Postage stamps and postal history of Greece

This is a survey of the postage stamps and postal history of Greece.

There was no organized civilian postal system in Greece under the Ottoman Empire, but by the 1850s a limited system had been established by independent Greece.

In 1859, Britain issued stamps for its protectorate Ionian State in the Ionian Islands, which was handed over to Greece in 1864.

Classic period (1861-1901)

Large Hermes heads (1861-1888)

The first stamps of Greece were the so-called "large Hermes heads", a profile of the Greek messenger god Hermes in a frame strongly resembling that used for contemporary stamps of France. The first set was issued on October 1, 1861. It consisted of seven denominations (1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 40 and 80 lepta). The 30 and 60 lepta stamps were introduced in 1876. The basic design was by the french engraver Albert Désiré Barre and the first batch was printed in Paris by Ernst Meyer. in November 1861 the printing plates were transferred to Athens and subsequent printings made there. The plates continued in use into the mid-1880s, resulting in a number of varieties due to plates becoming worn and then cleaned, as well as the printing of the stamps on several kinds of paper. Most types were also printed with numbers on the back, and all are imperforate.

mall Hermes heads (1886-1900)

The "small Hermes heads" first appeared in 1886. The first batch was printed in Belgium followed by numerous reprints in Athens, until 1900. Like their predecessors, they depicted Hermes in profile, but with a smaller head and a rounder helmet. Initially the sheets were imperforate. Perforated versions, initially 13½ and later 11½, became available in 1891. The denominations were 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 25, 40, 50 lepta and 1 drachma.

In September 1900 some of the small Hermes stamps (blue 25 lepta and violet 40 lepta) were surcharged with different values (20 lepta, 1 drachma and 2 drachmae) due to the delay in printing the new Flying Mercury issue.

1896 Olympic issue

Greece's first commemorative stamps were issued in 1896 for the 1896 Summer Olympics, the first Olympic games in modern times. The series consisted of twelve values (1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 25, 40 and 60 lepta, 1, 2, 5 and 10 drachmae). There were eight different designs, by Professor I. Svoronos, which included famous sports-related images from ancient Greece, such as a chariot race and Myron's "Discobolus". The stamps were designed by Swiss artist A. Guilleron, the steel dies were created by the French engraver Louis-Eugène Mouchon, (1843-1914) and printing tooks place at the National Printing Office of France. The stamps were delivered in perforated sheets (13½ x 14). The name "E. MOUCHON" appears at the bottom side of each stamp. The 1986 Olympics stamps, of which the 5 and 10 drachmas denominations are relatively rare, remain popular with collectors of topical stamps relating to sports and Olympic games.

A.M. overprints

In 1900 and 1901, a variety of existing Greek stamps (Large Hermes Heads, Small Hermes Heads and 1896 Olympics) were surcharged in black or red with new values and also with the letters "A M", initials of "Αξία Μεταλλική" ("Axia Metalliki" or "value in (gold) metal"), meaning that the face values were based on the gold standard of the Latin Monetary Union. These stamps were sold at the post offices at a price higher than the face value, due to the depreciation of the drachma. The "A M" stamps were mainly used for international parcel post and postal money orders, although they are sometimes found on normal letter covers. In 1902 these stamps were withdrawn and replaced with the "A M" series.

Early 20th century

Flying Hermers and A.M. issue (1901-1902)

In 1901, a new series of definitive stamps was issued and replaced the small Hermes heads and the overprints of 1900. The new stamps depicted Giovanni da Bologna's statue of Hermes/Mercury (c. 1564). The series included 14 denominations in three different designs: 1 lepton, 2, 3, 5, 10, 20, 25, 30, 40 and 50 lepta and 1, 2, 3 and 5 drachmae. The high values of this series are notable for being printed in metallic colors; bronze (2d), silver (3d), and gold (5d). The stamps were printed on two qualities of paper (thick and thin) with watermark ET and crown. The sheets were delivered with perforation 13½ for the low values and 11½ for the high values, although small quantities were delivered with different perforations.

The 20 lepta stamp was overprinted with "ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΔΙΟΙΚΗΣΙΣ" (ELLINIKI DIOIKISIS, Hellenic Administration) in 1912. The 1 lepton, 3, 20, 30, 40 and 50 lepta and 1 drachma stamps were overprinted in 1917 with "Κ.Π." and new values and used as charity postage stamps and revenues.

In 1902 an additional series of five stamps was issued, depicting the head of the same statue. These stamps were in values of gold currency and inscribed "A M" for "Αξία Μεταλλική" ("Axia Metalliki" or "value in metal"). They replaced the provisional "A M" overprints of 1900-1901 for international parcel post and money orders. The series was printed by Perkins, Bacon & Co. in the United Kingdom on thick paper, watermarked with "ET" and crown and delivered with perforation 13½. These stamps were also used briefly as revenue stamps in 1913.

The 1901-1902 issues remained in regular use until 1911.

1906 Olympic issue

Commemorative issue for the 1906 Intercalated Games. A set of 14 stamps printed by Perkins, Bacon & Co (UK) and issued on March 25, 1906. Special commemorative cancellations were used during the Games at Zappeion ("ΖΑΠΠΕΙΟΝ"), Stadium ("ΣΤΑΔΙΟΝ") and Acropolis ("ΑΚΡΟΠΟΛΙΣ") provisional post offices.

1911/1913 definitive issue

Territorial expansion, 1912 to 1923

General issue ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΔΙΟΙΚΗΣΙΣ (1912-1913)

1912 Campaign issue (1913)

A set of 12 stamps was issued on April 16, 1913, to replace provisional "ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΔΙΟΙΚΗΣΙΣ" and other overprints in Ottoman Empire territories under Greek military occupation. These stamps were also used in non-occupied Greek territories.

A special stamp was issued on December 1, 1913 for use only by Cretan post offices. This stamp depicts events which took place on Souda Island on May 1, 1913, marking the annexation of Crete to the Kingdom of Greece.

Local Greek Occupation issues

WW1 Royal Government ET issue

WW1 Thessaloniki Provisional Government issue

1920s and 1930s

World War II

Post-war period

Sources

* Stanley Gibbons Ltd: various catalogues
* [http://www.jl.sl.btinternet.co.uk/stampsite/home.html Encyclopaedia of Postal Authorities]
* Stuart Rossiter & John Flower: "The Stamp Atlas"