Postage Stamps of Memel (Klaipėda) (1920-1923)

The Memel Territory (now Klaipėda, Lithuania) was administered by the Allied Powers (1920-1923) after World War I. During this period, Memel issued its own postage stamps before being annexed by Lithuania in 1923.

First Memel Stamps (1920)

  • January 7, 1920: First stamps were issued by overprinting German stamps with “Mémel” and new values.
  • These overprinted German stamps were used until October 1920, when Memel issued its own designs.

Key Stamp Issues

  1. 1920-1921: Overprinted German Stamps

    • Various German stamps (Reichspost and Germania series) were overprinted with “Mémel” and new denominations in centimes and francs.
    • Some were surcharged with higher values due to inflation.

  2. 1921-1922: Definitive Memel Stamps

    • First original designs issued, featuring:
      • Coat of arms of Memel
      • Harbor scenes
      • Allied administration themes
    • Printed in French currency (centimes/francs).

  3. 1922: French Occupation Overprints

    • Overprints reading “Memel 1922” applied to older issues.
    • Used during French military administration before Lithuanian annexation.

  4. 1923: Lithuanian Annexation Overprints

    • After Lithuania took control in January 1923, stamps were overprinted with “Klaipėda”.
    • The currency was changed from francs to Lithuanian litas.

End of Memel Stamps (1923)

  • After the Memel Uprising, Lithuania took control of the region.
  • From 1923 onward, Lithuanian stamps were used, replacing Memel issues.

Collectibility & Value

  • Early overprints (1920) on German stamps are rare and valuable.
  • Lithuanian Klaipėda overprints (1923) are sought after.
  • Errors, such as misprints or inverted overprints, are highly collectible.