The GermanStamps.net Collection

The GermanStamps.net Collection

Germany & Related Areas, 1872 – 1945

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Karolinen

Ponape

Following Spain’s 1898 defeat in the Spanish-American War, it sold its remaining Pacific possessions, including the Carolines, to Germany.

The German flag was hoisted over Ponape in October 1899, and it became the seat of the District Commissioner for Eastern Karolinen.

A German post office was opened on Ponape on 12 October 1899.  This first post office was destroyed by a typhoon on 20 April 1905, which also destroyed the first Ponape canceller.  The post office was rebuilt and remained open until Ponape was occupied by Japanese forces on 7 October 1914.  Due to disruptions in steamship service to the islands, the last known mail departing Ponape was posted in August 1914.

Postmark Information

Catalog:

  • Friedemann 3
  • ArGe Kolonien PONAPE KAROLINEN 1

Dates of Use:

  • 12 October 1899 to 20 April 1905

Notes:

  • Damaged and rendered useless when the post office was destroyed by a typhoon, 20 April 1905

Postmark Information

Catalog:

  • Friedemann 4
  • ArGe Kolonien KDPAg PONAPE KAROLINEN 2

Dates of Use:

  • 20 April 1905 to 12 November 1905

Notes:

  • Official seal of Ponape used as a provisional canceller following the typhoon of 20 April 1905

Postmark Information

Catalog:

  • Friedemann 5
  • ArGe Kolonien PONAPE (KAROLINEN) 3

Dates of Use:

  • 13 November 1905 to August 1914

Notes:

  • Year date ‘07’ used until 19 January 1908

  • Violet ink, May 1910 and July 1912 to August 1913

  • Blue or violet ink, September 1913 to 1914

PO Information

Opened:  12 October 1899
Closed:  7 October 1914

Album Page(s)

Karolinen

Ponape

PO Information

Opened:  12 October 1899
Closed:  7 October 1914

Following Spain’s 1898 defeat in the Spanish-American War, it sold its remaining Pacific possessions, including the Carolines, to Germany.

The German flag was hoisted over Ponape in October 1899, and it became the seat of the District Commissioner for Eastern Karolinen.

A German post office was opened on Ponape on 12 October 1899.  This first post office was destroyed by a typhoon on 20 April 1905, which also destroyed the first Ponape canceller.  The post office was rebuilt and remained open until Ponape was occupied by Japanese forces on 7 October 1914.  Due to disruptions in steamship service to the islands, the last known mail departing Ponape was posted in August 1914.

Postmark Information

Catalog:

  • Friedemann 1
  • ArGe Kolonien JALUIT MARSCHALL-INSELN 1

Dates of Use:

  • 29 March 1889 to 23 May 1900

Notes:

  • Without year slug, 1 January to 13 March 1890
  • Without year slug, 1 January to 28 January 1892
  • Without year slug or with handwritten year, 1 January to 5 February 1894
  • Without year slug or with handwritten year, 1 January to mid-January 1897
  • Red-violet ink, 1895-1896
  • Greenish-blue ink, 1895-1899

Postmark Information

Catalog:

  • Friedemann 4
  • ArGe Kolonien KDPAg PONAPE KAROLINEN 2

Dates of Use:

  • 20 April 1905 to 12 November 1905

Notes:

  • Official seal of Ponape used as a provisional canceller following the typhoon of 20 April 1905

Postmark Information

Catalog:

  • Friedemann 5
  • ArGe Kolonien PONAPE (KAROLINEN) 3

Dates of Use:

  • 13 November 1905 to August 1914

Notes:

  • Year date ‘07’ used until 19 January 1908

  • Violet ink, May 1910 and July 1912 to August 1913

  • Blue or violet ink, September 1913 to 1914

Album Page(s)