Overrun Countries series
The Overrun Countries series was a series of thirteen commemorative postage stamps, each of five-cent denomination, issued by the United States over a fifteen-month period in 1943–44 as a tribute to thirteen nations overrun, occupied, and/or annexed by the Axis Powers during or shortly before World War II.[1]
The stamps depict, in full color, the national flags of Poland, Czechoslovakia, Norway, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Greece, Yugoslavia, Albania, Austria, Denmark, and Korea, with the names of the respective countries underneath. To the left of each flag appears the symbol of a phoenix, symbolizing the renewal of life, and to its right appears a kneeling female figure with arms raised, breaking the shackles of servitude.[2]
The stamps with flags of European countries were released at intervals from June to December 1943, while the Korea flag stamp was released in November 1944.[3] The dates on which these stamps were issued are Poland 22 June 1943, Czechoslovakia 12 July 1943, Norway 27 July 1943, Luxembourg 10 August 1943, the Netherlands 23 August 1943, Belgium 14 September 1943, France 28 September 1943, Greece 12 October 1943, Yugoslavia 26 October 1943, Albania 9 November 1943, Austria 23 November 1943, Denmark 7 December 1943, and Korea 2 November 1944.[4]
Because of the elaborate process necessary for the full-color printing, the United States government's Bureau of Engraving and Printing in Washington, D.C., contracted with a private firm, the American Bank Note Company in New York City, to produce the stamps.[2]
See also
References
- ^ Smithsonian - Arago
- ^ a b The Overrun Countries Series - Junior Philatelists. Archived April 15, 2014, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ The Postal Service Guide to U.S. Stamps, 27th edition, 2000 (ISBN 0-06-095854-5), p. 128.
- ^ THE OVERRUN COUNTRIES STAMPS OF 1943 AND 1944 Wartime Issues of Commemorative Postage Stamps 25 July 2018
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