Identification of Types

The early German postcards had identification marks, that could be used to determine the date or printing. This was achieved by omitting a combination of dots (set in five-dot intervals) in the address line. Each gap corresponds with a month, whereby the gap on the first line indicates the month of printing. With multiple gaps a printing history from that plate can be reconstructed. The 10 Pfennig and other (later) cards had printed numbers at the right hand bottom which provide for the month and date of printing. These are set out in the description of each of the cards. In addition, we need to distinguish between various frame types. Several cards were produced in various editions, which has led to the use of different paper types among Eagles and Yacht series issues. In addition, in the 1970s reprints were made of both Eagles and Yacht series issues.

Types of Cards

Like the corresponding stamps, the postal Stationery can be grouped into Vorläufer, Eagle Issues (both Marschall-Inseln and Marshall-Inseln), Yacht Issues and Britisch Occupation Overprints. In addition there are privately produced, but Imperial Post endorsed, franked Picture Cards. Purely privately produced, unfranked picture view cards have also been collated where accessible.

 
Vorläufer (Eagles old series 1886)

The first issued postcards exist as standard post cards in deminations of 5 Pfennig (VP3); 10 Pfennig (VP1 and VP5) ; as well as reply cards of 5 + 5 Pfennig (VP4); and 10+ 10 Pfennig (VP2). In addition, postal Stationery used comprises of preprinted covers (VC 1) and newspaper wrappers (VW 1)

 
Details on Cards VP 1; VP 2; VP 3; VP 4; VP 5.;

 
Details on other Stationery Cover VC 1; Wrapper VW 1;

 
Vorläufer (Eagles new series 1889/1891)

Like the previous issue, postcards exist as standard post cards in deminations of 5 Pfennig (VP9); 10 Pfennig (VP6 and VP7) ; as well as reply cards of 5 + 5 Pfennig (VP10); and 10+ 10 Pfennig (VP11). In addition, postal Stationery used comprises of preprinted covers (VC 2) and newspaper wrappers (VW 2)

 
Details on Cards VP6; VP 7; VP 8; VP 9; VP 10.; VP 11.;

 
Details on other Stationery Cover VC 2; Wrapper VW 2;

 
Eagle Issues (Marschall-Inseln)

The specific Marshall Islands first issue postcards exist as standard post cards in deminations of 5 Pfennig (P1); 10 Pfennig (P2); as well as reply cards of 5 + 5 Pfennig (P3); and 10+ 10 Pfennig (P4);

 
Details on Cards P 1; P 2; P 3; P 4;

 
Eagle Issues (Marshall-Inseln)

The specific Marshall Islands second issue postcards exist as standard post cards in deminations of 5 Pfennig (P5, P9); 10 Pfennig (P6); as well as reply cards of 5 + 5 Pfennig (P7); and 10+ 10 Pfennig (P8);

 
Details on Cards P 5.; P 6.; P 7.; P 8.; P 9.;

 
Yacht Issues

Just as the stamps issues were changed with the issue of the 'Hohenzollern' Yacht series so was the postal stationery. These were produced in new editions even after the colonies had been lost during World War I. They exist as standard post cards in deminations of 5 Pfennig (P11 P15, P19); 10 Pfennig (P12, P16); as well as reply cards of 5 + 5 Pfennig (P13, P17); and 10+ 10 Pfennig (P14, P18);

 
Details on Cards P 11; P 12; P 13; P 14; P 15; P 16; P 17; P 18

P 12 Proof; P 14 Proof; P 11 Specimen; P 13 Specimen; P 12 Proof Specimen; P 14 Proof Specimen;

 
Picture Cards

 
Details on Cards PP 1; PP 2;

 
Photographic View Cards

These are not postal Stationery in the true sense, even though some of them carry a "Deutsche Reichspost" address print on the verso side.

 
Britisch Occupation Overprints

 
Details on Cards GRI P 1; GRI P 2;