1913 German Stamp Collectors Dealer Advertising Cover Berlin Deutsches Reich

Original vintage German stamp dealer advertising cover from M. Kurt Maier, Berlin W.8, Friedrichstraße 187/88, publisher of “Der deutsche Philatelist.”

This is an especially interesting piece of early German philatelic and stamp-collecting history because the entire reverse is devoted to an advertisement for large ready-made stamp collections.

The front prominently advertises:

“Der deutsche Philatelist”
Verlag M. Kurt Maier, Berlin W.8
Friedrichstraße 187/88

It is marked “Drucksache” (printed matter) and “Privat” and was mailed to a recipient in Thüringen. A Deutsches Reich postage stamp remains attached with a circular postal cancellation.

Reverse Stamp Dealer Advertisement

The reverse is headed:

“Briefmarken-Sammlungen”
Translation: “Postage Stamp Collections.”

M. Kurt Maier offered enormous collections ranging from 1,000 to 12,000 different stamps, with the following advertised prices:

1,000 stamps – Mk. 9.50
2,000 – Mk. 35
3,000 – Mk. 90
4,000 – Mk. 160
5,000 – Mk. 300
6,000 – Mk. 450
7,000 – Mk. 650
8,000 – Mk. 900
9,000 – Mk. 1,400
10,000 – Mk. 1,800
11,000 – Mk. 2,600
12,000 – Mk. 3,500

The advertisement explains that the collections were cleanly arranged by country in approval booklets so they could easily be transferred into albums. It specifically states that cut-square postal stationery, revenue/fiscal stamps, telegraph stamps, etc. were completely excluded.

It also offered experienced collectors the ability to order larger packets to select missing stamps and return the remainder. Installment payments under special terms were also available.

This is a fantastic piece of early stamp collecting history, showing how a professional Berlin philatelic dealer marketed massive worldwide stamp collections to German collectors. The large illustrated advertisement makes it much more interesting than an ordinary commercial cover.

Condition: Original used condition with age toning, folds/creases, edge and corner wear, small tears and general handling wear. There is an old paper reinforcement/repair along the lower portion of the reverse. The large stamp-collection advertisement remains very clear and readable. Please see all photographs for exact condition.

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YB8 series