Bosnia postage stamp year 1917 – 3K Used

Bosnia postage stamp year 1917 Mi 139 – 3K Used

Bosnia and Herzegovina’s postage stamps from 1880 to 1917 reflect a significant period in its postal history, especially during the time of Austria-Hungary’s administration.

Early Issues (1880s)

The first postage stamps for Bosnia and Herzegovina were issued in 1879, shortly after the region was occupied by Austria-Hungary in 1878. These initial stamps featured the Austrian double-eagle coat of arms and did not contain any text. This marked the beginning of a unique postal identity for the region under Austro-Hungarian rule.

Notable Issues in the 1880s

• 1879: First stamps featuring the Austrian coat of arms.
• 1880s: Continued use of these early designs, which were primarily utilitarian.

Development of Stamps (1900-1917)

As time progressed, Bosnia and Herzegovina saw a variety of stamp designs that reflected its cultural and historical context. Notably, from 1906, stamps inscribed with “Bosnien Herzegowina” began to appear, showcasing landscapes and monuments, such as views of Doboj and Sarajevo.

Key Stamp Issues

• 1906: Definitive stamps featuring local landscapes.
• 1910: Additional definitive issues with similar themes.
• 1912: More definitive stamps were released, continuing the trend of depicting local scenery.
• 1913: Introduction of newspaper stamps featuring a girl in traditional Bosnian costume.
• 1914-1915: Overprints on existing stamps began to appear due to changing political circumstances.

Military and War-related Stamps

During World War I, military postal services produced several stamps, including those depicting Emperor Franz Joseph I. In 1916, various definitive stamps were issued, including those for express mail and war invalids.

Transition to Post-War Period (1918)

The end of World War I led to significant changes. In November 1918, Bosnia and Herzegovina transitioned to using overprinted Austrian pictorial stamps that read “DRZAVA S.H.S.” (State of Slovenes, Croats, and Serbs) as it became part of the newly formed Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes. Overall, the period from 1880 to 1917 was marked by a rich variety of postage stamps that not only served postal purposes but also reflected the cultural heritage and historical shifts within Bosnia and Herzegovina during Austro-Hungarian rule.