Narvik Label

MikeC99
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Narvik Label Feb 21, 2014 18:53:56 GMT -5

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Post by MikeC99 on Feb 21, 2014 18:53:56 GMT -5

I just won a lot of WW2 German stamps online a few days ago and included in the lot is a label which I would like to learn something about. The label commemorates the Battle of Narvik which took place in Norway early in WW2. I found where one sold on ebay for 10 pounds but I can't seem to find much detail about the label. If anyone can help, I would appreciate some details about it.

Mike

Last Edit: Jul 7, 2017 2:53:08 GMT -5 by MikeC99

Collecting Canada, US, UK, Ireland, Germany, France & Austria. Also collecting some classic era stamps of some British Commonwealth Island countries and topicals like WW2, Capt. Cook, Horatio Nelson.

khj
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Narvik Label Feb 22, 2014 1:19:11 GMT -5

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Post by khj on Feb 22, 2014 1:19:11 GMT -5

Wow, I don't see this one often! Although it may not be particularly valuable and I'm not a big fan of Nazi-related material, this one's a keeper because there's a story behind it.

My memory is a little fuzzy on the details, but basically it is a fake propaganda stamp -- produced by a German stamp dealer and sold as an Allied propaganda stamp. I'll see if I can find the info when I get home.

I do know there are 2 varieties of this cinderella: watermarked and unwatermarked. There are also differences in the print, but without both to compare side by side, the swastika watermark is the best way to differentiate.

Nice! I'll post again later from home.

bth_big-drooling-smiley-emoticon_zpsfece1b23

bth_big-drooling-smiley-emoticon_zpsfece1b23

k

khj
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Narvik Label Feb 22, 2014 15:09:57 GMT -5 Gordon Lee likes this

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Post by khj on Feb 22, 2014 15:09:57 GMT -5

The Narvik cinderella shows the Narvik Shield. It supposedly commemorated the WWII Battle of Narvik in and around the Norwegian city of Narvik during Apr 9 to Jun 8, 1940.

When it first appeared in the late 1950s, it was promoted as a propaganda phantasy produced by the US against the Nazis. However that did not make sense, since the stamp is adorned with German emblems, shows the Narvik Shield (awarded by Hitler to the combatants), and it was not really a victory by the Allies since they later abandoned the city. Furthermore, the US did not even participate in the battle since they did not enter the war until December of 1941! Nevertheless, it was promoted and sold at a relatively high premium. An alternative explanation to explain away the problems was that it was a German propaganda phantasy -- that made more sense.

The mystery was partially solved in 1959 when a dealer was convicted in Berlin of fraud for selling the cinderellas. It was revealed that he produced the cinderellas. Therefore, these cinderellas are considered to be fake phantasies -- they are not forgeries, but were produced for the intent to defraud collectors.

As mentioned in my previous post, there are 2 known printings of this cinderella: 1) on paper watermarked with swastikas, stamp printed in medium blue color, "19" is easily readable; and 1) on unwatermarked paper, stamp printed in dark blue color, "19" is nearly illegible.

The cinderellas on watermarked paper is believed to have been made by printing on the large margins of the 1937 souvenir sheet commemorating Hitler's 48th birthday (Scott Germany B102, 5Apr1937).

I don't know the actual retail value of your cinderella, but it's a great philatelic conversation piece!

For more information about this and other propaganda phantasies, check out the webpage Propaganda and Espionage Philately.

Mike, could I trouble you to email me a high resolution scan of the stamp for my files? Thank you in advance!

631737971

k

Last Edit: Feb 22, 2014 15:31:19 GMT -5 by khj

MikeC99 Stamp Bears Posting Dedicated Guru Stamp Bears Supporter Posts: 6,856 Location (Country): Regina, Sask., Canada	Narvik Label Feb 22, 2014 19:21:17 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by MikeC99 on Feb 22, 2014 19:21:17 GMT -5 khj, thanks for the great info on this Cinderella and the link. The cinderella I posted was from the seller so I have to wait about a week for it to be mailed to me. Once I get it I will send you a clearer, high resolution image. Mike
	Collecting Canada, US, UK, Ireland, Germany, France & Austria. Also collecting some classic era stamps of some British Commonwealth Island countries and topicals like WW2, Capt. Cook, Horatio Nelson.

khj Administrator Stamp Bears Supporter Posts: 9,892 Location (Country): USA	Narvik Label Feb 22, 2014 22:54:06 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by khj on Feb 22, 2014 22:54:06 GMT -5 Thank you, Mike! No rush. My unsorted pics are as numerous as my unsorted stamps!

MikeC99 Stamp Bears Posting Dedicated Guru Stamp Bears Supporter Posts: 6,856 Location (Country): Regina, Sask., Canada	Narvik Label Mar 3, 2014 14:10:35 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by MikeC99 on Mar 3, 2014 14:10:35 GMT -5 I just got in the mail today the Germany lot I won a little over a week ago. Here is a better image of the MNH Narvik Cinderella:
	Last Edit: Jul 7, 2017 2:56:06 GMT -5 by MikeC99 Collecting Canada, US, UK, Ireland, Germany, France & Austria. Also collecting some classic era stamps of some British Commonwealth Island countries and topicals like WW2, Capt. Cook, Horatio Nelson.

khj Administrator Stamp Bears Supporter Posts: 9,892 Location (Country): USA	Narvik Label Mar 4, 2014 17:55:12 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by khj on Mar 4, 2014 17:55:12 GMT -5 Thanks, Mike! That image is more than sufficient. It looks like the unwatermarked variety -- can you confirm? Thank you in advance! k

MikeC99 Stamp Bears Posting Dedicated Guru Stamp Bears Supporter Posts: 6,856 Location (Country): Regina, Sask., Canada	Narvik Label Mar 4, 2014 18:20:41 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by MikeC99 on Mar 4, 2014 18:20:41 GMT -5 khj, I don't see a watermark on the Cinderella. Mike
	Collecting Canada, US, UK, Ireland, Germany, France & Austria. Also collecting some classic era stamps of some British Commonwealth Island countries and topicals like WW2, Capt. Cook, Horatio Nelson.

khj Administrator Stamp Bears Supporter Posts: 9,892 Location (Country): USA	Narvik Label Mar 4, 2014 19:28:45 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by khj on Mar 4, 2014 19:28:45 GMT -5 Thanks, Mike!

Post by MikeC99 on Feb 21, 2014 18:53:56 GMT -5

Post by khj on Feb 22, 2014 1:19:11 GMT -5

Post by khj on Feb 22, 2014 15:09:57 GMT -5

Post by MikeC99 on Feb 22, 2014 19:21:17 GMT -5

Post by khj on Feb 22, 2014 22:54:06 GMT -5

Post by MikeC99 on Mar 3, 2014 14:10:35 GMT -5

Post by khj on Mar 4, 2014 17:55:12 GMT -5

Post by MikeC99 on Mar 4, 2014 18:20:41 GMT -5

Post by khj on Mar 4, 2014 19:28:45 GMT -5

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