5 STAMPS FROM COUNTRIES THAT NO LONGER EXIST
Check out these 5 stamps from countries that no longer exist
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East Germany
Image: Wikimedia Commons
In the aftermath of the second world war Germany was split between the Soviets and the West, a situation that remained in place from 1945 to 1989.
Stamps were issued under the auspices of the Deutsche Post of the GDR, which formed in 1949.
The first was produced that year and commemorates 75 years of the Universal Postal Union.
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Hejaz
Image: Wikimedia Commons
Hejaz stands on the west coast of what is now Saudi Arabia. For a brief period (beginning in 1916) it operated as a free state before being incorporated into the kingdom of Saud after an invasion in 1924.
During its eight year run of independence the nation issued a number of stamps, which are renowned for their complexity.
This resulted in a high percentage of error stamps, making this fertile ground for collectors.
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Western Thrace
Image: Wikimedia Commons
The provisional government of Western Thrace established a short-lived republic in this corner of Greece from August 31 to October 25, 1913.
A series of four stamps were designed and issued and used in the couple of months leading up to an invasion by Bulgaria.
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Tripolitania
Image: Wikimedia Commons
The Italian government maintained a colony on the coast of Libya, around the city of Tripoli, from 1927-1934.
Stamps issued during this period can be exceptionally valuable. One example from 1926 is up for auction at Spink on January 31 with a $14,224 estimate.
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The Orange Free State
Image: Wikimedia Commons
The Orange Free State was established in 1854 and lasted until the British shut it down in 1902.
Despite its existence for almost half a century, it only ever released a single design for its stamps. It displays an orange tree in a variety of colour and value variations.
All were manufactured in the UK at a number of different printers, meaning that errors and surcharge variations are common – making this stamp a hit with collectors.