Frame & Center Types of the German Colonies Mark Issues

Karolinen MiNr. 19

The Frame & Center Types

The larger-value Colonial issues were printed in two parts, the frame and the center.  Across the colonies, there were three different frame designs and three different center designs.   Below is a brief overview of the types.

Type I Frame
Type I Center
Type II Frame
Type II Center
Type III Frame
Type III Center

The Type II frames and centers are easily identifiable by the ribbon folds on the top frame, and the corresponding indentations in the center to accommodate the folds.

Type II Frame Folds
Type III Center Indentations

The Type III can be difficult to distinguish from the Type I.  The difference is in the size of the value areas of the frame – slightly larger on the Type III – and the corresponding indentation in the Type III center to accommodate the larger frame.

Type III Overlaid Over Type I
Note the larger Type III value area (overlaid in red)
Type III Overlaid Over Type I
Note the smaller indentation in the Type I center (overlaid in red)

Demos using scans of actual stamps

Type I or III Frame Top with Type II (top) or Type I/III centers (bottom)
Note white space in the Type II center where folds would be on Type II frame
Type I / Type III Comparison
Note distances between bow/stern and edge of the red printing

Across the Colonies

As a general rule, certain colonies used certain standard types. However, due to errors at the printers, several varieties exist with mixed types (example, Type I frame with Type II center).
Colony
Standard Design

Exceptions

Deutsch-Neuguinea
Type I

MiNr. 23 II A II (Frame Type I, Center Type II)
MiNr. 23 II B I (Frame Type I, Center Type II)
MiNr. 23 II B II (Frame Type I, Center Type III)

Deutsch-Ostafrika
Type III

MiNr. 21 PF I (Frame Type III, Center Type I)
MiNr. 39 II A II a (Frame Type III, Center Type II)
MiNr. 39 II A II b (Frame Type III, Center Type II)
MiNr. 39 II B II (Frame Type III, Center Type II)

Deutsch-Südwestafrika
Type I

MiNr. 32 B (Frame Type I, Center Type II)

Kamerun
Type II

None

Karolinen
None

MiNr. 16 (Frame Type II, Center Type I)
MiNr. 17 (Frame Type II, Center Type I)
MiNr. 18 (Frame Type II, Center Type I)
MiNr. 19 (Frame Type II, Center Type II)
MiNr. 22 I A (Frame Type II, Center Type II)
MiNr. 22 II A (Frame Type II, Center Type II)
MiNr. 22 II B (Frame Type II, Center Type II)

Kiautschou
Type II

MiNr. 17 (Frame Type II, Center Type I)

Marianen
Type II

None

Marshall-Inseln
Type I

MiNr. 27 A I (Frame Type I, Center Type II)
MiNr. 27 B I (Frame Type I, Center Type II)

Samoa
Type II

None

Togo
Type II

None