ALBUM – view my Allenstein Album

Summary

Allenstein was an independent city within the German Empire. After the defeat of Germany in WW1, the Treaty of Versailles called for Allenstein to conduct a plebiscite (election) to determine their national alignment. The vote was held on July 11, 1920, with almost 98% voting to remain with Germany. The formal handover from the Commission to German authorities occurred on August 16, 1920.

Fast Facts

Region: Germany / Poland Area
Group: Occupations and Plebiscites post wwI
Classification: Plebiscite
Prior Regime: The German Empire
Key Dates:
  1919, Jun – Treaty of Versailles
  1920, Feb 12 – British and Italian troops arrive
  1920, Jul 11 – Plebiscite
  1920, Aug 16 – Handover to Republic of Germany
First Stamp Issued: April 3, 1920
Following Regime: Germany, Weimer Republic
Scott Catalogue: (Allenstein) #1-28
Pick Catalogue: none

Brief History of Allenstein

After the defeat of the German Empire in World War 1, the terms of surrender were ultimately agreed and codified in the Treaty of Versailles, signed on 28 June, 1919. The terms of the treaty required Germany to give up territory to neighbors in Europe as well as all of its foreign colonies in Africa and Asia. In the East Prussia area: a large portion of land would be given to the newly independent Poland, Danzig (Gdansk) would become a Free City, Memel (Klaipėda) was made a protectorate of the League of Nations (although Lithuania occupied and annexed the region in 1923), and Allenstein and Marienwerder were allowed to have a vote (or plebiscite) to determine whether they would become a part of Germany or Poland. To the north, Schleswig would conduct a plebiscite to determine whether it would be part of Denmark or Germany. To the West, Eupen and Malmedy would go to Belgium, Alsace and Lorraine would become part of France, and Saar would be administered by the French for the League of Nations, and referendum would be held 15 years later, in 1935 to determine their fate. To the southeast, Upper Silesia and Eastern Silesia also planned to conduct plebiscites to determine their fate.

As the Allies decided to establish Poland as an independent state, a large part of West Prussia was awarded to Poland (along with its large German population) to give the new nation access to the Baltic Sea. While this access to a seaport was considered necessary for the survival of the country, it created a strip of land, often called the Polish Corridor, that essentially split East Prussia off from the rest of Germany.

Allenstein (Olsztyn, in Polish) was a district in East Prussia from 1818 – 1910, when it became an independent city within the German Empire. According to the Treaty of Versailles, Allenstein was placed under the authority of the Inter-Allied Commission, and British and Italian troops began arriving on 12 February, 1920 to oversee the plebiscite. While the German Army had already left the area, civil and municipal administration continued under existing German authorities who were accountable to the Commissions. On 11 July, 1920, the vote was held and almost 98% of the voting population chose to remain with East Prussia in Germany. The formal handover from the Commission to German authorities occurred on 16 August, 1920 and Allenstein, along with Marienwerder became part of East Prussia.

Allenstein remained under the control of Germany until the end of World War 2, when it became a part of an expanded Poland

Stamps

ALBUM
During the lead up to the plebiscite, postage stamps of Germany were overprinted and issued to help publicize the event. Two different overprint designs were produced. The first design consisted of three lines reading: “PLÉBISCITE / OLSZTYN / ALLENSTEIN”, and was overprinted in 14 different denominations ranging from 3 pfennig to 3 marks.

The second overprint design consisted of an oval with the words: ”TRAITÉ DE VERSAILLES / ART. 94 et 95”, printed in in the center, and the full name of the plebiscite commission printed within the outside border.
Allenstein stamps were first issued on 3 April, 1920, and were valid until 20 August.

Banknotes

No Allenstein specific banknotes were issued during the plebiscite era.  However, a great period of inflation broke out in Germany after the war, causing great strains on the economy.  In the early 1920’s, Notegeld (emergency money) was issued in many local regions, Allenstein included.  The notes were meant to used for local bartering as the German Mark plummeted and metal was in short supply.  The bright colored notes featuring local buildings or folklore created a strong demand from collectors. Quite often these sets, known as “Serienscheine” (serial paper money),  were never actually produced for circulation, but instead sold to dealers.

Links

East Prussian Plebiscite at Wikipedia
Plebiscite issues make interesting collection from Linns
Allenstein Plebiscite from Stamp Collecting World
Allenstein at BigBlue 1840-1949 by Jim Jackson
Stamps of Distinction – Allenstein