Description: This is an official government service stamp (Dienstmarke) issued by the German Democratic Republic (DDR / East Germany) exclusively for administrative mailing use. Set against a uniform blue-green or emerald green backdrop, the central medallion displays an early variant of the National Emblem of East Germany: a large central hammer intersecting a draftsman's compass, framed tightly by a wrapped wreath of rye grain. The top margins are inscribed with "DEUTSCHE DEMOKRATISCHE REPUBLIK", while the lower baseline contains the core designation "DIENSTMARKE" bracketed by duplicate "10" Pfennig denomination values. This specimen shows a partial, dark circular postmark originating from the "SAALE I BPA 29" postal region, dated December 1955.
Circa: 1954 - 1960
Condition: Used
Notes:
Because these service stamps were property of state ministries, private use of an un-cancelled Dienstmarke on personal civilian mail was strictly illegal under East German law. Bureau workers caught stealing or misappropriating official administrative stamps faced severe disciplinary actions or state dynamic monitoring.