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Albania is a mountainous country located on the western side of the Balkan Peninsula, bordered by Montenegro, Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Greece. It has a coastline along the Adriatic and Ionian Seas. The capital city is Tirana, and Albania has a democratic government. The country's postal system was initially part of the Ottoman Empire. After gaining independence in 1912, Albania began developing its own postal services, issuing its first national stamp in 1913.

Early Postal Services (1912–1913): After independence, Albania was a newly established country with limited infrastructure, and postal services were initially scarce. In 1913, the first Albanian stamp was issued, featuring the national emblem, a double-headed eagle. These early stamps bore the name “Shqipëria”, which continues to appear on all Albanian stamps today.

World War I and Foreign Control (1914–1918): During World War I, Albania was occupied by multiple foreign powers, including Italy and Greece. The postal services during this period were often controlled by these occupying forces. As a result, various foreign stamps and postmarks were used in different regions of the country.

Post-War Development and Early Republican Period (1919–1939): Following World War I, Albania’s postal services slowly developed under the Kingdom of Albania, and the first national postal system was established. In the early 1930s, Albania issued more stamps, many of which were designed to reflect the country’s heritage and modernising efforts.

Italian Occupation and World War II (1939–1944): In 1939, Italy invaded Albania, leading to another disruption in postal history. During this period, Italian stamps and postmarks were used within Albania.

Communist Era (1946–1991): After World War II, Albania became a communist state under Enver Hoxha. The postal system was tightly controlled by the government, and stamps were often used for political propaganda, featuring national heroes and socialist themes.

Post-Communist Era (1992–present): Following the collapse of the communist regime in 1991, Albania underwent a period of transition. The country modernised its postal services, becoming part of the global postal network.

Stamps Through the Years

• 1913: The first Albanian stamp was issued, featuring the double-headed eagle and the name “Shqipëria”.
• 1914–1918: Foreign stamps and postmarks from occupying countries like Italy and Greece were used.
• 1939–1944: During the Italian occupation, stamps of Italy were used in Albania.
• 1946–1991: Communist-era stamps prominently featured socialist themes and national figures.
• 1992–present: Modern Albanian stamps reflect both historical and contemporary themes. Albania also joined the Universal Postal Union (UPU).

Did You Know?

• A Country of Mountains and Coasts: Albania has stunning mountains and a beautiful coastline along the Adriatic and Ionian Seas. Some stamps feature landscapes like the Accursed Mountains and the Llogara Pass.
• Many early Albanian stamps were produced in Italy, due to Albania’s lack of postal infrastructure.
• Albanian stamps from the communist era often featured images of the country's leaders and symbols of socialist progress.
• The mosaic shown on Figure 1 comes from the baptistery at Butrint, an ancient site in southern Albania. This floor mosaic is part of the baptistery in Vlorë County, Albania. The circular building was constructed in the 6th century and has one of the best-preserved mosaic floors from that time. It was originally a Roman structure, later adapted for Christian use. Archaeologists first uncovered it in 1928.

Issued 1950: Airmail Series - 1 lek, Douglas DC-3 Aeroplane over Rozafat Shkodor.

Issued 1950: Airmail Series - 2 lek, Douglas DC-3 Aeroplane over Keshtjelle-Butrinto.

Issued 1950: Airmail Series - 5 lek, Douglas DC-3 Aeroplane over Vuno-Himare.

Figure 1 - Issued 1974: Mosaic Series - 10 qint, Bird and Flower mosaic from Butrint.