Germany

Federal Republic (1949-)

The Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany) was established in 1949 from the western occupation zones following World War II. It developed as a democratic state aligned with Western Europe and the United States, experiencing rapid economic recovery and growth during the post-war Wirtschaftswunder period. In 1990, it was reunified with East Germany, continuing as the modern German state.

The Federal Republic issued a refined and highly regarded range of postage stamps. Early issues reflected post-war reconstruction, while later designs expanded to include cultural heritage, industry, notable figures, and European cooperation. German stamps from this period are known for their clean layouts, high-quality printing, and balanced, understated aesthetic.

The country used the Deutsche Mark = 100 Pfennig

1951 - German Fed. Rep. - 10/20/40 Pfennig - Numeral & Posthorn

First issued: 20 Dec 195110/20/40 West German PfennigPosthorn SeriesBundesdruckerei Berlin, Designed by Georg Alexander Mathey10 pF: SG: DE 1050 Colnect Link20 Pf: SG: DE 1052 Colnect Link40 Pf: SG: DE 1055 Colnect Link
Issued from December 1951 as part of the definitive “Posthorn” series of the Federal Republic of Germany, these stamps belong to the first long-running postal issue of West Germany. The design deliberately avoids political figures or overt symbolism, instead reviving the historic postal horn—long associated with European mail services. The series remained in use for over a decade, becoming one of the most recognisable and widely circulated issues of the period.The artwork is highly controlled and typographic, centred on a large numeral paired with a stylised posthorn enclosed within a circular band reading “DEUTSCHE BUNDESPOST.” The composition is symmetrical and repetitive across denominations, with colour serving as the primary differentiator between values. The 20Pf stamp carries postmark of Heilbronn with a date of 13 Dec 195?.

1954 - German Fed. Rep. - 2 Pfennig - President Theodor Heuss - Violet BLue

First issued: 19542 West German PfennigFederal President Theodor Heuss SeriesBundesdruckerei Berlin, Designed by Max Bittrof2 Pf: SG: DE 1121 Colnect Link10Pf: SG: DE 1109 Colnect Link20Pf: SG: DE 1111 Colnect Link30Pf: SG: DE 1122 Colnect Link60Pf: SG: DE 1116 Colnect Link
Issued from 1954 as part of the first definitive series portraying Theodor Heuss, who served as Presdent from 1949 to 1959. Heuss was closely associated with the stabilisation of West Germany’s democratic system in its early post-war years, and his depiction on everyday definitives reflects his role as a unifying, non-partisan head of state.The series itself was extensive, with values ranging from low pfennig denominations to several Deutsche Mark, forming the backbone of postal use throughout the 1950s. Introduced in 1954 and remaining valid into the 1960s, it replaced earlier transitional issues and marked the consolidation of a distinct West German postal identity. The use of a living president signals a shift toward contemporary state representation.The design is stark and controlled: a left-facing engraved portrait of Heuss derived from a photographic portrait and translated into fine line engraving, producing the characteristic cross-hatched texture visible in the face and background. 2Pf: The Postmark records the place as Hamburg-Flughafen and the date as 23 Oct 1956. 10Pf: The postmark on this stamp shows a year of 1956 and a town that ends in "EGEN" possibly Stegen in Baden-Wurttemberg. 60Pf: The postmark has the date as 28 Jul 1957.

1970 - German Fed. Rep. - President Gustav Heinemann

First issued: 1970-7110/30/40/50 West German PfennigFederal President Dr. Gustav HeinemannBundesdruckerei Berlin, Designed by Karl-Hans Walter10 Pf SG: DE 1536 Colnect Link30 Pf SG: DE 1539 Colnect Link40 Pf SG: DE 1540 Colnect Link50 Pf SG: DE 1541 Colnect Link
Issued between 1970 and 1973, this definitive series depicts Gustav Heinemann, 3rd President of the Federal Republic of Germany.The series replaced earlier presidential definitives (Heuss, then Lübke) and continued the West German practice of using the sitting head of state on long-running everyday stamps. The stamps were issued in a wide range of denominations and remained in use into the mid-1970s, forming the backbone of routine postal use.The design is consistent across all values: a left-facing engraved portrait of Heinemann, rendered in fine linework and repeated without variation except for colour and denomination. The engraving uses dense cross-hatching and dot screening to model facial features and background tone, producing a textured surface that holds detail even at small scale.

1977 - German Fed. Rep. - 10 Pfennig - Glucksburg Castle

First issued: 14 Apr 197710 West German PfennigCastles & Palaces SeriesBundesdruckerei Berlin, Designed by Heinz & Hella Schillinger SG: DE 1805 Colnect Link
Issued in 1977 as part of the “Burgen und Schlösser” (Castles and Palaces) definitive series, this 10 stamp depicts Glücksburg Castle in Schleswig-Holstein is a Renaissance water castle built in the 1580s on an artificial island, giving it the distinctive reflection seen in the stamp. It served as the seat of the House of Glücksburg, a dynasty whose branches later ruled Denmark, Norway, and Greece. Unlike earlier fortified castles, it was designed primarily as a residence, with a symmetrical layout and four corner towers. The structure was built using materials from a former monastery on the site.The design shows a frontal, symmetrical view of the castle with its towers, steep roofs, and surrounding water indicated by simple horizontal lines. Executed in a single colour with fine line engraving, the composition is compact and highly legible, with “DEUTSCHE BUNDESPOST” and the denomination integrated into a clean, functional layout typical of high-volume definitives.

1980 - German Fed. Rep. - 40 Pfennig - Wolfsburg Castle

First issued: 14 Feb 198040 West German PfennigCastles & Palaces SeriesBundesdruckerei Berlin, Designed by Heinz & Hella Schillinger SG: DE 1807a Colnect Link
This stamp shows Wolfsburg Castle in Lower Saxony. First recorded in 1302, the castle began as a fortified tower on the River Aller before being transformed in the 16th–17th centuries into a Renaissance palace in the Weser Renaissance style. Wolfsburg Castle predates the modern city of Wolfsburg by centuries—the city itself was only established in 1938 around the Volkswagen factory and later took its name from the castle. Despite being overshadowed by the industrial identity of the city, the castle remains its historical core and namesake. The postmark reads as 15 Dec 1980.

1979 - German Fed. Rep. - 90 Pfennig - Wolfsburg Castle

First issued: 11 Jan 197990 West German PfennigCastles & Palaces SeriesBundesdruckerei Berlin, Designed by Heinz & Hella Schillinger SG: DE 1810c Colnect Link
This stamp depicts Burg Vischering, one of the most characteristic moated castles of the Münsterland region.First documented in 1271, the castle was built by the Bishop of Münster and later became the seat of the Droste zu Vischering family. A major fire in 1521 led to its reconstruction in a more residential Renaissance style.

1978 - German Fed. Rep. - 230 Pfennig - Lichtenberg Stronghold

First issued: 16 Nov 1978230 West German PfennigCastles & Palaces SeriesBundesdruckerei Berlin, Designed by Heinz & Hella Schillinger SG: DE 1812b Colnect Link
This stamp depicts Burg Lichtenberg, one of the largest castle complexes in Germany. Built around 1200 and later expanded, it stretches roughly 425 metres in length, making it the largest castle ruin in the country.The castle served for centuries as an administrative and regional centre. It was never decisively taken in warfare but declined after repeated plundering during the French Revolutionary period, with a major fire in 1799 leaving much of it in ruins. Today, the site is preserved as a historical monument and houses museums, a youth hostel, and public facilities within its extensive grounds.

1975 - German Fed. Rep. - 30 Pfennig - MBB Bolkow Rescue Helicopter

First issued: 14 Aug 197530 West German PfennigIndustry & Tech Definitive SeriesBundesdruckerei Berlin, Designed by Beat Knoblauch & Paul Beer SG: DE 1742 Colnect Link
Issued as part of the “Industrie und Technik” definitive series, this stamp depicts the MBB Bölkow Bo 105C rescue helicopter, one of the most important West German aviation developments of the period.The Bo 105, first flown in 1967 was a light twin-engine helicopter designed by Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm. It was the first light twin-engine helicopter in the world, making it particularly suitable for emergency medical services and rescue operations. The helicopter also introduced a hingeless rotor system, a major technical innovation that reduced vibration and improved manoeuvrability, and even allowed aerobatic flight—something virtually unheard of for helicopters at the time.Rendered in a single colour with fine line engraving, the composition of this stamp is clean and functional, with the Red Cross marking indicating its medical role.

1975 - German Fed. Rep. - 30 Pfennig - Spacelab

First issued: 15 May 197540 West German PfennigIndustry & Tech Definitive SeriesBundesdruckerei Berlin, Designed by Beat Knoblauch & Paul Beer SG: DE 1743 Colnect Link
This stamp depicts Spacelab, the European-built space laboratory designed to operate inside NASA’s Space Shuttle. Developed through cooperation between the European Space Agency and NASA, Spacelab consisted of a pressurised module and external experiment platforms carried in the Shuttle’s cargo bay, allowing scientists to conduct experiments in microgravity.Although first flown in 1983, the stamp reflects the anticipation phase of the programme, when Spacelab represented Europe’s most significant entry into manned space research. The design shows a open view of the Shuttle payload bay with the cylindrical laboratory module and internal equipment visible.

1975 - German Fed. Rep. - 30 Pfennig - Raisting Earth Station

First issued: 15 May 197550 West German PfennigIndustry & Tech Definitive SeriesBundesdruckerei Berlin, Designed by Beat Knoblauch & Paul Beer SG: DE 1744 Colnect Link
This stamp depicts the large parabolic antenna of the Raisting Earth Station in Bavaria—Germany’s first commercial satellite ground station, constructed by the Deutsche Bundespost in 1963–64.The Raisting station enabled direct satellite links between Europe and North America and was used to transmit major live events, including the Apollo 11 Moon landing and the 1972 Munich Olympics, into European homes. In the 1960s and 70s, facilities like Raisting formed the backbone of intercontinental television and telephone communication, preceding the widespread use of fibre-optic cables.The stamp’s design presents a stylised dish antenna mounted on its distinctive conical base, with a geometric grid emphasising the reflector surface and signal focus.The post mark reads as 1981.

1975 - German Fed. Rep. - 100 Pfennig - Lignite Excavator

First issued: 15 May 1975100 West German PfennigIndustry & Tech Definitive SeriesBundesdruckerei Berlin, Designed by Beat Knoblauch & Paul Beer SG: DE 1748 Colnect Link
This stamp depicts a bucket-wheel excavator used in lignite mining, one of the most characteristic machines of West Germany’s postwar energy economy. In the 1970s, lignite remained a major domestic fuel source, especially in the Rhineland and Lusatia. These enormous continuous excavators—among the largest land vehicles ever built—enabled the industrial-scale extraction of coal from open-cast mines, reshaping entire landscapes in the process.The design isolates the massive rotating bucket wheel in close-up, turning the machine into a graphic study of industrial form. Fine engraved linework emphasizes the radial geometry of the wheel and the dense mechanical structure behind it, while the single-colour printing keeps the image stark and technical.

1975 - German Fed. Rep. - 200 Pfennig - Marine Drilling Platform

First issued: 14 Nov 1975200 West German PfennigIndustry & Tech Definitive SeriesBundesdruckerei Berlin, Designed by Beat Knoblauch & Paul Beer SG: DE 1754 Colnect Link
This stamp depicts a marine drilling platform, reflecting West Germany’s engagement with offshore energy exploration during a decade shaped by the global oil crisis.The design follows the series’ technical aesthetic: clean line engraving, strong structural geometry, and a single-colour palette that highlights form over environment.

1956 - German Fed. Rep. - 10 Pfennig - EUROPA Rebuilding Europe

First issued: 15 Sep 195610 West German PfennigEuropa CEPT SeriesBundesdruckerei Berlin, Designed by Daniel Gonzague & Gerhard Schulz SG: DE 1167 Colnect Link
This stamp represents postwar European reconstruction. The theme—“Rebuilding Europe”—was adopted by several Western European postal administrations, each issuing stamps with a unified visual concept to signal economic recovery after World War II.The design shows a steel framework structure rising within a curved architectural form, combining elements of scaffolding, bridge construction, and modern industrial design. This reflects the broader context of the 1950s, when Western Europe, supported by the Marshall Plan was rebuilding infrastructure and industrial capacity at speed.Graphically, the stamp uses fine line engraving and a restrained monochrome palette, typical of mid-century definitive and commemorative issues.As one of the earliest EUROPA issues, it also marks the beginning of a long-running tradition of coordinated European stamp releases.

1957 - German Fed. Rep. - 10 Pfennig - 500 Years of Freiburg University

First issued: 24 Jun 195710 West German PfennigBagel Security-Print GmbH & Co., Designed by Albert Jager SG: DE 1182 Colnect Link
This stamp marks the 500th anniversary of the University of Freiburg, one of the oldest universities in the German-speaking world and long associated with humanist and Catholic scholarship, re-established as a major academic centre after World War II.The design draws on medieval manuscript and woodcut styles, showing a lecture scene with a robed professor addressing students, accompanied by a scroll reading “Sapientia” (wisdom).Printed in two colours with fine line engraving, the composition uses simplified figures and flat perspective to create a clear, stylised depiction of a medieval academic setting.

1957 - German Fed. Rep. - 10 Pfennig - 500 Years of Freiburg University

First issued: 03 Jul 195710 West German PfennigBundesdruckerei Berlin, Designed by Helmut Lortz SG: DE 1184 Colnect Link
This stamp marks the 350th anniversary of the University of Giessen (1607–1957), an institution closely associated with the development of modern chemical education through the work of Justus von Liebig and his laboratory-based teaching methods.The design depicts the Liebig laboratory building in Giessen, one of the earliest purpose-built facilities for chemical instruction. It is shown in a clean, frontal view with minimal background, focusing on the structure itself. The composition is compact and symmetrical, with fine engraved linework used to define architectural details such as windows, rooflines, and the small forecourt. The single-colour printing and absence of surrounding elements keep the image clear and easily recognisable, consistent with the straightforward, functional style of mid-century West German commemoratives.The postmark reads as Frankfurt Au Main with a date of 15 Oct 1957.

1957 - German Fed. Rep. - 10 Pfennig - Television Screen

First issued: 23 Aug 195710 West German PfennigBundesdruckerei Berlin, Designed by Hans Michel & Karl Georg Gunther KieserSG: DE 1186 Colnect Link
This stamp depicts a stylised television screen, reflecting the emergence of television as a new mass medium in post-war West Germany. Rather than showing a literal device, the design uses a central grid framed by dense horizontal wave lines, suggesting electronic signals and image transmission, with the screen appearing to glow within the surrounding field. The design comes from the studio of Hans Michel and Günther Kieser, who were known for applying contemporary graphic language to stamp design.Printed in a single colour with fine line engraving, the composition is highly abstract and pattern-driven, typical of mid-century graphic design. The repetition of wave-like lines creates visual movement and interference effects, evoking broadcast signals, while the clean geometry of the central screen keeps the image legible and modern.

1969 - German Fed. Rep. - 30 Pfennig - 50 Years of International labour Organization

First issued: 28 Apr 196930 West German PfennigBagel Security print GmbH, Designed by Bruno Karl WieseSG: DE 1486 Colnect Link
This stamp commemorates the 50th anniversary of the International Labour Organization (ILO), founded in 1919 to promote workers’ rights and social justice across nations. By 1969, the ILO had become a key global body setting labour standards, improving working conditions, and advocating that “labour is not a commodity,” reflecting a growing international consensus on human rights in the workplace .The design uses a bold geometric star formed by interlocking coloured bands, symbolising cooperation between different nations, workers, and institutions.

1972 - German Fed. Rep. - 100 Pfennig - Crate on Hoist

First issued: 07 May 1972100 West German PfennigBundesdruckerei Berlin, Designed by Hans Fortsch & Sigrid von BaumgartenSG: DE 1604 Colnect Link
This stamp is part of a broader West German campaign on workplace safety, reflecting growing awareness in the mid-20th century of industrial accidents and the need for preventive measures. As industries became more mechanised, hazards from machinery—especially lifting equipment like hoists—were a major concern, leading to stricter safety practices and regulations around their use .The design shows a suspended crate being lowered by a hoist while a worker stands below with a raised hand, clearly warning or signalling danger. The horizontal line pattern stylises both figures and machinery, but also visually suggests motion and instability, reinforcing the risk of falling loads. The composition is deliberately simple and direct, functioning almost like a warning sign: the message is to keep clear of suspended loads and maintain safe working distance.

1973 - German Fed. Rep. - 70 Pfennig - Environment Protection

First issued: 05 Jun 197370 West German PfennigBundesdruckerei Berlin, Designed by Heinz SchillingerSG: DE 1669 Colnect Link
This stamp is part of a 1973 West German issue linked to World Environment Day, reflecting global concern about environmental protection following the 1972 Stockholm Conference. The design centres on air pollution, with dark industrial forms and smokestacks contrasted against radiating rings and rising bar-like shapes that suggest the spread and measurement of emissions. At the centre is the emblem of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) along with 2 white doves to represent ecological harmony. The postmark reads as 7 Dec 1975 with the place as Russelsheim, a town in Rhein-Mein.

1974 - German Fed. Rep. - 40 Pfennig - Crowned Cross Emblem of Diaconate

First issued: 15 May 197440 West German PfennigBundesdruckerei Berlin, Designed by Rolf LederbogenSG: DE 1706 Colnect Link
This stamp marks the 125th anniversary of the Protestant charitable organisation Diakonie Deutschland, one of the largest social service networks in Germany. The design centres on the “Kronenkreuz” (crown and cross), the official emblem of the Diakonie since 1925. The symbol combines a cross—representing suffering and human need—with a crown, signifying hope and redemption.Rendered in bold blocks of red, blue, and violet with a clean geometric layout, the stamp reflects 1970s graphic modernism. The postmark eads as 1974, and the place is Russelsheim.

1975 - German Fed. Rep. - 70 Pfennig - Dr. Albert Schweitzer

First issued: 15 Jan 195770 West German PfennigBundesdruckerei Berlin, Designed by Fritz BusseSG: DE 1724 Colnect Link
This stamp features Albert Schweitzer (1875–1965), the Alsatian theologian, physician, and humanitarian best known for founding a hospital in Lambaréné, Gabon, and for his ethical philosophy of “reverence for life.” He was also an accomplished organist and scholar of Bach, and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1952 for his humanitarian work.The design presents a finely engraved portrait with strong linear shading and a direct, frontal gaze, emphasizing texture and detail rather than symbolism. The layout is minimal—name, dates, and denomination framing the face—allowing the image itself to carry the stamp.

1980 - German Fed. Rep. - 60 Pfennig - Leibniz

First issued: 08 May 198060 West German PfennigBundesdruckerei Berlin, Designed by Elisabeth von Janota-BzowskiSG: DE 1928 Colnect Link
This stamp features Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz (1646–1716), one of the great intellectual figures of early modern Europe—a mathematician, philosopher, and polymath. He independently developed calculus alongside Isaac Newton, introduced much of the notation still used today, and advanced ideas such as binary arithmetic, which later became fundamental to computing.The design presents a richly detailed portrait based on period engravings, with particular emphasis on the elaborate Baroque wig rendered in dense, rhythmic linework. The word “EUROPA” shows this stamp is part of the joint European issue series organized by the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations. Each year, participating countries released stamps on a shared theme—in 1980 it was “famous Europeans,” The symbol above it is the CEPT emblem: four stylised arrows forming a circular shape, each containing a letter (C-E-P-T).

1981 - German Fed. Rep. - 40 Pfennig - Scintigram and Radioactive Isotope

First issued: 12 Feb 198140 West German PfennigBagel Security Print GmbH, Designed by Werner GotzingerSG: DE 1953 Colnect Link
This stamp promotes cancer prevention through early detection, reflecting West Germany’s growing public health campaigns in the late 20th century. It highlights the increasing role of medical imaging in diagnosing disease before symptoms appear, part of a broader effort to reduce cancer mortality through screening and awareness.The design is based on a medical scintigram, showing the distribution of a radioactive tracer within the human body. The central vertical band in red and yellow suggests areas of higher metabolic activity, while the surrounding cooler tones indicate normal tissue.

1991 - German Fed. Rep. - 100 Pfennig - Pharmacist

First issued: 09 Jan 1991100 West German PfennigBundesdruckerei Berlin, Designed by Bruno Karl WieseSG: DE 2340 Colnect Link
This stamp marks the long tradition of the pharmacy profession, drawing on a miniature from a 13th-century French codex associated with early pharmaceutical ethics and practice. It reflects how medieval apothecaries combined medical knowledge with regulated preparation and dispensing of remedies, a foundation for the modern profession.The design reproduces a medieval scene of a seated pharmacist weighing substances on a balance, with jars and containers arranged beside him. The scales emphasise precision and responsibility, while the stylised figure and furnishings closely follow manuscript illustration conventions rather than modern realism.

1991 - German Fed. Rep. - 100 Pfennig - World Gas Congress

First issued: 04 Jun 1991100 West German PfennigWertpapierdruckerei Leipzig, Designed by Detlef GlinskiSG: DE 2394a Colnect Link
This served as an attached label to a stamp that commemorates the 18th World Gas Conference held in Berlin, reflecting the importance of energy cooperation at a moment just after German reunification, when Berlin was re-emerging as an international meeting point for industry and policy. The World Gas Conference, organised under the International Gas Union, brings together governments, engineers, and companies to discuss energy supply, technology, and global markets.The design is highly abstract, built around the congress emblem: a stylised form incorporating a globe within a flame-like shape, symbolising natural gas as a global energy resource. The vertical lines and flanking geometric panels suggest pipelines, transmission, and structured energy networks, while the number “18” is integrated into the composition rather than treated as separate text.

1991 - German Fed. Rep. - 60 Pfennig - Lampadius

First issued: 04 Jun 199160 West German PfennigWertpapierdruckerei Leipzig, Designed by Detlef GlinskiSG: DE 2394 Colnect Link
This stamp depicts Wilhelm August Lampadius (1772–1842), a German chemist and metallurgist regarded as a pioneer of gas lighting in Europe. He is best known for installing one of the first coal-gas lamps for illumination in Freiberg in the early 19th century, demonstrating the practical use of gas as a lighting source.The design combines a finely engraved portrait with a clean, modern layout, pairing the historical figure with the inscription marking the 18th World Gas Congress (Berlin, 1991). The portrait uses dense cross-hatching for depth and texture, while the pale background and open spacing keep the composition uncluttered.

1991 - German Fed. Rep. - 60 Pfennig - Hannover

First issued: 08 Jan 199160 West German PfennigBundesdruckerei Berlin, Designed by Peter SteinerSG: DE 2338 Colnect Link
This stamp commemorates 750 years of Hannover. Hannover became especially prominent as the seat of the Hanoverian kings—who also ruled Britain in the 18th century—and later as an important administrative and industrial centre in modern Germany.The design presents a stylised skyline combining multiple historic buildings into a single continuous composition, including church towers, domes, and civic architecture arranged symmetrically along a central axis. Clean linework and soft, muted colours give clarity to the dense architectural detail, while the foreground trees and water create depth without clutter. The recognizable buildings in the skyline include New Town Hall Hannover, Marktkirche Hannover, & Aegidienkirche . On the left is the Waterloo Column. The post mark reads 11 Aug 1991.

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