GERMAN OCCUPATION STAMPS
LORRAINE
(1940)

This page was last updated
04-Apr-2023 06:45

BACKGROUND: Lorraine is an area of northeastern France bordering with Belgium, Luxemburg and Germany. Following the signing of the armistice with France on 22nd Jun 1940 the region was placed under German civil administration. French stamps were still valid for use until 25th Aug 1940, so for ten days from 15th, until 25th Aug, examples of mixed franking covers with French and German stamps can be found.

From 15th Jul 1941 Stamps of the German empire were also valid in Lorraine. Official mail was only to use German empire stamps, not those overprinted 'Lothringen'.

Postal rates for the region were the same as for Germany itself.

Covers of this issue featuring old French or provisional cancellations such as those inscribed "GOETZENBRUCK | MOSELLE" are very collectable.

MICHEL 1 to 16
HINDENBURG DEFINITIVE STAMPS
OVERPRINTED 'LOTHRINGEN'
(15th Aug 1940)

On 15th Aug 1940 existing Hindenburg Head definitive stamps were overprinted 'Lothringen' for use in the occupied Lorraine region.



Mi 1: 3Rpf - dark brown ochre - More details
Mi 2: 4Rpf - blackish grey ultramarine (shades) - More details
Mi 3: 5Rpf - (yellow) emerald green (shades) - More details
Mi 4: 6Rpf - black (grey) green to black opal green - More details



Mi 5: 8Rpf - cinnabar (shades) - More details
Mi 6: 10Rpf - black reddish brown (shades) - More details
Mi 7: 12Rpf - blackish pink (red) - More details
Mi 8: 15Rpf - dark to black red lilac - More details



Mi 9: 20Rpf - bright cyan blue - More details
Mi 10: 25Rpf - medium lilac ultramarine - More details
Mi 11: 30Rpf - dark brownish olive - More details
Mi 12: 40Rpf - dark lilac purple - More details



Mi 13: 50Rpf - black green / grey black - More details
Mi 14: 60Rpf - dark carmine lilac / grey black - More details
Mi 15: 80Rpf - dark cobalt / grey black - More details
Mi 16: 100Rpf - blackish yellow-orange / grey black - More details