Printed version of the Manual

A hardcover version of the manual is now available. For purchase, click here.

The Philatelic Manual

Local Issues of Independent State of Croatia

Međimurje • Banja Luka • Šibenik I & II • Dalmatia

1944 ŠIBENIK, eBay forgeries

Another fraudulent attempt. A seller from Albania is now selling fantasy fakes of the 1944 Second Šibenik local issue. Unfortunately, it looks like that there are buyers for such bizarre products...

1944 Second Šibenik local issue, a fantasy forgery of tête-bêche overprint. Buyers of such items can only be thoroughly naive collectors.

A list of some other "masterpieces" of forgeries from the same eBay seller. Note that none of these stamps was actually used for 1944 Second Šibenik local issue. Except for 50 cents but of course not with the tête-bêche overprint.

Ravna Gora - Partisan propaganda

During the second world war, the Gorski Kotar area has a strong national liberation movement. Italian and Ustasha crews were constantly under the attacks. On December 17, 1942, the 6th and 14th Brigades of the 5th Operational Zone of the Partisan Army occupied Ravna Gora and remained there for almost one month. The Partisans' strategy was to promote the national liberation struggle through different propaganda activities...

Business stationery sent from Ogulin (8.I.43) to Zagreb, franked with 3 kn definitive, stamped with cachets of three different Partisan units. The stationery was written by the owner of a sawmill from Ravna Gora, who informs a business partner in Zagreb that he cannot realise the order because "the entire area is occupied by partisans and my warehouse is blocked". The stationery did not reach the recipient in Zagreb, as the Ustasha regime would never allow such propaganda.

Printed version of the Manual

It’s been a long time since my last post. I have been busy with some other stuff lately. However, I managed to prepare material for the printing house, so a printed version of the manual is expected to be available by the end of January.

So far, almost a hundred collectors have received a free digital copy! I would like to thank you for your great feedback and donations. This is undoubtedly an inspiration for further work in this area.

The Philatelic Manual

Local Issues of Independent State of Croatia

Međimurje • Banja Luka • Šibenik I & II • Dalmatia

Aleš Marinšek
2020