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Postal History of Germany Stamps

The first Germany stamps, issued on 1st January 1872 were originally printed in two currencies, Groschen and Dialer for the former North German Confederation. Similarly Kreuzer and gulden for the incorporated southern states. In 1874 the German Empire was one of the first 22 signatories at the establishment of the General Postal Union (Universal Postal Union from 1878). Throughout most of World War I Germany wasn't part of the main battle areas. This was because German troops were in occupation of allied territories. Also, special issues appeared for the East and West Military Command areas in 1916. The Weimar Republic formed on 9th November 1918 and issued its first stamps on 1st May 1919. In 1933 Hitler became Chancellor and the Third Reich was created, the first stamps of which were issued on 12th April 1933.

WW2 Stamps

During WW2 between 1940–1942 Germany occupied territories until its control stretched from the Pyrenees to the Caucasus and Volga River, and from El Alamein to the North Cape. Gradually during the succeeding years the Allies regained territory. Many historic and rare stamps were issued in these areas, much of a highly provisional nature.
In the period following the surrender the country was divided into four zones; Russian, American, French and British. Berlin, the former capital, was inside the Russian zone and this was divided into four sectors. The Russian zone became the German Democratic Republic on 7th October 1949, after the Allied zones had become the German Federal Republic on 21stSeptember 1949. The period between 1945–1949 was complicated by many stamp issues which appeared in different areas, subsequently it's considered by philatelists one of 20th Century Europe’s most interesting periods. We recommend the English-language Michel “Germany Specialized” Volumes 1 and 2.

German Democratic Republic (DDR)

The Russian zone continued to issue stamps inscribed 'Deutsche Post' until the German Democratic Republic was created on 7th October 1949. The authorities released the first Germany stamps inscribed for the new territory on 9th October 1949, which were also valid in East Berlin.
Many grand socialist projects are illustrated on the stamps and postal history of the time, however stamps from the West depicting sensitive topics such as German soldiers still held in detention were obscured by black ink. This is known to philatelists as ‘Postal Wars’. As a result of the constant need to patrol the boundary to prevent the escape of East German citizens to West Germany, the Berlin Wall, 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 also the collapse of the Communist Government.
The 'Treaty on the Final Settlement with respect to Germany' concluded between the two Germanys and the four former occupying powers in September 1990. Unified Germany with effect from 3rd October 1990 as a fully sovereign state.


Germany stamps
Kwik-Bid #4334 (37 lots) Sandafayre #5334 (44 lots) Public Auction #8334 (8 lots) All Lots
(89 lots)

Lots Per Page:

  • Cover image of lot 331

    Lot 331 (Public Auction #8334)

    Saturday 11th June 2022, 08:00

    Est. £170 - £200

    Buyer's Premium Applies

    GERMANY - 'POL' PERFINS FOR OFFICIAL POLICE USE 1929-1965 (mostly pre 1946) used collection of perforated 'POL', about 40% have been identified by Michel classification of perforation hole types (A...

    5

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  • Cover image of lot 332

    Lot 332 (Public Auction #8334)

    Saturday 11th June 2022, 08:00

    Est. £1,250 - £1,500

    Buyer's Premium Applies

    GERMANY - 1852-1945 VERY EXTENSIVE OLD-TIME COLLECTION in a large album, mint and used, with much of interest throughout. Some mixed condition earlier and considerable duplication - but apparently ...

    11

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  • Cover image of lot 333

    Lot 333 (Public Auction #8334)

    Saturday 11th June 2022, 08:00

    Est. £140 - £160

    Buyer's Premium Applies

    GERMANY - 1867-1982 better items on dealer sheets, with mint, never hinged mint, and used stamps and m/s, incl. WEST BERLIN incl .1966-70 'Brandenburg Gate' 100pf NHM strips of five with control n...

    8

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  • Cover image of lot 334

    Lot 334 (Public Auction #8334)

    Saturday 11th June 2022, 08:00

    Est. £200 - £220

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    GERMANY - 1990-2018 USED COLLECTION a virtually complete run of definitive and commemorative sets and miniature sheets, plus booklets, booklet panes, machine labels etc. (+/- 2,000 stamps & 70 m/s'...

    16

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  • Cover image of lot 335

    Lot 335 (Public Auction #8334)

    Saturday 11th June 2022, 08:00

    Est. £40 - £60

    Buyer's Premium Applies

    GERMANY - ACCUMULATION in a box, with stockbooks, on pages etc, incl. mint or used earlier, Third Reich, States, Saar, Berlin, East & West issues etc. (Qty)

    10

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  • Cover image of lot 336

    Lot 336 (Public Auction #8334)

    Saturday 11th June 2022, 08:00

    Est. £250 - £300

    Buyer's Premium Applies

    GERMANY - ACCUMULATION WITH POTENTIAL a mainly never hinged mint range on stock cards, incl. Bavaria, Saar incl. 1948 Flood m/s, Colonies, Zones incl. Goethe m/s, Memel, Berlin Goethe and UPU sets ...

    4

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  • Cover image of lot 337

    Lot 337 (Public Auction #8334)

    Saturday 11th June 2022, 08:00

    Est. £450 - £600

    Buyer's Premium Applies

    GERMANY - LARGE COLLECTION IN 30 STOCKBOOKS mint and used to 2000's, incl. States, Empire, Third Reich, Berlin, West, East, Zones, Danzig, Saar, some Colonies etc. (Qty)

    39

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  • Cover image of lot 338

    Lot 338 (Public Auction #8334)

    Saturday 11th June 2022, 08:00

    Est. £25 - £35

    Buyer's Premium Applies

    GERMANY - POSTAL STATIONERY a duplicated lot of 1980's-2000's postal cards (+/- 3700 items) used for competition entries, many different town postmarks etc, plus a further quantity of stamped envel...

    3

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  • Cover image of lot 395

    Lot 395 (Kwik-Bid #4334)

    Monday 30th May 2022, 16:30

    Est. £20 - £25

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    GERMANY - 1905 25pf black & orange/yellow Baden Official, Mi 14, fine used.

    1

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  • Cover image of lot 396

    Lot 396 (Kwik-Bid #4334)

    Monday 30th May 2022, 16:30

    Est. £20 - £25

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    GERMANY - 1921 30pf green Wedge in '0' PLATE FLAW, Michel 162 I, vfu

    1

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Lots Per Page:

Kwik-Bid #4334 (37 lots) Sandafayre #5334 (44 lots) Public Auction #8334 (8 lots) All Lots
(89 lots)