GPS April 2020

Image 15. Genuine pre-paid cover Image 16. forgery
on the 3 Grote. Also note that in the lower left corner is
“franco”. There are quite a number of reprints/forgeries of
this envelope, or cutouts of the upper design, one of which
I have superposed (Image 15b) on the lower right corner of
Image 15a. In the genuine article, the word franco must appear
in the full cover; in a “cutout” of the shield-crown oval, the
lower “bulge” of the shield must point between the E and M of
Bremen, and closer to the E than the M (compare Images 14a
and 14b).
The author, Dr. Lawrence R. Mead is a retired physicist
specializing in the old states of Germany. He is a member of
APS and GPS, serving as an examiner for the former.
Notes -
1. There is an interesting mystery surrounding the Freihafen.
See “A Mystery at Geestemuende”, Lawrence R. Mead,
American Philatelist, Feb. 2017, p.150.
2. Later in 1856, the 5 Grote stamp was issued for letters
to Hamburg; in 1860 a 7 Grote stamp was issued for mail to
either Lübeck or Mecklenburg-Schwerin. Additionally, in 1861, a
5 Silbergroschen for letters to England and 10 Grote for letters
to Holland were issued. Some of these stamps, including the 3
Grote, were later reprinted perforated.
3. Stamps pictured are in the author’s collection unless noted
otherwise.
4. The key in the coat of arms is said to represent the key to,
128
German Postal Specialist