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 II Frame
Type III Frame
Type I Center
Type II Center
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 II 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
Top of a Type I/Type III frame
Compare Type I/Type III center with Type II center
Type I & Type III frames
Note distances between bow/stern and edge of the 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