Stamp language

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A stamp from the Germania series tilted to the left , canceled in 1907

Under Briefmarkensprache refers to the transmission of encrypted messages through the arrangement of the stamps to a letter.

history

From around 1870 it was common practice to arrange the stamps on a letter for the purpose of concealed information. Instructions for the interpretation of the messages appeared on postcards, in magazines and even in several books.

Until the 1960s, the stamp language enjoyed a certain popularity not only in Germany, but also in other countries such as Austria, Belgium, France, Great Britain and Switzerland, especially among lovers.

With the decline in letter post and the increase in the electronic transmission of information, the language of postage stamps fell into oblivion.

Idiom

Examples of stamp language (in Czech)

The way in which one or more postage stamps are affixed to a letter or postcard can convey a meaningful content. Deviating from the usual arrangement in which the stamps are neatly and accurately stuck straight into the top right corner, around 70 variations of the arrangement for one or two stamps can be imagined.

Depending on the source, however, different interpretations are possible for the same arrangement. Sender and recipient should therefore agree on the respective meanings in order to avoid misunderstandings .

Meanings

Examples:

  • The mark is tilted to the right: "Deep kisses!"
  • the stamp on its side: "Never forget me!"

literature

  • The stamp language. Published by a professional. Dedicated to all lovers, happy and unhappy , Verlag Ad. Spaarmann, 1888
  • Love letter tray. With appendix: The stamp language. Frey, Berlin-Südende n.d. <1913>
  • Bernhard von Alvensleben: Illustrated stamp language for lovers and fiancees in original rhymes. Ernst, Leipzig 1917
  • Anna Wietfeldt: The language of flowers and stamps. The secret language f. Lovers u. Friends. Colorful all sorts; No. 2. G. Danner, Mühlhausen i. Door. 1918
  • New stamp language. Enßlin et al. Laiblin, Reutlingen 1920
  • Latest stamp language for lovers a means of communication f. anyone. With alph. Interpretation of Brand positions. OO, 1920
  • Julius Schmehl: Secret love mail. Latest, original sport f. Lovers u. important f. every letter writer u. Card collector; 150 messages ...; Interesting u. more practical than d. Stamp language. With appendix: humorous wedding table songs etc. R. Bardtenschlager, Reutlingen o. J. <1929>
  • H. Baar: The language of flowers and stamps. The Secret Language for Lovers and Friends , Volume 2 of Buntes Allerlei , 1918
  • Wilfried Spanke: Postage stamp language then and (still) today. In: Archive for German Postal History Issue 2/1992, pp. 68–84
  • Wolfgang Baldus: The stamp code and other secrets (I) . In: philately , No. 472, 2016, pp. 41–44.

Web links

Wiktionary: Postage stamp language  - explanations of meanings, word origins, synonyms, translations

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Baldus 2016, page 41: "from around 1870 everywhere in Europe"