SHS – Slovenia postage stamps year 1919-20 MNH collection

SHS – Slovenia year 1919-20 Newspaper stamps Ljubljana and Vienna issue MH sets

• After WWI, the Austro-Hungarian Empire collapsed, and Slovenia became part of the newly formed State of Slovenes, Croats, and Serbs (SHS).
• The postal administration overprinted or issued new designs for regular, postage due, and newspaper stamps.
• Newspaper stamps were for reduced-rate periodical postage.
• Two distinct printings exist:
  • Ljubljana issue — printed locally in 1919.
  • Vienna issue — printed in Austria in 1920 (often cleaner printing, slightly different paper and gum).

🏷 Issues Overview

1919 Ljubljana Issue

• Design: Coat of arms with “Država SHS” (State of SHS) inscription.
• Values:
  • 2 heller — green
  • 4 heller — red
  • 6 heller — orange
• Printing: Cruder impression, coarser lines, generally rougher perforations.
• Paper: Often grayish or rougher texture.
• Catalogue reference: Michel Newspaper Stamps P1–P3 (Ljubljana).

1920 Vienna Issue

• Design: Same as Ljubljana, but cleaner and sharper print.
• Values:
  • 2 h — green
  • 4 h — red
  • 6 h — orange
• Printing: Fine, clear engraving/typography, better inking.
• Paper: Whiter, smoother.
• Catalogue reference: Michel Newspaper Stamps P4–P6 (Vienna).

🔍 How to tell them apart

1. Print quality — Vienna = sharper, Ljubljana = more blurred.
2. Paper — Vienna = white smooth, Ljubljana = grayish coarse.
3. Gum — Vienna = even and yellowish, Ljubljana = patchy or matte.
4. Color tone — sometimes Vienna shades are slightly lighter/cleaner.

💡 Collector notes

• Value: Common stamps in used condition are inexpensive, but MNH sets, especially Ljubljana printings in perfect condition, are scarcer.
• Specialized collecting: Many specialists collect shade varieties and plate flaws.
• Postal history: Newspaper wrappers or covers with these stamps are much more valuable than loose stamps.