Need Help Understanding What Is Going On In History

I understand that Germany has a convoluted postage history, but could someone help me understand what is going on in history in this particular instance? I have a Bayern stamp with an over print of Deutches Reich. Thanks for any help on this. Jim

Around 1875 the King of Prussia became the Emperor of Germany. That is, he declared the German Reich. The various German states, except Austria and its states, were forced into it. That's the main story. Details are more complicated and require a better historian than I am.

Barvaria, and some other states, continued to issue their own stamps well into the 20th cent. That is a complete mystery to me.

Don

you may wish to check out the below links...

http://www.stamp-collecting-world.com/

http://www.stampworldhistory.com/

Regards,
Stampalotapus

This may help.

http://www.linns.com/insights/stamp...e-world.html

Even better.

http://www.stamp-collecting-world.c...epublic.html

The Bavarian PO was incorporated in Germany's on 29 April 1920, and its stamps were no longer valid after 30 June. SG 257-273 were overprinted for use across Germany (as SG 117-136).

Excuse the thumb but this is what I have that prompted my question.

Issued 6 April 1920.

They are stamps originally printed for Bavaria, intended to be used only in Bavaria. When the Bavarian postal adminstration was incorporated into Germany's, these Bavarian stamps (and a few others) were overprinted "Deutsches Reich" to signify they were valid throughout Germany.

Thanks.

Do you think the idea of continuing to issue their own stamps was their way of resistance or independence? It's odd Bavaria or other states would not immediately be told to get with the new regime?

The confederation of the German states was no easy process, not least of all because of religious differences. And back then, running a postal service still brought in a modest income.

Did Bavaria issue its own stamps from 1871 till 1918, or were they postally integrated into the empire until it broke up after the war?

Hi, d. From what I understand, Bavaria issued its own stamps past 1918. Bavaria actually sought to reach a separate peace before the close of the First World War, but the nation suffered a revolt which led to King Ludwig`s abdication. The abdication was not enough and a new socialist state was declared just before the (Prussian) Germans signed the November 11th armistice. This government didn`t last very long and the Bavarian people moved to a republican government aligned with the new Weimar government. Finally, in 1920, the Bavarians entered the Weimar Republic as a member state and this obviated the need for their own stamps.

Hi KGB. I understand why Bavaria issued its own stamps from 1918 to 20. What about 1871 to 1918?

Don

When the German Empire was established following the Franco-Prussian war, Bavaria retained a priviliged position that gave it a good deal of autonomy, including in the issuing of stamps.