Albania is a small country in southeast Europe on the Balkan Peninsula. For a short period during World War II, Germany occupied Albania. During this period, German forces issued two sets of postage stamps: an overprinted issue and an inscribed issue.

Albania has had a very complex recent history. From the 15th century until the mid-20th century, various foreign powers invaded and occupied the country. Beginning in the late 15th century, Albania was part of the Ottoman Empire. After gaining independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1912, Albania was occupied by various European powers. These countries often issued their own stamps. While some distributed overprinted versions, others produced special Albanian stamps.

With the onset of World War II, Italy invaded the Albanian mainland and installed a new government. Albania became an Italian protectorate and remained under Italian occupation until 1943 when the German army invaded and occupied Albania.

The German occupation installed a new Albanian government and established the Albanian Kingdom in 1943. In the same year, stamps were issued in German-occupied Albania. The first German-issued stamps were former Italian-issued stamps of Albania overprinted “14 / Shtator / 1943” in lilac red.

Additionally, two stamps of the same set were surcharged with new face values of 1 qindar and 50 qindar. A single express stamp bearing the same overprint was also released.

On September 22, 1944, Germany released a set of seven stamps in different values, inscribed “SHQIPNIJA.” As this series was intended to aid the victims of the aerial bombing campaign, they were given an additional surcharge. These thematic stamps featured an air bombing victim with a pile of rubble in the background.

By late 1944, Albania had driven the Germans from the country with the help of Britain. The region ultimately claimed its independence, thus ending German occupation and the use of German occupation stamps.

What is the Value of your Albania (German Occupation) Stamps (1943 – 1944)? V​iew more in our Albania (German Occupation) Stamps (1943 – 1944) Price Guide.

Find the Value of your Albania (German Occupation) Stamps (1943 – 1944). WorthPoint is the largest resource online for identifying, researching and valuing antiques. Explore over 425 Million “sold for” prices with item details and images.

The stamps of Albania under German occupation are identified by their characteristic overprints, designs, and denominations. However, since they have been extensively forged, collectors can best authenticate stamps using a detailed, trustworthy provenance.

Identify your Albania (German Occupation) Stamps (1943 – 1944) Marks.

In the WorthPoint Library

A New Approach to Stamp Collecting by Michael Harrison and Douglas Armstrong.

Books and Periodicals

Philately for the Young by Mathew Varki.

Stamps of the World: 1982 by Stanley Gibbons.

Web Resources

Albania www.germanstamps.net.

Albania Stamps of 1943 www.pvoller.net.

German Occupation of Albania: Varieties of Postage Stamps worldstampsproject.org.