On October 10, 1886, a new private postal service called “Frankfurt-Briefe-Verkehr” (translates literally to “Frankfurt Letter Traffic”) was founded. The first stamp of the new service was issued in October with a face value of 2 Pfennig, the stamp being printed in black color and featuring the Frankfurt coat of arms. In December 1886 a second stamp, same stamp cliche and face value, this time in blue color, was issued. This second stamp, due to its color and the stamp cliche closely resembled the 20 Pfennig(e) “Reichsadler” stamps of the national “Reichspost”, circulating at the time.

Due to the likelihood of confusion between the stamps, the use of the blue Frankfurt stamp was forbidden by the police. In January 1887, the blue Frankfurt stamp was re-issued with a pronounced red “2” overprint. Therefore the likelihood of confusion was no more relevant. Overprinted black stamps of the first issue, again with a coloured “2”, turned out to be contemporary forgeries.

Left: 20 Pfennig Reichsadler
Middle: Frankfurt blue stamp
Right: 20 Pfennige Reichsadler (MISSING)

Left: First issue black
Middle: Contemporary forgery
Right: Blue stamp overprinted