Italy occupation Croatia NDH stamp year 1944 Sebenico 3,5 Kn block

Italy occupation Croatia NDH stamp year 1944 Sebenico 3,5 Kn MNH

📌 What these stamps are

• Area: Sebenico (Italian name for Šibenik, Dalmatia)
• Year: 1944
• Type: Occupation / provisional overprints
• Origin: Italian stamps (usually Imperiale series)
• Overprint: “N.D.H.” (Nezavisna Država Hrvatska)

👉 These are Italian stamps overprinted for use under the Independent State of Croatia (NDH) in Dalmatia.

🏛️ Historical background

• After Italy’s capitulation in September 1943, Dalmatian territories (including Šibenik/Sebenico) changed control.
• The region formally came under the Independent State of Croatia (NDH), a WWII Axis-aligned state.
• Due to postal shortages, existing Italian stamps were:
  • Overprinted locally with “NDH”
  • Put into temporary postal use in 1944

👉 This makes them emergency/provisional issues, not regular nationwide releases.

📮 Main characteristics

• Usually based on Italian “Imperiale” definitive stamps
• Overprints can vary:
  • Typography (handstamp vs printed)
  • Position and ink
• Often catalogued as:
  • Sassone (Italy occupation) nos. 1–5 (or similar sets)