U.S. & Worldwide Stamps & Postal History

1916 2 1/2h brown, 7 1/2h red, horizontal se-tenant pairs, two different shades of last, unused without gum as always, good colors, minor separations hinge reinforced and faint toning, fine-v.f., with Jaschke-Lantelme certificates (By late 1915, the British blockade of German East Africa had led to a shortage of postage. In March 1916, the 2/1 Heller, 7 1/2 Heller, and 1 Rupee designs were printed on the printing press at the Mission Station in Wuga. Prior to their issue however, the German freighter "Marie" broke the blockade, bringing a fresh supply of Yacht Issues. The Wuga provisionals were therefore not used and shortly thereafter, to prevent their capture by the British, the stamps were buried on a plantation near Morogoro. In August 1921, the Allies permitted the Germans to return to the scene and recover the stamps. Due to the burial and the humidity, the stamps were in poor condition and many were destroyed. The remainder were auctioned in Germany)
Cat. Val. €580
Estimate: $300