1945 ZAGREB, Letter from Slavonski Brod

Zagreb provisional issue was valid for only 6 days, from 25.06.1945 to 30.06.1945. Postage items are very scarce and are sent mainly from Zagreb. Only a few are known to have been shipped from other locations.

1945 Zagreb provisional issue, letter sent from Slavonski Brod (??.VI.45) to Belišće (18.VII.1945) via Našice (10.VII.1945), correctly franked with 80 kn. Extremely rare use from outside of Zagreb. Certificate Ercegović.

Note that the old company name was crossed out and the new one "Slavonija d.d. Slav. Brod" was applied with a rubber stamp.  

1945 SPLIT - small format letter

In the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, there existed specific circumstances under which letters could be sent at a reduced tariff:

1. Unsealed envelopes were eligible for shipment at the stationery tariff.
2. Small envelopes carrying concise messages (such as business cards or greetings) qualified for postage at the rate applicable to stationery or printed matter, depending on whichever was more cost-effective.

Although these regulations were not formally enforced in 1945, a few preserved items indicate that such practices persisted.

1945 Split provisional issue, small format letter franked with 10 kn, sent locally in Dubrovnik (1.VI.45), censored in Dubrovnik (censor cancellation No. 10). A rare example of a letter franked as a stationery.

Large Vermeil Medal

I am pleased to share that at the philatelic exhibition, Thailand 2023 World Stamp Championship, the manual "Local Issues of Independent State of Croatia" was awarded the Large Vermeil medal (87 points).

I extend my gratitude to everyone who contributed in any capacity to the publication of the manual, especially those who ordered a printed copy or contributed through donations.

If you haven't received the manual yet, you can obtain the digital version for free...

The Philatelic Manual

Local Issues of Independent State of Croatia

Međimurje • Banja Luka • Šibenik I & II • Dalmatia

Aleš Marinšek
2020

PODLIPA auxiliary post office

The Podlipa auxiliary office of the Vrhnika post office used two different postmarks during the period I am collecting. Both are two-line rectangular postmarks with the inscription "PODLIPA / (VRHNIKA)". The first is a bit smaller and originates from the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, measuring 58.1 x 13.2 mm, while the second appeared during the German occupation, measuring 59.5 x 16.5 mm. There is no information on why the postmarks were changed, but the first was likely damaged or lost. Interestingly, the second postmark stands out with two large five-pointed stars, which was unusual given their association with the Partisans. 

The usage of the auxiliary post office Podlipa was, in general, very rare, but usage was even scarcer during the Italian occupation from 6 April 1941 to 8 September 1943. It was also extremely scarce to find it together with stamps of the Ljubljana Provisional Issue during the Democratic Federative Yugoslavia...

The smaller postmark on the postcard sent from Vrhnika (16.III.36) to Gorenja vas. Period of Kingdom of Yugoslavia.

The smaller postmark on the money order (3.V.41). Very rare usage during the period of Italian occupation. 

The larger postmark on the money order (3.II.44). Period of German Occupation.

The larger postmark on the money order (12.VI.45). Scarce usage together with stamps of the Ljubljana Provisional Issue during the period of the Democratic Federative Yugoslavia.

The larger postmark on the stationery sent from Vrhnika (9.IX.48) to Podnart (10.IX.48). Period of the Federative People's Republic of Yugoslavia.

1945 SPLIT, Small Petar

"Small Petar" stationery overprinted with the 1945 Split provisional overprint is among the rarest of postal items of all 1945 provisional issues in the territory of former Yugoslavia. Only five used and two unused are known, so Croatian philatelists call it Croatian "Blue Mauritius".

1945 Split provisional issue, "Small Petar" stationery, sent from Split (21.VI.45) to Zagreb. Censor cancellation No. 3, Split. One of the five known "Small Petar" stationery. Ex Muller. Certificate Vilfan, Zrinjšćak.

1945 Split provisional issue, unused "Small Petar" stationery.

1945 ZAGREB, Official express letter

The Zagreb provisional issue was valid until July 1, 1945. However, usage was tolerated for the official needs of local and state institutions until their stock ran out. That happened sometime in the middle of July. Postage between official institutions was free of charge; only special handling was paid for.

1945 Zagreb provisional issue, express letter sent to the City National Committee locally in Zagreb (10.VII.45), franked with 160 kn for the express delivery. Late usage. Certificate Zrinjšćak.

 

Back side of the cover with the arriving cancellation (12.VII.45). Note that the main post office Zagreb 1 was using an old bilingual Latin and Cyrillic canceller from the Kingdom of Yugoslavia while the post office Zagreb 13 still used the Latin canceller from the Independent State of Croatia. 

Thailand 2023 WSC

The Thailand 2023 World Stamp Championship is currently underway. Let's wait and see how the visitors and judges respond to my book...

The Philatelic Manual

Local Issues of Independent State of Croatia

Međimurje • Banja Luka • Šibenik I & II • Dalmatia

Aleš Marinšek
2020

Late usage of Vuk stationery

At first, this was the latest use of  Vuk 1.50 din stationery I had seen...

Vuk 1,50 din stationery, sent from Lazarevac (11.VI.45) to Belgrade via Valjevo (11.VI.45), where it was censored by the military censor. Late usage.

However, I found one with a significantly later usage date. The usage date is magnificent: 25.XI.46. So, more than 17 months after my previous one...

Vuk 1,50 din stationery, sent from Novi Sad (25.XI.46) to Belgrade. Very late usage.

1945 Montenegro - Letter from Šavnik

 Only a few postal items sent from Šavnik in the spring of 1945 are known...

Registered letter, franked with 180 occupation din (letter 80 din, registration 100 din), sent from Šavnik (26.V.45) to Bari Italy, censored by the military censor in Šavnik (cachet: "ВОЈНА ЦЕНЗУРА / == ШАВНИК =="), travelled via Nikšić (28.V.45), Cetinje (31.V.45) and Dubrovnik (2.VI.45) where it was handed over for trans adriatic delivery (cachet: "GL. PRREKOJADR. VOJNA POŠTA JUG. ARMIJE - CHIEF TRANSADR. MILIT. MAIL YUG. ARMY"). From Švarc's correspondence. Certificate Veličković. Very scarce item.

1944 SENTA, Rubber provisional postmark

The Senta National Liberation Committee's "Book of Postal Items" proves that the rubber provisional postmark was used in Senta in late 1944 and early 1945. 

1944 Senta National Liberation Committee's "Book of Postal Items"

A page from the book showing the rubber provisional cancellations.

1944 Senta provisional issue, letter, properly franked with 30 f, sent from Senta (2.I.1945) to Mol, cancelled with rubber provisional canceller "ПОШТА / __ ★ 194 / СЕНТА" (= "POST OFFICE / __ ★ 194 / SENTA"). Latest known use of the Senta issue. Only two Senta letters with this cancellation are known.

1945 MOSTAR, 50/7 Kn on offset paper

50/7 Kn on offset paper is the rarest paper of the Mostar provisional issue. Only 50 stamps were overprinted on this paper. Price ranges from 700 EUR and up. Therefore, check for a 50/7 Kn on offset paper whenever you see this set. Here are some tips you can follow: 

• The overprint is shifted to the right and down
• Offset paper is a non-transparent, white colour with white and shiny gum (see here)
• The stamp with gum thickness is between 0.085 and 0.095 mm (see here)

1945 Mostar provisional issue, No. 9, 50/7 Kn on offset paper. Only 50 stamps could exist. Ex Tiberio. Note that the overprint is shifted to the right and down - all 50 stamps have the same shift, so this could be a first indicator that you may have this rare stamp.

Balkanfila 2023

I will participate in the XIX International Philatelic Exhibition Balkanfila in Belgrade. I prepared two exhibits: the manual "Local Issues of Independent State of Croatia" (see here) and the new, one-frame exhibit, "1944 Senta Provisional Issue." See you in Belgrade from 12. to 14. October ...

1944 Senta Provisional Issue

Download as pdf.

The earliest Transadriatic censorship

The Transadriatic route was established sometime in the early summer of 1944. Censorship was a joint task between Yugoslav and Allied forces. The earliest known Transadriatic censored item is a letter shown below...

1944 Transadriatic mail, letter sent from Bari (10.VII.44) to Split, censored in Bari by censor No. 603. The sealing label "Examined by Allied Transadriatic Censorship" is used. At that time, Split was still occupied by the German army, so partisan couriers organized local delivery to recipients. The recipient's name and address have been blacked out for security reasons before delivery.

The earliest known Transadriatic censored item.

Unusual use of Ustasha stationery

After liberation, the communist authorities strictly prohibited occupation symbols, including the Ustasha flag and coat of arms. Therefore, it is very unusual to see a 1942 commemorative stationery with a large Ustasha coat of arms used after the liberation.

Commemorative stationery for the 1942 exhibition of aircraft models sent from Zagreb (22.V.45) to Negotin, Serbia, by military post and censored by the military censor. Unusual use of stationery with Ustasha symbols under the communist regime.

Getting help from AI

I was at a local philatelic meeting today. As always, it was nice to meet fellow philatelists and browse through piles of letters, stationery and stamps. 

The lively event at the meeting.

Among other things, I also found interesting military stationery from the Second World War sent from a 331st Special Work Battalion. 

Military stationery sent from the 331. Compagnia Speciale Lavoratori (= 331st Special Work Battalion).

On the other side of the stationery is written date 12.9.43 and the illegibly written name of the city. I started looking for information about this battalion, but since it is a narrow area and a rare example, I needed help finding something concrete. I could not even decipher the name of the city. So I decided to try the use of artificial intelligence (AI). Below is a conversation between me and an OpenAI chat system that impressed me.

A conversation between me and the OpenAI chat system helped me discover the city from where the stationery was sent. 

What's going on?

I am getting a lot of questions about what is happening on this blog. Yes, lately I have plenty of other activities so that philately may be a bit neglected. It will probably be like this for some time. However, I am still available for certification and questions over email.

1945 MARIBOR, Base stamp error

I recently got a stamp with an interesting error...

1945 Maribor provisional issue, No. 8 with missing "1" in "12". Signed Ercegovič.

Missing "1" and some red paint inside "2" suggest that there was some dirt on the cliché during the printing. This mistake is unknown to me. I think it is an occasional error fixed by cleaning up the cliché as soon as it was noticed.

1945 MARIBOR, Partial & reverse overprint

Although it is most likely that the entire margin of one sheet was folded, so all ten stamps from the right edge were partially overprinted on reverse, this is the only piece I have seen so far...

1945 Maribor provisional issue, 15 pf (Mi. 9) partial overprint and overprint on reverse due to paper fold. Attractive and very rare.

The Manual

I am very proud that the manual is now included in the library fund of the Royal Philatelic Society London...

Local Issues of Independent State of Croatia

Međimurje • Banja Luka • Šibenik I & II • Dalmatia

London 2022

I just returned from the London 2022 International Stamp Exhibition. Very glad as this was my first philatelic gathering after the pandemic, and another Large Vermeil medal for my 1941 Međimurje exhibit.

Standholders

Exhibits

My exhibit

My philatelic plans for 2022

Top three goals:

1. Edit and sort parts of the collection that are not yet consolidated
2. Finish the new book
3. Make an 8-frame exhibit

The mockup of my upcoming philatelic manual.

2022

Dear Visitor,

I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Aleš

1943 ŠIBENIK, Early usage

The first commercial use of the First Šibenik Issue known to me is from the 21st of September 1943 ...

Fragment of stationery hand overprinted with First Šibenik Issue cachet and franked with two 50 cents stamps of the First Šibenik Issue, cancelled by "SEBENICO / RACC. ASSIC." canceller on 21.9.43. Early usage! From well-known Novak correspondence. Certificate Vilfan.

The dry strike on the stationery is almost invisible. However, you can clearly see the overprint using the proper colour separation technique.

LJP, 4444

Usually, collectors specialize their collections with postmarks carrying interesting dates. In most cases, these are dates related to historical events or maybe dates of issuing stamps (first day). However, I know some of them who collects dates that are attractive from a numerological point of view ...

Stationery of 75 cents, sent from Ljubljana (4.4.44) to München. From a numerological point of view, probably the most notable date of the period of occupation of the Ljubljana province.

1945 MOSTAR, Mirrored Z

Three different rubber censorship cachets were used in Mostar. One was "★VOJNA / CENZURA" (= "★MILITARY / CENSORSHIP"), the other "ЦЕНЗЫРИСАНО!" (= "CENSORED!") and the third "CENZURA" (= "CENSORSHIP").

The last one is interesting because it contains mirrored letter Z. It is unknown whether this was an error in the preparation of the rubber cachet or whether the cachet was of Italian origin where the mirrored Z represents S as CENSURA in Italian means CENSORSHIP.

Forerunner of the 1945 Mostar provisional issue, letter sent from Mostar (15.III.45) to Dubrovnik, free of charge as the sender was a military person, censored in Mostar with "CENZURA" cachet.

LJP, Letter to France

I have a nice foreign letter travelled with several TPO's ...

Letter, franked with 1.25 Lire definitive and rare 2.50 Lire express delivery stamp, sent from Ljubljana (12.1.42) to Saint Rémy de Provence in France, in transit over several travelling post offices, twice censored by Italians and Germans. 

From the postmarks, we can identify the following journey:

1. 12.1.42 - Post office LUBIANA 1 / LJUBLJANA 1
2. 13.1.42 - Railway post office MESS. LUBIANA - TRIESTE / TURNO 17
3. 13.1.42 - Railway post office AMB. TRIESTE - VENEZIA 345
4. 13 or 14.1.42 - Railway post office MESS. VENEZIA - MILANO
5. 14.1.42 - Railway receiving office MILANO FERR. CORRISP.
6. 14 or 15.1.41 - Italian censorship UFFICIO CENSURA POSTA ESTERA / III
7. 15.1.42 - Post office for abroad POSTA ESTERA / MILANO
8. German censorship
9. Delivery to the addressee

LJP, Post office Krmelj

The Germans occupied the Krmelj in April 1941. During this first German occupation, the post office operated. They used an old one-line KARMEL seal and a newly made German two-circle KARMEL (STEIERM) postmark with counter code A. On October 8, 1941, the Germans left Krmelj to the Italians. The post office continued to operate until the late summer of 1942, when it was closed. It was reopened on January 1, 1943, until August 14, 1943, when it was finally closed. The Italian administration used a two-circle Italian postmark with the inscription KRMELJ / (LUBIANA). During the second German occupation (autumn 1943 - May 1945), the post office Krmelj remained closed.

German two-circle KARMEL (STEIERM) postmark with counter code A used on 4.8.41 during the first German occupation. Very rare.

1941 MEĐIMURJE, Double overprint

Double overprints are very rare and known for values of 0.25 and 4 Din only...

1941 Međimurje local issue, 0.25 Din horizontal se-tenant pair with types "a" and "b" of coat-of-arms from the second printing with double overprint. Position 3,4. Certificate Marinšek.

For more about Međimurje as well as about other Local Issues of the Independent State of Croatia, get a free manual:

Local Issues of Independent State of Croatia

Međimurje • Banja Luka • Šibenik I & II • Dalmatia