Germany Wurttemberg postage stamps year 1881/1906 Used lot

Germany Wurttemberg postage stamps year 1881/1906 Used lot

The postage stamps of Württemberg issued between 1881 and 1906 belong to a significant period in the kingdom’s postal history when it was part of the German Empire but still maintained its own stamp issues until Germany introduced imperial stamps in 1902.

Key details about Württemberg stamps during this period:

• The first stamps of Württemberg were issued in 1851 after the postal duties were taken over from the Thurn and Taxis administration.
• From 1881 to 1902, Württemberg issued official stamps marked “Amtlicher Verkehr” for governmental use, following a change that ended most postage free mail privileges for state correspondence. This issue included about fifteen unwatermarked stamps.
• The regular postage stamps of this time showed large numerals denoting the value, with inscriptions of “Württemberg” above and “Freimarke” (postage stamp) below, printed typographically on colored paper.
• In 1906, a new issue appeared similar in design to the 1881 stamps but printed on watermarked paper (watermark “circles and crosses”) and with denominations in pfennigs rather than kreuzers.
• The internal tariff in 1881 was adjusted to align more closely with the postal rates of the German Reich, with changes like reducing the radius for discounted neighbor traffic.
• After April 1, 1902, the German imperial stamps became valid in Württemberg, gradually replacing local issues.

Summary table of Württemberg stamps 1881-1906:

Württemberg stamps are valued for their classic typographed numeral designs and historical transition from independent kingdom issues to integration into the German postal system. Collectors may find various catalog references, including Scott and Michel catalog numbers for these issues.