Mail Auction #38

Israel 1948 Unissued Military Stamps - Large (238mm x 180mm) original photo essay on very thick front glazed paper showing the 4 stamps. back side with message (French ?) & with the name Ben Gurion heading. In center handstamp of Orit (photo studio) Frishman 73 street Tel Aviv, Tel. 21507. This photo Eaasy with middle vertical fold, otherwise VF & Rare.  Around May 1948 the Army headquarters approved the design of a set of military stamps specially designed for the services by Otto Wallish (who also design the Doar Ivri stamps). Initially the designs for three denominations of 15,20 & 50 Mils prepared and thereafter a fourth stamp for a 10 Mils value was added. Ultimately however, it was found necessary to change these denominations to  15,30,45 & 75 Mils. The colors selected were to be Green, Red, Blue & Violet,. Upon approval by the ministry of defense, the order was given to Levin Epstein LTD. to print 300.000 sets of stamps. The stamps were expected by the end of July 1948. However, when David Remez minister of communication learned about the scheme, he objected and the plans were cancelled and abandoned & the stamps never issued. Only the design of these stamps have been published. Color proofs known & photo Essays.