Apsit
Latvia
map
stamps
Latvian Philately - Apsit
Map varieties and errors
Stamps printed on a finished map
The maps used for printing were unfinished, with unprinted backs, with one exception. One stamp sheet was printed on the back of a map that was not unprinted - so a few stamps were printed on top of the black text on an already-printed back.
A finished German military map folded into sixths, showing the region, RUSSLAND, and scale, 1: 100 000. Its folded size is 14cm wide and 18.1cm long.
Two adjoining blocks of 4, type IIa, map S18 Illukßt, printed on top of the text RUSSLAND / 1:100 000.
The same area on a folded 1917 German military map of S18 Illukßt, type Ib. The type IIa map shown above with stamps is probably from an edition earlier than this one. Types IIa and Ib are very distinct from one another, and both editions of Map S18 were used to print stamps. [If you have seen a a copy of S18 Illukßt with a type IIa map or with type Ia stamps, please report it.]
If you have an example of an S18 type IIa map or type Ia stamps, please contact the email address at the bottom of this page. Further information is most welcome.
The bottom right corner of the finished military map S18 Illukßt shown immediately above; folded size 13.1cm wide and 17.8cm long. Printed stamps on this map name may exist.
Set-offs [offsets, German Abklatsch]In wartime printing conditions, and haste to deliver the first stamps to the new government of Latvia as soon as possible, the printer sometimes placed a printed sheet of map stamps on top of one that wasn't quite dry. As a result, red ink from the still-wet stamps on the sheet beneath transferred to the bottom of the sheet on top. Thus the bottom of the sheet on top, which was a map, showed red print. This set-off is often called an offset or Abklatsch. Faint or light set-offs are common; heavy set-offs are more unusual.
Heavy set-off, block of 4, map N14 Schlok. This set-off includes the plate number II and appears to be set-off from a sheet of the same map.
Medium set-off, block of 4, unidentified map.
Light set-off, block of 4 and adjacent single, O17 Linków.
Updated Thu, 2002-08-15 .
Copyright ©2000, 2001, 2002, Bill Apsit.
