Memel and the Memel Region (Klaipėda)

The Memel Region (Lithuanian: *Klaipėdos kraštas*) holds a special place in postal history due to its turbulent historical and political development.

This was the part of the Prussian province of East Prussia located north of the Memel River, which was separated from the German Empire after World War I in accordance with the provisions of the Treaty of Versailles. From 1920 to 1923, it was administered by the League of Nations and was occupied by French troops before being annexed by Lithuania in 1923 and recognized as an autonomous region in 1924. In March 1939, it was finally reincorporated into the German Reich.

Periods in the History of the Postal Service

The "Memel Region" collecting area is divided into various historically defined periods, each of which has its own philatelic characteristics, stamp issues, and postmark types :

• Pioneers and Followers (until 1920): Use of stamps and postmarks of the German Empire.
• French Administration (1920–1923): Proprietary stamp issues (overprinted issues on stamps from France and the German Empire).
• Lithuanian Occupation and Autonomy (1923–1939): Lithuanian and local issues. Memel and Klaipėda postmarks in various designs.
• Reintegration into the German Reich (1939–1945): Reintroduction of German postage stamps and postmarks. Numerous interesting emergency and temporary postmarks also appeared during this period.

Our Research Group's Main Areas of Focus

Within our working group, specialized collectors and researchers are dedicated to the detailed documentation of all post offices in the Memel region. This includes cataloging the types of postmarks, postage rates, and postal routes used, as well as special features such as censored mail, field post, and railway post within this regional context.

The results of our research are regularly published in the newsletters of the working group and provide a solid foundation for the transfer of knowledge between experts and new collectors.