Postage Stamps of East Germany (DDR) (1949-1990)

The Deutsche Demokratische Republik (DDR), or East Germany, existed from 1949 to 1990 and issued its own postage stamps reflecting socialist themes, political events, and cultural achievements.

First DDR Stamps (1949)

  • Before the official establishment of the DDR on October 7, 1949, the Soviet Occupation Zone issued stamps from 1945-1949.
  • The first DDR stamp set, issued October 9, 1949, commemorated the 75th birthday of Wilhelm Pieck, the first and only President of East Germany.

Key Stamp Issues and Themes

  1. Early Post-War Issues (1949-1955)

    • Focused on workers, farmers, and industrial progress.
    • Depictions of Karl Marx, Friedrich Engels, and Lenin.
    • Commemorative stamps for socialist achievements and historical anniversaries.

  2. Five-Year Plan Series (1953-1959)

    • Highlighted East Germany’s industrialization under socialism.
    • Featured workers in factories, farms, and coal mines.
    • Some were overprinted for inflation adjustments.

  3. Berlin Crisis and Anti-Western Themes (1960s)

    • 1961 Berlin Wall Stamps celebrated the construction of the Berlin Wall as a “peacekeeping measure.”
    • DDR stamps often criticized West Germany, NATO, and capitalism.

  4. Space Exploration (1960s-1980s)

    • DDR was an ally of the Soviet Union and honored cosmonauts like Yuri Gagarin.
    • The Interkosmos program (which included DDR astronaut Sigmund Jähn) was featured on stamps.

  5. Sports and Olympics (1950s-1980s)

    • DDR celebrated its athletic achievements in the Olympics, World Cup, and gymnastics.
    • Featured famous DDR athletes and sports events.

  6. Historical and Cultural Stamps

    • Issued stamps on famous German composers (Bach, Beethoven), writers (Goethe, Schiller), and artists.
    • Stamps featured anti-fascist resistance fighters and anniversaries of communist uprisings.

  7. Definitive Series and DDR State Symbols

    • Portraits of Karl Marx, Friedrich Engels, Lenin, and DDR leaders.
    • DDR’s state emblem (hammer and compass) appeared frequently.

  8. Final DDR Stamps (1990)

    • Before German reunification, the last DDR stamps were issued in June 1990.
    • Final issues included themes of unity and cooperation with West Germany.

End of DDR Stamps (1990)

  • On October 3, 1990, Germany reunified, and DDR ceased to exist.
  • Stamps of the former DDR remained valid for postage in the unified Germany until December 31, 1991.