The Michel stamp series No. 580–583, issued in Germany on July 10, 1935, occupies a special place in railway thematic philately and in collections of the Third Reich period. The issue commemorated the centenary of the German railways — “100 Jahre Deutsche Eisenbahn” (“100 Years of German Railways”) — and is considered one of the most popular railway stamp series in 20th-century Europe.

 

For collectors, this series is attractive for several reasons:

  • expressive industrial design;
  • combination of historical and modern locomotives;
  • intaglio printing (steel engraving);
  • popularity of railway themes;
  • belonging to one of the most thoroughly studied periods of German philately — 1933–1945.

 

History of the Issue

 

The year 1935 was symbolic for German railway transport. In 1835, the first German railway line between Nuremberg and Fürth began operation using the locomotive “Adler” (“Eagle”). To mark the centenary, the Deutsche Reichspost prepared a special set of four stamps.

The series illustrates the evolution of German railway transport: from the first steam locomotives of the 19th century to the streamlined high-speed locomotives of the 1930s. Visually, the issue reflected the characteristic aesthetics of the era — the cult of technological progress, industrial power, and speed.

 

Description of the Mi#580–583 Series

 

Mi#580 — 6 Pfennig

The stamp depicts the legendary 1835 locomotive “Adler,” the first German steam locomotive. It is one of Germany’s most recognizable railway stamps.

Mi#581 — 12 Pfennig

This stamp is dedicated to the Class 03 steam locomotive, a symbol of high-speed passenger transportation in interwar Germany.

Mi#582 — 25 Pfennig

The famous diesel express train “Fliegender Hamburger” (“Flying Hamburger”) is depicted, a symbol of technological progress in the 1930s.

Mi#583 — 40 Pfennig

The most impressive stamp of the series features the streamlined locomotive 05 001, one of the most modern and fastest steam locomotives of its era.

 

Technical Characteristics

  • Date of issue: July 10, 1935
  • Printing method: intaglio printing (steel engraving)
  • Perforation: 14
  • Watermark: swastikas
  • Paper type: standard Reichsdruckerei paper
  • Michel catalog: No. 580–583

 

Catalog and Market Value

 

European market offers as of early 2026 show that the Mi#580–583 series in postfrisch (**) / MNH (XF) condition is valued by dealers at approximately 75 euros. The Michel 2024 catalog lists the catalog value at around 130 euros.

For collectors of railway philately, this issue remains an essential part of any collection, while for researchers