Postage Stamps and Postal History of Estonia

Estonia has a rich postal history that dates back to the 16th century. The country's first postage stamps were introduced in 1918, during the brief period of independence from Russia.

The first stamps featured the coat of arms of Estonia and were issued in denominations of 5, 10, and 20 marka. These stamps were printed in Germany and featured a unique design that reflected the country's cultural heritage.

Estonia's postal system has undergone significant changes over the years, but its commitment to innovation and efficiency has remained a constant. Today, Estonia is a leader in digital postal services, with online postage and tracking systems that make it easy to send and receive mail.

The country's postal museum in Tallinn showcases a vast collection of stamps and postal artifacts, providing a fascinating glimpse into Estonia's postal history.

Worth a look: 1st Us Stamp

Estonia declared its independence from Russia in 1918 and began issuing its own stamps, featuring a flower ornament and printed in denominations of 5 and 15 kopecks.

These early stamps were printed in relatively small quantities, and a small run of the 15-kopek stamp was perforated, though very few remain in circulation today.

Forgeries of these early stamps are extremely common, making the few genuine articles highly valuable among Estonia collectors.

Estonia's postal history is marked by the introduction of new stamps and issues throughout the 1920s and 1930s.

Some notable Estonia collectors' stamps from this period include the 1928-1935 Coat of Arms issue, which featured a unique colored network design intended to discourage counterfeiting.

Here are some notable Estonia collectors' stamps:

During World War I, Estonia was occupied by Germany, and the stamps of imperial Russia were used until 1918, when they were superseded by German stamps overprinted 'Postgebiet Ob. Ost'.

The republic of Estonia issued its first stamps in November 1918, in the Russian currency, and stamps in the Estonian currency first appeared in January 1919.

Local issues appeared in Rakvere in November 1918 and in Tallinn in May 1919, both issues being Russian stamps with overprints.

The Tallinn issues were available only in Tallinn, but valid for use throughout Estonia.

The independent republic of Estonia issued stamps until 1940, when the Soviet Union annexed the country and introduced its own stamps.

Under German occupation during World War II, Estonia used German stamps without overprint, and later issued stamps with the designation 'Estland – Eesti'.

Local issues appeared in several cities during the first months of German occupation, including Elwa, Möisaküla, Nöo, Otepää, Pärnu, Puko, and Rakvere.

After independence, Estonia issued its first stamps in October 1991, showing the coat of arms, and the first stamps in the Estonian currency appeared in June 1992.

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Estonia declared its independence from Russia in 1918 and began issuing its own stamps, featuring a flower ornament and printed in denominations of 5 and 15 kopecks.

These early stamps were printed in a small run, with a few genuine articles remaining in circulation today. Forgeries of these stamps are extremely common, making them difficult to identify.

Some notable Estonia collectors' stamps include the 1928-1935 Coat of Arms issue, which featured a unique colored network design intended to discourage counterfeiting, and the 1940 Carrier Pigeon and Plane issue.

Here are some notable Estonia collectors' stamps:

To protect yourself from forgeries, it's essential to buy Estonia collectors' stamps from a trusted dealer, such as Apfelbaum, which has been buying and selling rare stamps for over 100 years.

Estonia declared its independence from Russia in 1918 and began issuing its own stamps that same year. These first stamps featured a flower ornament and were printed in denominations of 5 and 15 kopecks.

Forgeries of these early stamps are extremely common, making genuine ones highly valuable among collectors. The few genuine articles that do exist are among the most valuable Estonia collectors' stamps.

Estonia remained an independent state throughout the turmoil of the '20s and '30s, becoming a member of the Universal Postal Union in 1922. This led to the printing of a number of attractive stamps.

Related reading: Rare Us Postage Stamp Values

Some notable Estonia collectors' stamps include the 1928-1935 Coat of Arms issue, which featured a unique colored network design intended to discourage counterfeiting. Other notable issues include the 1920-1924 Skyline of Tallinn issues and the 1920 Viking Ship issue.

The 1918 German occupation of Tartu saw the introduction of local issues, with Russian stamps overprinted with new face values in the German currency. These issues were used in conjunction with German stamps overprinted 'Postgebiet Ob. Ost'.

The republic of Estonia issued its first stamps in November 1918, in the Russian currency. Stamps in the Estonian currency first appeared in January 1919.

During the German occupation, local issues appeared in several cities, including Elwa, Möisaküla, Nöo, Otepää, and Pärnu. These issues were listed in the Michel catalog.

After independence, Estonia issued its first stamps in October 1991, showing the coat of arms. The first stamps were issued in the Soviet currency.

Here are some notable issues from Estonia's postal history:

Estonian Postage Stamps have undergone significant design changes over the years, with the first stamps issued in 1918 featuring a simple, yet elegant design. The stamps were printed in black and white, with a focus on showcasing the country's natural beauty.

The 1920s saw a shift towards more colorful designs, with the introduction of the first multicolored stamps. These stamps featured vibrant colors and intricate illustrations, making them a delight to collect.

Estonian stamps have also been known for their unique and often humorous themes, such as the 1930s series featuring cartoons by the famous Estonian artist, Eduard Wiiralt. His whimsical illustrations continue to charm collectors to this day.

The 1960s and 1970s saw a rise in the use of Estonian folk art and architecture on the stamps, adding a touch of cultural authenticity to the designs. This trend continues to this day, with many modern stamps featuring traditional Estonian motifs.

Recommended read: Us Postage Stamp Day

Estonian Postage Stamps are highly sought after by collectors due to their rarity and historical significance. Some of the rarest stamps include the 1856 4 sk. blue and the 1864 1 sk. red, which are highly prized by collectors.

The 1856 4 sk. blue stamp is particularly rare because it was only printed in small quantities and many were destroyed in a fire at the Tallinn post office. This scarcity has driven up its value to make it one of the most expensive Estonian stamps in the world.

The rarity of Estonian stamps can also be attributed to the country's tumultuous history, which has led to the loss or destruction of many stamps over the years. The 1864 1 sk. red stamp, for example, was printed in large quantities but many were destroyed during World War II.

Collectors often seek out rare stamps to complete their collections, and the value of these stamps can fluctuate depending on their condition and rarity. A well-preserved 1856 4 sk. blue stamp can sell for tens of thousands of dollars.

Additional reading: Blue Point Post Office

If you're interested in exploring the postage stamps and postal history of Estonia, there are several digital archives and resources at your disposal.

The Estonian Stamp Museum's online collection is a great place to start. It features a vast collection of Estonian stamps, including rare and historical issues.

You can also visit the Estonian National Archives, which has a wealth of information on Estonia's postal history, including records of postal rates and routes.

The Estonian Postal Museum's website offers a wealth of information on the history of postal services in Estonia, including exhibits on postal vehicles and postal workers.

For those interested in collecting Estonian stamps, the Estonian Philatelic Society is a valuable resource, providing information on stamp values, rarity, and condition.

The online database of the Estonian Stamp Museum allows you to search and view images of Estonian stamps, making it easy to find and identify specific stamps in your collection.

Expand your knowledge: Post Office Records Archives

Estonia declared its independence from Russia in 1918 and began issuing its own stamps that same year. These early stamps featured a flower ornament and were printed in denominations of 5 and 15 kopecks.

The 1928-1935 Coat of Arms issue is a notable Estonia collectors' stamp, featuring a unique colored network design intended to discourage counterfeiting. This design was a clever attempt to prevent forgeries.

Forgeries of Estonia's early stamps are extremely common, and the few genuine articles that do exist are among the most valuable. This is a recurring issue in Estonian philately.

The 1920-1924 Skyline of Tallinn issues, the 1920 Viking Ship issue, the 1936 St. Brigetta Convent issue, and the 1940 Carrier Pigeon and Plane issue are also notable Estonia collectors' stamps.

Here are some of the notable issues:

During World War I, Estonia was occupied by Germany, and the stamps of imperial Russia were used until 1918. The German occupation led to the use of German stamps overprinted 'Postgebiet Ob. Ost' in the postal area of Ob. Ost.