Sandafayre Stamp Auctions | Stamp Atlas | German Democratic Republic

German Democratic Republic (DDR)

FIRST STAMPS ISSUED 9 October 1949.

CURRENCY
1949, 100 pfennig = 1 East German mark.

The Russian zone continued to issue stamps inscribed 'Deutsche Post' until the German Democratic Republic was created on 7 October 1949. The authorities released the first stamps inscribed for the new territory on 9 October 1949 and these were also valid for use in East Berlin. Because of the constant need to patrol the boundary to prevent the escape of east German citizens to West Germany, the Berlin Wall, which separated Berlin was built by the East Germans in 1961. Soviet based reforms in Eastern Europe during the late 1980s led to growing unrest in the German Democratic Republic. This culminated in the opening of the Wall in November 1989 and the collapse of the Communist Government.

The 'Treaty on the Final Settlement with respect to Germany' was concluded between the two Germanys and the four former occupying powers in September 1990, unified Germany with effect from 3 October 1990 as a fully sovereign state.