Germany Memel – Lithuania stamps year 1922 lot MH/USed
🇩🇪 📮 Memel / Klaipėda Stamps — Historical Context (Post-WWI)
- After World War I, the Memel Territory (German: Memelgebiet; today Klaipėda, Lithuania) was separated from Germany under the Treaty of Versailles. It was placed under French/Allied administration from 1920–1923.
- During the French mandate, stamps were issued specifically for use in the territory before it became part of Lithuania after the Memel Revolt / annexation in January 1923.
🗓️ What Was Issued in 1922
📮 1) French-Overprinted Stamps – “MEMEL” issues
In January 1922, the French administration issued overprinted stamps specifically for Memel:
- These were French stamps (definitives) that were overprinted with “MEMEL” and new values.
- They typically retained French designs but got a Memel-specific overprint indicating postal use in the Memel region during French administration.
Examples (Michel catalog reference):
- Mi 49 – Mi 51 — French stamps overprinted “MEMEL” with parallel bars and new value; issued 6–27 January 1922.
These overprints were valid locally in Memel and are classic collecting items from the territoire de Memel era just before Lithuanian control. Their catalogue numbers often start around Mi 49–51 for the 1922 overprints.
📌 Other Types You Might See From This Period
Even though the question is about 1922, it helps to know what else was circulating close to that year:
📮 2) Overprinted German Stamps (1920–1921)
- In 1920 and into 1921, German Reich issues (e.g., Germania designs) were overprinted “Memelgebiet” and were used before the French issues began.
These are sometimes found alongside or in collections with early 1922 Memel items.
📮 3) Currency / Usage Transition (1923)
- In January 1923, with Lithuanian forces taking over Memel, Lithuanian stamps and overprints (e.g., “Klaipėda / Memel”) started being used, transitioning from German Marks to Lithuanian litas over the next months.
These 1923-type issues are collected under Lithuanian occupation / Klaipėda but are different from the 1922 French “MEMEL” overprints.
