The printed matter rate in Poland from November 11^th to December 9 ^th, 1918, was 5 fenig. On December 10^th it was increased to 10 fenig. Figure 1 (above_ is a post card with the notation “DRUK” (Printed Matter) and sent November 28^th.  During this time “printed matter” for a post card only applied to a card without a message on the left (correspondence) side.  If there were a message on the correspondence side it would have to be sent at the post card rate of 15 fenig.

 Figure 2 is a newspaper wrapper postmarked November 28^th in Warsaw for local delivery.  This is the only 5 fenig newspaper wrapper I have recorded on this first issue.  Professor Auleytner’s book “Philatelic Gems in the Crown of the II Republic” pictures a 5 fenig merchandise offering card dated November 27^th.

In the period from February 25, 1919 to October 1, 1919, the foreign rate for printed matter and specifically for newspapers was 10 fenig.  Figure 3 (above) is a newspaper wrapper with a first Warsaw provisional issue 10 fenig stamp, the correct rate to Switzerland.  At the top of the wrapper is the notation “GAZETA” (newspaper).

Figure 4 (above) is a very interesting meeting notice flier. The Warsaw postmark is June 6,1919.  We do not know when the Warsaw provisional issues were withdrawn. What we do know is that the first government issue was on January 27,1919 and that the continued use of provisionals was tolerated beyond that date.  However, we do not know when they were demonetized. This First flier is franked with a pair of the 5 fenig stamps paying the correct rate, but the stamps are crossed  out by a red pencil indicating they were no longer valid and an oval “POBRAC / WARSZAWA I / 20 f.” This indicates a double indemnity to be paid by the recipient.

If anyone has other Warsaw first provisional printed matter wrappers or cards in their collections, I would appreciate receiving scans of such material and hearing from you at jmazepa@comcast.net.