Playful Philatelic Puzzlers

 

Enjoy short fiction and history in The Mystery Box

Credits

content: Frederick Highland
website: amg
feedback


6.  philatelic stamp-whys from GERMAN NEW GUINEA

One of the most famous key types in stamp collecting, this 1912 issue from German New Guinea features a well-known historical ship. Which ship is it?

a) Hindenburg
b) Bismarck
c) Hohenzollern
d) Graf Spee

answer

You are excused from the anchor detail if you answered (c).

Named after the ruling family that provided two imperial rulers to the German state, the Hohenzollern was the ocean- going yacht of Kaiser Wilhelm II. It appears on German colonial issues of Africa, the Pacific, and the Far East and is known as the "Yacht" or "Ship" key type. Similar to a common design, the key type is a basic design created for stamps issued by a particular country for its dependencies, possessions, or colonies. The "Yacht" key type was in use from 1900-1919. The Hindenburg, you might remember, was not a naval ship at all but the name of the famous zeppelin that exploded at Lakehurst Naval Air Station in 1937. The stamp is Scott 17.

Back to StampWhys V. II


Website and All Contents Copyright (c) 1998-2008 Frederick Highland