Alsace and Lorraine, French territories since 1674 and 1766, respectively, share their border with Germany. On July 19, 1870, the French government declared war on Prussia, thus starting the Franco-Prussian War. Prussia was aided by the North German Confederation.

In August 1870, just a month after the war began, German armies consisting of Prussian troops conquered almost all of Alsace-Lorraine. The same month, the postal administration of the North German Confederation reorganized the postal services of the occupied regions of Alsace and Lorraine.

The postal authorities of the North German Confederation commissioned the State Printing Works at Berlin to print special stamps for the occupied areas. These stamps were the first occupation stamps to be issued by any country. Because the stamps were printed hurriedly, the design was straightforward and improvised. 

The State Printing Works at Berlin used the same plates as those used for the North German Confederation to print the stamps. As a result, these stamps have the same size, paper quality, perforation, and gum as the North German Confederation stamps.

The Alsace-Lorraine provisional stamps were issued in September 1870. The initial issue consisted of five values. Later, authorities commissioned two additional values which were released in December 1870.

The Franco-Prussian War ended on May 10, 1871, when the French government requested an armistice. The regions of Alsace and Lorraine were awarded to Germany. Germany created the territory of Alsace-Lorraine (Elsaß-Lothringen). Provisional stamps continued to be used until December 31, 1871. They were discontinued on January 1, 1872, when the territory of Alsace-Lorraine was formally declared part of the German Empire.

What is the Value of your Alsace-Lorraine Stamps? V​iew more in our Alsace-Lorraine Stamps Price Guide.

The Alsace-Lorraine provisional stamps feature a background network with “POSTES” written on the top. The numerical value and currency in centimes are printed below “POSTES” in two lines. The seven denominations of this set are 1 centime, 2 centimes, 4 centimes, 5 centimes, 10 centimes, 20 centimes, and 25 centimes.

The stamps of this set are engraved on white woven paper with 13 1/2 x 14 1/2 perforation. There are two main varieties: denominations with an upright background pattern and those with an inverted background pattern.

Since the inverted background stamps are quite rare and famous, many forgeries exist. Among them is the 1885 reprint of original Alsace-Lorraine stamps issued by the State Printing Works at Berlin for a dealer in Hamburg. These reprints were made using the original plate for the underprint. Since inverted background patterns are rare, the counterfeits were produced with the inverted background pattern. However, the type-set plates used for texts and values were not original, and the reprints differ from the genuine stamps in many respects.  

Find the Value of your Alsace-Lorraine Stamps. 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 Alsace-Lorraine are identified by their distinctive designs, texts, and background pattern. Collectors can best authenticate stamps using a detailed, trustworthy provenance.

Identify your Alsace-Lorraine Stamps Marks.

In the WorthPoint Library

A Catalogue for Advanced Collectors of Postage Stamps, Stamped Envelopes and Wrappers (Vol. 1) by Henry Collin and Henry L. Calman.

Le Grand’s Manual for Stamp Collectors: A Companion to the Stamp Album by Henri Pène du Bois.

Books and Periodicals

Gibbons Stamp Weekly: Volume II July -December, 1905 edited by Edward J. Nankivell.

The Postage Stamp in War by Frederick John Melville 

Web Resources

Alsace and Lorraine www.firstissues.org.

Alsace & Lorraine, German Occupation during the Franco Prussian War (1870 – 1872)www.dcstamps.com.

Alsace and Lorraine #N1 (1870) stampaday.wordpress.com.

Forged Stamps of Alsace www.stampforgeries.com.