WW2 OVERRUN COUNTRIES BELGIUM #914 SEP 14 1943 WASHINGTON DC FIRST DAY COVER

Item Specifics

Country

Belgium

Catalog Number

914

Stamp Type

General Issue

Condition

First Day Cover

Stamp Format

Single

Year of Issue

1975

Item Description

Condition: Actual scan(s). Covers are postally used, addressed and unaddressed; older covers may have toning, ... Read more about the seller notes Actual scan(s). Covers are postally used, addressed and unaddressed; older covers may have toning, creasing or rough openings. All these faults, if any, will be visible in the photo(s)/scan(s). Read Less about the seller notes

Grade: Ungraded
? The Overrun Countries Series (1943–1944) Issued by the U.S. Post Office during World War II to honor nations that had been invaded and occupied by Axis powers (Germany, Italy, and their allies). The series consisted of 13 stamps: Poland, Czechoslovakia, Norway, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Belgium, France, Greece, Yugoslavia, Albania, Austria, Denmark, and Korea. Each stamp showed the occupied country’s flag in color, flanked by allegorical figures symbolizing strength and freedom. Denomination: 5 cents (higher than standard 3-cent postage) — the extra cost symbolically showed America’s support for these countries. They were sometimes called the “Nations Overrun” stamps. ?? The Yugoslavia Stamp (Issued October 26, 1943) Depicted the Yugoslav tricolor flag: blue (top), white (middle), and red (bottom). At the time, Yugoslavia had been invaded and occupied by Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy in April 1941. The monarchy was forced into exile, while inside the country, resistance fighters (notably the Partisans led by Josip Broz Tito) waged a long guerrilla struggle against the occupiers. The stamp represented American solidarity with the Yugoslav people fighting for their freedom. ✍️ Designer & Printing Designer: Charles A. Brooks Printed by: American Bank Note Company, known for its high-quality engraving and color printing. The printing process was unusually complex for U.S. stamps of the era — it required multicolor engraving to reproduce the flags accurately. ?️ Symbolism & Propaganda Value These stamps were more than postage — they were wartime propaganda, reminding Americans of the global struggle against fascism. Each issue carried the motto “LEST WE FORGET”, reinforcing the idea of shared sacrifice and the importance of Allied unity. For immigrant communities in the U.S., these stamps were also a source of pride and hope, showing that America remembered their homelands. Here’s the complete list of the 13 “Overrun Countries” stamps issued by the U.S. during World War II, along with their issue dates:? The Overrun Countries Series (1943–1944) Poland – June 22, 1943 Czechoslovakia – July 12, 1943 Norway – July 27, 1943 Luxembourg – August 10, 1943 Netherlands – August 23, 1943 Belgium – September 14, 1943 France – September 28, 1943 Greece – October 12, 1943 Yugoslavia – October 26, 1943 Albania – November 9, 1943 Austria – November 23, 1943 Denmark – December 7, 1943 Korea – November 2, 1944 Notes: Each was a 5¢ commemorative stamp, showing the national flag in color with allegorical figures on either side. The series was printed by the American Bank Note Company (rather than the usual Bureau of Engraving and Printing) because of the advanced multicolor engraving needed for the flags. The last stamp, Korea (Nov 2, 1944), is unusual because Korea was not a European country, but was included as a nod to the U.S. opposition to Japanese occupation in Asia.

Seller Information

Seller

gil (4630)

Registered Since

07/11/2007

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Item Location

Texas, United States

Ships To

United States

Returns Accepted

No

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