POSTAGE STAMPS
(1939)

This page was last updated
31-Aug-2026 06:52

LOCAL ISSUES - MÄHRISCH-OSTRAU

Germn troops occupied the city of Mährisch-Ostrau on 15th Mar 1939. Until the issue of protectorate stamps existing Czechoslovakian stamps were still valid for use, either in their original state, or with a black three line "Wir Sind Frei!" overprint. Both variants were sold for their original value at the city's post offices.

MICHEL 17
DEFINITIVE STAMP
COAT of ARMS OVERPRINTED 'Wir Sind Frei!'
(16th Mar 1939)

Existing Czechoslovkian issue stamp overprinted with three line 'Wir Sind Frei!' and Swastika text. Designed by Karel Vik | Karl Friedrich Wilhelm Seizinger.

VALIDITY: 15th Mar 1939 to
VALUE: 4Kč
COLOUR: black violet purple
WATERMARK: None
PERF: Line 12½
AVAILABILITY:
SIZE:
PRINTING TYPE: Recess
QUANTITY PRINTED: 800

VARIATIONS

There are no major variations

OVERPRINT VARIATIONS

There are five variations relating to the '!' at the ned of the word 'Frei!'



ABOVE LEFT: TYPE I: vertical part of '!' joined to period below.
ABOVE CENTRE : TYPE II: large gap between vertical part of '!' and the period below.
ABOVE RIGHT: TYPE III: small gap between vertical part of '!' and the period below.



ABOVE LEFT: TYPE IV: 'W' of 'Wir' broken on upper left side
ABOVE RIGHT: TYPE V: Swastika turned slightly to the right

PLATE FLAWS

There are no major plate flaws

STAMPS FROM MY COLLECTION

All stamps shown from here until the end of the page are from my personal collection

MINT / UNUSED