Denmark
Definitives - Wavy Line and National Arms

The Swedish FACIT catalogue - but not the Danish AFA catalogue - lists a number of stamps where Slania engraved the numerals only on the later engraved "Wavy Line".  Such stamps are printed from a "key" die, which included everything but the numeral, and the numeral die, which is combined in the process of siderography with the key die.  Slania has denied these as his, possibly because he did only the numerals, or because he considers them more utilitarian than art.  They are listed here for the convenience of Slania-collectors. 

The US Bureau of Printing and Engraving describes siderography as the means by which multiple images of the hand-engraved die are transferred to a printing plate.  The original dies are stored and transferred to a printing plate, and if necessary may be used again and again.  For example the Lincoln portrait on the five dollar note was originally engraved in 1869, but can still be used today in the production of a five dollar note.

Many of these stamps were issued over a period of years, and were printed on both fluorescent and ordinary paper and with shiny and dull or "invisible" gum.   These stamps are part of a still expanding series that was begun in 1933, and includes up to now 60 different issues, including varieties.  They are all valid for postage.  

Scott # 382 AFA # 413

Scott # 416 AFA # 430

Scott # 437v AFA # 459

Scott # 437A AFA # 514

• Denmark 1963.  15 øre, green.  Also printed on fluorescent paper, both with shiny gum.

• Denmark 1965.  25 øre, light green.  Also printed on fluorescent paper, both with shiny gum.

• Denmark 1967.  30 øre, blue-green.  Only printed on fluorescent paper, with shiny gum.

• Denmark 1971.  40 øre, orange.  Only printed on fluorescent paper, with shiny gum.

Scott # 497 AFA # 527

Scott # 493 AFA # 557

Scott # 494 AFA # 571

• Denmark 1972.  70 øre, red.  Also printed on fluorescent paper, both with invisible gum.

• Denmark 1974 and 1977.  20 øre, dark blue.  Two different issues, both on fluor paper.  The one with shiny gum appeared in 1974, and was sold in singles from sheets of 50; the other one with invisible gum was issued in 1977 and first appeared as a se-tenant booklet stamp.  

• Denmark 1974 and 1977.  50 øre, brown.  Two different issues, both on fluor paper.  The one with shiny gum appeared in 1974, and was sold in singles from sheets of 50; the other one with invisible gum was issued in 1977 and first appeared as a se-tenant booklet stamp.

Scott # 498v AFA # 644

Scott # 688 AFA # 741

Scott # 689 AFA # 742

Scott # 883 AFA # 952

• Denmark 1977.  70 øre, light green.  Printed on fluor paper with shiny gum.

• Denmark 1981 and 1989.  30 øre, dark orange.  Two different issues, both on fluor paper.  The one with shiny gum appeared in 1981, and was sold in singles from sheets of 50; the other one with invisible gum was issued in 1989 and first appeared as a se-tenant booklet stamp. 

• Denmark 1981 and 1989.  40 øre, violet.  Two different issues, both on fluor paper.  The one with shiny gum appeared in 1981, and was sold in singles from sheets of 50; the other one with invisible gum was issued in 1989 and first appeared as a se-tenant booklet stamp. 

• Denmark 1990.  25 øre, dark blue.  Two different issues, both on fluor paper with invisible gum.  The first one with appeared on 11th January 1990 and was sold in singles from sheets of 50; the other one first appeared on 15th February 1990 as a se-tenant booklet stamp.  

Gravure:  Oppenheuser, numerals by Slania.  
Source:  Mr. Erik Jensen, Curator of Danish Postal Museum in Copenhagen. 

Similar to the Wavy Lines issues mentioned above, the numerals on the Small National Arms set were produced separately and combined with the key die.  The numerals on the following stamps have been confirmed with the Danish Post Office as having been engraved by Czeslaw Slania.  Like the above, many of these stamps were issued over a period of years, and were printed on both fluorescent and ordinary paper and with shiny and dull (invisible) gum.  Stamps of the same value were printed in different colours from the same die.  

These stamps are part of a large series, begun in 1946 and includes up to now 57 different issues, including varieties.  The first stamp in the series, issued 1946, had the face value of 1,00 kr.  The highest value of the series was issued 1985, and has the face value of 50,00 kr.

All stamps shown here, except from Scott # 396 that is printed on ordinary paper, are issued on fluorescent paper. 

Scott # 396 AFA # 403

Scott # 443 AFA # 465

Scott # 441A AFA # 515

Scott # 499 AFA # 528

• Denmark 1962.  1,20 kr., grey.  Printed on ordinary paper with shiny gum.

• Denmark 1967.  2,80 kr., grey.

• Denmark 1971.  1,20 kr., blue-green.

• Denmark 1972.  2,50 kr., dark orange.

Scott # 501 AFA # 529

Scott # 502 AFA # 530

Scott #500 AFA # 587

Scott # 643 AFA # 680

Scott # 645 AFA # 758

• Denmark 1972.  3,50 kr., violet.

• Denmark 1972.  4,50 kr., olive-brown.

• Denmark 1975.  2,80 kr., olive-brown.

• Denmark 1979.  2,80 kr., green-blue.

• Denmark 1982.  3,50 kr., blue-green.  Printed on fluorescent paper with invisible gum. 

I have been notified by the curator of the Danish Postal Museum in Copenhagen, Mr. Erik Jensen, that the following stamps should be added to the listing of Small National Arms, of which Slania has engraved the numerals, but not the stamps as such.  These stamps were added on 5th February 2005.  Note that the stamps as such are engraved by Oppenheuser.  

Scott # 397 AFA # 404

Scott # 399 AFA # 405

Scott # 395 AFA # 436

• Denmark 1962.  1,25 kr., orange.  Printed on ordinary paper only.

• Denmark 1962.  1,50 kr., red violet.  Printed on both ordinary and fluorescent paper. 

• Denmark 1965.  1,10 kr., deep violet.  Printed on ordinary paper only.

Scott # 398 AFA # 437

Scott # 442 AFA # 464

Scott # 444B AFA # 501

Scott # 444D AFA # 502

• Denmark 1965.  1,30 kr., green black.  Printed on ordinary paper only. 

• Denmark 1967.  2,20 kr., orange.  Printed on fluorescent paper only. 

• Denmark 1970.  3,10 kr., violet.  Printed on fluorescent paper only.

• Denmark 1970.  4,10 kr., olive brown.  Printed on fluorescent paper only. 

Gravure:  Oppenheuser, numerals by Slania.  
Source:  Mr. Erik Jensen, Curator of Danish Postal Museum.