Germany Saar postage stamps year 1922 dienstmarke set MH

Germany Saar postage stamps year 1922 dienstmarke set MH stamps In 1922, the League of Nations mandate administration for the Saar Basin (Saargebiet) issued its second major series of official stamps (Dienstmarken) for use on government and municipal mail. Rather than printing entirely new designs, the postal authority utilized the 1921 pictorial definitive series and applied a diagonal “DIENSTMARKE” overprint. Technical & Catalog Breakdown The complete set consists of 15 values (plus distinct color variants and typography types recognized by specialized catalogs). The overprints were applied in both red and dark blue/black ink depending on the background color of the base stamp to ensure legibility. Year of Issue: May to August 1922 Type: Official Stamps (Dienstmarken) Catalog Identification: Michel: D16 to D30 Scott: O16 to O30 The Base Designs (1921 Pictorials) The overprinted images feature classic regional landscapes, local industries, and architectural landmarks: Low Values (3c to 25c): The Saar River loop near Mettlach (Saarschleife), local miners, and the industrial ironworks (Hütte). Mid Values (30c to 80c): Detailed views of regional train stations, the Burbach ironworks, and municipal buildings in Saarbrücken. High Values (1 Fr to 5 Fr): Large format scenery, including the Ludwigsbrücke and the St. Johann market square. Special Varieties: Type I vs. Type II Overprints For specialized philatelists, the 1922 overprint series is famous for its two distinct overprint typographies, which significantly impact catalog value on specific denominations: Type I: The text “DIENSTMARKE” measures 21.5 mm in length. The letters are slightly thinner. Type II: The text is slightly compressed, measuring 20.5 mm in length with thicker lettering. Note: The 75 Centimes value (Michel D26) in Type I is a notable scarcity within the set.