Denmark: Vacation (Ferie) Savings Stamps: 1958-1982 Butterflies And Travel Bags
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.
1958 "Butterflies" 10 øre DARK ORANGE Ferie (Vacation) Savings Stamp. Used with VF centering, but minor faults. Violet multi-line cancellation. Looks nice. This design is sought by topical collectors. As of 26 December 2023, in 50 years I had only recorded having 6 examples (1 NH F-VF; 4 NH or Mint with small faults; and this Used example with faults) of this Dark Orange color of the 10 øre stamp. This is the only Used example I have recorded having in 50 years.
ACTUAL item.
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Reference
For reference only. NOT for sale.
247704
SD (Slightly Damaged): 1958 "Butterflies" 10 øre DARK ORANGE Ferie (Vacation) Savings Stamp. This design is sought by topical collectors. This is one of only two examples of the this color of the 10 øre stamp that I have recorded having in 49 years. As of November 2023, in 50 years I had only recorded having 5 examples (1 NH F-VF; and 4 NH or Mint with small faults) of this color of the 10 øre stamp.
REPRESENTATIVE image of stamp design.
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Reference
For reference only. NOT for sale.
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247703
F-VF: 1958 "Butterflies" 10 øre YELLOW ORANGE Ferie (Vacation) Savings Stamp. This design is sought by topical collectors. As of November 2023, in 50 years I had only recorded having 6 examples (5 unused, 1 used) of this color of the 10 øre stamp.
REPRESENTATIVE image of stamp design.
Reference
For reference only. NOT for sale.
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247353
1958 "Butterflies" 10 øre YELLOW ORANGE Ferie (Vacation) Savings Stamp. USED, with multi-line violet cancellation, with VF centering. This design is sought by topical collectors. This is one of only five examples (4 unused, 1 used) of the 10 øre stamp -- and the only used example of any of the Butterflies stamps -- that I have recorded having in 49 years.
ACTUAL item.
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35.00
247834
1958 "Butterflies" 25 øre ULTRAMARINE Ferie (Vacation) Savings Stamp. NEVER HINGED BLOCK OF FOUR with VF centering. The upper left stamp has a bend and the lower right stamp has some blunted perforations. However, the other two stamps are VF-XF or XF! This design is sought by topical collectors. As of 26 December 2023, in 50 years I had only recorded having 10 single examples (1 NH VF, 1 NH F-VF, 1 Mint VF, 2 Mint F-VF, and 5 Mint with small faults) and this 4-block of this 25 øre stamp. In my experience, blocks of any of the Ferie stamps are at least "very scarce". This is the only example of ANY Ferie stamp that I have been able to offer in a block in 50 years! Priced at only the break-up value of the four stamps, taking into account the two stamps with small problems. An outstanding item that would be a highlight of a Butterfly stamp collection or a Danish Ferie stamp collection.
ACTUAL item.
98.00
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247706
VF: 1958 "Butterflies" 25 øre ULTRAMARINE Ferie (Vacation) Savings Stamp. This design is sought by topical collectors. As of November 2023, in 50 years I had only recorded having 10 examples (1 NH VF, 1 NH F-VF, 1 Mint VF, 2 Mint F-VF, and 5 Mint with small faults) of this 25 øre stamp.
REPRESENTATIVE image of stamp design.
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25.00
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247706
F-VF: 1958 "Butterflies" 25 øre ULTRAMARINE Ferie (Vacation) Savings Stamp. This design is sought by topical collectors. As of November 2023, in 50 years I had only recorded having 10 examples (1 NH VF, 1 NH F-VF, 1 Mint VF, 2 Mint F-VF, and 5 Mint with small faults) of this 25 øre stamp.
REPRESENTATIVE image of stamp design.
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21.00
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247706
SD (Slightly Damaged): 1958 "Butterflies" 25 øre ULTRAMARINE Ferie (Vacation) Savings Stamp. This design is sought by topical collectors. As of November 2023, in 50 years I had only recorded having 10 examples (1 NH VF, 1 NH F-VF, 1 Mint VF, 2 Mint F-VF, and 5 Mint with small faults) of this 25 øre stamp.
REPRESENTATIVE image of stamp design.
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7.00
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247355
1958 "Butterflies" 25 øre ULTRAMARINE Ferie (Vacation) Savings Stamp. NEVER HINGED with F-VF centering, but with small fault. This design is sought by topical collectors. This is one of only five examples (all unused, but only two fault free) of the 25 øre stamp that I have recorded having in 49 years.
REPRESENTATIVE image of stamp design.
19.00
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247827
1958 "Travel Bags" 1 krone Light Brown Ferie (Vacation) Savings Stamp. NEVER HINGED with VF centering, but with a couple shorter perforations. As of 26 December 2023, this is only Mint (NH) example, and one of only three (the other two are Used) examples, of this stamp that I have recorded having in 50 years! Remarkably scarce, especially in NH or Mint condition.
ACTUAL item.
Reference
For reference only. NOT for sale.
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247828
1958 "Travel Bags" 1 krone Light Brown Ferie (Vacation) Savings Stamp. Used with VF centering and neat multi-line black cancellation. As of 26 December 2023, this one of only two Used examples, and one of only three (the other one being NH) examples, of this stamp that I have recorded having in 50 years! Remarkably scarce!
ACTUAL item.
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Reference
For reference only. NOT for sale.
247830
1958 "Travel Bags" 5 kroner Light Gray Ferie (Vacation) Savings Stamp. NEVER HINGED with VF centering. As of 26 December 2023, this is only Mint (NH) example, and one of only two examples (the other is Used with a crease), of this stamp that I have recorded having in 50 years! Remarkably scarce!
ACTUAL item.
Reference
For reference only. NOT for sale.
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1958-1982 Butterflies And Travel Bags continued ...
1958 "Travel Bags" 5 kroner Light Gray Ferie (Vacation) Savings Stamp. Used with XF centering, but with a crease only visible from the reverse. As of 26 December 2023, this is only Used example, and one of only two examples (the other is NH), of this stamp that I have recorded having in 50 years! Remarkably scarce!
ACTUAL item.
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Reference
For reference only. NOT for sale.
247832
1958 "Travel Bags" 20 kroner Dark Blue Ferie (Vacation) Savings Stamp. NEVER HINGED with VF centering, but with a bend (which may eventually flatten out). As of 26 December 2023, this is only example, in any condition or quality, of this stamp that I have recorded having in 50 years! Remarkably scarce!
ACTUAL item.
Reference
For reference only. NOT for sale.
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247826
1958 "Travel Bags" 50 kroner Red Violet Ferie (Vacation) Savings Stamp. USED, with multi-line violet cancellation, with XF centering. As of 26 December 2023, this is only example of this stamp that I have recorded having in 50 years! Outstanding quality but rarely seen in any quality / condition!
ACTUAL item.