Images from Michel Deutscland-Spezial-Katalog Band I
In January 1872, the German Empire issued their first
adhesive postage stamps. The postage stamps were typographed in various
colors, with an embossed Imperial Eagle and Shield in the middle. In
June 1872, a modified design was introduced, featuring a larger eagle
and shield.
Many catalogs prefer to call these two types "small shield" and "large shield". Unfortunately, the embossing on these first German Empire stamps can range from very strong to very faint, and on used examples, the circular date stamp usually covers or obliterates the shield portion of the embossed design. The two types are illustrated in the images above. In truth, the eagles and the shields in the two types are completely different in all aspects. Many different elements, such as the crown, banner, wings, talons, tail, etc., can be used to determine the type as well.
As with the North German Confederation issues, two series of these German Empire stamps were issued. One was denominated in Groschen, for use in the North German states, and the other one was denominated in Kreuzer, for use in the South German states.
Two high-value postage stamps were also issued in 1872. They are the 10 Groschen and 30 Groschen denominations. They were typographed, with large numerals of value in the middle.
The
1872 issues are all shown in the images below. A catalog attributes table follows each of the images.
In January 1874, the 2 1/2 Groschen and 9 Kreuzer
denominations of the German Empire Large Eagle and shield variety were surcharged with
the same values in the color of the postage stamps.
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Return to German Empire from
Embossed Eagle Issue of 1872-1874