LATVIA : INDEPENDENCE 1918-1940

On 18 november 1918 in Riga Latvia proclaimed the independence. On 26 december 1918 the German Fieldpost leaves the main post-office in Riga and the Latvian Post can start, but on 3 january until 22 may 1919 Riga is occupied by the Soviet troops.

Original print size of this image: 8,238 x 2,870 cm
(is something more as the postal item)

This picture: scanned about 300 dpi.
Then set right and cut out - noted the actual print size-,
resized 50 % of this image and saved as jpg.

The other side.

On 9 september 1918 the Latvian postal authorities give an order for the printing of 3.000.000 stamps. The value must be 5 kapeiki. In total 11.956 sheets of 228 stamps were printed: 2.725.968 postage stamps.
The first stamps were delivered on 17 december 1918 on the main-postoffice of Riga. Some consider 27 december -the main postoffice of Riga under control of Latvia- as the first day of issue of the first Latvian stamp.
The stamps were printed by printing house Schnakenburg in Riga, later -end 1919- the Latvian state-printing house.

Here Mi. 1: imperforate: three ears of corn in a ring, surrounded by the rising sun and three stars: the three provinces of Latvia, Kurzeme, Vidzeme and Latgale.
Some people see left and right ar its base leaves or little forest, but according Deryck Goodridge (see article here below) you must see it -and I like more this interpretation- as tiny hands welcoming the sun.


Ansis Zihrulis (Ansis Cirulis) is the designer.
More about him:

• The song-bird: Ansis Cirulis, the designer of Latvia's first stamp / by Deryck Goodridge. - In: Stamp Lover 1993 ; vol. 85. - p. 66-67

After the war in Latvia there was lack of paper, so the stamps were printed on the back of German military maps.
Collectors can specialize in plate errors, but also in types of maps.




This picture and all pictures below on this page, if not mentioned otherwise: scanned about 300 dpi.
Then set right and cut out - noted the actual print size-, resized 25 % of this image and saved as jpg.

In the beginning the sheets were imperforate, later with perforation 11½. Here you see apart of a sheet of the perforated Mi.2.
Totally 2.725.928 stamps were printed, 11.956 sheets of 228 stamps, but it is not clear how much were imperforated and perforated. Probably more sheets were imperforated then perforated.
There are used two lithographic stones for the printing and on the sheets you can find this indicated with Roman numeral I and II in the lower sheet margin.

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The fields on 'mother-stone' With this stone are prepared the two plates: 12 rows with 19 staps in a row, 228 fields together. Some variations come by using this mother-stone transferred in the plate on the same positions in the sheet. Identification of fourteen of these variations -six on both plates and eight only on plate I - are in detail describes in the book 'Lettland : Handbuch Philatelie und Postgeschichte' (see literature below).

For preparing the printing stones, or plate, one 'mother stone' with 5 x 5 designs is used. The arrangement with the 'mother-stone'on plate I and II differs in the last two rows. Both plates produced the staps in 12 rows of 19 columns: 228 stamps in a sheet.
Details of the exact arrangement of plate I and II is described in 'Lettland : Handbuch Philatelie und Postgeschichte' (see below).

The 'mother-stone' transferred on Plate I:

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The finished military maps were 40-42 cm x 35-36 cm. Folded (horizontally in two, then vertically in three) the maps were about 14 x 18 cm, with visible the indication of the map (place, scale).

The unfinished sheeds, used for the Latvian stamps were about 41-44 cm x 36-38 cm. So the arrangement of the 12 x 19 stamps is the best.

The 'mother-stone' transferred on Plate II:

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Maps can be:

• fine, clear print (tree symbols circular 0.5-0.75 mm, dots clear, place names small lettering), printed in black and brown
• fine, blurred print (tree symbols 0.5 mm and bolder not fully rounded more widely spaced), printed in black and brown
• coarse (details not so clear, tree symbols 0.75 mm or more, place names in large bold letters), printed only in black
• mixed fine/coarse or fine/fine (fine clear and fine blurred): fine printed with coarse printed section or both types fine printing on same sheet

Back of the part-sheet above: at the top, resized 50 %.

More pictures of this part-sheet


On January 3, 1919, Riga is occupied by Latvian Soviet Republic. On 5 January the proviasional government goes from Jelgava to Liepāja and the second issue of the Sun design, Mi. 3 - 5, is printed by G.D. Meyer in Liepāja, issued January 8, 1919.

In the 19th century in some cities 'townposts' were established for delivering the post within the city. Later these independent townpost is in Russia integrated in the Imperial Post. Before the appearance of the townpost the people had to collect their post on the main post-office. The name 'townpostoffices', as part of the Imperial Post, remains.

Original print size of this image: 14,918 x 10,905 cm
(is something more as the postal item)


This picture and all pictures below on this page, if not
mentioned otherwise: scanned about 300 dpi.
Then set right and cut out - noted the actual print size-,
resized 25 % of this image and saved as jpg.


With the start of the Latvian Republic two postmarks were in use with the indication 'townpost': I and II Pils. Nod (=Pilsetas Nodala = Town-postoffice). Further we see only townpost-postmarks of Rīga with an Arabic figure.
The card here has a postmark of townpost-office RĪGA 1.





Photo -from the article in HBG- of the townpostoffice Rīga-1.
Already in tsaristic times townpostoffice Riga 1 served the 'Petersburger Vorstadt' (from the center to the north).
Short after the Latvian independence all post was regulated from the main postoffice. It is possible that already 2 June 1921 with the postmark RĪGA-PILS.NOD.( without number) the townpostoffice Rīga 1 is opened again. Certainly the office is opened on 26 May 1923: in the standard postmarks (with RIGA 1) are used the serials A, B, C and D.
According the overview on the site of Juris Mors, Riga 1 is opened February 18, 1919: this is not the date for the Latvian Republic, but the date for the Latvian Soviet Republic. The office is then opened on the Alexanderstraße 67 and maybe open unto May 21 1919. During the Latvian Republic the office has -according Juris Mors- used 8 different postmarks: 7 of type 6 (the name LATVIJA below (not LATWIJA), and the place name at the top, 7 or 9 bars) and one postmark type 10 (without bars).
This postmark is in the overview: type 6, RĪGA (not RIGA), serial C, nine bars, first reported date x4 II 36, last date 12 XI 40.




This card is sent from Riga-1 and has the arrival postmark of Riga-2.



The postmark of Riga-1, resized 50 %.



This postmark is the only with serial letter B:
according the overview on the site of Juris Mors type 6, RIGA (not RĪGA ), serial B, 8/9 bars, first reported date 30 VI 21, last date 19 X 40.
The arrival postmark is RIGA 2 (see also here below): also type 6, RIGA, serialletter B, 8/9 bars, first reported date 10 VIII 21, last date 18 X 37.



The card here has a postmark of townpost-office RĪGA 2.



Original print size of this image: 14,258 x 9,305 cm
(is something more as the postal item).


The card is a greeting card: 'Daudz laimes vārda dienā' = Happy Name Day.


Photo -from the article in HBG- of the townpostoffice Rīga-2

The office has used 'II PILS. NOD' and -using this postmark- is maybe opened on June 6, 1919
Another date of the opening of this office is October 1, 1925. After this date the standard postmarks are used with the serials A, B, C and D.
According the HBG-article Riga-2 is opened in the Latvian Soviet Republic on March 8, 1919, on the Waldstraße 4a (Mezaiela) in Hagensberg, near the Harbour Quay (last possible date May 21 1919).

According the overview on the site of Juris Mors, Riga 2 is opened February 11, 1919,( and has used 9 different postmarks: 6 of type 6 (the name LATVIJA below (not LATWIJA), and the place name at the top, 7 or 9 bars) and three postmarks type 10 (without bars).
This postmark is in the overview: type 6, RIGA (not RĪGA), serial D, nine bars, first reported date xx VI 25, last date 13 XI 36.
Serial D is reported: from 17 II 37 with RĪGA.

New Year card with arrival postmark of Riga 3. This postoffice is opened October 1, 1925.Here are used these postmark with the serial-letters A, B and C.
According the HBG-article Riga-3 is opened in the Latvian Soviet Republic on February 25, 1919, on the Grosse Moskauerstraée 54 (Maskovas iela) (last possible date May 21 1919).


The arrival postmark, resized 50 %.

Photo -from the article in HBG- of the townpostoffice Rīga-3.

According the overview on the site of Juris Mors, Riga 3 is opened February 25, 1919, and has used 6 different postmarks: 5 of type 6 (the name LATVIJA below (not LATWIJA), and the place name at the top, 7 or 9 bars) and one postmarks type 10 (without bars). This postmark is in the overview: type 6, RIGA (not RĪGA), serial B, seven bars, first reported date -7 VII 23, last date 29 XII 33.
Two other postmarks with serial B exist: type 6 (7 bars) with RĪGA and type 10 without bars.

The card here has a postmark of townpost-office RĪGA 4.


Original print size of this image: 13,894 x 8,932 cm
(is something more as the postal item)

Photo -from the article in HBG- of the townpostoffice Rīga-4

The office is opened June 17, 1926: in use are standard postmarks with serials A and B.
According the HBG-article Riga-4 is opened in the Latvian Soviet Republic on February 27, 1919, on the Alte Mitauerstraée 54 (last possible dateMay 21 1919).
According the overview on the site of Juris Mors, Riga 4 is opened February 27, 1919, and has used 4 different postmarks: 2 of type 6 (the name LATVIJA below (not LATWIJA), and the place name at the top, 7 or 9 bars) and 2 postmarks type 10 (without bars). This postmark is in the overview: type 6, RIGA (not RĪGA), serial B, nine bars, first reported date 15 VI 23, last date -4 XI 37.
Another postmark with serial B, (with RĪGA) exist: type 10 without bars, first reported 17 III 38.

Picture card with -on the other side- the text 'Laimīgu Jaungadu', a Happy New Year.
This card has the postmark of Riga-7.
The seventh townpostoffice is opened in May 1913 in the Moskauerstrasse 189, near the porcelain factory Kuznetsov. In 1915 this office is closed. After World War I the seventh townpostoffice was established north of the district Zasulauks.


Photo -from the article in HBG- of the townpostoffice Rīga-7

The office is opened August 13, 1930: in use are standard postmarks with serials A , B, C and D (according the HBG-article).
According the overview on the site of Juris Mors, Riga 7 is opened July 16, 1930, and has used 5 different postmarks, only serials A and B: 4 of type 6 (the name LATVIJA below (not LATWIJA), and the place name at the top, 7 or 9 bars) and one postmark type 10 (without bars). This postmark is in the overview: type 6, RĪGA (not RIGA), serial B, nine bars, first reported date 23.12.35., last date 21.6.40..
Another postmark with serial B, (with RIGA) exist: also type 6, last reported 26.9.35: RIGA is changed in RĪGA between 26.9. 35 and 23.12.35.

Not (yet) in my collection Riga 5, 6, 8 and 9. Riga 8 and Riga 9 are opened very late (1940).

Pictures on this page, if not mentioned otherwise: scanned about 300 dpi. Then set right and resized 25 % of this image and saved as jpg.

More about the first Latvian stamp: on the site of Bill Apsit.
He is also author of articles on this subject in Het Baltische Gebied:

• De zegels van Letland op stafkaarten : Deel 1 / W. Apsit. - In: Het Baltische Gebied 2001 ; 38. - p. 13-18
• De zegels van Letland op stafkaarten : Deel 2 / W. Apsit. - In: Het Baltische Gebied 2001 ; 39. - p. 10-12
• De zegels van Letland op stafkaarten : Deel 3 / W. Apsit. - In: Het Baltische Gebied 2002 ; 40. - p. 6-12

Other literature:

• Letland - eerste emissie, gedrukt op de achterzijde van Duitse stafkaarten / M.Zuijdwegt en W.Bachman. - In Het Baltische Gebied 1984 ; 3. - p. 1-15
• Lettland : Handbuch Philatelie und Postgeschichte : Die Briefmarken in Rubel-Währung 1918 - 1922 = Latvia : Handbook of Philately and Postal History : The Stamps, Ruble Period 1918 - 1922 / herausggeben im Autrage der Forschungsgemeinschaft Lettland im BDPh von Harry von Hofmann unter Mitarbeit zahlreicher Philatelisten. - 1998. - p. 25-51: Erste Ausgabe im Sonnenmuster = Sun design, first issue
• Latvia map stamps / John Barefoot. - York : J. Barefoot, cop. 1983. - 35 p.

Mi. 1-2 on German military maps is printed in Riga by A. Schnakenburg (later the State Printing Works).

2 January 1919 an armed uprising broke out in Riga. "The Latvian Rifle Corps together with the Red Army units came to the help of the people of Riga and the uprising ended with the victory of the revolutionary proletariat. " (From: Riga : a guide / Maria Debrer. - Moscow, 1982)

The government retreated to Liepāja, but the printing stones stayed in Riga. The government retreated to Liepāja, so the second (Mi. 3-5), third (Mi. 6-14) and fourth issue (Mi. 15-23) with the sun-design were printed by Gottlieb D. Meyer in Liepāja.

On May 22, 1919, Riga is captured by White Russian units and the Freicorps: goal was creating a German dominated state (government Niedra). The liberation on 22 May from the Bolsheviks is commemorated with the issue mi. 25-27. Between June and Oktober 1919 the Latvian nationalists with help of the Estonians also the Germans were defeated.

On july 6 the North Latvian Brigade enters Riga. On October 8 the West Russian Vulunteer Army attacks Riga, but November 11 the Latvian Army, supported by Estoniam armoured trains and the Royal Navy defeats the West Russian Volunteer Army in Riga.

The commemorative issue of the liberation of Riga on 22 May 1919 (mi. 25-27), is issued 7 June 1919 and printed in Liepāja by Gottlieb D.Meyer.
On 14-11-1919 / 12-6-1921are issued sun design Mi. 30-31: printed by State Printing House in Riga. The issue of the first anniversary of independence (Mi. 32), issued 18 November 1919, and later issues are all printed in Riga by A. Schnakenburg. This printing house became the State Printing Works. The head of the company was professor ARichard Zarinš, designer of many Lativian stamps.

Not in this list Mi. 24A and B: printed by order of the military commander of the Northern Latvian Army, colonel Jorgis Zemitāns, printed by K. Dūnis in Wolmar.

Complete sheets of Mi. 1-2 are forged. About these forgeries:

• Valse letten / Jan Kaptein, Keimpe Leenstra, Audrius Brazdeikis In: Het Baltische Gebied 2014 ; 64. - p. 46-47. - About: Forgery of sheet Mi. 1 on Ebay. Always Map L18 (Lukniki). The forgeries: lines on the edges are short
• Das hat uns gerade noch gefehlt - Lettland No 1 als neue Ganzfälschung in kompletten Bogen / Harry v. Hofmann In: Philatelia Baltica 1995 ; 100. - S. 20-21. - About the same forgery.

In the Handbook of Harry von Hofmann - see literature above: Die Briefmarken in Rubel-Währung 1918 - 1922 / von Harry von Hofmann- on p. 49 is a list of the 79 maps so far recorded. Also is mentioned this map 'Q17 Ponedele'.The indication you see on the edge. It is a 'fine' map.

Literature about the town postoffices of Riga: Rīga 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 : (stads)postkantoren / V. Marcilger en R. van Wijnen vertaling en bewerking). - In: Het Baltische Gebied 1997 ; 31. - p. 53-79

The postmark,
resized 50 %.

A recent overview of the postmarks of the history of the standard postmarks of Latvia is placed -as pdf-file- on the nice site of 'Latvian Philately' by Juris Mors, also based on v. Hoffmann and other sources..

The arrival postmark of Riga 2, resized 50 %.

The postmark,
resized 50 %.

A postmark of Riga on the card, resized 50 %.
In the overview of Juris Mors there are used 146 different postmarks. This is with serial-letter I: type 6 (the name LATVIJA below (not LATWIJA), and the place name at the top, 7 or 9 bars) in this case RIGA (not RĪGA), month in Roman and with seven bars.
First reported date is 26 II 21 and last date is 21 VI 26.
This postmark with 6-pointed star is delivered 22.01.21 (in the listing of Juris Mors: 33
The two other postmarks with serial I. have 9 bars.

The postmark: resized 50 %.
Type 6, serial B with RIGA (not RĪGA), 9 bars.

The postmark of Riga 7, resized 50 %.

About the postmarks 1918-1941:

• Lettland : Handbuch Philatelie und Postgeschichte : Die Stempel / von Harry v. Hofmann. - Hamburg : Harry v. Hofmann Verlag, 1988
• A recent (regularly updated) overview of the postmarks of the history of the standard postmarks of Latvia is placed -as pdf-file- on the nice site of 'Latvian Philately' by Juris Mors, also based on v. Hoffmann and other sources..