Heligoland

under constructionp Heligoland, or Helgoland, is an island in the Baltic Sea off Germany.

Heligoland became a British possession in 1807. 
 * Its first stamps were issued in 1867-68 with a design of Queen Victoria. The issue is rouletted.
 * In 1869-73, values were issued perf 13x14½.
 * In 1875-90, values in German currency (pfennig and mark) were issued including ones in new designs.
 * In 1890, Heligoland became part of Germany.



Heligoland stamps are notorious for having several different types of reprints. Even postal stationery cut squares can be reprints. Reprints far outnumber the genuine stamps. Plus there are forged cancels on both originals and reprints. For those frugal folks insisting on genuine stamps only, there are genuine stamps with small faults available. Dealers, please note that if 10% of the stamp is missing, the stamp is not worth 90% of catalog value.

References to use
The First Issues Collectors Club page on Heligoland] Heligoland: A Key to the Identification of Originals & Reprints, by Robert T. Pollard. This was once also online.

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