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>> NOTES ON THE POLISH POST OFFICE IN GDANSK

to the Prussian authorities. The Polish Post Office is then liquidated, and the Postmaster, Stanislawski is ousted. The Prussian Post Office (under Thurn and Taxis direction) then takes over. This, then, is the first part of the story of the Polish Post Office in Gdansk, 1654 to 1793.

From this long period, however, I have few items. One, a stampless letter sheet of 1771, most likely handled by the Polish Post Office or perhaps by favor of a ship captain. It is received at Maseyck on the Maas (Meuse) River (the town then being in Holland), as the MASEYCK straight line post mark proves. It seems to be partly paid (likely ‘from Gdansk to Maseyck) and partly collect (likely from Maseyck to Bordeaux). The red MS “Franco” (paid) is very pale and almost missed when perusing the cover.

A second letter sheet, of 1791, also to Bordeaux, could have been dispatched from either the Polish Post Office, the Prussian Post Office (established in the area c. 1772) or perhaps by favor of a ship captain. It received a D’HOLLANDE (via Holland) straight line post mark, is likely collect as there are black manuscript markings but apparently no red (franco) paid markings. From my surmising about these two covers, you will understand why I wish to make a study of stampless covers from this area, of method of handling, rates,significance of markings, etc.

From 1793 to 1920 - an interregnum of 127 years - there is no Polish Post Office in Gdansk.

By the 1919 Treaty of Versailles, a Polish Post Office is permitted, although Poland’s claim to annex the area isn’t granted. The main postal service is that of the Free City. Both Poland and the League of Nation Fare represented in the city’s government in a consultative capacity. Poland has joint control of the harbor and foreign affairs. However, the Free City comes under Nazis in 1934.

 

Danzig Report  Nr. 25 - Winter - 1979/80, Page 6.