Bayern Post of Peacetime Printings of King Ludwig III

BAYERN POST issued in 1914 a series of stamps dedicated to the Prince Regent Ludwig of Bavaria, son of former Prince Regent Luitpold, who deposed the ailing  King Otto I of Bavaria in November 1913 and declared himself King Ludwig III.

In March of 1914 this series of definitive postage stamps featured a  portrait of King Ludwig III ( the last king of Bavaria). The Pfennig denominations were all perforated 14 x 14 1/2, and the Mark denominations were all perforated 11 1/2. All the stamps were printed on paper with the horizontal wavy lines close together watermark.

The first issues of the Ludwig III definitive stamps were called the  Peacetime Printings. This first printing included sixteen stamps, ranging from the 3 Pf. denomination through the 20 Mk. denomination   Most of the Pfennig denominations of the Peacetime Printings are shown here

The colours on these Peacetime Printings are bright and the impressions are clear. They were produced and used from the end of March 1914 through the end of 1915, though remaining stocks of them were probably used beyond that date. The Scott Classic Catalog suggests collecting these 'used', with cancellations dated before the end of December 1915, which is a good idea, as the Mark denominations of the Peacetime Printings, in 'used' condition, are very expensive.

Shown here are cancellation postmarks originating from Munich, dated 1 April 1914, although the registered sticker states March. So, these would have been amongst the earliest stamps released.