German South West Africa Stamps
German South West Africa, located in southwestern Africa, was a German colony established in the late 19th century. The postal system operated under German administration until its occupation by South African forces during World War I, leading to a transition in postal control.
- Issued stamps
- 1897–1906
- Region
- Africa, Southern Africa
- Currency
- MKM
- Languages
- German
- Issuer type
- Colonial postal administration
- Part of
- German Empire
History and background
Stamps issued during the colonial period prominently feature German inscriptions and denominations, often reflecting the Reich's authority. The territory's postal history is marked by the shift from German imperial issues to subsequent South African administration, reflecting significant geopolitical changes.
Further reading: Wikipedia
How to identify them
- Look for the overprint 'Deutsch-Südwestafrika' on German Empire stamps or the 'Yacht' design.
- Examine the watermark (usually lozenges or rhomboids for early issues, then cross and circles for later Yacht issues) and perforation.
Popular series
-
Yacht Issue (Hohenzollern Yacht)
1900-1906
The definitive series featuring the imperial yacht 'Hohenzollern', common to all German colonies, overprinted with 'Deutsch-Südwestafrika'.
-
German Empire Stamps with Overprint
1897-1900
Early issues consisting of German Empire stamps (Reichspost) overprinted 'Deutsch-Südwestafrika' and sometimes new denominations.
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–€5,000+
Values vary significantly based on condition, specific overprint varieties, and cancellations. Early overprinted issues and higher denominations of the Yacht series tend to be more valuable. Mint never hinged stamps command higher prices.
Catalogs. German South West Africa 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 German South West Africa stamps
German South West Africa stamps are postage stamps issued for the German colony of German South West Africa (present-day Namibia) between 1897 and 1906. They primarily consist of German Empire stamps overprinted with the colony's name and a definitive series featuring the imperial yacht 'Hohenzollern'.
The value of German South West Africa stamps varies. Common issues can be found for a few euros, while rare varieties, errors, high denominations, or exceptionally well-preserved examples can fetch hundreds or even thousands of euros. Factors like condition, specific overprint, and cancellation significantly impact value.
To identify German South West Africa stamps, look for the 'Deutsch-Südwestafrika' overprint on German Empire stamps or the distinctive 'Yacht' design. Pay attention to the denomination, colors, and any specific watermarks or perforations. A photo in the Stamp Identifier app gives a first identification; check the catalog number in a specialised catalog before relying on it.
German South West Africa stamps are extensively listed in major stamp catalogs. You can find them in the Michel Deutschland-Spezial-Katalog, the Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue (Germany and Colonies section), and the Stanley Gibbons Commonwealth & British Empire Stamps catalogue.
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