World War II Occupation Stamps
The category "World War 2 Occupations" encompasses a vast geographical area across Europe, Asia, and Africa, representing territories under Axis control or Allied military administration between 1939 and 1945. Postal history during this period is characterized by provisional issues, surcharges, and overprints applied to existing colonial or sovereign stamps to reflect immediate changes in administrative authority.
- Issued stamps
- 1939–1945
- Region
- Europe, Central Europe, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Southern Europe
- Languages
- German, Italian, Japanese, French, Dutch, Norwegian, Polish, Czech, Greek, Serbian, Croatian, Russian, English
- Issuer type
- Occupation postal administration
History and background
The linguistic environment on these issues is highly diverse, reflecting the original languages of the occupied nations alongside the languages of the occupying powers, such as German, Italian, or Japanese. These issues often mark significant, albeit temporary, transitions in sovereignty and postal service management, frequently ceasing upon liberation or the establishment of new post-war administrations.
Further reading: Wikipedia
Inscriptions to look for
Words printed on the stamp that point to this issuer. Search any of them in the issuer directory.
- AMG
How to identify them
- Look for overprints or surcharges on existing stamps, often in the language of the occupying power (e.g., 'Deutsches Reich', 'AMG', Japanese characters).
- Examine the design for symbols or portraits associated with the occupying power or specific wartime themes.
- Check the country name or administrative entity indicated on the stamp, which may differ from the pre-war or post-war name.
- Note the period of issue, as these stamps were only valid for a limited time during the occupation.
Popular series
-
German Occupation of Poland (General Government)
1939-1945
Stamps issued for the German-occupied territory of Poland, often featuring overprints on Polish stamps or new designs with German inscriptions.
-
Allied Military Government (AMG) Issues
1943-1945
Stamps issued by Allied forces for occupied territories like Italy, Germany, Austria, and France, often overprinted with 'AMG' or 'Allied Military Government'.
-
Japanese Occupation of Southeast Asia
1942-1945
Issues for occupied territories such as Malaya, Burma, Philippines, and Dutch East Indies, frequently featuring Japanese propaganda or overprints on local stamps.
-
German Occupation of France (Alsace-Lorraine)
1940-1944
Stamps issued for the annexed regions of Alsace and Lorraine, often German stamps overprinted or new issues reflecting German administration.
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–€5,000+
Value varies greatly depending on the specific occupation, rarity of the issue, condition, and whether it's an overprint, surcharge, or new design. Covers and postal history from these periods are often highly sought after.
Catalogs. World War II Occupation 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 World War II Occupation stamps
World War II Occupation stamps are postage stamps issued by occupying powers (Axis or Allied) for territories under their control during World War II (1939-1945). These often include overprints on existing stamps, surcharges, or entirely new designs reflecting the temporary administrative authority.
The value of World War II Occupation stamps varies significantly. Common issues can be inexpensive, while rare overprints, provisional issues, or stamps from short-lived occupations, especially in good condition or on cover, can be highly valuable, ranging from hundreds to thousands of euros.
To identify World War II Occupation stamps, look for specific overprints (e.g., 'AMG', 'Deutsches Reich', Japanese characters), surcharges, or designs that clearly indicate an occupying power. Pay attention to the language used and the administrative entity named. The Stamp Identifier app can suggest the issue from a photo; confirm the catalog number, and ask an expert about anything valuable.
Major international catalogs such as Scott, Michel, and Stanley Gibbons all extensively list World War II Occupation stamps. They are typically found within the sections for the occupied countries, often with dedicated sub-sections for occupation issues.
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