European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - March 20, 1948, Darmstadt, Hesse                                1 r v winning designs in the permanent stamp contest new Stamps for Germany three zones have agreed on five designs for a permanent stamp Issue in Twenty denominations in the Early Days of the occupation each zone of Germany struggled along with its own zonal postage Stamps finally Early in 1947, three of the four occupation Powers agreed to a uniform stamp. The British americans and russians adopted a temporary stamp while Allied Mili tary officials announced a contest to find new de signs for a permanent Issue. Judges then chose five designs which zonal authorities put in circulation in Twenty denominations ranging from two pfennig to five Marks. Now at last the new Stamps at the rate of four to five million a month Are rolling off the printing presses at the Staatd Ruckereil in Berlin. The Only zone not participating in the scheme is the French zone where officials believe a uniform postage stamp smacks too much of Central government. Engraver reproduces artist s design for new stamp onto original plate with special engraving chisel called  craftsman transfers design from engraved original plate to papier Mac he mat from which press plates Are cast. These plates Are then fitted onto press Cylinder. Rotary press is set for repro fiction once design plates have been clamped into position. Machine turns out forty five thousand sheets of Stamps a Day gum Cylinder runs through a Dextrin Bath from which Stamps pick up their glue backing. Speed Piess can print two denominations at the same time Rolls off ten thousand sheets daily. 16 checking sheets Printer looks for flaws sorts Stamps before they Are counted mechanically. Weekend March 20, 1948 i