BADEN
Stamps issued: 1851-1868
A former grand duchy in southwestern Germany on the Rhine River. In 1870, it joined the German Empire. After World War II, Baden was included in the French zone of occupation, and separate issues were again in use from 1945-49, with some issues valid for use in the German Federal Republic until March 31, 1950.
Narrative by Linn's Stamp News
BAVARIA
Stamps issued: 1849-1919
Former kingdom in southern Germany. Bavaria joined the German Empire in 1870, retaining its own monarchy. The country was briefly independent following World War I. Bavarian stamps were replaced by German issues in 1920.
Narrative by Linn's Stamp News
BERGEDORF
Stamps issued: 1861-1867
A town in northern Germany, originally owned by Hamburg and the Free City of Lubeck (1420-1867). In 1867, it passed into the sole possession of Hamburg. Bergedorf began issuing stamps in 1861, these being replaced by those of the North German Confederation in 1868.
Narrative by Linn's Stamp News
BREMEN
Stamps issued: 1855-1867
A major German seaport in northwestern Germany, Bremen was a free city and a member of the German and, later, the North German Confederations, joining the German Empire in 1870. Bremen used its own stamps from 1855-68, after which issues of the North German Confederation came into use.
Narrative by Linn's Stamp News
BRUNSWICK
Stamps issued: 1852-1865
A former duchy in northern Germany, joining the German Empire in 1870. Brunswick's issues were used from 1852-68, when they were replaced by those of the North German Confederation.
Narrative by Linn's Stamp News
HAMBURG
Stamps issued: 1859-1867
A seaport and former Free City in northern Germany. Hamburg's stamps (1859-67) were replaced by those of the North German Confederation on Jan. 1, 1868.
Narrative by Linn's Stamp News
HANOVER
Stamps issued: 1850-1864
A former kingdom in northern Germany. United with Britain from 1714 to 1837 through a common monarch, Hanover supported Austria in the Austro-Prussian War (1866) and was annexed by Prussia. Hanover's stamps were first issued in 1850, being replaced by those of Prussia in 1866.
Narrative by Linn's Stamp News
LÜBECK
Stamps issued: 1859-1865
A former Free City and State in northern Germany on the Baltic Sea. Lubeck's stamps were replaced by those of the North German Confederation.
Narrative by Linn's Stamp News
MECKLENBURG - SCHWERIN
Stamps issued: 1856-1867
A former grand duchy in northern Germany, bordering the Baltic Sea. In 1868, issues of the North German Confederation came into use.
Narrative by Linn's Stamp News
MECKLENBURG - STRELITZ
Stamps issued: 1864
A former grand duchy in northern Germany, divided into two parts by Mecklenburg-Schwerin, with which it was joined until 1701. Its stamps were replaced by those of the North German Confederation in 1868.
Narrative by Linn's Stamp News
NORTH GERMAN CONFEDERATION
Stamps issued: 1868-1869
A confederation of German states, formed under the leadership of Prussia in 1868, after Austria's defeat in the Austro-Prussian War. On Jan. 1, 1868, the stamps of all member nations were replaced by those of the confederation, with the area forming the North German Postal District.
Narrative by Linn's Stamp News
OLDENBURG
Stamps issued: 1859-1862
A former grand duchy in northern Germany. Oldenburg's issues were replaced by those of the North German Confederation in 1868.
Narrative by Linn's Stamp News
PRUSSIA
Stamps issued: 1850-1867
Former kingdom in northern Germany. By the early 18th century, Prussia was a major European power, and by 1870, it occupied most of northern Germany and ruled two-thirds of the German population. Prussia dominated the German Empire established in 1870. Stamps of Prussia were issued from 1850-67 and were replaced on Jan. 1, 1868, by issues of the North German Postal District.
Narrative by Linn's Stamp News
SAXONY
Stamps issued: 1850-1863
Former kingdom in central Germany. Saxon issues were replaced by those of the North German Confederation in 1868.
Narrative by Linn's Stamp News
SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEIN
Stamps issued: 1850-1865
Former duchies in northern Germany, forming the southern portion of the Jutland Peninsula. Under Danish control until 1864, the duchies were seized by Austria and Prussia, who subsequently fought the Austro-Prussian War (1866), after which they were absorbed by Prussia. A plebiscite in 1920 resulted in northern Schleswig being returned to Denmark.
Narrative by Linn's Stamp News
THURN AND TAXIS NORTHERN DISTRICT
Stamps issued: 1852-1866
A princely house that maintained a postal monopoly in central Europe from the 16th century until 1806. After 1815, it operated postal services in parts of western Germany. In 1867, its rights were purchased by Prussia.
Narrative by Linn's Stamp News
THURN AND TAXIS SOUTHERN DISTRICT
Stamps issued: 1852-1867
A princely house that maintained a postal monopoly in central Europe from the 16th century until 1806. After 1815, it operated postal services in parts of western Germany. In 1867, its rights were purchased by Prussia.
Narrative by Linn's Stamp News
WURTTEMBERG
Stamps issued: 1851-1900
Former kingdom in southern Germany. Wurttemberg joined the German Empire in 1870. Its regular issues were replaced by those of Germany in 1902, although its official issues continued in use until 1923.
