Eupen & Malmedy and St. Vith.
"The Eastern Cantons"
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The
German-speaking areas in the east of Belgium are known as the Eastern Cantons.
The main population centres are Eupen, Malmédy and St. Vith.
The districts of Eupen and Malmédy, close to the German border, were annexed by
Belgium under the terms of the Treaty of Versailles. Within the Eastern Cantons
a limited number of Belgian stamps from the 1915 definitive series were used
from 15th January 1920 these being overprinted "Eupen
& Malmedy". Subsequently on 20th March 1920 the
entire 1915 definitive series plus the 25c Liberation and 65c Termonde
stamps were issued overprinted "Eupen"
and the same issues also overprinted "Malmedy".
At the same time the 1919 postage due series was also overprinted for use in
both areas. The area around Losheim was returned to Germany in October 1921.
During World War II
(1940–44) the cantons plus the area around Herbesthal and part of Luxembourg were temporarily regained by Germany. |
Belgian philatelists are increasingly interested in the pre Waterloo and German
periods.
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Belgium -French
Occupation 1794 - 1814
Département No 96 -
L’Ourthe Wrapper sent from Eupen to Paris dated 28 Brumaire An2
(18 November 1793) and
received in Paris on
2 Frimaire An2 (22
November 1797) Paris double circle “Quantiè me” with revolutionary calendar
as receiving mark on reverse.
Rate: 6 Décimes
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The towns of Malmédy, Eupen
and St Vith, together with the surrounding villages came under Prussian control
under terms agreed by the Treaty of Vienna in 1815, and remained so until 1919.
Prussian postmarks were used
in seven towns.
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Letter
circa 1830 from St Vith to Brussels.
Prussian type combined
name and date stamp of St. Vith, and Brussels Type 16 arrival date stamp in
blue. Black Prussian FRANCO
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1915 Stamps overprinted
"Eupen & Malmedy".
1915 Stamps and others overprinted
"Eupen".
1915
Stamps and others overprinted
"Malmedy".
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On 10th May 1940 the Eastern Cantons were
occupied by Germany and a pro-German post office official overprinted a
number of Belgian definitive stamps and postal with the words "Eupen ist
frei" and a swastika. There is some evidence of postal usage, possibly "by
favour". These stamps and postal stationery items are sometimes considered
bogus. The German authorities subsequently issues special commemorative
stamps. |
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The 50th anniversary of the
annexation was celebrated in 1970 with a special commemorative issue,
COB1566. |
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CARTE-RECEPISSE
1 EUPEN 1 LUFTKURDER A 30-3-38.17 A VILLEGIATURE BAIN ANEIPP BAD
Barred Single-ring to Couvain. 70c
COB401.
2x0,30 fiscal lion cancelled
JEAN PANKERT/31 MAR 1938/-EUPEN-
triple box.
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A PRIOR
Q
Postally used FDC to UK 17fr. COB 2683.Special pictorial cancellation
DIE OSTKANTONE-LES CANTONS DE L’EST – 4700 – EUPEN –8-2-97
PHILATELISTEN-CLUB EUPEN
BELGIUM PHILATELY
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