The 1926-1927 German Famous Personalities Series, issued by the Deutsches Reich, is one of the most historically significant and visually striking stamp issues from the Weimar Republic period. Featuring portraits of Germany’s most influential historical figures, this series honours writers, composers, philosophers, and scientists who shaped Western thought and culture.
This blog post provides historical background, technical details, and a complete listing with catalogue numbers and valuations from the Stanley Gibbons catalogue, making it a definitive reference for collectors.
Historical Background: Germany’s Cultural Commemoration Through Philately
By the mid-1920s, Germany was recovering from the economic turmoil of World War I and hyperinflation. To highlight the nation’s intellectual and artistic contributions, the German postal authorities introduced this portrait series in 1926, featuring some of the most revered figures in German history.
The series of 13 stamps, issued between October 1926 and 1927, includes a wide range of denominations and was printed with perforations and watermarks for security. Many of these stamps remain highly collectible, with some variations reaching values in the thousands of pounds.
Technical Features of the 1926-1927 German Famous Personalities Stamps
- Printing Method: Typographic printing (Letterpress)
- Watermark: W 45 (Mesh)
- Perforation: 14
- Issue Date: 1 October 1926 – 1927
- Denominations: 3 Pfennig to 80 Pfennig
Complete List of Portraits, Catalogue Numbers, and Achievements
- No. 400 – 3 Pfennig Dark Brown – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (£2.00 mint, £0.65 used)
- Germany’s greatest writer, known for Faust and The Sorrows of Young Werther.
- Imperforate Pair Value: £500
- No. 401 – 3 Pfennig Yellow-Brown (8.27) – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (£2.00 mint, £0.65 used)
- A leading figure in German Romanticism and Classical Literature.
- Imperforate Pair Value: £500
- No. 402 – 5 Pfennig Dark Green – Friedrich Schiller (£2.00 mint, £0.65 used)
- Playwright and poet, best known for William Tell and Ode to Joy.
- Booklet Pane (402×10) Value: £950
- Imperforate Pair Value: £500
- No. 403 – 5 Pfennig Light Green (8.27) – Friedrich Schiller (£2.50 mint, £0.65 used)
- One of Germany’s most important dramatists, whose works influenced European Enlightenment philosophy.
- Imperforate Pair Value: £425
- No. 404 – 8 Pfennig Deep Green (8.27) – Ludwig van Beethoven (£2.50 mint, £0.65 used)
- Legendary composer, known for Symphony No. 9 and Moonlight Sonata.
- Booklet Pane (404×10) Value: £2,000
- Imperforate Pair Value: £500
- No. 405 – 10 Pfennig Carmine – Frederick the Great (£2.50 mint, £0.65 used)
- King of Prussia, military strategist, and patron of the arts.
- Booklet Pane (405×10) Value: £1,800
- No. 406 – 15 Pfennig Scarlet – Immanuel Kant (£4.00 mint, £0.65 used)
- Philosopher, father of modern metaphysics, known for Critique of Pure Reason.
- Booklet Pane (406×8 plus two labels) Value: £2,000
- Imperforate Pair Value: £500
- No. 407 – 20 Pfennig Greenish Slate – Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz (£18.00 mint, £2.00 used)
- Co-inventor of calculus, a pioneer in logic and philosophy.
- Horizontal Watermark Variant Value: £400
- Imperforate Pair Value: £650
- No. 408 – 25 Pfennig Blue – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (£5.75 mint, £1.60 used)
- Celebrated for his philosophical and poetic influence on European culture.
- No. 409 – 30 Pfennig Olive-Green – Gotthold Ephraim Lessing (£10.00 mint, £1.00 used)
- Playwright and critic, a key figure of the German Enlightenment, known for Nathan the Wise.
- No. 410 – 40 Pfennig Violet – Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz (£10.00 mint, £1.00 used)
- Mathematician and philosopher revolutionized scientific and logical thought.
- No. 411 – 50 Pfennig Brown – Johann Sebastian Bach (£25.00 mint, £13.00 used)
- Legendary Baroque composer, best known for Brandenburg Concertos and The Well-Tempered Clavier.
- No. 412 – 80 Pfennig Chocolate – Albrecht Dürer (£50.00 mint, £8.50 used)
- Renaissance master, famous for Melencolia I and The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.
- Complete Set of 13 (Nos. 400-412) – £130 mint, £28.00 used.
Why Is This Series Highly Collectible?
- Celebrates Germany’s Intellectual Legacy – Highlights great thinkers, composers, and scientists.
- Rare and Valuable Variants – Imperforate pairs and booklet panes are worth up to £2,000.
- Aesthetic Appeal – The engraved portraits make this one of the finest series from the Weimar period.
- Investment Potential – Some high-value stamps, like 50 Pfennig Bach and 80 Pfennig Dürer, continue to increase in worth.
Conclusion: A Masterpiece of Weimar Philately
The 1926-1927 German Famous Personalities Series is more than just a stamp issue—it is a tribute to Germany’s artistic, literary, and scientific excellence. With its detailed engravings, historical significance, and high-value rarities, this set remains one of the most desirable collections from the Weimar Republic.
For both history enthusiasts and serious collectors, acquiring a complete set or rare imperforate varieties represents an exceptional addition to any philatelic portfolio.