German Post Horn Stamps

This post features my collection of German post horn stamps from the middle of the late nineteenth century to the late twentieth. The post horn has been the symbol of the postal system since the eighteenth century. This was because of the practice of mail carriers on horseback blowing a small horn to announce their arrival or departure. Consequently, the post horn became an international symbol of the postal service. As a result, the instrument appears in logos, on uniforms, and on postage stamps from Argentina to Iran. Make sure to read my blog post devoted to the topic.

Of course, post horn stamps are most common in Europe. For instance, you can check out my collection of post horn stamps from Austria, Sweden, Norway, Italy, and Hungary. I will be adding more pages in the coming weeks and months and this article features my collection of post horn stamps from Germany.

Thurn and Taxis

The oldest German stamps in my collection feature post horns as small motifs in the corners of stamps from two different regions. First, the German principality of Thurn and Taxis issued a set of stamps in 1852 that featured small post horns in the corners. I have two of the stamps from that series. The denominational values are silver groschen.

North Postal District

Similarly, the stamps from the North Postal District from 1868 also post horns as small corner motifs. On these stamps, the upper right and lower left corner feature post horns, while the other corners have a different decorative technique. I especially like their denominational values of 1/4, 1/3, and 1/2 Groschen.

Each stamp is in a monochromatic color with the denominational value printed directly in the middle. However, the post horn is a very small decorative motif, with it only appearing in the upper right and lower left hand corners. They are hard to see and difficult to enlarge, but here is a grainy attempt to try and make it more identifiable on the stamps.

German Empire

The next stamps in my collection are from the 1870s. They feature the German crown at the top and the denominational value in large print in the center. In addition, below the value is a small post horn. The stamps are beautifully and ornately designed, each printed in a different monochromatic color.

The Weimar Republic

Following the First World War until 1933, Germany was a federal constitutional republic. This period is known as the Weimar Republic. During this tumultuous time, marked by tremendous inflation, there were a number of post horn designs. Check out my article about the post horn stamps of the Weimar Republic here.

The Third Reich

I have little desire to say much about the following stamps. While their designs are nice, I hate that they are from the Nazi government.

Occupied Zones

But here come the good guys. The first post horn stamps after the War, came from the state of Thuringia when it was part of the Soviet Occupied Zone in 1945.

The next stamps are fascinating to me. These stamps feature an overprint of post horns on top of a stamp. They were issued by Britain and the United States and were used in their occupied zone (but not in the Soviet zone).

Then, in 1949, the French occupied zone, known as the Rhineland-Palatinate also issued a pair of stamps featuring post horns.

West Germany

Additionally, I have some post horn stamps in my collection from West Germany.

Anniversary Stamps

In the 1960s, West Germany featured a couple of stamp on stamp designs with important anniversaries of early postal systems. The first is from 1965 and features early stamps from Thurn & Taxis. It celebrates the 125th anniversary of these stamps. Then in 1968, the North German stamps are on a design commemorating a centennial for those designs.

I also have a first day cover celebrating the centennial of the postal museum in Bonn from 1972.

Europa 1973 Stamp designs

In 1973, West Germany had two stamps that were a part of the Europa series when most countries in Europe made stamps featuring post horns made from three arrows.

Stamp Exhibition Munich

Stamp Day Issues

East Germany

Postillion and Post Rider Stamps

There have been a number of post rider stamps from Germany over the years. You can see my collection on this post featuring these very special stamps.