Brustschild and 19th century
The Brustschild and 19th century category covers the earliest postage stamps of the German Empire issued after German unification in 1871. These stamps feature heraldic designs with the imperial eagle and shield, high printing quality, and numerous types, perforations, and color variations. This is a core area of classic German philately.
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Brustschild stamps represent the first definitive issues of the German Empire and form the foundation of classic German philately.
Historical background
After the unification of Germany in 1871, standardized postage stamps were introduced featuring the imperial eagle and shield motif, commonly known as Brustschild issues.
Collector highlights
- multiple denominations and color shades
- different perforation types
- plate varieties and printing differences
- mint and used examples
Brustschild stamps are essential for collectors interested in 19th-century European postal history and classic stamp design.