German Reich postage stamps year 1870-1930 Used lot with nice cancels
German Reich postage stamps from 1870-1930 span the unification era through the Weimar Republic, featuring iconic designs like eagles, numerals, and historical figures.
Key Periods
The German Empire (Deutsches Reich) began issuing unified stamps in 1872, following the 1871 unification, with small numerals on laid paper (1872-1874) and then wove paper versions. These early issues used simple numeral designs in black, later colored, perforated 14 x 14½. By 1899-1900, definitive series depicted German royalty and eagles, printed by Reichsdruckerei in Berlin.
Notable Designs
- Numeral Issues (1872-1900): Values from ½pf to 5M, with watermarks and shades; rare varieties include double prints or imperforates.
- Kaiser Wilhelm Series (1902-1919): Portraits of emperors, including Yacht types for high values up to 10M.
- Inflation Era (1923): Hyperinflation stamps with massive denominations like 50 billion marks, often overprinted.
Post-1919 Weimar issues included Liechtenstein reprints (1920), Hindenburg heads (1924-1925), and inflation surcharges.
Collectibility
These stamps are highly sought by philatelists for their historical significance, with rarities like the 1872 9kr blue fetching high values. Condition, cancellation types (e.g., numerals or bridges), and mint status affect pricing; catalogs like Michel provide detailed listings. Complete collections from 1872-1930 often include over 1,000 varieties.
