Thurn and Taxis was a private postal system operated by the Princely House of Thurn and Taxis between 1806 and 1867. It served a number of smaller German states and was in competition with government systems in larger states. The postal system was known for its monopoly under the auspices of the Holy Roman Empire (HRE) and later as a private postal system.
Stamps Issued
Thurn and Taxis issued postage stamps for use on its mail starting in 1852. The stamps were in two designs, numeral in square frame for the northern district and numeral in circular frame for the southern district, due to the different currencies in use in the two districts. The stamps were issued in various denominations, including Silbergroschen for the northern districts and Kreuzer for the southern districts.
Values and Rarity
The values of the stamps varied, with some being very common and others being rare or extremely rare. The catalogue lists the values of the stamps in both unused and used conditions, with remarks on their rarity and the presence of forgeries.
Forgery and Reprints
It is noted that while the intricate design of the stamps did discourage forgeries, they do exist, and stamps with fake cancels are abundant. Reprints of the stamps are also present, and collectors should be cautious when purchasing these stamps.
End of Operations
Following the Prussian victory in the Austro-Prussian War, the Thurn and Taxis postal contracts were sold to the Prussian government, effectively ending the operation of Thurn and Taxis Post. This event was followed by the German unification in 1871 and the establishment of the Universal Postal Union in 1874.
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