Postage Stamps of the Memel Area
Historical Context
- Period: 1920-1945
- Status: The Memel area (Klaipėda region) was governed by the League of Nations after World War I and later incorporated into Lithuania in 1923. In 1939, it was annexed by Nazi Germany.
Key Features
- Early Issues:
- Overprints on German stamps with “Memelgebiet” and later “Memel” inscriptions.
- Lithuanian Control:
- Overprints reflecting the shift to Lithuanian administration.
- German Annexation:
- Introduction of German stamps and overprints for the region.
Collectibility
Memel stamps are sought after for their varied overprints and historical context. Collectors value stamps and covers with clear postmarks from different administrative periods. These stamps reflect the complex political changes in the region during the interwar period and World War II.