Eastern Silesia Stamps
Eastern Silesia, situated in Central Europe, primarily within modern-day Poland, experienced a complex postal history marked by shifting national control following World War I. Its stamps often reflect the administrative transitions between German and Polish authorities, particularly during the period of plebiscites and subsequent partition.
- Issued stamps
- 1920–1920
- Region
- Europe, Central Europe
- Currency
- PLN
- Languages
- German, Polish
- Issuer type
- Historical postal administration
About Eastern Silesia stamps
The linguistic environment on these issues frequently features German and Polish inscriptions, sometimes alongside Polish currency denominations after 1921. This region's postal record is notable for provisional issues reflecting the turbulent political settlement of the Upper Silesian region.
Further reading: Wikipedia
How to identify Eastern Silesia stamps
- Look for 'Oberschlesien' (German for Upper Silesia) or 'Górny Śląsk' (Polish for Upper Silesia) inscriptions or overprints.
- Examine the base stamps for German or Polish origins, as many Eastern Silesian issues are overprints.
- Pay attention to the specific overprint type, color, and position, as these can denote different varieties and values.
Popular series
-
Plebiscitary Issues
1920
Stamps issued during the plebiscite period, often overprinted on German or Polish issues, reflecting the administrative transitions.
-
Provisional Issues
1920
Temporary stamps or overprints used to meet postal needs during the turbulent political settlement of the region.
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
- €5–€50
- Scarce stamps
- €100–€1,000+
Value depends heavily on the specific overprint, base stamp, and condition. Provisional issues and specific varieties can be quite valuable. Forgeries and expertization are important considerations.
Catalogs. Eastern Silesia 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 Eastern Silesia stamps
Eastern Silesia stamps refer to postal issues used in the region of Eastern Silesia (primarily within modern-day Poland) during a brief but complex period in 1920, following World War I. These stamps often reflect the administrative transitions between German and Polish authorities, particularly during the plebiscites and subsequent partition of the Upper Silesian region.
The value of Eastern Silesia stamps varies significantly. Common issues might be worth €5-€50, while rare provisional issues, specific overprint varieties, or stamps in pristine condition can fetch hundreds or even thousands of Euros. Expertization is often recommended for higher-value items due to the prevalence of forgeries.
To identify Eastern Silesia stamps, look for inscriptions like 'Oberschlesien' or 'Górny Śląsk', often as overprints on German or Polish base stamps. Pay close attention to the details of the overprint, including its text, color, and placement. For a first lead, photograph the stamp in the Stamp Identifier app, then confirm the catalog number; valuable stamps deserve an expert opinion.
Eastern Silesia stamps are well-documented in major philatelic catalogs. You can find them listed in the Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue, the Michel Deutschland-Spezial-Katalog (for German-related issues), and the Stanley Gibbons Commonwealth & British Empire Stamps catalogue, among others.
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