamp depicts the original Reich Post Office in Berlin. This post office was designed by architect Carl Schwatlo, who had already designed several other Reich buildings, at the initiative of Dr. Heinrich von Stephan, the then Director-General of the German Reich Postal Service and State Secretary of the German Reich. The building was completed in 1872. Between 1893 and 1897, the building was further expanded and the Post Museum was housed there. It is now the Museum of Communication. The design for the stamp was created by Privy Councillor (title of this person) C. Frenzel. The 2 Mark stamp features a symbolic image derived from an artwork created by Anton Alexander von Werner. The artwork is a fragment from 'North and South' titled 'Victoria'. Von Werner was born on May 9, 1843, in Frankfurt an der Oder and died on January 4, 1915, in Berlin. The text below the image is taken from Friedrich Schiller's 'Wilhelm Tell': Drum haltet fest zusammen – fest und ewig – Kein Ort der Freiheit sei dem andern fremd – Hochwachten stellet aus auf euren Bergen, Dass sich der Bund zum Bunde rasch versammle – Seid einig – einig – einig. The 3 Mark stamp is based on a painting by William Pape. Friedrich George William Pape was born on September 3, 1859, in Karlshütte and died on December 13, 1920, in Stockholm. Designer Prof. W. Roese took the painting 'The Unveiling of the Monument to Emperor Wilhelm I'. The years above the image refer to the birth date of Emperor Wilhelm I, March 22, 1797. The image of the highest value, 5 Mark, is also derived from a painting by William Pape. It depicts the celebration of the installation of the government in the White Hall of Berlin Palace. The stamp was also designed by Prof. W. Roese. The text below the image was the motto at the time. That this text was also politically charged is evident from a derivative stamp in which the world map is colored in with the overseas territories of the German Empire. Note also the circled islands in the Pacific Ocean. A stamp that was not issued by the German Reichspost but was intended purely for propaganda purposes. Or have you ever seen such an example on a piece of mail? In Part 2, I delve deeper into the production and use of these stamps.