Romania Stamps
1941
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 682 and 683
"4th Anniversary of the deaths of Legionaires"
"Vasile Marin and Ion Mota"
Issued 13th Jan 1941. These stamps commemorate the 4th Anniversary of the deaths of Legionaires Vasile Marin (1904-1937) and Ion Mota (1902-1937). They were printed photogravure and are perf K13½.
Michel Block 15
"4th Anniversary of the deaths of Legionaires"
"Vasile Marin and Ion Mota""
Issued 13th Jan 1941. The minisheet measures 189 x 55mm and the stamps were printed photogravure and are imperforate.
Mi 684
Mi 685
Michel 686 to 690
"50 years of The 'King Karl I Foundation'"
Issued 9th May 1941. These stamps were printed photogravure and are perf K13½.
Michel 691I to 695I
"50 years of The 'King Karl I Foundation'"
"Overprinted 'CERNAUTI | 5 Julie 1941'"
Issued Aug 1941. These stamps were printed photogravure and are perf K13½.
Michel 691II to 695II
"50 years of The 'King Karl I Foundation'"
"Overprinted 'CHISINAU | 16 Julie 1941'"
Issued Aug 1941. These stamps were printed photogravure and are perf K13½.
Michel 696 to 700
"Red Cross"
Issued 1st Aug 1941. These stamps were printed photogravure and are perf K13½.
Michel Block 16
"Red Cross"
Issued 1st Aug 1941. The minisheet measures 105 x 73mm and the stamps were printed photogravure and are imperforate.
Mi 699A
Mi 700A
Michel 703 to 705
"Prince Duca"
Issued 6th Oct 1943. These stamps were printed photogravure and are perf 13½:13¼. These stamps were re-printed again, in 1943, as Michel 766 to 768 which are watermarked 8.
Michel 703-705 in blocks of four with marginal font 'GUVERNMANANTUL CIVIL AL TRANSNISTRIEI / + / PENTRU CRUCEA ROSIE / 1943 LEI 300' were prepared but not issued by the government. The blocks were auctioned by the postal administration in Bucharest in 1946.
Michel 706 to 709
"Brotherhood of Arms"
Issued 11th Oct 1941. These stamps were printed photogravure and are perf 14¼:13½. These stamps were re-issued a week later with overprint "ODESA | 16 Oct. 1941" as Michel 712 to 715.
Michel Block 17
"Brotherhood of Arms"
Issued Oct 1941. The minisheet measures 105 x 73mm and the stamps were printed photogravure and are imperforate.
Mi 710
Mi 711
Michel 712 to 715
"Brotherhood of Arms"
"Overprinted 'ODESA | 16 Oct 1941'"
Issued 16th Oct 1941. These stamps were printed photogravure and are perf 14¼:13½. These stamps were issued a week earlier without the overprint as Michel 706 to 709.
Michel Block 18
"Brotherhood of Arms"
"Overprinted 'ODESA | 16 Oct 1941'"
Issued Oct 1941. The minisheet measures 105 x 73mm and the stamps were printed photogravure and are imperforate.
Mi 710
Mi 711
Michel 718 to 733
"Historical Monuments"
Issued 1st Dec 1941. These stamps were printed photogravure and are perf 13¾:13¼.
Michel 734 to 742
"Historical Monuments"
"Aviation Fund"
Issued 1st Dec 1941. These stamps were printed photogravure and are perf 13¾:13¼.
