Registered Cover Fragment Appraisal

1940 German Philatelic Registered Cover Fragment with Paul von Hindenburg Stamp

This item is a historical postal fragment originating from the Deutsches Reich (Third Reich) era. It features an 80-pfennig definitive postage stamp from the 'President Paul von Hindenburg' series, printed in a deep blue ink with a black and white portrait medallion. The stamp is affixed to a buff-colored, textured paper envelope. Key features include a perforated edge and a vertical bar 'han' (house order) marking on the bottom margin. The stamp is cancelled with a circular date stamp (CDS) from Malmedy, dated November 5, 1940, reflecting the annexation of the Eupen-Malmedy region during WWII. Adjacent to the stamp is a red and white 'R' registration label marked 'Malmedy 525'. The paper shows significant aging, yellowing, and minor creasing consistent with its 80-year history. The cancellations and markings are clear and legible, providing strong provenance for postal history specialists. This philatelic piece represents a specific geopolitical moment when Malmedy was under German administration, making it a significant item for collectors of World War II postal history and occupational issues.