Project

Topic: The history of the Albanian

stamps
School: Beslidhja e Malesise

Subject:English

Worked by:Indrit Koka

Accept:Lume Dizdari

Albania used the postage

stamps of Turkey from 1870 to 1913.
Albania issued its first stamps in 1913.
During World War II, stamps were produced
during the German, Greek and Italian
occupation.

The first issue of the Albanian stamp

consolidated the postal service of Albanian
indentitity , which has always been the
expretion part of our national identity. It was a
long and beautiful way, the stamp is one of our
a valuable asset. .As anadequate overview of
the Albanian people History, it has always hasit
unique and uninterant face,it is a authentic self
portrait. This portrait began to be designed
immediately after the major Act of the
Declaration of Independence on 28 November
1912.Initially, the creation of an Albanian
Indipendent State, under the circumstances on
which the administration of Ismail Qemali
Government was, the Ottoman posts continued
to exist. There were the same employees,which
used the Turkish stamps and seals until May
1913.
Things came to normality starting from 5 May
1913, when it was issued and launched the first

Albanian
stamps.
The
Ismail
QemalGovernment,having in its composition as
Minister of Post the intellectual Lef Nosi, paid a
special attention to their activity generally and
specifically to the issue of stamps. Only in a few
months of its existence, on July 71913, the
Provisional Government of Vlora applied for the
membership in the Universal Postal Union, the
realization of which lasted more than eight
years. Just in October 1922 Albania joined the
UPU.In this way, starting from a very big need
for postage at the beginning of the Albanian
State, Ministry of Posts made a more effective
and practical solution.Within an eight-month
period, from March to December 1913 were
issued
six
stamps
programs.
The first editions, or the first stamp, were
conducted approximately six months after the
declaration of independence. It was not
common, as are currently stamps,but it has the
form of a stamp in black ink, which was printed
in 2232 envelopes in total.This stamp-seal an
envelope with different colors and cost one
penny was issued on sale in 11 towns where
post offices functioned raised during the

Ottoman occupation. It was launched on 5 May

1913.It was alsoa characteristic thing the
original seal which was cut from the original
envelops and was placed in other new
envelopes , and this was a known procedure
and justified by the Ministry of Posts.
The firstedition is similar to the second one,
although somehow more perfect.Again we are
dealing with a single stamp seal, with a circle
with two concentric circles within which it is
written, "The Posts of the Provisional Albanian
Government ".Its price is not written on the
mark, but has also been known to one
penny.This program was circulated in MayNovember 1913.As well as printed on the
envelope (2442 pieces), this stamp was printed
in sheets of white (800 pieces).She circulated
the sewing machine cut and paste on the
envelope recently. The second stamp was
forged in some cases different from
speculators. Extremely interesting, even as one
of the most diverse in the history of philately is
our third issue.Not surprisingly it is among the
most wanted by philatelists.This program was
used in post offices from 16 June to 20 October

1913.To Albanian Post took a considerable

amount
of
stamps
invading
Ottoman
administration of years 1909-1910 (total 39800
stamps), which had not been used.Over them,
through a manual stamp copper settled the
overprinting: a two-headed eagle and under the
word "Albania". Their values started from 2 to
50 piastres before, and print runs of 16 pieces
(50 piastr) up to 11 607 pieces (circulation
highest value 20 money).
The edition was already very low, especially for
some of the values of these stamps rarity linked
with
different
colors
overprinting:black
(dominant color), blue, red, brickand violet.This
edition, first of gummy, thanks to the conditions
of the time when it was put into circulation,
there were also a lot of mistakes, especially
after the overprinting cases, which required
many philatelists of the foreign country. As in all
other states the Albanian philately has been
closely linkedand has been part of the culture
and history.This clearly proves the period
between the two world wars. This period is
reflected in philately with its specific properties.
Among them we can mention for example, the

limited number of emissions emitted in the

years 1914-1919, during the First World War.
Mostly they have been local stamp shows in
Shkodra, Korca, Berat, Vlore, Gjirokastra,
Tepelen, Himara, Elbasan etc.Issued and
variety programs took warring powers of the
First World War who invaded Albania.These
programs circulated along with dated stamps
bearing writings in these languages occupying
powers.Not surprisingly, but given the many
curiosities, I mention this period of history and
issue postage stamps from Durres Provisional
Government, led by Esat Pasha Toptani.
After the leave of Prince Wilhelm, from October
2, 1914, Esat Pasha formed the Provisional
Government of Durres.At this time post offices
were closed, the postal service performed
Levantine outposts of the Austrian and
Italian.This situation forced the Esat Pasha on
January 9 1915 celi post offices in Durres,
Elbasan, Shijak Lezha, Kavaja. Was originally
used in portrait Skanderbeg stamps, the value
in qindar and in front of the penny, which was
found in Durrsit station.They were overprinted

with face of Esat Pasha. The program consists

of 9 values as postage, 5 values as tax stamps,
overprinted with a "T" and two simple postal
card 5 and 10 before.Certainly this amount did
not meet the requirements of stamps for a long
time.Therefore, the Government of Esat Pasha
decided to put into circulation two programs
"Tarabosh", commissioned since 1913 by the
Classis of Central Albania.There were 12 value,
of which 7 format 27x30 mm and5 format 27x34
mm.These stamps, which also have as a myhyr
overprinted round with Arabic letters, were
used, starting from 10 February 1915 in East
Albania, in Berat even in Korce.
After these shows, should come the year 1919
to bring to light some other interesting
programs: Envelope with " Finance Office in
Elbasan", circulation 500 copies, which was
launched during the month of January 1919,
local emissions in Shkodra with the overprinted
fiscal stamps Austro-Hungarian administration,
who were able to finance offices in Shkodra,
and 1 penny stamps 1919 emission with the
overprinting in oval form Shkoder 1919". In the
following period there are year like 1921, 1926,

1932, 1935, 1936, when it was broadcast any

program. Also, besides the small number of
programs, is also characteristic thematic
narrowness.The politic remains the dominating
subject. Following the tradition of other
countries in stamps began to appear more and
morethe portrait of King Ahmet Zogu, (in the
period up to 1939 stamps are most of his
portrait), while the Italian invasion highlights
often the face of Victor Emmanuel III. With
special interest and that somehow overcome
this tightness thematic stamps were airborne.By
having a fixed image plane, they showed that
the served airmail, what warrant the high fees
they
had.
So Albanian Philately 1913-1944 period, as we
pointed out above, is quite interesting.Here we
can mention a few programs that are not doing
very rare: gold envelopes with postage stamp
with the face of Skanderbeg, the envelope with
the seal of the Office of Finance of Elbasan,
envelope seal Tepelens envelope with the
stamp of Portland, the Gothic show the
overprinting "MBR. Albanian"Control stamps
Provisional Committee of Korca, the 19 March

1915 edition dedicated to raising the flag on the

fortress of Shkodra, those Greek invasion,
Italian and German, especially the emission of
14 September 1943 which particularly stands
out for the variety of errors etc..
The show "14 September 1943" coincides with
the date of the meeting of the Constituent
Assembly, which justified the Albanian quisling
stateSeries consists of 14 stamps of the years
1939-1940, of which 13 ordinary values and 1
express, with overprint of "September 14,
1943".It was launched on September 18, 1943
in Tirana station, but no earlier than two days of
her detention was ordered after about 23 errors
were found in the 153 overprint value. As such
it is accepted date 23 October 1943, adopted
by the UPU it has, it is simultaneously also the
day when the mail window reappeared on sale
show Tirana. In other cities of Albania, this
show was outstanding during the month of
November 1943, which is proved by philatelists
different envelopes that have in their
collections.An attractive picture for philately is
the period after the release of Albania and up to
90 years of the twentieth century.It is known

especially for programs took abundance

(average 10 shows per year), the most diverse
topics than before, for a report somehow right
among the topics that foreign national, for
multiple views at every show etc..Stamps are
generally politicized and ideological.There
emissions repeated every five years for certain
events historical marker, as there are very large
circulation levels.A careful lookhas no difficulty
to discern that in this period is enriched with
thematic programs of flora and fauna, the sport,
the art (works of art stamps to view paintings
and sculptures), from archeology etc...But it is
also a fact that there are little official Envelopes
FDC
and
postcards
After the overprinting was made at the end of
1944 and beginning of 1945 onwards, on
28November in 1945, Post administration put in
circulation three views of six values, with
different colors with the words "Democratic
Government of Albania".Later this program was
made four consecutive overprint .The first
overprinting bearing the date 10 January 1946,
the second 1 July 1946, the third of 26 July
1946 and the fourth of 22 February 1948.These

emissions will be followed by many others

dedicated to specific events in the history of our
people or anniversaries of distinguished figures,
railroads building materials, space flight, the
Olympic
Games
etc..
Until 1957 stamps were printed outside of
Albania.After this year they were printed on our
printing houses.It is the case here to remember
with respect and gratitude to the first printer
Albanian stamps specializing in Germany, Sadik
Dinga
and
to
Sulejman
Maci.
In the last decade, beginning after 1990, then
the democratic process, besides the obvious
oscillations of the first years of transition 91, 92,
93,serious efforts have been made by the State
Commission of Stamps and the Department
ofAlbanian
Post
Stamp
avoided
the
politicization of stamps, the quality of their
publishing is better,after being printed in
Switzerland and Greece, and from now on will
be printed in England.Also generally are held
indicator for optimal print runs of stamps,
launched
by
needs
and
their
collecting.Characteristic of this period is even
the fact that almost every issue associated with

the emission of FDC envelope, stamped with

the special seal.This has made the philatelists,
locals and foreign, to increase interest in the
collection of these envelopes. Actually the
Albanian catalog ofpostage stamps counts
more then 3640 different stampsviews. More
attention is the considering to the national
themes occupied the greatest place in the new
editions issueof AlbanianIt is worth mentioning
its dignified appearance as by qualitative,
compositional and introducing of new elements
such as philatelic Carnets one and two series,
the first day envelopes with graphic sketches,
folders of different sizes, annual albums
philatelic
etc..
A new element is theideation and philatelic
production libretto for the show Albanian
Emblems ", which contains four series of
stamps with relevant explanations for each
emblem presented. There have been significant
improvements and ways of composition in the
form of new and practical representationally
emissions
Albanian
stamps.
Emissions are presented in the tray with
8,9,10,12,16,20 and 25 stamps in a sheet.

Many emissions are composed nicely shaped

block where we presented all the sights of a
show such as cycle editions the "national
costume", "old Albanian bridges", "rock art in
Albania", "Berat, a museum town protected by
UNESCO and interior environments such as
homes feature show" Albanian Chimneys ".In
this context is the and cycle editions for children
with the most famous figures in the cartoons.
Prominent national figures have occupied an
important place by reminding patriotic, writers,
clerics,
politicians,
artists,
athletes,
etc...Emissions "Flora" and "Fauna" of our
country themes are present in the recent years
and are beautifully presented by our
painters.The same commitment is shown for
events, activities and prominent international
figures which occupies an important place in
the
program
cycle
"Europe".
The theme of this emission is the oriented by
PostEurop administration.Quite interesting are
the emissions of prominent world figures
ranging from political figures, scientists, writers,
musicians, painters, etc.A special attention it is
given to the main international events that

occurin the world, we can mentioned here the

stamps issues for the UN, Council of Europe,
NATO, UNICEF, UNHCR, etc.The world sports
activities are part of our editions such as the
European
Championships,
World,
etc
Improvement
of
appearance
of
the
compositional of the stamps is the result of the
work of a of new painters staff that participate
painters along with the voice in the
implementation
of
the
stamps.
Of particular importance is the production and
the return postage stamp in Albania since 2007
with standard and very good quality.During
these years several emissions important issue
for our nation as Emission dedicated to the visit
of U.S. President George W. Bush on 10 June
2007, Green House "Albania in NATO, 3 April
2008" with an invitation for membership of
Albania in NATO, the "Visa-free Europe" on the
occasion of visa liberalization for Albania.
With many historical value and cooperation is
the joint emission Albania-Kosovo-Macedonia
dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the birth
of Mother TeresaOver these years there have
been a further development of technology

applications for the production of stamps and

increase its quality. In 2012 were issued many
important emissions such as the "100-years of
independence (Logo)", "100th Anniversary of
the Declaration of Independence", 100-year
anniversary of the Albanian Army ", 100-year
anniversary of the Post-Telegraph-phones"
these stamps are 100 mile stones of our
nation's history.Also in the context of
cooperation was realized a carnet AlbaniaKosovo-Macedonia on the occasion of the
100th anniversary of the declaration of
independence.In the framework of the
celebrations of the 100th anniversary of
Independence of the Republic of Albania
Embassy in the UK in conjunction with the
exhibition organized by the Albanian Post
stamps.
This exhibition was organized in the premises
of the embassy with a broad participation where
there was a tremendous interest from
representatives of the diplomatic corps,
historians, scholars, academics, philatelists and
collectors of British and Anglo-Albanian
representatives Assocation oldest association in

the United Kingdom and friends and guests

Albanian-British.Greeting speech was held by
the Charge d'affaires of the Republic of Albania
in the UK Z.Mal Berisha. The participants
attended the first anniversary knobs of
independence anniversaries of the Albanian
League of Prizren, 800 th anniversary of the
state of Eve, emissions of Mother Teresa, for
Ledy Dajanen, the Albanian national costumes
of different emblems or anniversaries, the
exhibition remained open until the first days of
December 2012 and was visited by many
scholars, collectors, philatelists, friends and
fans
the
Albanian
postage
stamp.
On 5 May 2013 the Albanian postal stamps
celebrates 100 years, a long intenerar since the
first moments of the first issue of postage
stamps the Albanian.On this occasion emission
was issued "The 100th anniversary of the first
postage stamp the Albanian" which is
composed of one series with two views, the first
day Envelope and Carnet.Furthermore was
opened a joint exhibition with the Association of
Collectors of Albania where Albanian Post
roadmap reflected Albanian postage stamp

collectors of 100 years and reflected their

collections with specific themes such as air
mail, Maximum kart, FDC's traveled, the
exhibition were also opened in Fier, Shkodra
and Korca are major centers of philately and
Albanian
districts.
Through the Albanian postal stamp philately
which is Albanian Post has participated in many
international activities and philatelic stamps
which is the exposed to ions and shown a
special interest and being evaluated by different
magazines
and
catalogs.
The first philatelists Albanians belong to the
period of renaissance. Among them will mention
Renaissance Thimi Mitko, Sami Frashri, Ndoc
Toptani Murat, later Luigj Gurakuqi and
especially the notorious Lef Nosi, The first
Minister of Posts of the Albanian state, which
has particular merits in conception and
issuance of stamps the Albanian.In his honor
the Albanian Philately issued stamps with the
portrait
of
Lef
Nosi.
The philately took a huge development in
Albania in the years between the two world
wars. The gleanings from the documents show

that in this period of time were the first to lager

shops selling stamps as in Shkodra, Korca and
Tirana.At press time facing numerous
occasions advertising for sale of stamps,
among which the most prominent traders can
mention Prenushi Zef in Shkodra, who
distinguished himself as a talented merchant
and connoisseur of postage stamps as
competent professionals.Also,we can mention
that Albanian filatelistin the dealer in Turin, Italy,
Aurel Ballamacin that held for 40 years on a
philatelic shop in the city center.Obviously the
number of philatelists in Albania has been and
is limited their efforts to reach out to colleagues
in different countries of the world are usually
spontaneous. This is dictated by the lack of
incomes due to the economic situation.
The level of philatelic organization began to rise
especially after the liberation of the country. In
1947, Philatelic Club formed in Shkodra, two
years later, ie in 1949, rises in Korca district
Philately, in 1959, in Tirana was formed the
Association of Philatelists,such organizations
were established later in Vlora, Puka etc.. The
fruit of these organizations are the philatelic

exhibitions opened in different cities of Albania.

Starting from 1991 it started to exist the
Association of Albanian Collectors ,which in
1994 was accepted as a member of FIP
(International Philatelic Federation based in
Zurich, Switzerland) and the FEPA's (European
Federation of Philatelic Associations based in
The Hague the Netherlands).The Association of
Albanian Collectorshas its press bodies, the
magazine "The collector", the first edition of of
which was published in 1998 and continues to
be
published
today.
The cooperation between the Federation and
the Albanian Post is continuing not only in
Tirana but also with associations in other
districts, such as Fier, Shkodra and Korca to
develop more and more the activity of philately ,
which reflects the Albanian postage stamps.