German WWII Occupation of Albania Stamps
German WWII Occupation of Albania, a region in Southeastern Europe, saw the issuance of provisional postage during the period of Axis control following the Italian invasion and subsequent German takeover in 1943. These stamps primarily served the administrative needs of the occupying forces, often overprinting existing Albanian issues or utilizing German-style definitive designs.
- Issued stamps
- 1943–1944
- Region
- Europe, Southeastern Europe
- Currency
- RM
- Languages
- German, Albanian
- Issuer type
- Occupation postal administration
- Part of
- Germany
History and background
The language appearing on these issues is predominantly German, reflecting the military administration, though some local Albanian inscriptions might be present. This short-lived postal entity ceased upon the withdrawal of German forces and the re-establishment of Albanian sovereignty.
Further reading: Wikipedia
How to identify them
- Look for 'Deutsche Besetzung Albanien' or similar German inscriptions.
- Examine for overprints on pre-existing Albanian stamps, often featuring King Zog or Albanian landscapes.
- Note the period of issue (1943-1944) as a key indicator.
Popular series
-
Overprints on Albanian Issues
1943-1944
Existing Albanian stamps overprinted with German text or symbols, often 'Deutsche Besetzung Albanien' (German Occupation Albania).
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German Definitive Issues for Albania
1943-1944
Stamps with German designs, sometimes featuring local Albanian motifs, specifically issued for the occupied territory.
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
- €1–€10
- Scarce stamps
- €50–€500+
Values vary significantly based on condition, specific overprint varieties, and whether they are used or unused. Full sets and covers are generally more valuable.
Catalogs. German WWII Occupation of Albania 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 WWII Occupation of Albania stamps
German WWII Occupation of Albania stamps are provisional postage issues released by the German military administration during its occupation of Albania from 1943 to 1944. These stamps were primarily overprints on existing Albanian issues or German-style definitive designs, reflecting the temporary Axis control.
The value of German WWII Occupation of Albania stamps varies. Common issues can be found for a few euros, while rare varieties, specific overprints, errors, or complete sets in fine condition can fetch hundreds of euros. Factors like condition, rarity, and historical context significantly influence their philatelic worth.
To identify German WWII Occupation of Albania stamps, look for German inscriptions like 'Deutsche Besetzung Albanien' or 'Albanien' on stamps issued between 1943 and 1944. Many are overprints on earlier Albanian stamps. A photo in the Stamp Identifier app gives a first identification; check the catalog number in a specialised catalog before relying on it.
German WWII Occupation of Albania stamps are listed in major international stamp catalogs. You can find them in the Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue (under Albania or German Occupation), the Michel Deutschland-Spezial-Katalog (under Besetzungsausgaben), and the Stanley Gibbons Commonwealth & British Empire Stamps catalogue (under Albania).
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