german states - Stamp Auctions

Thurn and Taxis established a postal service in Europe in 1497, when Franz von Taxis was commissioned to establish a postal system in Europe by the Holy Roman Emperor, Maximilian I. In 1852 Thurn and Taxis (T&T) issued postage stamp for general use. Prior to the German Unification, German Kingdoms, Duchies, Free-Cities stamps were issued by the individual states. In 1849 Bavaria issue postage stamps and was followed by Saxony in 1850. The subsequent states to issue stamps were were Baden, Bergedorf, Braunschweig, Bremen, Hamburg, Hannover, Heligoland, Lübek, Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Mecklenburg-Strelitz, Oldenburg, Prussia, Saxony, Schleswig-Holstein and Württemberg. In 1868 the North German Confederation was established by 22 previously independent states of northern Germany. They became part of the North German Postal District, or Norddeutscher Postbezirk, in German and issued a series of stamps valued in groschen for the Northern District, different from the usage of kreuzer for the Southern District. The southern states continue to use their own state stamps and postal system. Stamps and covers from Altdeutschland - Old German States, are among the the most popular collecting area and bring very high prices at stamp auctions and privet sales.