WW2 Occupation Parcel Cards from Gœbelsmühle

Parcel cards (Post-Paketkarte) used in Luxembourg during the WW2 German occupation provide a fertile field for specialization and research.  Sadly, little has been written about these cards, inviting their study by collectors who are bored by the many philatelic creations that pass for the country's WW2 postal history.

If you collect these parcel cards, you'll quickly appreciate their postal history significance as they exhibit unusual rates, special auxiliary labels, unusual occupation frankings, COD and money letter services, the Germanized occupation cancels and much more. 

 Gœbelsmühle--Two Types

 

Consider for example picturesque Gœbelsmühle in the Bourscheid commune--today with a population of just 17 and a beautiful old railway station on the CFL line.  Yet its postal history dates back at least to 1905, when the village was issued a double-circle cancel.

Pre-Occupation Parcel Card Used
During the German Occupation

WW2 Handstamp
Gobelsmuhle in Gothic Letters
with Manuscript date
14 March 1941

Gobelsmuhle to Kuntzig
10 kg Zone 1 ~65 km = 65 Rpf.
Kuntzig [bs], 14 March 1941

Hindenburg Médallion franking
overprinted 'Luxemburg'

Hindenburg franking valid 
until 12/31/41

Göbelsmühle Reich Parcel Card
Overprinted for Bettborn (Moselland) Use

Bettborn to Esch-Alzig

22 March 1943

5.5 kg Zone 1 = 35 Rpf

Delivery fee = 15 Rpf

5 Rpf overrated
Delivery fee refunded [red b/s]

Reich Hitler-head Franking

Valid beginning 1 August 1941

The reference for German parcel cards generally during this period is:

Paul-Jürgen Hueske, Der Paketdienst im Deutschen Reich 1933-1945 (Infla Bücherei 47, 2001).

Goebelsmühle
Kraus No. 73

 

New publication! Entiers Postaux Illustrés Mondorf-les-Bains 1927-1930 by Jean-François Montagne

 

Luxembourg postal history scholarship is greatly enriched by Jean-François Montagne's splendid study of Luxembourg's first postal viewcards -- the beautiful artistic series of Mondorf-les-Bains views that appeared between 1927 and 1930

Scope:  This detailed, profusely illustrated 180-page tome encompasses the precursors, essays, issued cards including the surcharges, varieties and uses.

Montagne's innovative technical analysis of the cards:  Through systematic observation and measurement, Montagne reveals all of the secrets these cards contain.  His technically precise research findings are nicely summarized in many reader-friendly charts and diagrams. 

Even if you are an advanced collector, you will gain a wealth of knowledge from Montagne's impressive study, surely adding immensely to your enjoyment of these cards. 

He shares with us this précis of his work:

"Ces trois séries de neuf cartes, six en incluant les trois séries surchargées en 1927 et 1930, sont ici étudiées sous un nouvel angle et sont passées à la loupe.

Quelques découvertes ont donné certaines pistes, et cela a permis de découvrir les secrets de fabrication de ces séries et de démontrer que, contrairement à ce qui était admis jusqu’à présent, la feuille d’impression comportait plus de neuf clichés.

A la lecture de cette étude d’environ 180 pages, vous découvrirez le cheminement ayant permis la découverte de la composition de la feuille d’impression. l'ensemble des différents états des trois séries est détaillés. Les essais sont aussi détaillés."

Contact the author for details to obtain your copy!

montagne.jf@outlook.fr

A Couple Sample Pages

Page 25

 Page 107