Explore World War II History With Your Collection of German World War II Stamps
The German mail service stopped during World War II, so various entities started issuing their own stamps. On eBay, you can find many of these vintage World War II stamps to add to your stamp collection.
Local issue German World War II stampsSeveral different governments issued stamps in Germany during World War II for local use, including:
- French Zone of Occupation: France issued Baden, Rhineland-pfalz, Saar, and Wurttemburg stamps showing the region's coat of arms.
- Berlin-Brandenburg: A series of seven stamps showing the Berlin bear in various poses were the only stamps issued in Berlin during the war.
- Mecklenburg-Vorpommern: Various stamps featuring scrolls or grain stalks were issued in this Russian-controlled zone.
- Saxony PD Halle, East Saxony OPD Dresden, and West Saxony OPD Leipzig: These Russian-controlled regions issued stamps good for the entire region with various designs.
In areas that Germany controlled at the start of World War II, post offices used Third Reich stamps. They over stamped these stamps with ink using a variety of objects, including their thumbs, pencil erasers, and corks. Many of these stamps show Hitler's image facing to the right, but other Third Reich stamps were also used.
Types of Hitler StampsWhile you can find 21 unique, vintage Hitler stamps from Germany printed during World War II, Hitler's image appears on other stamps in areas controlled by Germany. Germany occupied Poland, and during that time, issued four vintage Hitler stamps. On three, Hitler is facing to the right while on the fourth, he is facing to the left. After Germany took over Czechoslovakia, the area issued new stamps. Four of these stamps show Hitler, including two where Hitler is standing.
Were any propaganda stamps produced during World War II?You can find propaganda World War II postage stamps, often called Nazi stamps, on both sides during World War II, including:
- "This war is Jewish" stamp: Produced by the Germans, this stamp designed to look like King George V's silver jubilee stamp, bears stars of David, the Soviet hammer and sickles, and Stalin's picture. The message at the bottom of this stamp that shows Hitler reads, "This war is a Jewish (sic) war."
- Coronation stamp: This stamp is designed to look like King George VI and Queen Elizabeth's coronation stamp, but it shows Stalin in place of Queen Elizabeth. The intended message was that the German and Great Britain governments were linked together.
- Heinrich Himmler stamp: This stamp released by the British Special Operations Executive showed Himmler's image in place of Hitler. It was designed to make Hitler feel insecure.
- Operation Cornflake stamp: You can find a late-issue futsches reich stamp for sale. These vintage Adolf Hitler stamps that were often dropped near mail-bombed trains showed Hitler's head as a skull, but with his mustache and hair in place.