Allenstein is an area in present-day northeastern Poland covering
around 4500 miles. It was a district of East Prussia from 1905 until
1945. 
The
territory is currently part of the Polish Warmian-Masurian
Voivodeship. Following World War I, a plebiscite was held here (East
Prussian plebiscite) in 1920 to determine whether the areas population
wished to remain in East Prussia or become part of Poland. The
plebiscite was held on July 11 and almost 98% of the voters chose to
remain part of East Prussia. Following the defeat of Germany in World
War II, the area was placed under Polish administration and renamed as
Olsztyn. The German population of the area was expelled in October
1945.
Philatelic Profile:
A number of stamps issued in the area to publicize the plebiscite of 1920 form the entire set of stamps of Allenstein. None of the stamps were original issues, but rather were overprints on German stamps from the 1906 to 1920 timeframe.
The first issues were a set of fourteen stamps that were ‘Plebiscite Olsztyn Allenstein’ overprints on German stamps. The set (Scott #1 to #14)
started selling on April 3rd 1920 and became invalid on August 20.
Despite the fact that the stamps were used only for a few months, the
first set is remarkably inexpensive, cataloging at around $50 MNH and
around $30 Used. The designs on the original German issues included
Germania allegory, General Post Office in Berlin, Union of North and
South Germany, Unveiling Kaiser Wihelm I Memorial in Berlin, etc.
Another set of fourteen stamps using a different overprint design was also issued. That set (Scott #15 to #28) on the same original issues of Germany featured a different overprint that read ‘Traite De Versailles Art .94 et .95’ inside an oval border that had the inscription of the plebiscite commission.
The overprint refers to the Treaty of Versailles Articles 94 and 95
that dealt with Allenstein’s right to hold a vote to self-determine
their national preference. The set (Scott #15 to #28)
catalogs for around $70 MNH and around $50 Used. Inverted and Double
Overprint varieties are known to exist and they fetch a huge premium
that runs well into the 100s for each example. Overprints that were not
regularly issued are also known to exist for certain denominations and
they also catalog in the $100 range for MNH.
Collectible Memorabilia:
Historically relevant photographs and reproductions from the early 1900s are a good collectible item from the area.
Last Updated: 12/2015.
The
territory is currently part of the Polish Warmian-Masurian
Voivodeship. Following World War I, a plebiscite was held here (East
Prussian plebiscite) in 1920 to determine whether the areas population
wished to remain in East Prussia or become part of Poland. The
plebiscite was held on July 11 and almost 98% of the voters chose to
remain part of East Prussia. Following the defeat of Germany in World
War II, the area was placed under Polish administration and renamed as
Olsztyn. The German population of the area was expelled in October
1945. Philatelic Profile:
A number of stamps issued in the area to publicize the plebiscite of 1920 form the entire set of stamps of Allenstein. None of the stamps were original issues, but rather were overprints on German stamps from the 1906 to 1920 timeframe.
The first issues were a set of fourteen stamps that were ‘Plebiscite Olsztyn Allenstein’ overprints on German stamps. The set (Scott #1 to #14)
started selling on April 3rd 1920 and became invalid on August 20.
Despite the fact that the stamps were used only for a few months, the
first set is remarkably inexpensive, cataloging at around $50 MNH and
around $30 Used. The designs on the original German issues included
Germania allegory, General Post Office in Berlin, Union of North and
South Germany, Unveiling Kaiser Wihelm I Memorial in Berlin, etc. Another set of fourteen stamps using a different overprint design was also issued. That set (Scott #15 to #28) on the same original issues of Germany featured a different overprint that read ‘Traite De Versailles Art .94 et .95’ inside an oval border that had the inscription of the plebiscite commission.
The overprint refers to the Treaty of Versailles Articles 94 and 95
that dealt with Allenstein’s right to hold a vote to self-determine
their national preference. The set (Scott #15 to #28)
catalogs for around $70 MNH and around $50 Used. Inverted and Double
Overprint varieties are known to exist and they fetch a huge premium
that runs well into the 100s for each example. Overprints that were not
regularly issued are also known to exist for certain denominations and
they also catalog in the $100 range for MNH. Collectible Memorabilia:Historically relevant photographs and reproductions from the early 1900s are a good collectible item from the area.
Last Updated: 12/2015.
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