Old Germany private post Halle 1893 express city delivery stamp

Privatstadtbriefbeförderung / private city-post issues of Halle a/S (Halle an der Saale), Germany, around 1893, especially the “Courier / Stadtbriefbeförderung / Express” stamps.

These are private city delivery issues. At that time (late 19th century), before full state monopoly, many German cities allowed local private posts for intra-city letters (“Stadtbriefbeförderung”) or express letters. Halle had its own such service.

The stamps are inscribed “COURIER BRIEFBEFORDERUNG HALLE A/S” (or similar variants). “A/S” stands for An der Saale. Sometimes also “Privatstadtbriefbeförderung”.

In 1893 there was an issue with inscription “COURIER BRIEFBEFORDERUNG HALLE A/S”.

There are different types (“broad” vs “small” figures) for some values. E.g. 2 p green (2 types: “2” broad or small)

Cancellations: a typical cancellation is “HALLE S. EXPRESS” in a single circle with the date in the centre.