Denmark issued ten definitive airmail stamps between 1925 and 1934 in two distinct series.[1] The 1st series, commonly called The Plow and Airplane was first issued in June 1925. These stamps were designed by Danish artist Axel Peder Jensen (1885 - 1972).[2] [3] The 2nd series was issued on June 9, 1934, and depicted an airplane over Copenhagen. The second series remained in use until after World War II.
The 1925 series comprises Denmark's 1st airmail stamps and their issue corresponded with the opening of Kastrup airport in Copenhagen and the carriage of regular airmails by Det Danske Luftfartselskab, the Danish national airline.[1] The 1925 series was issued in denominations of 10, 15, 25, 50 øre and 1 krone. All the values were reissued in the 1930s.
| Summary of 1925 Plow and Airplane Series | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denomination | Issue dates | Plate numbers and quantities printed | Primary purpose | |
| 10 øre | June 17, 1925, February 15, 1933 | 273J (151,000), 451J (18,450) | The 10 øre paid internal and Nordic airmail letter surcharges (1921) and the European airmail postcard surcharge (1925) | |
| 15 øre | May 14, 1926, June 10, 1931, February 15, 1933 | 293A (107,250), 411N (27,170), 451J (23,460) | The 15 øre paid European airmail letter and postcard surcharges (1926) | |
| 25 øre | June 17, 1925, February 15, 1933 | 273J (150,000), 451J (25,620) | The 25 øre paid the 1925 European Airmail letter surcharge | |
| 50 øre | October 23, 1929, February 15, 1933 | 365Z (49,770), 451J (12,690) | The 50 øre paid the North American Airmail letter surcharge (1927) and combination European rates[4] | |
| 1 krone | October 23, 1929, June 8, 1932, February 8, 1933 | 365Z (32,760), 435G (5010), 451J (21,030) | The 1 krone paid combination rates and high airmail surcharges to Asia, South America and Africa[5] | |
The Plow and Airplane design was created by Danish artist Axel P. Jensen and the stamps were printed by typography by H. H. Thiele in panes of 30 stamps arranged in five rows of six. During the design and printing process, essays, proofs and color proofs of the stamps were made to finalize the design.
The 1925 series is known for several constant plate flaws that appear on the same stamp in each sheet consistently. These plate flaws have descriptive names.[6]
The 1934 series was issued in denominations of 10, 15, 20, 50 øre and 1 krone. The issue was designed by Poul E. Johansen and engraved by Jons Britze.
| Summary of 1934 Airplane over Copenhagen Series | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denomination | Issue dates | Quantities printed | Primary purpose | |
| 10 øre | June 9, 1934 | 580,850 | The 10 øre paid the internal and Nordic airmail postcard surcharge (1934) | |
| 15 øre | June 9, 1934 | 461,150 | The 15 øre paid the internal and Nordic airmail letter surcharge (1934) and the European airmail postcard surcharge (1934) | |
| 20 øre | June 9, 1934 | 450,450 | The 20 øre paid the European airmail letter and printed matter surcharges (1934)[9] | |
| 50 øre | June 9, 1934 | 467,350 | The 50 øre paid combination rates and basic airmail surcharges to the Americas, Africa and Asia | |
| 1 krone | June 9, 1934 | 336,800 | The 1 krone paid combination rates and multiple airmail surcharges to the Americas, Africa and Asia | |