Leipzig Fair Philately

For the better part of 1,000 years, merchants have gathered at the Leipzig Trade Fair to sell their wares. In modern times the Leipzig Fair (Leipziger Messe in German) has produced a wealth of philatelic collectibles including stamps, covers, collector cards, and cancels. There are many opportunities for the collector. A self contained Leipziger Messe collection, part of a larger Germany collection, and the start of a topical collection focused on fairs and events are just a few possibilities.

Leipzig is the second largest city in Saxony, Germany. It has been a center of trade in Europe as far back as the time of the Holy Roman Empire when it was located at the junction of two important trade routes, the Via Regia and Via Imperii.

The twice-yearly Leipzig Fair was established by Otto the Rich, margrave of Saxony, in the latter part of the 12th century. The fair evolved over the next few centuries. Merchants were guaranteed safe passage through Leipzig regardless of external wars or conflicts. The town became an increasingly important haven for trade. In 1507 Emperor Maximilian I granted the fairs an imperial charter, banning any competing fairs within 15 miles of Leipzig.

The fairs placed Leipzig in the center of early-modern European trade and by the 18th century the town had come to be known as the marketplace of Europe. In the early 20th century, about the time of World War I, the fair had grown to 30 fair-houses, elaborate affairs each featuring a network of courtyards, shops, and even living areas.

Philatelic collectibles can be found dating back to the late 19th century. In addition to contemporary commercial covers with appropriate markings to tie them to the fair, early collectible items include fantasy labels and private post stamps produced as souvenirs for attendees.

Official stamp issues begin in the years leading up to and including the World War II era. The Third Reich produced commemorative stamps promoting the fairs along with sporting and arts events as exemplars of German excellence. The Third Reich stamps were inscribed Deutsche Reich and featured the Leipzig Fair's hallmark double M symbol, a feature which became tradition and a prominent part of Leipzig Fair Philately.

The production of commemorative stamps continued in the aftermath of the war, with stamps inscribed Deutsche Post appearing during the mid-to-late 1940s when Germany was divided into four Occupation Zones.

The German Democratic Republic (Deutsche Demokratische Republik - DDR), was established in 1949 in what had been the Soviet Occupation Zone. Known in the west as East Germany, the DDR was one of half of a divided Germany. Saxony fell within the DDR, and the Leipzig Fair was embraced by the Soviet Bloc countries as a technology showcase and hub of trade. The production of stamps featuring fair themes continued with enthusiasm. In 1950-51, stamps were produced for the Spring Fair (Fruhjahrmesse) and in 1952-54 stamps were produced for the Autumn Fair (Herbstmesse). Thereafter, from 1955 until the reunification of Germany in 1990, stamps were produced for both fairs. In all, 154 different Leipzig Fair stamps were issued, making it the largest and longest running series of the DDR.

While reunification marked the end of Leipzig Fair stamps, the philatelic tradition continues. Collectors and clubs make caches to commemorate the twice yearly event and the privatized German Post Office (Deutsche Post) supplies customized stamps with fair themes for advertising customers.

Gallery


1949 Semi-Postal stamp - inscription translates to: 1650 - Russian Businessmen at the Fair



1940 stamp from the Third Reich era.



1946 from West Sachen in the Soviet Occupation Zone.



Stamp Block from the 1965 International Stamp Exhibition



Souvenir cover from the 1986 Spring Fair (Fruhjahrmesse)



The tradition continues - a modern 2011 Leipzig Fair custom stamp from Deutsche Post advertising a model train hobby firm.

Other Articles

Introduction to Stamp Identification
Minor variations in collectible stamps can mean the difference between a common item and a great rarity. This introduction to the art and science of stamp identification provides an invaluable overview to the field covering such topics as finding your stamp in a catalogue, design variations, watermarks, printing methods and papers.

The Worldwide Illustrated Stamp Identifier
The Worldwide Illustrated Stamp Identifier is a tool that helps to visually identify the country of origin of particularly challenging stamps. These stamps include those that have no country name written on them, and those where the country name is inscribed using a non-Latin writing script.

Swiss Pro Juventute Stamps Raise Funds for Children and Families
For 100 years now the Swiss Post has issued semi-postal stamps and philatelic products to raise money for the Pro Juventute Foundation. The attractive topical stamps and good works of Pro Juventute combine to make these issues favorites with the Swiss public and stamp collectors around the world.

Royal Mail Stamps Celebrate Works of Charles Dickens
Celebrating the 200th birthday of Charles Dickens, on June 19, 2012 the British Royal Mail issued ten stamps along with other philatelic items featuring some of his best known characters.

The Inverted Jenny - The World's Most Famous Stamp
There is no more iconic emblem of the stamp collecting hobby than the Inverted Jenny. The 1918 United States bi-color error features a blue Curtiss Jenny airplane, upside down in a red frame. The dramatic nature of the error and its storied history has left the Inverted Jenny as the world's most recognizable stamp.

Norway Celebrates 100 Years of Aviation
To mark the occasion of the centennial of Norwegian aviation, Norway Post issued a three stamp set on May 18, 2012. The stamps picture various aircraft that have figured in the country's aviation history.

The Grinnell Missionaries - Stamp Collecting's Greatest Controversy
First seen in 1919 when high school teacher and stamp collector George Grinnell claimed to have discovered dozens of rare early Hawaiian stamps, the Grinnell Missionaries have become perhaps the longest running controversy in stamp collecting. To this day experts and collectors alike still debate whether they are clever forgeries or the find of a lifetime.

The Hradcany Issue - Czechoslovakia's First Stamps
Issued beginning December 1918, the first stamps of Czechoslovakia offer an affordable treat for the philatelic specialist. Known as the Hradcany issue, there are five basic types accompanied by a wealth of variations in color, paper types, perforations and plate flaws.

The Germany Stamp Identification and Value Guide
Comprehensive guide to the stamps of Germany. Pictures and tips to help with identification and accurate prices for stamps in mint and used condition.