British Military Administration Stamps
The British Military Administration (BMA) operated across various territories in Europe and Asia following World War II, most notably in occupied Germany and Austria, and temporarily in parts of the former British Empire. These issues served as provisional postal instruments in areas where established civil postal services had collapsed or were under direct Allied control.
- Issued stamps
- 1943–1950
- Region
- Europe, Western Europe, Central Europe
- Currency
- GBP
- Languages
- English, German, Malay
- Issuer type
- Occupation postal administration
- Part of
- United Kingdom
History and background
Stamps typically bore English inscriptions alongside local languages, reflecting the temporary nature of the administration. The BMA issues ceased upon the establishment of sovereign governments or the return to civil postal control in the respective regions.
Further reading: Wikipedia
Inscriptions to look for
Words printed on the stamp that point to this issuer. Search any of them in the issuer directory.
- B.M.A.
How to identify them
- Look for 'B.M.A.' or 'British Military Administration' inscriptions or overprints.
- Identify the underlying country's stamps (e.g., Germany, Austria, Malaya) with BMA overprints.
- Note the language of the overprint, which often indicates the specific territory.
Popular series
-
Germany (British Zone)
1945-1949
Issues for the British Occupation Zone in Germany, often overprinted 'AM POST' or 'DEUTSCHE POST'.
-
Austria (British Zone)
1945-1946
Stamps issued for the British Occupation Zone in Austria, typically overprinted 'BRITISH ZONE' or 'MILITARY GOVT.'.
-
Malaya (BMA)
1945-1948
Overprints on Straits Settlements or Federated Malay States stamps, often 'B.M.A. MALAYA'.
Value overview
Typical ranges as orientation, not prices for a particular stamp. Condition, variety and demand decide the value of your copy; for current asking prices, check listings or the app.
- Common stamps
- £0.50–£10
- Scarce stamps
- £50–£500+
Value varies significantly by territory and specific issue. Overprints and errors can be highly sought after. Complete sets and covers are more valuable.
Catalogs. British Military Administration stamps are listed in the major world catalogs: Scott, Michel and Stanley Gibbons. Catalog numbers and groupings differ between them; the Stamp Identifier app shows the numbers it can find for your stamp.
Questions about British Military Administration stamps
British Military Administration (BMA) stamps are provisional postal issues used in territories under British military control, primarily after World War II. These were issued in areas like occupied Germany, Austria, and parts of the former British Empire (e.g., Malaya, Sarawak) where civil postal services were disrupted or under Allied supervision.
The value of BMA stamps varies widely. Common issues can be found for a few pounds or dollars, while rarer overprints, specific varieties, errors, or complete sets, especially on cover, can fetch hundreds or even thousands of pounds/dollars. Factors like condition, rarity, and historical significance play a major role.
BMA stamps are typically identified by overprints such as 'B.M.A.', 'BRITISH ZONE', 'AM POST', or 'MILITARY GOVT.' on existing stamps of the occupied territory. The underlying stamp design and the specific overprint will help pinpoint the exact issue. For a first lead, photograph the stamp in the Stamp Identifier app, then confirm the catalog number; valuable stamps deserve an expert opinion.
British Military Administration stamps are extensively listed in major philatelic catalogs. You can find them in Stanley Gibbons (especially the Commonwealth & British Empire catalogs), Scott (under the respective country entries, often with 'Occupation Issues' or 'Military Government' sections), and Michel (particularly for German and Austrian issues).
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