German Empire – Shield Issues – "SAN VIGILIO" – The Brugger Collection (part I)

German Empire 1872, Large Shield 18 kreuzer tied by single-circle datestamp "OFFENBACH 13.11.74" to complete parcel address sheet to Bohlingen in the rural delivery area of Weiler with home delivery. The delivery fee was paid in cash by the recipient. In this variety only two single frankings of the 18 kreuzer stamp are recorded.

German Empire 1872, Small Shield ¼ groschen grey-violet, ½ groschen brick-red, 1 groschen carmine and two single values 5 groschen ochre-brown, each tied by framed datestamp "HANNOVER STADT-POST-EXPE. No.1 16.5.72", paying the correct rate on a cover "Via Liverpool" to Valparaiso, Chile. A decorative four-colour franking and the only recorded cover bearing groschen stamps to Chile – a unique franking.

German Empire 1872, Small Shield 5 groschen ochre-brown and two single values 2 groschen grey-ultramarine, each tied by single-circle datestamp "HERDORF 25.11.72", paying the correct rate on cover via Hamburg to Cerro de Pasco, Peru. To date, only very few covers at the 9 groschen rate to Peru are recorded.

German Empire 1872, Small Shield 5 groschen ochre-brown in mixed franking with 1875 issue 5 pfennig violet-purple, each tied by single-circle datestamp "MÜLHAUSEN 1 22.10.75", paying the correct rate on complete parcel address sheet for an insured parcel to Zofingen, Switzerland. In this combination no other cover is recorded; a very late usage of the Small Shield 5 groschen stamp – a unique franking.

German Empire 1872, Official stamps 10 and 30 groschen, each with manuscript cancellation "LEIPZIG 21/12.73", in mixed franking with Large Shield 2 groschen grey-ultramarine, 2½ groschen brown-orange and 5 groschen ochre-brown, each tied by double-circle datestamp "LEIPZIG P.V.No.11", paying the correct rate on parcel accompaniment cover for a 33-pound parcel to Vienna. A unique five-colour franking bearing one value of each of the five highest denominations.

German Empire 1872, Official stamps 10 and 30 groschen, each in a vertical pair with manuscript cancellation "Crefeld 24/11.74", and a single Large Shield 5 groschen ochre-brown tied by horseshoe cancel "CREFELD 24.NOVBR.74", paying the correct rate on front and reverse of complete parcel address sheet via Bremen to Montreal, Canada. An extraordinary franking combination to Canada.

German Empire 1872, Large Shield 1 groschen carmine and 2 groschen grey-ultramarine, each tied by double-circle datestamp "ROSTOCK 7.7.73", paying the correct rate on private illustrated advertising card of Haack & Sohn used as parcel card. One of the finest parcel accompaniment cards of the Shield period.

German Empire 1872, Large Shield 2 kreuzer orange tied by single-circle datestamp "BUTZBACH 20.8.74" as correct single franking on folded cover up to 250 g to the local rural delivery district in Marienschloss. A very fine and rare single franking.

German Empire 1872, Large Shield 7 kreuzer grey-ultramarine tied by single-circle datestamp "POESNECK 19.11.73" in mixed franking with North German Confederation Official stamp 30 groschen with manuscript cancellation, paying the correct rate on insured cover for 3,000 gulden to Frankfurt with home delivery. The delivery fee was paid in cash by the recipient. A unique item as a mixed-currency franking and postal usage.

German Empire 1872, Large Shield 9 kreuzer brown tied by framed datestamp "FRANKFURT A.M. POST-EXPED. No. 3 31.12.72" as correct single franking on parcel accompaniment cover to Mainz. Single frankings of the 9 kreuzer brown are very rare on domestic mail.