Albania Postage Stamps and Postal History Overview

Albania has a rich postal history that dates back to the 19th century. The first postage stamps were introduced in 1913.

The first stamps featured the image of King William of Wied, a German prince who briefly ruled Albania in 1914. This marked the beginning of Albania's postal history.

The country's postal system was initially established by the Ottoman Empire, which ruled Albania from the 15th to the 20th century. This legacy can still be seen in the design of some of Albania's earliest stamps.

Albania gained independence in 1912 and began issuing its own stamps soon after.

Consider reading: Postal Code Frankfurt Am Main Germany

In 1925, Albania released a series of stamps featuring then President Ahmed Zogu, later King Zog.

These stamps came in two designs with various denominations and were in use until 1929. The standard perforation for this series is Perf 13.5, but I came across a few unlisted varieties.

The country's early postal history is fascinating, with Turkish issues circulating between 1870 and 1913.

Before 1913, Albania used the stamps of the Turkish Empire.

The first Albanian stamps were actually an overprint of Turkish stamps, featuring a classic double-headed eagle and the word SHQIPËNIA.

This overprint marked the beginning of Albania's own postal system.

The early 20th century was a chaotic time for Albania, and its stamp history reflects this. Stamps from 1914-1946 are a fascinating thing to collect, as they tell a story about Albania's postal twists and turns.

Albania declared an independent republic, and stamps from this time included many different overprints and inscriptions. Some of these inscriptions include SHQIPËNIË, POSTA SHQYPTARE, and REPUBLIKA SHQIPTARE.

You can spot some Albanian stamps from this era by their prominent double-headed eagle, which also appears on the country's red and black flag. This symbol has been a part of Albanian identity for a long time.

In 1928, Albania became a monarchy under King Ahmed Zogu, formerly named Zog. Old stamps with new overprints were used at first, but in 1930, brand-new stamps were issued, inscribed POSTAT SHQIPTARE.

Later inscriptions read SHQIPNI, making it a challenge to collect one of each different inscription on Albanian stamps. If you're interested in collecting these stamps, you've already got your work cut out for you!

Here's a list of some of the different inscriptions found on Albanian stamps from this time:

Modern Albanian Stamps are relatively straightforward to identify, thanks to their consistent use of the SHQIPËRIA inscription, often with or without the dots over the E. This is a departure from the earlier motley scheme.

The English name ALBANIA is rarely used on modern Albanian stamps, which might be a surprise to collectors. You won't often see it on regular collectible postage stamps.

SHQIPËNIE E LIRË is a phrase you might see on some early Albanian stamps. This translates to "Free Albania" and was first used in December 1913. It's a significant part of the country's history and philatelic heritage.

The phrase SHQIPËRIA is the most commonly used inscription on modern Albanian stamps, often accompanied by unique cultural and historical illustrations. This reflects the country's rich cultural identity.

After World War II, Albania used overprinted Italian occupation stamps. In 1945, a new inscription "QEVERIA DEMOKRATIKE E SHQIPNIS" appeared on some stamps. This was later replaced by "REPUBLIKA POPULLORE E SHQIPERISE" in 1946.

Albania's postage stamps have some fascinating overprints and variations. One notable example is the Skanderbeg Issue, which featured a design other than the double-headed eagle and was issued in 6 denominations between 1913 and 1914.

The Skanderbeg Issue stamps were the first to feature George Kastrioti Skanderbeg, the national hero of Albania.

Komitetit Te Qindreses stamps also have overprint varieties, including double overprints and upside down overprints.

The 1914 Valona Fantasy Issue is a fascinating example of a philatelic rarity. It features a set of stamps with the image of a warrior and a view of a city, presumably Valona Albania.

This issue was created in 1914, a time when Albania was a minefield of fakes, forgeries, and fantasy issues. The stamps were designed to look like legitimate issues, but they were actually created to deceive collectors.

Valona was the Italian name of the city of Vlore, which was occupied by Italy from 1909 to 1916. During this period, Italy issued stamps overprinted "Valona" for their offices in the city.

These overprinted stamps were legit issues used during that period, but the 1914 Valona Fantasy Issue was a separate creation, not an official issue.

The Skanderbeg Issue Overprint Varieties are a fascinating aspect of Albanian philately. This series of stamps, featuring George Kastrioti Skanderbeg, the national hero of Albania, was issued in 6 denominations: 2q, 5q, 10q, 25q, 50q, and 1fr.

A number of overprint varieties exist on these stamps, including double overprints and upside down overprints. These varieties can greatly impact the value and rarity of the stamps.

Both Series 4 and 5 of the Skanderbeg Issue were overprinted with Kennedy In Memoriam, existing in both Black and Gold. This is a notable example of the various overprint varieties that can be found on Albanian stamps.

The 1914 surcharge overprints on the Albania Skanderbeg issue are particularly interesting, with some stamps appearing to have been postmarked 1 day prior to their release. This is a rare and unusual occurrence that highlights the complexity of overprint varieties.

The 1967 Rose Series 25q stamp has a notable variation in color.

Albania's 1967 Rose Series includes Scott #1027 – 1034, with the 25q being Scott 1030.

This series features a range of colors, but the 25q stamp in particular has been known to have color missing.

A scan of two 25q stamps from the series shows the correct color on the left and a stamp with color missing on the right.

This could be the result of a printing error or another factor.

The Freedom Fighters Series 1 is a fascinating set of stamps that showcases the resilience and determination of the Albanian people.

This series was part of the Komitetit Te Qindreses Set, with normal and taller paper varieties available. I've yet to find these stamps with postmarks or overprints.

In April 1939, Italy invaded Albania, and by April 12th, the country had capitulated, leading to a rise in Albanian "Resistance" organizations.

King Zog fled to Greece, and the Albanian Parliament offered the crown to Italian King Victor Emmanuel III, creating an environment that fostered the growth of these resistance groups.

These groups first fought against the Italians, then the Germans, and eventually became a symbol of Albanian resistance against occupation.

Partial proofs are fascinating items that can be found in the world of philately. They are essentially incomplete stamps that can provide valuable insights into the printing process.

The Albanian Komitetit Te Qindreses – Partial Proofs are a great example of this. They contain proofs of both the first set of 4 and the second "1952 overprinted" set of 4, but with only the centers printed. This means the country name, values, and borders are missing.

These partial proofs can be a treasure for collectors, offering a unique glimpse into the printing process. The Swiss Auction House listing for this item highlights their rarity and appeal.

In the case of the Albanian partial proofs, the missing information is a crucial aspect of their uniqueness. The absence of the country name, values, and borders makes them stand out from complete stamps.

Albania's postal history is marked by a significant event - the country began using stamps while still part of the Ottoman Empire in 1870.

Between 1870 and 1913, Turkish issues were in circulation in Albania.

Italian presence in the coastal city of Valona, now Vlorë, led to the use of Italian special overprints for postage during this period.

In 1913, Albania set up a national postal system and started issuing its own stamps.

The Figures of Freedom stamps are a fascinating part of philatelic history. They were issued by Komitetit Te Qindreses, and their designs were redrawn based on earlier versions.

These stamps come in various perf varieties, including Perf 14 and Perf 12.5. I've been searching for the latter, but so far, I haven't found any.

The Figures of Freedom series features air drop scenes, which were part of the design in the late 1940s. I've acquired some paper varieties and blocks of these stamps.

There are also imperf versions of these stamps, adding to the variety of the series.

Albania was occupied by Germany, Greece, and Italy during World War II, which threw its postal system into chaos.

The country's postal system was severely disrupted, leading to the establishment of separate post offices and the use of unique stamps by each occupying power.

Italy invaded Albania in 1939, issuing new stamps inscribed MBRETNIJA SHQIPTARE, which were later overprinted by German forces in 1943.

These "Frankenstein hybrids" were used until 1944, showcasing the complex and tumultuous nature of Albania's postal history during this period.

After World War II, Albania regained its independence and issued new stamps in 1945, featuring the inscription QEVERIA DEMOKRATIKE E SHQIPNIS.

This marked a significant shift in Albania's postal system, as the country began to establish its own unique philatelic identity.

Albania's postage stamps have been printed on a variety of paper types, including gummed and ungummed paper, and even on silk.

The Albanian government has issued a range of commemorative stamps over the years, including ones featuring notable figures such as Ismail Qemali and Mother Teresa.

To verify the authenticity of a stamp, collectors can look for the Albanian postal service's perforation patterns, which have changed over time.

Forgeries are a serious concern for collectors, especially when it comes to rare and valuable stamps.

In the case of early Albanian collectors' stamps, forgeries are common and can be easily created to deceive collectors. Many supposedly historical stamps, such as the Valona Warrior issues, were created whole-cloth by con artists.

Working with a trusted dealer or auction house is essential to avoid falling victim to these forgeries. This is especially true for Albanian stamps, where forgeries are a significant problem.

It's not just a matter of being cautious; it's a matter of doing your research and being informed.

If you're looking to buy rare Albanian stamps, Apfelbaum is a great resource. They have been selling rare European stamps since 1910.

Their extensive inventory includes high-quality issues from all periods of the country's history. This means you can find a wide range of stamps to suit your interests.

Apfelbaum also offers a "Buy It Now" sales option, making it easy to purchase the stamps you want quickly.

Apfelbaum, Inc. has been selling rare European stamps since 1910, including Albanian stamps.

If you're looking for a specific Albanian stamp, get in touch with Apfelbaum today to see if they can help you track it down.

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