Germany year 1920/33 stamps Weimar Republic / Dienstmarke / Used Collection
The Dienstmarken (Official Service Stamps) of the Weimar Republic (1920-1933) are a vast and complex field, especially due to the period of hyperinflation.
Here is a breakdown of the Dienstmarken (Official Stamps) issued by the Deutsches Reich (German Reich) during the Weimar era:
🇩🇪 Germany (Weimar Republic) Dienstmarke (1920–1933)
“Dienstmarke” simply means “Service Stamp” and was used exclusively for mail sent by government offices and official agencies, not for public use.
The period is divided into two major phases, each with its own complexity:
1. The Early and Inflation Periods (c. 1920–1923)
This is the most complex and fascinating time for these stamps, defined by the rapid economic collapse and hyperinflation.
- Initial Issues (1920):
- The first issues were often the Prussia Official Stamps or Bavaria/Württemberg Stamps overprinted with “Deutsches Reich” to unify them for use across the entire country after the regional postal systems were absorbed.
- Many of these stamps feature an Imperial Eagle design or simple numerals.
- The first general-issue Dienstmarken featured a simple design with a central value numeral and the inscription “Deutsches Reich” and were issued for use in all German states (without the “21” control number, which was for Prussia).
- The Hyperinflation Issues (1921–1923):
- As the value of the Mark plummeted, stamps were constantly being revalued. The Dienstmarken followed suit, leading to an immense number of stamps overprinted with new denominations.
- The official stamps of 1923, for example, saw stamps originally denominated in Pfennig or Marks overprinted with new values in “Tausend” (Thousands), “Millionen” (Millions), and eventually “Milliarden” (Billions) of Marks.
- These hyperinflation overprints, often applied to the earlier definitive series stamps (like the Workers or Architecture series), are known as “Infla-Dienstmarken” and are highly collectible for their variety, errors, and historical context.
2. The Stabilization and Late Weimar Period (c. 1924–1933)
After the currency was stabilized with the introduction of the Rentenmark (and later the Reichsmark) in late 1923/early 1924, the stamp program became much more orderly.
- 1924 Issues: Following the stabilization, new official stamps were issued, often with a simpler, standardized design, sometimes continuing the design tradition of the regular issues but with the “Dienstmarke” inscription.
- 1927–1933 “Straw Hat” Issues: This is the most consistent series of Dienstmarken during the late Weimar period. These stamps featured a simplified eagle design (often informally called the “Straw Hat” eagle) and were used until the end of the Weimar Republic.
