Postage Stamps of German Foreign Post Offices

Historical Context

  • Issuance Period: German foreign post offices issued stamps from the late 19th century until the early 20th century, around 1880 to 1914.
  • Purpose: These stamps facilitated German postal services in various parts of the world, often in regions where Germany had commercial or colonial interests.

Key Features

  1. Designs:
    • Stamps typically featured the German eagle and other imperial symbols.
    • Overprints were used to indicate the specific location, such as “China,” “Morocco,” “Turkey,” etc.
  2. Denominations:
    • Local currencies were used, and denominations varied based on the region’s currency system.
  3. Locations:
    • German foreign post offices were established in various locations around the world during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, primarily in regions where Germany had commercial or colonial interests. Key locations included:
      1. China: Major cities like Tientsin, Shanghai, and Peking.
      2. Ottoman Empire: Known as the “Levant,” with offices in cities like Constantinople (Istanbul), Beirut, and Smyrna (Izmir).
      3. Morocco: Offices in cities such as Tangier and Casablanca.
      4. Africa: Some German colonies and protectorates also had their own postal services.
      5. Pacific Islands: German New Guinea and other territories.

      These post offices issued their own stamps, often overprinted with the location’s name or currency.

Collectibility

  • Rarity and Value:
    • Stamps are highly collectible, especially those from less common locations or with rare overprints.
    • Errors and varieties can also be valuable.

Overview

The stamps from German foreign post offices are an intriguing area for collectors, offering insights into Germany’s international presence during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Their historical context, diverse designs, and geographical variety make them a fascinating subject for philatelic study.