European Stamp Issues of the Second World War

European Stamp Issues of the Second World War by David Parker

Today, European nations still use stamps to commemorate aspects of a nation's culture, history and achievements. During the Second World War, however, stamps were considered far more important in conveying political and ideological messages about their country's change in fortunes - whether it was as triumphant occupier, willing or unwilling ally, or oppressed victim. Some issues and overprints contained obvious messages, but many others were skillfully designed and subtle in their intentions. Stamps and their accompanying postmarks offer an absorbing and surprisingly detailed insight into the hopes and fears of nations at this tumultuous time. This remarkable collection examines and interprets the stamps of twenty-two countries across western and eastern Europe. The glorification of the F hrer and Germany on the stamps of countries he most oppressed was inevitable, but many issues are ambiguous and indicative of the rival ethnic and political forces striving to attain influence and power. Desperate to unite the people, Soviet Russia resorted to images of the nation's heroic achievements under the Tsars; the mutually hostile puppet states Hitler and Mussolini allowed to emerge out of conquered Yugoslavia lost no time in issuing stamps proclaiming their cultural diversity; and Vichy France sought to justify its existence with issues linking past glories under Louis XIV and Napoleon with an equally glorious future alongside Hitler. These and many more stories reveal the aspirations, assumptions and anxieties of so many nations as their destinies hung in the balance.

Dr DAVID PARKER is a retired history lecturer. He has carried out historical and educational research, published widely, and spoke at numerous conferences. In the 1990s he led EU projects on education in the new Czech Republic. He has written many articles for journals and three books, including The People of Devon in the First World War for The History Press. His collection of stamps from the Second World War has been amassed over many decades.

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9780750997263
ISBN 10	0750997265
Title	European Stamp Issues of the Second World War
Author	David Parker
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Paperback
Publisher	The History Press Ltd
Year published	2021-06-30
Number of pages	256
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.