The year 2014 marked the 50th anniversary of the first year of operation of the Germany & Colonies Philatelic Society following the amalgamation of the Germany & Colonies Stamp Club (established 1947) and the Stockton German Study Group (1960).
The G&CPS celebrated its inaugural year in 1964 with the first Germania Posta philatelic exhibition held in Stockton.
Perfins were introduced in to the German postal system in 1876. A main reason for their introduction was for security; stamps could be exchanged at post offices for cash. Stamps were relatively valuable and perfins were one way for organisations to prevent theft. Can anyone tell me when this practice of exchanging stamps for cash was introduced and when it ceased and steer me in the direction of further information. Many Thanks. Brian