Province of Posen (Poznań)

This section focuses on the development of the postal and telecommunications systems in the historic province of Posen, as well as the specific postal characteristics of the territory of Poland.

Due to the dramatic shifts in borders over the past few centuries— particularly as a result of the partitions of Poland and the territorial reorganizations following World War I and World War II—this region offers extremely complex and multifaceted areas of interest for philatelists.

Historical Developments and Time Periods

• Evolution of Stamp Variety: Documentation from the pre-philatelic era, postmarks with Prussian numeric postmarks, county postmarks, etc., in the province of Posen.
• After World War I (1918–1920): Transitional and temporary postmarks in the emerging Polish state, overprinted stamps, and local issues.
• The Postal System During World War II: Incorporation as the Reichsgau Wartheland, the establishment of post offices under the administration of the Reich Postal Service, and special features such as the postal service in the General Government.
• Censorship and Field Mail: A detailed examination of mail surveillance during the various phases of conflict and occupation in this region.

By cross-referencing and archiving contemporary records, our working group is able to reconstruct an accurate picture of everyday postal life during the decades in question. This often involves identifying rare postmarks from smaller post offices, temporary postal service points, or specific delivery routes.

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 Poznań, Poland. This includes cataloging the types of postmarks used, postage rates, postal routes, and special features such as censored mail, field post, and railway post in 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.