Bavarian Stamps
Luitpold Issues - 1911
Bavarian stamps went through a major design change in
1911. At this time, Otto I was actually the King of Bavaria, and his
portrait appeared on all the coins. The postage stamp issues prior to
this time showed a coat of arms, instead of the King's portrait.
Between 1911 and 1912, a new series of stamps,
picturing Prince Regent Luitpold, was issued in honor of the Prince's
90th birthday. This commemorative issue remained in use, as a
definitive postage stamp series, until 1914, when it was replaced by
those of King Ludwig III.
The sixteen Bavarian stamps, shown in the scans above (Mi. #76-91, Sc. #77-91) were issued between 1911 and 1912, and they were printed on horizontal wavy lines close together
watermarked papers of various colors. The Pfennig denominations are
perforated 14 x 14 1/2 and the Mark denominations are perforated 11 1/2.
All of the denominations were printed in perforated sheets. The five and ten Pfennig denominations exist in booklet panes, and the five, ten, and 25 Pfennig denominations exist in coils.
The Pfennig denominations were printed in four types, and the Mark denominations were printed in two types. The types are explained below.
The four 3 Pf. postage stamps
above, from upper left to lower right, show types I through IV. These
types, which occur on the Pfennig denominations, are explained, as
follows:
Type I: Inscription at top is thin and blurry. The top of the "R" in "MAERZ" is small. Middle bar of the "E" in "MAERZ" is short. The "N" of "BAYERN" is pointed at the upper left end. Type I occurs on all denominations, except the 60 Pfennig.
Type II: Inscription at top is thicker and sharper. The top of the "R" in "MAERZ" is large. Middle bar of the "E" in "MAERZ" is longer. The "N" of "BAYERN" has a serif at the upper left end. Type II occurs on all denominations. The Type II 5 Pf., 10 Pf., and 25 Pf. stamps are from coils.
Type III: Like Type I, but the top of the "R" in "MAERZ" is larger. "N" of "BAYERN" is like Type I. Type III only occurs on the 3 Pf., 5 Pf., and 10 Pf. All of these are very scarce.
Type IV:
Inscription at top is stronger and clearer. The top of the "R" in
"MAERZ" is very large. The middle bar of the "E" in "MAERZ" is clearer.
The "N" of "BAYERN" is like Type II. Type IV occurs on all the denominations.
The two 5 Mark postage stamps
above, from top to bottom, show types I through II. These types, which
occur only on the Mark denominations, are explained, as follows:
Type I: Serif lines at the foot of the numbers "1" in "1911" are missing or are only faintly present. The "9" is thinner. The thin lines of the "N" in "BAYERN" are weak and appear to merge into white areas.
Type II:
Serif lines at the foot of the numbers "1" in "1911" are strong
and distinct. The "9" is thicker and all the numerals are stronger.
The thin lines of the "N" in "BAYERN" are strong and well defined. They
have distinct serifs and do not merge with the white areas..
The set of Bavarian stamps shown
above was issued on June 10, 1911, to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the
Regency of Prince Regent Luitpold.
On December 12, 1911, Prince Regent Luitpold died, and his son, Ludwig, succeeded him as the Prince Regent for King Otto I.
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Bavarian Stamps - Luitpold Issues - 1911
