Deutsche Post Frühjahrsmesse and Herbstmesse in Leipziger Messe 1947

DEUTSCHE POST (DDR) on 5 March 1947 issued two First Day Cover stamps  for the Frühjahrsmesse (Spring Fair) Leipziger Messe. These stamps were affixed to postal stationery showing the same enactments of (1) Leipzig receiving market rights in 1160 from Margrave Otto of Meissen (with a face value of 24+26); and (2) Protection of foreign merchants through a decree from Margrave Dietrich von Landsberg in 1268 (with a face value of 60+40). Postmarks "MM" originated from Leipzig, although two additional special frankings were available on other FDCs.

DEUTSCHE POST (DDR) on 2 September 1947 issued two First Day Cover stamps  for the Herbstmesse (Autumn Fair) Leipziger Messe. These stamps were affixed to postal stationery: (1) Leipzig Assessment and collection of rent in 1375 (with a face value of 75 pfennig); and (2) Trade Fair Privilege of Maximilian I on 1497 (with a face value of 12 pfennig).

 

Nationally-owned companies exhibited for the first time at the Leipziger Messe in 1947. Universal fairs were held in spring and autumn from 1947 to 1990. This stamp series was designed by German graphic designer Erich Gruner and focused on the history of the Leipziger Messe.He designed seven issues with 14 special stamps issued between 1947 till 1950. He also designed the Leipziger Messe "MM" logo.

The Leipzig Trade Fair dates back to the Middle Ages, and is still celebrated today. It has traditionally been celebrated twice a year, with the respective fairs being referred to as the Frühjahrsmesse (Spring Fair) and Herbstmesse (Autumn Fair), though different names have been used over the years.

Prior to 1945, Germany issued a couple sets of stamps commemorating the 1940 and 1941 Spring Fairs under "Deutsches Reich".The Allied Control Commission released three sets (1947 Spring & Autumn Fairs, 1948 Spring Fair, under "Briefmarken-Ausgaben des Alliierten Kontrollrats". 

The Soviet Zone then released three commemorative sets (1948 Autumn Fair, 1949 Spring and Autumn Fairs), also designed by Gruner, under "Briefmarken-Ausgaben der sowjetischen Besatzungszone".

Finally, once the DDR began issuing stamps, they continued the tradition, producing commemorative stamps every year from 1950-1990. 

After Reunification, the BRD issued a 500-year commemorative in 1997, under "Briefmarken-Jahrgang 1997 der Bundesrepublik Deutschland". Leipziger Messe.