In the 1980s, when I was compiling my book UPU Specimen Stamps (published 1988) I decided not to extend the subject to include postal stationery. The principal reason for this decision was that I wanted every item listed to be confirmed by two criteria as having been distributed by the UPU.
Firstly, examples of the stamp should be found in several collections known to have been formed from UPU distributions and not subsequently adulterated by additions from other sources. In the case of stamps this presented little difficulty as there were several suitable collections available for examination. However, none of these included any postal stationery.
Secondly, in nearly all cases I was able to find the stamp recorded and adequately described in the International Bureau Circular that covered the distribution. In the case of postal stationery the items were frequently described in insufficient detail for the individual items to be identified with certainty. An extreme example is the 1886 distribution of United States of America envelopes which are described as “46 stamped envelopes which differ in their value and format.”
Over the past twenty years I have received numerous requests to compile a listing of postal stationery of the world that was distributed by the UPU with some form of protection (overprinting, handstamping, perforating, etc.) with the word Specimen (or the equivalent such as Muestra, Muster, etc.).
Whilst I am certain that this present effort will contain many omissions, errors and items which should have been excluded, there is no sign that this work will be undertaken by another in the foreseeable future.
All countries and stamp issuing territories that distributed specimen postal stationery will in due course have a full listing in the catalogue. Countries that issued specimen postage stamps but no specimen postal stationery will have an abbreviated entry as will selected other countries.
Much of what is contained in the initial sections of UPU Specimen Stamps, together with the Addendum thereto on my web site, regarding the Universal Postal Union, specimen stamps in general, the distribution of specimens and the receipt thereof by members of the UPU, applies equally well to postal stationery.
There are an estimated 130 to 140 countries and postal territories that distributed some form of specimen postal stationery. Most of these are the former colonies of the European powers, predominantly of Great Britain, but also of Germany, The Netherlands, Spain and Belgium.
Since my knowledge of postal stationery is far from world-wide I have sought and continue to seek the help of collectors to compile the information for their specialities. The List of Countries shows where specialist help is still principally needed. However, every collector of the postal stationery of any country should be able to contribute by reading what has so far been recorded and by advising details of corrections and additions, and asking general and specific questions. Please write to me at the email address below. Some entries in the lists are preceded by “???” to indicate that assistance will be particularly welcomed.
The response from collectors and professional philatelists to assist in this project has been almost overwhelming and I would like to thank the following for their contributions to date: David Beech, John Bell, Alan Berry, Roger Bower, Brian Cartwright, John DiBiase, John Dickson, David Druett, Alan Drysdall, Florian Eichhorn, Lars Engelbrecht, Charles Freeland, Alan Green, Keith Hanman, Stefan Heijtz, Eric Holmes, Peter Hørlyck, Alan Huggins, Alex Ioannides, George Krieger, Philip Levine, Ian Matheson, Wayne Menuz, Emil Minaar, Andrew Norris, Brian Pope, John Ray, Peter Rolfe, Mehrdad Sadri, Paul Skinner, Dingle Smith, Mike Smith, Ronald Strawser, Peter Thy, Greg Todd, Ross Towle, Brian Trotter, Peter van der Molen, Hadrian Wood and Eric Yendall.
It is very possible that this project will not in the foreseeable future, or ever, be published as a printed book. So that all will not in due course be lost I am arranging for the relevant part of my web site to be archived by the British Library and the American Philatelic Research Library. It may be that some collector or philatelic society will come forward and volunteer to maintain the contents when I am no longer able to do so.
This is an ongoing project. Additions to the information on this site are made almost daily. If you would like to be kept informed regarding progress please contact me by and add www.jamesbendon.com to your list of favourites.
James Bendon
P O Box 56484 • 3307 • Limassol
• Cyprus
email:
Skype: James Bendon
April 2009
List of countries Classification of specimen types