The GermanStamps.net Collection

The GermanStamps.net Collection

Germany & Related Areas, 1872 – 1945

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German New Guinea

Stephansort

In the mid-1870’s, German companies established the first trading ties within the area that would become German New Guinea.  In 1884, the German flag was raised over several coastal towns, and the Neu Guinea Kompagnie was chartered to administer the area in 1885.  This included the ability to administer postal services.

On 14 December 1889, the Neu Guinea Kompagnie opened a post office in Stephansort.  The post office would close temporarily from 30 July 1892 to 14 February 1893 due to there being no company personnel available to man it.

On 1 April 1899, the German government assumed responsibility for administering the colony, citing the inability of private sources to finance the necessary development within the colony.

The Stephansort post office would close on 30 June 1914, when the town was occupied by Australian forces.

Stephansort Post Office, c. 1890

Postmark Information

Catalog:

  • Friedemann 23
  • ArGe Kolonien STEPHANSORT 1

Dates of Use:

  • 14 December 1889 to 30 June 1914

Notes:

  • In Germany for cleaning and thus unavailable from 20 August 1898 to December 1898
  • Occasionally without day and month in 1892 and 1899
  • Blue or violet ink in 1910 & 1912

Postmark Information

Catalog:

  • Friedemann 24
  • ArGe Kolonien STEPHANSORT ◆2

Dates of Use:

  • 1 January 1898 to 30 June 1914

PO Information

Opened:  14 December 1889
Temporarily Closed:  30 July 1892
Re-Opened:  14 February 1893
Closed:  30 June 1914

Album Page(s)

German New Guinea

Stephansort

PO Information

Opened:  14 December 1889
Temporarily Closed:  30 July 1892
Re-Opened:  14 February 1893
Closed:  30 June 1914

In the mid-1870’s, German companies established the first trading ties within the area that would become German New Guinea.  In 1884, the German flag was raised over several coastal towns, and the Neu Guinea Kompagnie was chartered to administer the area in 1885.  This included the ability to administer postal services.

On 14 December 1889, the Neu Guinea Kompagnie opened a post office in Stephansort.  The post office would close temporarily from 30 July 1892 to 14 February 1893 due to there being no company personnel available to man it.

On 1 April 1899, the German government assumed responsibility for administering the colony, citing the inability of private sources to finance the necessary development within the colony.

The Stephansort post office would close on 30 June 1914, when the town was occupied by Australian forces.

Stephansort Post Office, c. 1890

Postmark Information

Catalog:

  • Friedemann 23
  • ArGe Kolonien STEPHANSORT 1

Dates of Use:

  • 14 December 1889 to 30 June 1914

Notes:

  • In Germany for cleaning and thus unavailable from 20 August 1898 to December 1898
  • Occasionally without day and month in 1892 and 1899
  • Blue or violet ink in 1910 & 1912

Postmark Information

Catalog:

  • Friedemann 24
  • ArGe Kolonien STEPHANSORT ◆2

Dates of Use:

  • 1 January 1898 to 30 June 1914

Album Page(s)