World War II Stamps: Complete Identification Guide

World War II fundamentally changed global philately. Between 1939 and 1945, nations used stamps for propaganda, occupied territories issued new stamps, resistance movements created clandestine postal services, and victory was celebrated in countless commemorative issues. This guide covers everything collectors need to know about WWII stamps.

Understanding WWII Philately

The Second World War created unique collecting categories:

**Pre-War Buildup (1935-1939)**: Stamps showing military themes and nationalism
**Occupation Issues (1939-1945)**: Stamps from occupied territories
**Propaganda Stamps**: Government-issued stamps promoting war efforts
**Liberation Issues (1944-1945)**: Stamps celebrating freedom
**Victory Commemoratives (1945-1946)**: Post-war celebration stamps

Major Categories of WWII Stamps

German Reich and Occupied Territories

Germany produced extensive philatelic material during WWII:

Hitler Head Series (1941-1944)

Standard definitive stamps featuring Adolf Hitler's profile
Printed in various colors and denominations
Used throughout Germany and occupied areas
Overprinted for use in specific territories

Identification Tips:

Look for "Deutsches Reich" inscription
Swastika watermarks in paper
Various overprints indicate specific territories
Condition varies widely due to wartime shortages

Occupation Overprints:

Bohemia and Moravia (Böhmen und Mähren)
General Government (Poland)
Ostland (Baltic States)
Ukraine
Serbia, Montenegro, and others

Allied Nations

United States WWII Issues:

Win the War stamp (1942) - Purple 3-cent
China Resistance commemorative (1942)
Allied Nations series (1943)
Various war-themed commemoratives

United Kingdom:

King George VI definitives continued throughout war
Victory issue 1946 with peace symbols
Various wartime surcharges

Soviet Union:

Heroes of the Soviet Union series
Defense of Moscow commemoratives
Order of Victory stamps
Propaganda and military themes throughout

Japanese Empire and Occupied Territories

Japan and its occupied territories produced distinctive stamps:

Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere themes
Occupation stamps for Philippines, Burma, Dutch East Indies
Japanese characters often overprinted on local stamps
Propaganda themes promoting Asian unity

Resistance and Liberation Stamps

Some of the most collectible WWII stamps come from resistance movements:

French Resistance:

Liberation overprints on Vichy stamps
Local liberation issues from various cities
Maquis resistance postal items

Polish Underground:

Warsaw Uprising postal issues
Home Army courier stamps
Clandestine government in exile issues

Dutch Resistance:

Local liberation stamps
Overprints on German occupation issues

Identifying Authentic WWII Stamps

Paper and Printing Quality

Wartime conditions affected production:

Paper quality declined as war progressed
Colors may be inconsistent due to ink shortages
Perforations sometimes irregular
Some stamps imperforate due to equipment damage

Overprint Verification

Occupation and liberation overprints require careful authentication:

Compare with catalog illustrations
Check ink color and application method
Verify printing plate characteristics
Expert certification recommended for rare overprints

Condition Considerations

WWII stamps often show:

Toning from poor storage conditions
Thins and tears from wartime handling
Heavy cancellations from military mail
Gum disturbance from tropical conditions

Building a WWII Collection

By Country Approach

Focus on stamps from specific nations:

Complete sets of definitives
Commemorative issues
Occupation stamps
Liberation overprints

Thematic Approach

Collect by subject matter:

Military equipment (tanks, planes, ships)
National leaders
Propaganda themes
Victory and peace symbols

Postal History Approach

Collect covers and postal items:

Military mail with censor marks
POW correspondence
Red Cross mail
Field post offices (Feldpost)

Valuable WWII Stamps

Most Sought-After Issues

**Polish Government in Exile Issues** - Limited distribution, rare complete sets
**Liberation Overprints** - Especially verified local issues
**Resistance Stamps** - Authenticated underground postal items
**Error Stamps** - Wartime production created numerous errors
**Military Field Post** - Rare usage from combat zones

Price Ranges

Common definitives: $0.50-5
Standard commemoratives: $5-50
Occupation overprints: $10-500
Liberation issues: $25-2,000
Rare resistance stamps: $100-10,000+

Authentication Challenges

WWII stamps present unique authentication issues:

Common Forgeries

Fake overprints on genuine stamps
Reproduced liberation stamps
Fantasy issues (stamps that never existed)
Altered cancellations to create rarities

Expert Resources

Philatelic Foundation (New York)
Royal Philatelic Society (London)
German Federation of Philatelists
Specialized WWII philatelic societies

Using Technology for Identification

Modern tools like StampSnap assist WWII collectors by:

Identifying basic stamp designs quickly
Providing reference comparisons
Suggesting authentication points
Connecting collectors with resources

While technology cannot replace expert certification for rare items, it provides an excellent starting point for identification and cataloging.

Historical Significance

WWII stamps document history in miniature:

Propaganda reveals government messaging
Occupation issues show territorial changes
Liberation stamps celebrate freedom
Victory commemoratives mark war's end

Collecting WWII stamps offers both philatelic enjoyment and historical education, connecting collectors to one of humanity's most significant conflicts.

Conclusion

World War II stamps represent a vast and fascinating collecting field. From German Reich definitives to Allied victory issues, from resistance stamps to occupation overprints, this era offers endless discovery possibilities. Focus on areas that interest you, always seek authentication for valuable items, and enjoy the historical journey that WWII philately provides.