SHS – Chainbreakers Slovenia stamps year 1920 Used cut “Pliberk” Austria

SHS – Chainbreakers Slovenia stamps year 1920 Used cut “Pliberk” Austria

The SHS Chainbreaker (Verigarji) stamps with a “Pliberk” (Bleiburg) cancellation are highly significant historical items. They represent a brief and volatile window in postal history during the Carinthian Plebiscite of 1920.

Historical Significance: The Carinthian Plebiscite

Pliberk (German: Bleiburg) was part of “Zone A” during the post-WWI territorial dispute between the newly formed Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes (SHS) and the Republic of Austria.

• Postal Authority: Between 1919 and October 1920, the SHS administration occupied this region. During this occupation, they used Slovenian “Chainbreaker” stamps at local post offices.
• The Plebiscite (Oct 10, 1920): After the vote went in favor of Austria, the SHS authorities had to withdraw. Consequently, the use of SHS stamps in Pliberk ceased, making these cancellations finite and historically anchored to the struggle for the northern border.

Identification of the “Used Cut”

A “used cut” refers to a stamp that has been clipped from an envelope or document with the postmark preserved.