Prize puzzle: 11 cents and 15 cents?
In August 1924, the first postage due stamps of 11 cents and 15 cents appeared, which had arisen from an overprint on postage stamps of 22 cents and 17 cents. There are three questions regarding these stamps.
- Why were these postage due stamps created?
- Why are they so hard to find unstamped?
- Why are they not included with the postage due stamps in the catalogue?
1) The 17,5 cent and 22,5 cent stamps, which were used as the basis, were “surplus” (due to tariff changes) and there was no intention to destroy them at the time. Therefore, in 1924, they were used as the basis for postage due stamps of 11 and 15 cents.
2) The stamps were only used “internally” by the PTT, at the post offices in Amsterdam, The Hague, and Rotterdam. The numbers were not large, and they wanted to prevent speculation.
3) The Association (of collectors) refused at the time to recognize these stamps as “ordinary” postage due stamps. They came up with the name “parcel settlement stamps” for them.
These are parcel clearing stamps, created for the internal parcel service. Therefore, they are listed separately in the catalog.
They were used exclusively internally by the postal service, so they are difficult to find unstamped. If you come across an unstamped one, it is most likely fake!
Although the PTT considered them postage due stamps, the Union came up with the name Postpakketverrekenzegels (Postal Parcel Settlement Stamps). This was because it involved an internal settlement by the PTT regarding the return or forwarding of postal parcels. This led to the Haagsch Philatelisten-Vereeniging leaving the Union.
Source: Philately from A to Z by Mr. A. vd Flier
@Gerko and @Willem, your answers overlap. But I find Gerko's answer so quick and correct that he gets to take the credit today. Congratulations!
Thanks Lia! So I won for once after my “slip-up” on the first question on December 26th… ;-) I’m happy with it, I’ll email you my details soon!
@Gerko, a well-deserved winner! Please let me know right away which sheet of stamps from 2012 you would like!