Poland Local Issues 1918-1919 Stamps
These provisional issues originate from Central Europe during the immediate aftermath of World War I, a period of intense political fragmentation following the dissolution of the partitioning empires. The stamps reflect the urgent need for local postal services in newly established or re-emerging Polish administrative zones as the Second Polish Republic was forming.
- Issued stamps
- 1918–1919
- Region
- Europe, Central Europe
- Currency
- PLM
- Languages
- Polish, German, Russian
- Issuer type
- Local postal administration
- Part of
- Poland
History and background
Issues from this transitional era often feature Polish inscriptions, sometimes alongside German or Russian text inherited from the former occupying powers. This specific category denotes stamps issued by various local authorities before centralized national postal control was fully established across the nascent Polish state.
Further reading: Wikipedia
How to identify them
- Look for 'Poczta Polska' or 'Poczta' inscriptions, often alongside German or Russian text.
- Identify specific town names (e.g., 'Kraków', 'Warszawa', 'Lublin') on the stamps or overprints.
- Many issues are overprints on existing stamps of the former occupying powers (Austria, Germany, Russia).
- Pay attention to the type and color of overprints, as these can indicate specific local issues and varieties.
Popular series
-
Cracow Local Issues
1918
Provisional issues from the city of Cracow, often overprints on Austrian stamps.
-
Warsaw Local Issues
1918-1919
Stamps issued by the Warsaw postal administration, including overprints and new designs.
-
Lublin Local Issues
1918
Provisional stamps from Lublin, reflecting the early stages of Polish independence.
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–€20
- Scarce stamps
- €100–€1,000+
Value varies greatly depending on the specific locality, condition, and rarity of overprints or specific printings. Some errors or scarce varieties can fetch significantly higher prices.
Catalogs. Poland Local Issues 1918-1919 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 Poland Local Issues 1918-1919 stamps
These are provisional postage stamps issued by various local authorities in newly established or re-emerging Polish administrative zones between 1918 and 1919, immediately following World War I and before the Second Polish Republic established centralized postal control. They reflect the urgent need for postal services during a period of intense political fragmentation.
The value of Poland Local Issues 1918-1919 stamps can range from a few euros for common varieties to several hundred or even thousands of euros for rare issues, specific overprints, errors, or stamps in pristine condition. Rarity is often tied to the specific locality, the scarcity of the overprint, and the underlying stamp used.
To identify Poland Local Issues 1918-1919 stamps, look for Polish inscriptions like 'Poczta Polska' or specific town names, often overprinted on stamps of Austria, Germany, or Russia. Key identifiers include the type of overprint, the underlying stamp, and the specific local authority indicated. For a first lead, photograph the stamp in the Stamp Identifier app, then confirm the catalog number; valuable stamps deserve an expert opinion.
Poland Local Issues 1918-1919 stamps are extensively listed in major philatelic catalogs, including Scott (often under Poland or specific regional sections), Michel (especially comprehensive for Central European issues), and Stanley Gibbons. Specialized Polish catalogs also provide detailed listings for these provisional issues.
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