Jay Smith & Associates: Denmark: Vacation (Ferie) Savings Stamps: 1943-1948 Bicycle Windmill

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Denmark: Vacation (Ferie) Savings Stamps: 1943-1948 Bicycle Windmill

Starting in 1938, all Danish workers were guaranteed an annual two-week paid vacation. At the same time, a vacation savings system was implemented using purpose-specific stamps inscribed "Ferie" (Vacation). This system ended in 1982. Four issues of stamps were created; the first 1938-1942 were "FERIE" overprints on engraved-issue Danish postage due stamps: 5, 10, 15, 25 øre and 1, 2, 5 kroner. The subsequent stamps were specially created and printed by recess (engraved). The 1943-1948 design featured a country road with a bicycle and a windmill -- this issue is avidly sought out by topical collectors; 5, 10, 25 øre and 1, 2, 5 kroner. The 1949-1957 design pictured a sheaf of grain because many people took their vacation back at the home farm to help with the harvest; 5, 10, 25 øre and 1, 2, 5, 10 kroner. The final design, issued in 1958, feature butterflies on the three øre-value (5, 10, 25 øre) stamps and rucksacks and a suitcase on the six kroner-value (1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 kroner) stamps. Though the stamp-based system ended in 1982, I am unsure how late the use of the fourth stamp issue lasted; probably not until 1982.

There is an excellent article by Christer Brunstrom in his Nordic Stamp Scene column in the May 20, 2019, issue of Linns Stamp News. That article states "... a new system to finance the holiday period was put into place for some categories of workers" [emphasis mine]. And "Each week or month [the employee] received a number of vacation pay stamps that corresponded to a certain percentage of the weekly or monthly wages." The stamps were to be placed in a savings book which could be cashed in at vacation time. The article points out that these did not represent the payment of a tax or fee, but it does not explain any further how the system worked or if the post office had any involvement at all (or what government office did handle these matters). However, the stamps were printed by the same printing facility that printed postage stamps. Despite such stamps surely having been used in large quantities for over 40 years, they are generally very scarce -- there are some denominations of which I have never had examples in my 49 years in this business. Practically speaking, the stamps (in the savings book) were supposed to be turned to receive the funds, thus that would explain why the stamps are so scarce.

I am interested in buying such stamps. If you are seeking such stamps, I welcome your want list so that I can let you know when I obtain any that you are seeking.

1943-1948 Bicycle Windmill

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Mint
Hinged

US$

Used

US$

247842

1943 Bicycle and Windmill 10 øre ORANGE Ferie (Vacation) Savings Stamp. Mint with VF centering, but with a couple tiny translucent spots (natural inclusions?). As of 26 December 2023, this is one of only four examples, in any condition or quality, of this stamp that I believe that I have had in 50 years (and is the only example that I have actually recorded having, in any condition or quality, since I started recording them in the 1990s). Very seldom offered!