Wittenberg Lutherstadt Stamps
Wittenberg, now known as Lutherstadt Wittenberg, is a historic city located in the modern German state of Saxony-Anhalt, central Europe. Its postal history is deeply intertwined with the broader German postal system, particularly during the periods of the North German Confederation and the German Empire, though it did not issue stamps independently.
- Issued stamps
- 1945–1946
- Region
- Europe, Central Europe
- Currency
- RM
- Languages
- German
- Issuer type
- Local postal administration
- Part of
- Germany
History and background
The language predominantly featured on its postal history materials is German, reflecting its place within the German linguistic sphere. The city's significance stems from its role as the epicenter of the Protestant Reformation, which profoundly impacted the administrative and cultural landscape of the region.
Further reading: Wikipedia
How to identify them
- Look for 'Wittenberg' or 'Lutherstadt' overprints, often in black ink, on German stamps from the 1930s and early 1940s.
- Examine the underlying stamp for pre-1945 German designs, particularly the 'Hitler Head' series or definitive issues of the Third Reich.
- Pay attention to the type and clarity of the overprint, as many local issues had crude or hand-stamped applications.
Popular series
-
Local Issues (1945)
1945
Provisional issues created due to the breakdown of postal services after World War II, often overprinting existing German stamps or using locally produced designs.
-
Overprints on Hitler Head Stamps
1945
Commonly, stamps of the Third Reich featuring Hitler's portrait were overprinted with new values or local inscriptions to demonetize them and serve immediate postal needs.
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–€500+
The value of Wittenberg Lutherstadt local issues varies significantly based on condition, specific overprint, and rarity of the underlying stamp. Unused examples and those with clear postmarks tend to fetch higher prices. Forgeries and unofficial issues are also prevalent, requiring careful authentication.
Catalogs. Wittenberg Lutherstadt 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 Wittenberg Lutherstadt stamps
Wittenberg Lutherstadt stamps are local provisional issues released in the city of Wittenberg (now Lutherstadt Wittenberg) in Germany immediately after World War II (1945-1946). These stamps were created to maintain postal services amidst the collapse of the central German postal system, often by overprinting existing German stamps with new values or local inscriptions.
The value of Wittenberg Lutherstadt stamps can range from a few euros for common varieties to several hundred euros for rare errors, specific overprint types, or well-preserved examples. Their value is highly dependent on factors like condition, the specific overprint, the underlying stamp, and whether they are genuinely postally used. Collectors should be aware of numerous forgeries.
To identify Wittenberg Lutherstadt stamps, look for overprints containing 'Wittenberg' or 'Lutherstadt' on German stamps issued prior to 1945, especially those from the Third Reich period. These overprints were typically applied locally. For a first lead, photograph the stamp in the Stamp Identifier app, then confirm the catalog number; valuable stamps deserve an expert opinion.
Wittenberg Lutherstadt local issues are primarily listed in specialized German stamp catalogs, most notably the Michel catalog (specifically the Germany specialized volumes). Scott catalogs may include some of the more recognized local issues under the broader German listings, but Michel provides more comprehensive detail for these provisional stamps.
Not sure where
it's from?
Photograph the stamp and Stamp Identifier names the issuer, the year and the series. One identification every 24 hours is free; prices and listings need Premium.