February 11, 2026, enters the room quietly. The live Gert Müller GmbH 129th International Auction opens at 10:00 CET, yet attention settles earlier. An ornamental letter from Baden (a German state) steps onto the auction floor in Lot 3507 and stands apart from routine material by presence rather than rarity alone.
The letter carries a 6 Kreuzer black on yellow as a correct single franking. A bluish-lithographed ornamental envelope holds the stamp without visual tension. The floral pattern leads the eye toward the address instead of pulling it away. Wide to over-wide margins give the stamp space and keep the composition open rather than compressed.
A clear numeral cancel “104” strikes the stamp with precision. A framed “OFFENBURG” marking records the point of origin. The dated handstamp fixes the moment of handling. Together, the markings trace the route toward Mosbach through documented postal action, not later interpretation.
Specialists examine the details closely. The stamp shows light contact on two sides, and earlier control lifting left the back flaps not fully intact. These facts do not weaken the lot. They confirm handling history and reinforce authenticity. Colored ornamental letters from Baden’s first issue survive in extremely small numbers, and examples that combine freshness, correct tariff use, and visual harmony move into a separate category altogether.
The auction house presents the letter as one of the most beautiful known from Baden, and the description does not exaggerate. The envelope reads as an object created to be seen, not merely sent. Collectors can recognize rarity that does not need any explanation. Provenance strengthens confidence. The letter comes from the Koch Collection and carries a current photo certificate by Stegmüller BPP.
Bidding conditions follow a standard structure: the auction will open at a minimum price of 2,000 €, a 23 percent buyer’s commission, a two-euro fee per lot, and applicable value-added tax on commission and incidental costs. Payment options include bank transfer and major cards, keeping access open to international participants.
As bidding approaches, the lot stands less as a price target and more as a reference point. It shows how early German States material can still command attention without theatrics. On this February morning, Baden will speak on history clearly, through paper, ink, and the path a letter once took.
