The Perfins of Bosnia
The Study Group is requesting additional information from any and all collectors, regarding this subject, so as to improve the contents of the study project.
The perfins of Bosnia have existed
since the earliest Bosnia issue and most collectors have examples in their
collections.
However
The literature and research, regarding these interesting items, is contradictory and incomplete.
The Bosnia Study Group has reviewed the existing literature and the existing research on this issue and has tried to resolve the many contradictions and ambiguities that still exist; even after 100 years of study.
The results of the perfin study are presented in
three categories.
CHART 1, shown below, contains those perfins that
are fully accepted as being Bosnia perfins.
CHART 2 contains those perfins that may
be Bosnia perfins but that lack sufficient information to be fully accepted.
An APPENDIX containing perfins that exist on Bosnia stamps, but that are judged not to be true Bosnia perfins.
The perfin charts,
that we have prepared, are still incomplete at present. We need the following
additional data:
1.
There are different spelling versions of the company name, for several of the
perfins shown in the charts. These alternate spellings are denoted by
underlined italics, followed by a question mark. Anyone who has a definitive
knowledge of the correct spelling should please send me an e-mail so that I can
make the necessary corrections (mailto:bosniastudygroup@verizon.net).
The most authoritative source of the company name would be a perfin on cover,
with the company name clearly indicated. Some of the confusion surrounding
these alternate spellings may be partially due to the fact that some companies
pre-printed envelopes in multiple languages. Different envelopes were used,
based on the language of the destination of the correspondence. Also, as
Stephen Tauber has noted, “Reformed German spelling was introduced in
1890 in Germany. The reforms gradually diffused into usage in other
German-speaking countries. Thus, for example, the postmark for Cassel
became "Kassel", and "Central Postamt" became "Zentral
Postamt" (or just "Zentralpostamt"). It is entirely
possible that, as printed stationery was replenished, "Actien" became
"Aktien" (B.A.G.) and "Central" became "Zentral"
(KB). Thus both spellings might perfectly well have been used by the same
company. The modern spelling for Cellulosefabrik would similarly be
"Zellulosefabrik" (C.D).”
2.
Most of the perfins have numerical entries denoting the Scott catalog #’s of
known examples. This inventory is surely incomplete. Any additional data that
you could provide, via a review of examples in your collection, would be
appreciated. We have used the Scott catalog numbers for this inventory since
this is an English language study: we realize that the Michel catalog contains
more detailed Bosnia listings.
3.
There are two different versions of the perfin HFS, as shown in Chart 1. This
has created some name confusion in the literature, regarding the two companies
that apparently used HFS. The font with two dots in the crossbar of the H is
quite rare and may not exist: does anyone know of a copy?
4.
In an attempt to provide a qualitative measure of rarity, we have used the
following 4 categories in the charts below. We welcome your views on which
category best describes each perfin.
Readily
available
Available
Scarce
Very
rare (in some cases may not currently exist?)
5.
The MT perfin is quite confusing. The literature shows two versions of the perfin
MT. The version with periods definitely exists and is used herein.
Does
this version without periods also exist?
The version without periods is listed in a perfin catalog by Frank
Semmler as being issued by Metallgesellschaft Telluria, Eisenhandel. The
version with periods is listed in the World Perfins Catalog as Moritz Tiller
& Co. however Moritz Tiller is an Austrian firm with headquarters in
Vienna.
6.
Here is an image of an MB perfin that sold on ebay. Is this a Bosnia perfin?
Who is the issuer?
General Research Notes to Accompany the Study:
1.
The references used to collect the information on Bosnia perfins, were:
Katalog der Firmenlochungen in Marken von Bosnien
und Herzegowina, by Frank Semmler, pps 123-126, containing 25 perfin examples.
Two pages, from
the World Perfins Catalog, titled "BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA",
containing 28 perfin examples (labeled A1 through A28).
Two pages, pps
215-216, titled “Austria: Bosnia-Herzegovina 1878-1918”, that were sent to me
by The Perfins Club, containing 23 examples.
An article
written by Gerritt Matthijssen, in German, from OOST EUROPA FILATELIE 8, Dated
3 September 1990, pps 11-18, containing 19 examples.
One page, of
undetermined origin, titled “FIRMEN LOCHUNGEN IN BOSNIEN & HERZEGOVINA”,
containing 17 perfin examples.
2.
The perfin study results are divided into 3 categories:
Chart 1 - Perfins on Bosnia stamps where the
issuer is generally known (even though there still remain open questions).
Chart 2 -
Perfins on Bosnia stamps where the issuer is unknown.
Appendix
- Perfins on Bosnia stamps (and other empire stamps) that are not from Bosnia
issuers.
3. The perfins that are included in the 2
Bosnia charts, Chart1 and Chart 2, consist of 24 perfins. The Perfins Club
reference lists 23 and the World Perfins Catalog lists 28. There is obviously
much ambiguity herein.
4. The following 4 perfins, which are
cited by some sources, were not included in the Bosnia charts: but are
discussed in the Appendix.
They are reportedly listed in a Hungarian perfin catalog by Frank Semmler, but have no accompanying information: (KATALOG DER UNGARISCHEN FIRMEN-UND BEHORDENLOCHUNGEN). These perfins are believed to be Hungarian companies that may have perfinned some Bosnian stamps for use on return envelopes. Austrian perfins on Bosnian stamps also exist, for possibly the same reason.
5. There is
also a 2Kh perfin cited by Semmler that is not included. It is
discussed in the appendix.
6.
The perfin S.R is not included since it is
almost surely a partial perforation, due to its proximity to the edge of the
stamp. It is judged to be a partial strike of the perfin SRG, which is found
on both Hungarian and Austrian stamps. (see appendix)
7. In addition to these items that are cited by Semmler, there are a variety of other perfins that are also not included, although they do appear on Bosnian stamps. Scans of these excluded perfins are located in the appendix.
8. There are variations of the PLB perfin as indicated in the patterns below. Please note that the Sarajevo and the Dolna Tuzla perfins are actually two different perfins from two different perforators. The Dolna Tuzla perfin also has a “pin missing” variety as shown. (analysis courtesy of Vladimir Munzberger)
9. The perfin KB, cited as a Bosnia perfin
by most sources, is judged to be a partial strike of PAKB. It is included in
the Appendix.
10 Two ST perfins are included in the
study: one in chart 1 and the other in chart 2. They may be from the same
company or from two different issuers. Their true origin remains somewhat of a
mystery.
THE PERFINS OF BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA
CHART 1
(KNOWN EXAMPLES WITH ACCOMPANYING ISSUER INFORMATION)
|
|
Adler & Társa Banking Sarajevo 13.5 x 8 mm. # 4, 13, 14 Scarce |
|
|
Eisenindustrie Aktien Gesellschaft Iron Works Zenica 15 x 7.5 mm. # 13,14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 25, 26, 27, 30, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 49, 51, 52, 68, 70, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 81, 91, 106, 108, 110, 111, B2 Readily available |
|
|
Albert Broz Surgical Instruments Sarajevo
15 x 9 mm. #70 Very rare |
|
H. Franck i Sinovi Coffee Trading Sarajevo 16.5 x 11 mm. # 16, 35, 70 Scarce |
|
|
|
Bau Aktien Gesellschaft Construction Sarajevo 17 x 8 mm. # 35, 68, 70 Scarce |
|
Handelgesellschaft Filiale Sarajevo Wholesale Ironware Sarajevo Very Rare |
|
|
|
Cellulosefabrik Bosnische Forst-Industrie-Aktien-Gesellschaft Otto Steinbeis Cellulose Drvar Branch in Bos. Petrovac 13.5 x 7.5 mm. # 30, 33, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 50, 51, 52, 53, 57, 68, 70, 72, 73, 75, 76, 91, 110, 111 Available |
|
Landesbank, Filiale Mostar Banking Mostar 14 x 16.5 mm. # 6, 16, 18, 30, 33, 34, 35 Scarce |
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Ludwig Hatschek Eternitwerke Sarajevo Also branch in Gmundin, Austria 22 x 8 mm. #34, 35, 36, 51, 70, 74, 91 Scarce |
|
SBM |
Srpska Banka (also)Serbische Bank Banking Mostar 16.5 x 7 mm. # 31, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 49, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 68, 70, 74, 75, 76, 91, 106, 114 Available |
|
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Ladislaus L. Hatschek Typewriters and Office Machines Sarajevo 22 x 9.5 mm. #68, 72 Very rare |
|
SNB |
Srpska Narodna Banka Banking Sarajevo 17 x 10 mm. # 70, 72, 75, 77 Scarce |
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Magyar Kereskedelni Bank Banking Sarajevo Kereskedelmi? 17 x 7 mm. # 31, 47, 50, 51, 55 Scarce |
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J.B.Schmarda, Rotter & Perschitz Commerce and Transportation Sarajevo Also branches in Mostar and Bos. Brod (plus other cities?) 13.5 x 7 mm. # 5, 7, 4a, 5a, 6a, 7a, 6b, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 25, 30, 31, 33, 35, 36, 38, 39, 41, 51, 52, 58, 67, 70, 72, 73, 75, 77, 91 Readily Available |
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Montangesellschaft Telluria? Mining? Location?? Metallgesellschaft?
Moritz Tiller & Co.? 15 x 8 mm. # 35 Very Rare |
|
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Solvay Tuzla (Solway?) Tuzla Saline?
Kaustische? Sodafabrik? Zoutindustrie? 12.5 x 8.5 mm. # 31, 32, 33, 35, 36, 66, 67, 70 Available |
|
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Privilegierte Agrar und Kommerziell Bank fur Bosnien und die Hercegovina (also) Priv. Agrar-und Commercial Bank (also) Priv. Agrarna I Komercialna Banka Banking Sarajevo Branch in Brecko 22.5 x 9.5 mm. # 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 39, 40, 41, 44, 47,48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 75, 76, 77, 91, 106, 107, 108, 110, 111, 114, P3(perf.), P4 Readily available |
TBS |
Trgovacka (Banka) i Stedionica Commerce and savings bank Mostar Tiskara Brace Santic? 15.5 x 7 mm. # 14, 16, 33, 35, 39 Scarce |
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Privilegirte Landesbank (also) Banque Privilegiee du Pays Banking Sarajevo Branches in Dol. Tuzla, Banja Luca and Fojnica? 15.5 x 6 mm. # 5, 4a, 5a, 6a, 7a, 8a, 6b, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 38, 37, 39, 41, 51, 52, 53, 55, 62, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 91,106, 108, 110, 111, 112, B15 Readily Available |
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Theodor Todeschini Building materials Sarajevo 11 x 9 mm. # 32, 33, 34, 35, 50, 69 Scarce |
There is more information, regarding possible Bosnia perfins that require more information, in section 2.
There is more information,
regarding perfins that did not make the cut, in the appendix.