Gallery

Danzig and its Postal History.
A fine exhibit over 16th. 17th. and 18th. Century, starting the year 1562 with fine Official corresponences and ending in 1871 with some rare French - Prussia war, P.O.W. prissoners camp.
This exhibit had in the years 1992 till 2000 several exellent results, such as Reserve Grand Award 'Colopex 1992' as well some Gold Medals, Balpex - Baltimore, Maryland | Philadelphia National Stamp Exhibition - Philadelphia USA.

Danzig was part of ancient Poland, then capital of the Dukes of Pomerania and later under control of the Teutonic Knights. In 1454 became part of the Hanseatic League. It was a Free City, under the protection of Poland, from 1464 to 1793, although it was captured by Russia for a brief time in 1793.

The third partition of Poland ceded Danzig to the Kingdom of Prussia. In 1807 Napoleon besieged the city and established the Republic of Danzig. The city was restored to Prussia in 1815. Prussia, and Danzig along with it, became part of the North German Confederation and than part of the German Empire.

At the end of World War I Danzig and adjacent areas became a Free State under the League of Nations with economic ties to Poland. In 1935 the Nazi party gained control of Danzig and in 1939 it was annexed by Germany.
Following World War II Danzig became part of the new Poland and known as Gdansk.

Frame 1: Correspondence of 16th and 17th century, no postmarking yet, see lacquer seals which carry the Danzig code of arms as well the Corsini correspondence and other various 17th century correspondence.

Frame 2: Napoleon besieged Danzig, GRANDE ARMEE, some heretofore unknown cancels are shown. First border cancels appear here with a nice variation of different destinations.

Frame 3: First Prussian cancels appear, 4 cancels show which are reportedly as the first usages as well as various cancel errors and mistakes. You will see some covers with identical dates, this is no duplication but must be seen as a rarity due to the early years.

Frame 4: Continuing the various cancels with nice variations. The largest number of Danzig cholera letters shown in one collection with various cancels and special remarks for the handwritten disinfection covers.

Frame 5: Prussia period is shown here with a variation of letters, cancels, stamps and ratings.

Frame 6: Continuation of Prussia, as well as 7 covers of the 17 reported Baltic Fleet covers. Rectangular cancel first shown on normal and Packetbegeleitsbriefe. Frame ending with 1 of 7 reported POW Camp covers of 1871.