My Romania Stamps
1942
With the signing of the Munich Agreement in 1938 which ceeded most of Czechosolvakia to Germany, King Carol II, King of Romania realised that the western powers of Britain and France were not going to support him if he stood up against Hitler. Romania and Germany signed an economic agreement in 1939 but this agreement did not protect Romania from German agression.
The Molotov-Ribbentrop pact (August 23, 1939) between Germany and the Soviet union further undermined Romania's position as it secretly ceeded Romanian Bessarabia and Northern Bukovina to the Soviet Union as well as Northern Transylvania to Hungary and Southern Dobruja to Bulgaria all of which were symapthetic to the Nazi's. Following the loss of these territories King Carol II was forced to adbicate in favour of his 18 year old son, Michael I (25th Oct 1921 to 5th Dec 2017).
Although Michael I was the king, power lay in the hands of Ion Antonescu who went on to join the Axis powers of Germany, Italy and Japan on 23rd Nov 1940. From early 1941 onwards Romania was a military dictatorship. When the Germans invaded the Soviet Union in June 1941 the Romanians joined the conflict alongside the Germans to fight the Soviets. The reward for their assistance was to regain control over Bessarabia and Northern Bucovina.
As the tide of the war turned in 1943 the Romanian resistance sought peace with the Allies and King Michael I went on to arrest Antonescu and form a new governemnt on 23rd Aug 1944. Romania had effectively switched sides with the Romanian Army now supporting the Red Army against Germany and Hungary.
Michel 743 to 745
"Titu Maiorescu"
Issued 5th Oct 1942. These stamps commemorate Titu Maiorescu (1840-1917) author, politician & art critic. They were printed photogravure on watermarked 7 paper and are perf K13½.
Michel Block 19
"Titu Maiorescu"
Issued 5th Oct 1942. This minisheet commemorates Titu Maiorescu (1840-1917) author, politician & art critic. The minisheet measures 128 x 81mm and the stamps are imperforate.
Mi 743B
Mi 744B
Mi 745B
Michel 746 to 748
"First Anniversary of the integration of Bukovina"
Issued 1st Nov 1942. These stamps commemorate the First Anniversary of the integration of Bukovina and feature the Coat of arms of the districts of Bukovina. They were printed photogravure and are perf K13½.
Michel 749 to 751
"1st Anniversary of the Re-integration of Bessarabia"
Issued 1st Nov 1942. These stamps commemorate the 1st Anniversary of the Re-integration of Bessarabia. They were printed photogravure and are perf K13½:13¼.
Michel 752 to 754
"Anniversary of the Transnistria Liberation"
Issued 1st Dec 1942. These stamps commemorate the Anniversary of the Transnistria Liberation. They were printed photogravure and are perf K13½.
Michel 755
"80th Anniversary of the Death of Andrei Mureșanu"
Issued 30th Dec 1942. This stamp commemorates the 80th Anniversary of the Death of Andrei Mureșanu. It was printed photogravure on watermark 7 paper and is perf K13½.
Michel 73 and 74
"Postage Due"
Issued 1942. These postage due stamps were printed typography and are perf line 13½.