Danish Stamps
Definitive Danish stamps were first issued in 1851. The stamps issued between 1851 and 1863 were all rectangular in shape, and, with one exception, they all featured the Royal Emblems of Denmark within a wreath. All of the stamps from 1851 to 1870 are inscribed "Kingdom Postage Stamp" and the denomination (in Danish).
The image shown above features one of the "crown jewels" of Danish philately. It is one of two known mint blocks of the first Danish postage stamp that is in private hands. This block, from the First Printing of Plate 2, last sold in a David Feldman December 2011 auction for US $250,000.00.
 WMK 111
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 WMK 112
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Two paper watermarks were used for Danish stamps between 1851 and 1870, and they are both shown above. They will be referred to by their WMK numbers in the descriptions below.
The two definitive Danish stamps shown above were issued during 1851. These stamps are typographed, imperforate, and WMK 111. A yellowish brown burelage was also applied over the top of the stamps.
There were two printings of these stamps, as follows:
- First Printing - The burelage was printed from a copper plate, resulting in a clear impression, with the lines in slight relief.
- Second Printing - The burelage was typographed, resulting in fainter lines that do not rise above the surface of the paper.
The Scott catalog details are as follows:
- 02 S. (1851 - 1st Ptg. - Sc. #1a) - Blue.
- 02 S. (1851 - 2nd Ptg. - Sc. #1) - Blue.
- 04 S. (1851 - 1st Ptg. - Sc. #2a) - Brown.
- 04 S. (1851 - 2nd Ptg. - Sc. #2) - Brown, Yellow Brown.
Both of these stamps were reprinted several times between 1885 and 1961. The reprints, in most cases, are easily discernible from the originals, and they are inexpensive.
The four definitive Danish stamps shown above were issued between 1854 and 1857. These stamps are typographed, imperforate, WMK 111, and they have dotting in the spandrels around the wreath. A faint yellowish brown burelage was also applied over the top of the stamps.
The Scott catalog details are as follows:
- 02 S. (1855 - Sc. #3) - Blue.
- 04 S. (1854 - Sc. #4) - Brown, Yellow Brown.
- 08 S. (1857 - Sc. #5) - Green, Yellow Green.
- 16 S. (1857 - Sc. #6) - Gray Lilac.
The two definitive Danish stamps shown above were issued between 1858 and 1862. These stamps are typographed, imperforate, WMK 111 or WMK 112, and they have wavy lines in the spandrels around the wreath. A faint yellowish brown burelage was also applied over the top of the stamps.
The Scott catalog details are as follows:
- 04 S. (1858 - WMK 111 - Sc. #7) - Brown, Yellow Brown.
- 04 S. (1862 - WMK 112 - Sc. #7b) - Brown, Yellow Brown.
- 08 S. (1858 - WMK 111 - Sc. #8) - Green.
The 1854 to 1862 issues were reprinted between 1885 and
1924. The reprints, in most cases, are easily discernible from the
originals, and they are inexpensive.
The 1854 to 1862 issues are also known with unofficial perforations and roulettes.
The two definitive Danish stamps shown above were issued between 1858 and 1862. These stamps are typographed, rouletted 11, and WMK 112.
The Scott catalog details are as follows:
- 04 S. (1863 - WMK 112 - Sc. #9) - Brown, Deep Brown, Red Brown.
- 16 S. (1863 - WMK 112 - Sc. #10) - Violet.
Dangerous forgeries exist of both these stamps. The rouletting on the originals is often rough and incomplete.
A brand new series of vertical-format, perforated definitive postage stamps appeared, beginning in 1864.
The five perforated definitive Danish stamps shown above were issued between 1864 and 1870. These stamps are typographed, and WMK 112.
The Scott catalog details are as follows:
- 02 S. (1865 - Perf. 13 - Sc. #11) - Blue
- 03 S. (1865 - Perf. 13 - Sc. #12) - Red Violet.
- 04 S. (1864 - Perf. 13 - Sc. #13) - Red.
- 08 S. (1868 - Perf. 13 - Sc. #14) - Bister.
- 16 S. (1864 - Perf. 13 - Sc. #15) - Olive Green.
- 02 S. (1865 - Imperf. - Sc. #11a) - Blue
- 03 S. (1865 - Imperf. - Sc. #12a) - Red Violet.
- 04 S. (1864 - Imperf. - Sc. #13a) - Red.
- 08 S. (1868 - Imperf. - Sc. #14a) - Bister.
- 16 S. (1864 - Imperf. - Sc. #15a) - Olive Green.
- 02 S. (1870 - Perf. 12 1/2 - Sc. #11b) - Blue
- 03 S. (1870 - Perf. 12 1/2 - Sc. #12b) - Red Violet.
- 08 S. (1870 - Perf. 12 1/2 - Sc. #14b) - Bister.
- 16 S. (1870 - Perf. 12 1/2 - Sc. #15b) - Olive Green.
These stamps were reprinted between 1886 and
1942. The reprints, in most cases, are easily discernible from the
originals, and they are inexpensive.
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Return to Danish Stamps from
Definitives of 1851-1870
Spandrel Types
Issues of
1854 to 1862
There are two different spandrel types on the definitive postage stamp issues of 1854 to 1862.
The spandrels around the wreath on the issues of 1854 to 1857 are filled with dots. An example is shown above, at the left.
The spandrels around the wreath on the issues of 1858 to 1862 are filled with horizontal wavy lines. An example is shown above, at the right.