During the German occupation of Estonia, Russian stamps were overprinted for local use in Pernau (Pämu).
The original town was founded in 1251. It was called Perona (German - Alt-Pernau, Estonian - Vana-Pämu), but it was destroyed in 1600. Another nearby town, called Embeke (German - Neu-Pernau, Estonian - Uus-Pämu, was founded in 1265, and it later became known by the German name of Pernau. The town became a member of the Hanseatic League, and it was an important harbor for Livonia.
Today, the city of Pämu is a popular Summer vacation resort, known for its hotels, restaurants, spas, and beaches.
Between August and September of 1941, the contemporary
1 K., 2 K., 3 K., 4 K., 5 K., 10 K., 15 K., 20 K., 30 K., and 50 K.
definitive stamps of the Soviet Union were overprinted "Pernau / 8. VII / 1941",
for local use in Pernau. July 8, 1941 was the date the occupation of
Estonia began. These German occupation overprints exist in two types.
The type 1 overprints have Roman Numerals (VII)
indicating the numeral one in the month. The type 1 overprints were
issued on August 16, and only the denominations from the 5 K. through
the 50 K. were used. Mint examples are moderately scarce, and used
examples, especially those on cover, are very scarce. The 50 K.
denomination, with the type 1 overprint is RARE. The images above show
the issued denominations, except for the 50 K., with the type 1
overprint (Mi. #1I-10I, Sc. N/L).
The type 2 overprints have regular numerals (V11)
indicating the numeral one in the month. The type 2 overprints were
released on September 16, and these overprints were used for all the
denominations from the 1 K. through the 50 K. Most of the type 2
overprints are not very expensive. The Michel Catalog indicates that
these later overprinted stamps did not see any postal usage, and that
the few used examples encountered are favor-canceled stamps. The
complete set, with the type 2 overprint, is shown above (Mi. #1II-10II, Sc. N/L).
In
November 1941, Estonia was incorporated into the Reichskommissariat
Ostland, and German stamps, overprinted "OSTLAND", were used.
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Return to German Occupation Stamps from
Estonia - Pernau