Caritas. “The drop of milk” No’s 150-158

Caritas is a global organization to help people in need:

“We are called to work towards creating a better world. At the heart of our effort is the desire to transform hurt into hope in the lives of the people we serve.”

The images on the stamps depict scenes of childcare. The surtax was intended to aid welfare work among the indigenous peoples, especially the children.

Date of issue of the series: 16 January 1930

Design:

Engraving: Graphical Institute of Paris (Pierre Munier)

Printing: Atelier du Timbre, Malines. (Zegeldrukkerij, Mechelen-Belgium)

Size: 24.5 x 34 mm

The original colors and values of the series:

No 150. 10c + 5c, red. Nurse weighing child

No 151. 20c + 10c, brown. Missionary & indigenous child

No 152. 35c + 15c, green. Field hospital

No 153. 60c + 30c, violet. Hospital

No 154. 1Fr + 50c, red-carmine. Dispensary service

No 155. 1,75Fr + 75c, blue on azure. Convalescent area

No 156. 3,50 + 1,50Fr, purple-red. Instruction on bathing an infant

No 157. 5Fr + 2,50Fr, brown-red. Hospital room

No 158. 10Fr + 5Fr, gray-black. Students

Proofs:

There are several different proofs known (although very rare on the market); different seizes paper, different paper, on silk, black & white and proofs in non-adopted colors. Small retouches are made; many proofs are unique, as you will see below. The size of the image is always the same as the stamp. Underneath you will find the principal examples.

Note: there are no forgeries known (yet), but with new printing techniques make much possible; therefore we do not disclose certain details. Do not worry, a fake is detected immediately by an expert, besides that the collectors and collections are known.

The series in black & white; with value:

On silk in black and white, difficult to reproduce with a scan (sorry)

Why this was done on silk, is not clear to me, we now of other silk proofs in the series 168-183 of 1931

Note: Presumably the whole series exists (not: 152, 35c + 15c; 153, 60c + 30c)

I know only these:

Proofs in non-adopted colors; without value.

Note: There are known in several different nuances of the same color, printed with or without value.

Proofs in non-adopted colors; with value.

Note: There are known in several different nuances of the same color, printed with or without value.

Proofs were made in a sequence and some proofs were rejected:

Examples of small adaptations, notice the river:

Frame design proofs:

The whole series exists of these large proofs, signed Pierre Munier.

None of these exist with value indicated (to my knowledge)