Functions Deutsche Post of the GDR

1 functions

1.1 overview
1.2 stamp issuances
1.3 stamps hard currency
1.4 distribution of periodicals , collection of radio , television fees

functions
overview

similar many other european postal administrations until 1990s, dp provided following services throughout gdr:

as in other european countries, although banking services available through other institutions, dp enjoyed monopoly on provision of postal , telecommunications services inside gdr (including east berlin).

the dp maintained 2279 post offices throughout gdr, 9586 other offices , locations. in 1985, dp transported 1.273 billion pieces of mail, 15 million packages, , 40 million packets, while telephone system handled 767 million long-distance , 1.317 billion local telephone calls.

stamp issuances

the first stamp issued on 9 october 1949, commemorating 75th anniversary of universal postal union (upu) (mi #242). regular air mail service started in 1950, beginning soviet union, other countries. creation of 2 german states, mail between 2 handled according regulations of upu.

according scott catalog, during next 41 years dp issued more stamps other postal authority in germany - 2,802 different stamps including many commemoratives, plus 191 semi-postal designs, , 16 air mail stamps. topics of commemoratives include common topicals (e.g. nature, sports, arts), science , technical issues, , communist-related themes. additional stamps of dp consisted of official stamps (44 types). following economic , currency union of 2 german states on 1 july 1990, stamps denominated in deutsche mark. last dp stamp issue, on 2 october 1990, heinrich schliemann commemorative (mi #3364/5).

stamps hard currency

a stamp limited release 1981 gdr postal set, mi #2587

stamps degree produced sale gain hard currency abroad, , while valid these stamps not issued circulation general public sold directly stamp dealers abroad , registered philatelists. dp invented practice of producing specific stamp in set @ intentionally low number – called sperrwert (limited issue stamp) –to artificially increase value of stamp , set. first sperrwert mi #464. example of sperrwert 25 pfennig stamp of 1981 postal set mi #2587. other stamps in set printed in quantities ranging 4.5 million 16 million, 2 million of 25 pfennig stamp printed.

distribution of periodicals , collection of radio , television fees

the dp held monopoly on distribution of periodicals in gdr, both retail , through subscription, established law dated 3 april 1959. dp maintained central list of authorized periodicals, of both domestic , foreign origin. failure included on list amounted ban on circulation or sale of periodical within gdr. authorized foreign periodicals emanated other socialist countries, such soviet union. distribution of periodicals took place via network of kiosks throughout gdr, including railway stations, roadside rest stops, , in urban areas. delivery subscription relatively rare, owing in part fact print runs of popular publications never sufficient meet demand.

most west german (and other west european) publications excluded list. however, late 1980s, soviet periodicals, such popular magazine sputnik , removed authorized distribution list, resulting in ban. however, in october 1989, ministry postal , telecommunication services announced sputnik had been restored list.