Rheinland-Pfalz - French Occupation 1947-1948

RHEINLAND - PFALZ (Rhineland-Palatinate) in post-WWII French zone state, was established on 30 August 1946. It was formed from the Northern part of the French Occupation Zone, which included parts of Bavaria (the Rhenish Palatinate), the Southern parts of the Prussian Rhine Province, and parts of Hesse-Darmstadt. The new state was confirmed by referendum on 18 May 1947, and its capital was established at Mainz.

The new state of Rheinland-Pfalz issued their first definitive postage stamps between May 1947 and February 1948. The stamps were photogravure and printed on unwatermarked papers of varying quality.

The new definitive set featured twelve designs, which included:
- Ludwig von Beethoven.
- Wilhelm von Ketteler.

- Woman carrying grapes
- Porta Nigra at Trier.
- Karl Marx.
- Devil's Table near Pirmasens.
- Street Corner in St. Martin.
- Cathedral of Worms.
- Cathedral of Mainz.
- Statue of Johann Gutenberg.
- Gutenfels and Pfalzgrafenstein Castles on the Rhine.
- Statue of Charles the Great (Charlemagne).

Due to the post-war economic crisis in the Allied occupation zones, the Western Allies instituted currency reform during June 1948. The old Reichsmark currency was replaced by a new Deutsche Mark currency, and this would eventually become the official currency of the soon-to-be Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany) until 2002, when it would be replaced by the Euro.

The 1947 stamp designs were re-issued between June and August of 1948 to coincide with the currency reform. The same designs were issued in new colors, with most of the denominations now expressed as "D.Pf." or "D.M.

 

Source: Collecting Stamps.com