Collecting Poland rare stamps presents a lot of options these days. It means dipping into one of the most interesting categories of philately. Find out about the turbulent history of Poland and its stamps before buying. There are stamps from the World War I years, World War II occupation stamps, small local issues and more!
Poland rare stamps beginning: 1860
Poland’s postage stamp history goes back to 1860. A single postage stamp design was printed on an estimated three million stamps.
Since 1815, a large section of modern-day Poland had been called the Kingdom of Poland (usually referred to as Congress Poland or the Congress Kingdom). It was a puppet state of the Russian Empire. In 1860, Congress Poland printed its own postage stamps. Russia eventually approved these pieces.
The stamps had a value of 10 kopecks. In 1865 these stamps, inscribed in Polish and Russian, were discontinued in favor of Russian stamps.
Poland rare stamps during World War I
In 1915, German forces captured northern Poland from the Russians. The Germans then issued their own stamps with overprints for Poland. Also in 1915, several Polish cities issued their own stamps for local use. These included Chęciny, Luboml, Otwock, Przedbórz, Sosnowiec, Warszawa, Zawiercie, and Żarki. All of these can be highly collectible. One from each is a great idea for a collection.
If you like stamps with maps, look for this Polish one from 1966.
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In 1918, unused local stamps that had been printed in 1916 were used nationally with overprints. This was a first in world postal history.
Austria occupied parts of southern Poland, but used its own stamps. Afterwards, in 1918, the city of Lublin overprinted Austrian K UND K stamps in Polish. Kraków did the same with Austrian stamps. Kraków also printed new stamps inscribed POCZTA POLSKA (Polish Post) with values in halerzy and korona (1 korona = 100 halerzy).
Polish stamps in the years after World War I
The monetary units of halerzy and korona were used (abbreviated H and K) on a set of new stamps in 1919 for use in southern Poland. The same designs, but with the monetary units of fenigi and marka (F and M) were printed for northern Poland. Some of these stamps were overprinted with ‘LEVANT’ for use in Polish post offices in the Turkish Empire.
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Subsequent Polish stamps used fenigi and marka exclusively.
In 1919, the Republic of Poland was established and recognized internationally. Nice, new national stamps were issued. But in 1924, the currency was revamped, from that point using złoty and groszy (1 złoty = 100 groszy). These are still the units used today on Polish stamps.
From 1925 until 1937 Poland overprinted its own stamps with the phrase ‘PORT GDAŃSK’ for use in the city of Gdańsk (a.k.a. Danzig). In 1938, a new stamp was issued specifically inscribed PORT GDAŃSK. Most Polish stamp collectors look for at least one Gdańsk stamp, or even complete sets.
Polish stamps during World War II
In 1939, Germany invaded Poland and World War II commenced. At first, German stamps with overprints were used in occupied Poland. Eventually Germany issued new stamps inscribed GENERALGOUVERNEMENT and denominated in złoty and groszy. Some of these featured an image of Adolf Hitler. Some also added the phrase DEUTSCHES REICH. There were also semi-postal stamps, rural delivery stamps, and official stamps used by the Germans in Poland.
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During the occupation, the exiled Polish government in Great Britain issued several stamps for use on Polish ships. Buyers of Poland rare stamps compete for these in online marketplaces. The stamps were inscribed POCZTA POLSKA and all featured wartime images. Ssoldiers, military vehicles, and buildings in ruin were common.
Polish stamps from 1945 — 1989
The era of Poland rare stamps didn’t end after World War II of course. When the new Communist People’s Republic of Poland was established, new stamps were issued. They were sometimes inscribed POCZTA POLSKA (especially in the first decade) but usually simply POLSKA. These stamps were issued by the government until 1989. Poland experimented with several stamp designs and shapes during this time. These of course are numerous in online sales listings and great examples can be had for excellent prices.
Browse 816 current Poland stamps and postal collectibles for sale offers here
Pablo Picasso on a Polish stamp. Imagine this face staring up at you from your stamp album.
Polish stamps after 1989
In 1989, the Communists fell when Lech Wałęsa was elected as President. Thus began the Third Polish Republic, which has continued to issue stamps inscribed POLSKA. There have been several types of collectible postal items as well.
With its vital role in the history of Europe and the complex twists of its stamp story, Poland presents the philatelist with endless possibilities. A collection of Poland rare stamps can take any shape you want. There are many fascinating eras and types of postal collectibles available. Remember that when you see something you want for a good price, act fast. There are a lot of people watching the same Polish stamp sales.
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Happy hunting!
