The Kraków issues

Fischer 30-53 | Michel 29-53 | Scott 41-45, 56-58, 60, 59, 46-55, respectively (Fischer 50-54 not listed) | Year of issue 1918 | Pre-war Poland

In November 1918, the Austro-Hungarian empire collapsed and was divided in the German-Austrian republic, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Western Ukraine, the southern part of Poland (called Galicia), the Italian occupied territories Trentino and Venezia Giulia (Julian March), Slovenia, Yugoslavia and the Romanian occupied territory called Bukovina. These Austrian stamps were overprinted in Kraków.

Fischer 30 Imperial crown
Fischer 31 Imperial crown
Fischer 32 Imperial crown
Fischer 33 Imperial crown

30
Imperial crown

31
Imperial crown

32
Imperial crown

33
Imperial crown

Fischer 34 Imperial crown
Fischer 35 Karl I
Fischer 36 Karl I
Fischer 37 Karl I

34
Imperial crown

35
Karl I

36
Karl I

37
Karl I

Fischer 38 Coat of arms of Austria
Fischer 39 Karl I
Fischer 40 Coat of arms of Austria
Fischer 41 Coat of arms of Austria

38
Coat of arms of Austria

39
Karl I

40
Coat of arms of Austria

41
Coat of arms of Austria

Fischer 42 Coat of arms of Austria
Fischer 43 Coat of arms of Austria
Fischer 44 Coat of arms of Austria
Fischer 45 Coat of arms of Austria

42
Coat of arms of Austria

43
Coat of arms of Austria

44
Coat of arms of Austria

45
Coat of arms of Austria

Fischer 46 Coat of arms of Austria
Fischer 47 Coat of arms of Austria

46
Coat of arms of Austria

47
Coat of arms of Austria

Fischer 48 Coat of arms of Austria
Fischer 49 Coat of arms of Austria

48
Coat of arms of Austria

49
Coat of arms of Austria

Fischer 50 Mercury
Fischer 51 Mercury
Fischer 52 Mercury

50
Mercury

51
Mercury

52
Mercury

Fischer 53 Mercury
Fischer 54 Mercury

53
Mercury

54
Mercury

Glossary

Kraków is Polish for Cracow, the ancient capital of Poland, residence for centuries of kings, situated north of the Tatra Mountains on the Vistula river.
Mercury is a Roman god, known as the god of trade, profit and commerce. He is very similar to the Greek god Hermes and he is known for his winged cap and winged feet. Mercury was the messenger of Zeus. The wings crowning his cap are intended to symbolize liberty of thought.
Galicia is the name of the territory occupied by Austria until World War I.

Translations

K(aiserliche) und K(önigliche) Feldpost = Emperial and Royal field post.

Relevant pages

The original Austrian issues (without the overprints) of Fischer 30-34, 38 and 40-44
The original Austrian issues (without the overprints) of Fischer 35-37 and 39
The original Austrian issues (without the overprints) of Fischer 46 dark blue
The original Austrian issues (without the overprints) of Fischer 46 pale blue
The original Austrian issues (without the overprints) of Fischer 50-54

Resources

Galicia (www.polishroots.org)
Stamps and the postal history of Austria (www.4reference.net)
The Austro-Hungarian army 1914-18 for collectors of its postal items by John Dixon-Nuttall (www.kitzbuhel.demon.co.uk)
Philatelic details about the 1919 Kraków issue by Michael E. Melnichak (home.att.net)
Austria Hungary
Austria
Czechoslovakia
Hungary
Western Ukraine
Galicia (Central Europe)
Trentino Alto-Adige
Venezia Giulia (Julian March)
Slovenia
Yugoslavia
Bukovina
Kraków
Imperial crown of Austria
Karl of Austria
Mercury (Mythology)

Cancellations


Kraków cancellations