1945 MEĐIMURJE, Overprint forgeries

Two types of forgeries are known...

Type I forgery is quite primitive and should not present a challenge to collectors. The overprint is narrower, lacks precision and uses different lettering. The coat-of-arms element shows the version associated with the Independent State of Croatia with blank square to upper left instead of the Banovina of Croatia shield with darkened square. In my opinion this forgery can only confuse collectors who did not have the opportunity to see the genuine overprint.

Type II forgery is more accomplished. Basic dimensions are close to the original and the difference lies in lettering where individual letters are somewhat thinner and less cleanly struck. Letter 'M' in Međimurje is slightly inclined to lower left and the entire lower inscription is raised by some 0.6 mm. Overall even this forgery can be recognized without difficulty.

For a complete article order:

ACTA PHILATELICA NOVA 2018

Croatian philatelic almanac

Independent State of Croatia

Međimurje local issue 1941

Chapters:

Introduction

Catalogue Listing

Overprint

Coat - of - arms

First Overprinting Phase

Second Overprinting Phase

Third Overprinting Phase

Additional Overprinting

Overprinted Stationery Postcard

Determining Overprint Types, Subtypes and Variants

Overprint Forgeries

Overprint Errors

Postal Use of Overprinted Stamps

Forgeries of Postal Use

Valuation of the Issue

Conclusion

To order please contact me at alesmarinsek67@gmail.com

1945 MOSTAR, No 18 inverted

Theoretically, a maximum of 32 could exist, but I never ever saw another one...

1945 Mostar provisional issue, No. 18, 20/5 Kn war tax with inverted overprint. Only 32 stamps were inverted on one reconstructed sheet. However, this is the only instance known to me. Ex Tiberio.

Concentration camp Mamula

In April 1942, concentration camp Mamula was established in the far south of Dalmatia. It was a small camp in a fort on the island Mamula with a capacity of fewer than 500 internees and prisoners, mostly anti-fascists from Croatia, Bosnia and Montenegro. 

Mamula fort today.

During the summer of 1943, internees were transferred to other camps - most of them to the Visco near Udine.

30 cent stationery sent from Risano (26.VIII.43) to concentration camp Mamula, censored by Italians and Germans. Since the recipient was already transferred, the stationery was returned to Risano (AL MITTENTE & Retour marks). 

Concentration camp Ragusa

In the autumn of 1942, Italians established few small transitional camps in the surroundings of Dubrovnik (Ragusa). They were mainly intended for Jews from Croatia and Bosnia. These are camps on island Lopud (Mezzo), in Gruž (Gravosa) and Kupari. Probably all were under the same administration in Ragusa. In 1943, most of the internees were moved to the camp on island Rab (Arbe).

Letter with instructions for the establishment of Italian camps in the area of Ragusa.
General Giuseppe Amico, Division Marche

(click for larger image)

Mail from or to these camps is extremely rare.

NDH stationery, sent from Ragusa (26.V.43) to Sarajevo, franked with 2 kn, canceled with "INTERNATO DI GUERRA / (FRANCHIGIA POSTALE)", rectangular and two round censorship stamps and 35/IV censor mark. Signed Ercegović.

1941 MEĐIMURJE, Article

A new issue of Acta Philatelica was recently published. If you are interested in local issues of the Independent State of Croatia, you are welcome to read my article "Međimurje local issue 1941". 

ACTA PHILATELICA NOVA 2018

Croatian philatelic almanac

Independent State of Croatia

Međimurje local issue 1941

To order please contact me at alesmarinsek67@gmail.com