Postal History of Germany

A Journey Through German Stamps and Postal Evolution

Germany’s postal system has a long and interesting history, dating back to the 15th century. Before official postal services, messages were carried by travelling merchants or special messengers on horseback. The first organised postal service was developed by the Thurn and Taxis family, who ran postal routes across Europe from the early 16th century for over 300 years.

By the 19th century, as Germany was divided into many different states, each region had its own postal service and issued its own stamps. After Germany was unified in 1871, a national postal system was introduced, and the first stamps of the German Empire were issued in 1872. Today, Deutsche Post is responsible for delivering mail across Germany and beyond.

Before Germany Became One Country: Independent States (1849–1871)
In the 19th century, Germany was made up of many independent kingdoms and duchies. Each had its own postal service and issued its own stamps. These stamps are now known as the German States issues and are some of the earliest and most sought-after in German philately. Learn more about the German stamp-issuing states

The name on the stamp appears first, followed by the state or period in brackets and the years they were issued.

Bayern (Bavaria): 1849–1920
Bavaria was the first German state to issue a stamp. On 1 November 1849, it released the 1-Kreuzer black stamp with a simple numeral design. Later stamps included images of King Ludwig II and the Bavarian coat of arms. Even after Germany unified in 1871, Bavaria continued issuing its own stamps until 1920.

Preussen (Prussia): 1850–1867
As the largest and most powerful German state, Prussia issued its first stamp in 1850. Early issues featured large numerals and the words Freimarke / Preussen. Later stamps included the Prussian eagle, a symbol of the kingdom’s strength. After Prussia led the unification of Germany, it switched to using national stamps.

Sachsen (Saxony): 1850–1867
Saxony’s famous 3-Pfennig green stamp, issued in 1850, is one of Germany’s rarest. Known as the “Saxony Drei Pfennig,” it featured an ornate oval frame with the word SACHSEN. Later issues included the Saxon coat of arms and portraits of Saxon rulers.

Württemberg: 1851–1920
Württemberg’s first stamps showed large numerals and the state name. Later designs included the royal coat of arms. Interestingly, Württemberg kept issuing its own stamps until 1920, even though it joined the German Empire in 1871.

Baden: 1851–1868
Baden issued beautifully engraved stamps showing its coat of arms. One of Germany’s rarest stamps, the Baden 9 Kreuzer green error, was printed on the wrong paper in 1851. Only a few exist today.

Hannover (Hanover): 1850–1864
Hanover’s first stamps showed King George V, with elegant designs featuring the Hanoverian arms. In 1864, Prussia annexed Hanover, and the kingdom’s stamp issues stopped.

Braunschweig (Brunswick): 1852–1865
Known for their distinctive design, Brunswick’s stamps featured a rearing horse, the symbol of the Duchy. These stamps are popular among collectors because of their unusual imagery.

Oldenburg: 1852–1867
This small Grand Duchy issued stamps with its ornate coat of arms and intricate borders. Oldenburg’s stamps were relatively few, making them rarer than many others.

Schleswig-Holstein: 1864-1866
After Denmark lost the Second Schleswig War, Schleswig and Holstein came under Austrian and Prussian control. Only a small number of stamps were issued—some separately, some jointly—before the area joined the Prussian postal system in 1867.

Mecklenburg-Schwerin: 1856–1867
The stamps of this northern duchy featured the grand ducal coat of arms, often with detailed backgrounds and elegant borders.

Mecklenburg-Strelitz: 1864 only
This very small duchy issued only one stamp, a red-orange 1-schilling piece. Because of its rarity, it’s considered a prized collectible.

Hamburg: 1859–1867
The Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg issued beautifully engraved stamps featuring the city’s castle emblem. The first issue was a ½ Schilling blue stamp. As a busy trading port, Hamburg’s stamps reflect its maritime history and independence before joining the North German Confederation.

Bremen: 1855–1867
Another Hanseatic city, Bremen issued stamps with a central key symbol, representing the key of Saint Peter, which is also found in the city's coat of arms. Bremen’s issues are highly prized for their intricate design and historic importance.

Lübeck: 1859–1867
Lübeck’s stamps featured its double-headed eagle coat of arms. Though only a few stamps were issued, their bold colours and detailed engravings make them stand out. Like Hamburg and Bremen, Lübeck joined the North German Confederation in 1868.

Bergedorf: 1861–1867
Tiny Bergedorf, jointly governed by Hamburg and Lübeck, issued a very small number of stamps. They are distinctive because they carry the symbols of both cities. The rarest Bergedorf stamps are highly sought-after because of the area’s small size and short period of postal independence.

Helgoland: 1867–1890
This small North Sea island issued stamps under British control, but with a strong German connection. Helgoland stamps are known for their bright colours and often featured the profile of Queen Victoria. They were used locally and for international mail, and today many of them are counterfeited due to their popularity with collectors.

Thurn and Taxis: 1852–1867
Thurn and Taxis was not a territory, but a private postal service that operated across many parts of Germany and beyond. The family had run courier services since the 16th century. When they issued stamps, they did so from two centres, Frankfurt (Northern District) and Regensburg (Southern District). Their stamps are marked by clear numerals and a unique system of rates. Thurn and Taxis ceased operations after Prussia took control of postal services in 1867.

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North German Confederation (1868–1870)
In 1868, many northern German states joined the North German Confederation, a step towards full unification. The stamps used in this region bore the words Norddeutscher Postbezirk (North German Postal District). Notably, Bavaria and Württemberg continued to operate their own postal systems during this time, using their own stamps.

The German Empire (1872–1918)
After years of war and diplomacy, Germany was officially unified in 1871, led by Prussia. A national postal service was established in 1872, and the first stamps of the Deutsches Reich (German Empire) were issued. These early stamps showed the imperial eagle and were printed in different currencies—Groschen in the north and Kreuzer in the south.

The wording on the stamps also changed over time:

1872–1880: "Deutsche Reichspost"
1889–1900: "Reichspost"
1902–1918: "Deutsches Reich"

Later issues featured Emperor Wilhelm I and other imperial symbols. Even though Germany was now united, Bavaria and Württemberg continued issuing their own stamps—with their own names—until 1920, under special agreements.

German Empire - issued 1889: 5 pfennig - Numeral in the middle. Inscribed REICHSPOST

German Empire - issued 1889: 50 pfennig - Definitive Series, eagle. Inscribed REICHSPOST

German Empire - issued 1902: 10 pfennig - Germania Definitive Series. Inscribed DEUTSCHES REICH

German Empire - issued 1902: 1 mark - Definitive Series, General Post Office at Berlin. Inscribed DEUTSCHES REICH

Weimar Republic (1919–1933)
After World War I, the German Empire collapsed and was replaced by the Weimar Republic — Germany’s first attempt at a democratic government. Even though Germany was no longer an empire, the stamps still bore the name Deutsches Reich.

Early Weimar stamps included symbols of peace, industry, and democracy. Other issues featured portraits of Friedrich Ebert, Germany’s first president, as well as themes such as German culture and rebuilding after the war.

One of the most famous periods in this era was the hyperinflation crisis of 1921–1923, when the value of German money collapsed. Postage prices rose dramatically, and stamps were overprinted with higher and higher values — some even into the billions of marks. These hyperinflation stamps are a striking reminder of this troubled time.

Weimar Republic - issued 1921: 75 pfennig - Definitive Series. Inscribed DEUTSCHES REICH

Weimar Republic - issued 1922: 3,000 marks - Number in Horizontal Oval Definitive Series. Inscribed DEUTSCHES REICH
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Weimar Republic - issued 1922: 25 marks - Wood Pigeon Airmail Series. Inscribed DEUTSCHES FLUGPOST (Airmail)

Weimar Republic - issued 1923: Surcharge - 250,000 marks on 500 marks - Issued during the hyperinflation period. Inscribed DEUTSCHES REICH

Nazi Germany (1933–1945)
When Adolf Hitler and the Nazis came to power, stamps became tools of propaganda. Although they still read Deutsches Reich, their tone changed completely. Stamps often featured Hitler’s portrait, Nazi symbols like the swastika and eagle, military scenes, and nationalistic slogans. While these stamps are an important part of history, they also serve as a reminder of the dangers of propaganda and war.

During World War II, the Nazis issued stamps in occupied countries such as France, Poland, and the Netherlands. These stamps sometimes had local overprints or were redesigned with Nazi imagery.

Nazi Germany - issued 1934: Nuremburg Congress Series - 6 pfennig, Nuremburg Castle. Inscribed DEUTSCHES REICH

Nazi Germany - issued 1935: German Railway Centenary Series - 12 pfennig, Class os Steam Train. Inscribed DEUTSCHES REICH

Nazi Germany - issued 1939: Winter Relief Fund Series - 6 + 4 pfennig, Clock tower at Graz. Inscribed DEUTSCHES REICH

Nazi Germany - issued 1943: Armed Forces Heroes' Day Series - 4 + 3 pfennig, Infantry on BMW R75 motorcycles. Inscribed DEUTSCHES REICH

Post-War Germany and Allied Occupation (1945–1949)
After World War II, Germany was divided into four occupation zones, each controlled by one of the Allied powers—Soviet Union, France, the United States, and Britain. Each zone had its own postal system and stamps. Learn more about Allied occupation stamps

Allied Occupation (British and American Zone) - issued 1945: Allied Military Post Series - 12 pfennig, AM Post. Inscribed DEUTSCHLAND.

Allied Occupation (American, British And Russian Zone) - issued 1946: Allied Militart Post Series - 6 pfennig, Numeral. Inscribed DEUTSCHE POST.

Allied Occupation (American, British And Russian Zone) - issued 1947: Allied Militart Post Series - 2 pfennig, gardener. Inscribed DEUTSCHE POST.

Allied Occupation (British and American Zone) - issued 1948: Definitive Series - 20 pfennig, Brandenburg Gate. Inscribed DEUTSCHE POST.

Saarland (1947 to 1956)
Saarland, a region in southwestern Germany, was under French administration after World War II. From 1947 to 1956, it issued its own stamps, separate from both East and West Germany. These stamps often had French influence in their design and language. In 1957, Saarland officially rejoined West Germany, and its postal service became part of the West German system.

The Division of Germany (1949–1990)
In 1949, Germany officially split into two separate countries, each with its own postal system and very different types of stamps.

West Germany: Officially called the Federal Republic of Germany, its stamps read Deutsche Bundespost. Early issues showed efforts to rebuild the nation, famous Germans like Beethoven and Einstein, and themes of peace and democracy.
East Germany (DDR): Known as the German Democratic Republic, East Germany’s stamps read Deutsche Demokratische Republik or DDR. They often promoted socialism, with images of workers, factories, scientists, and youth. Some celebrated international socialist friendship, and others honoured space missions or Soviet allies.

The differences in themes between East and West Germany’s stamps clearly reflected their political systems.

West Germany - issued 1945: Allied Military Post Series - 30 pfennig, AM Post. Inscribed DEUTSCHE BUNDESPOST.

West Germany - issued 1953: Remembering Prisioners of War - 10 pfennig. Inscribed DEUTSCHE BUNDESPOST.

West Germany - issued 1954: President Heuss Definitive Series - 80 pfennig. Inscribed DEUTSCHE BUNDESPOST.

West Germany - issued 1957: 500th Anniversary of the First Wurttemberg Parliament - 10 pfennig. Inscribed DEUTSCHE BUNDESPOST.

East Germany (DDR) - issued 1953: Five Year Plan Definitive Series - 24 pfennig, Stalin Avenue, Berlin. Inscribed DEUTSCHE DEMOKRATISCHE REPUBLIK

East Germany (DDR) - issued 1952: Official Stamp (Dienstmarke)- 70 pfennig. Inscribed DEUTSCHE DEMOKRATISCHE REPUBLIK

East Germany (DDR) - issued 1975: Lighthouse Series 2 - 10 pfennig, Mole Fire Gellen (1905). Inscribed DEUTSCHE DEMOKRATISCHE REPUBLIK

East Germany (DDR) - issued 1979: Leipzig Autumn Fair Series - 10 pfennig, Teddy Bear. Inscribed DEUTSCHE DEMOKRATISCHE REPUBLIK

Reunification and Modern Germany (1990–Present)
After the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, Germany became one country again in 1990, and the two postal systems were joined into a single service.

The first stamp of reunified Germany, issued on 3rd October 1990, carried the name Deutschland and showed people celebrating the Day of German Unity.

Germany - Issued 1997: Famous German Women Series - 110 pfennig, Marlene Dietrich. Inscribed DEUTSCHLAND.

Germany - issued 1998: 1100th Anniversary of Nordlingen - 110 pfennig, Walled City. Inscribed DEUTSCHLAND.

Germany - Issued 1988: Commemorating Stamp Day - 110 pfennig, Postjakt Hiorten. Inscribed DEUTSCHLAND.

Germany - Issued 2000: Centenary of the German Football Association - 110 pfennig, Football. Inscribed DEUTSCHLAND.

Occupation Issues
Throughout its history, Germany has issued or received stamps in times of occupation. See the full list of occupation issues