Post Horn Stamps of Denmark

This is the latest in my series of articles featuring my post horn stamps. The post horn is a small brass instrument that was blown by mail carriers to announce their arrival and departure. In the nineteenth century, it became an international symbol of the postal service. The instrument appears in postal logos, on mail boxes, and on postage stamps. Make sure to read my main article devoted fully to the topic of post horns featuring stamps from all over the world and links to my larger country-specific collections.

The country of Denmark has a long postal history. The first postage stamp was issued in 1851. Within a year, the post horn was incorporated into the design on some Danish stamps and it has appeared on many ever since that time.

1852

This is the earliest stamp from Denmark to feature a post horn (actually four post horns, one in each corner).

1875

These 1875 are among my favorite stamps in my collection. Notice the small post horn under the denominational mark. I have enlarged and circled one above.

1876 – Danish West Indies

I highlighted this stamp in a blue box to make sure you recognize that this is not a Danish stamp. It was one that was issued for the Danish West Indies in the Caribbean in 1876. I included it here as a comparison. Obviously, it was also produced in Denmark, and I want to point out its design is the same as the 1875 stamps above – with the exception of the country name in the outer oval.

1907 – Newspaper stamps

The next group were all from the 1907 series of “Avisporto” or newspaper stamps. As the name implies, such stamps with specially designated rates were used to mail newspapers.

In 1918, the stamps had an overprint revalueing them to 27 Ore.

1921 – Postage Due

1926

1930

1934 – Postage Due

This absolutely beautiful set is steel engraved.

1937 – Extra Values

In 1937, extra values such as this 6 Ore stamp were added to the 1934 series.