German Post (GDR)

Service flag of the Deutsche Post (1955–1973)

Sleeve badge of the Deutsche Post of the GDR

The German Post (DP) was due to a law of 3 April 1959 as a state institution, the support of the postal and telecommunications in the GDR . She was given the sole right to convey messages , transmit messages and distribute press products ( PZV ) on the territory of the GDR.

structure

Postage stamp pad of the Deutsche Post: JOINT MANNED SPACE FLIGHTS - INTERCOSMOS PROGRAM with first day cancellation from April 11, 1980

Entrance sign of the Central Radio and Television Office (RFZ)

Panel van type H3A of the Deutsche Post

Deutsche Post was managed by the Ministry for Post and Telecommunications of the GDR (MPF). It was divided into directorates and offices , and the Telecommunications Construction Combine as well as other institutions and educational institutions belonged to the authority. The following were directly subordinate to the Minister of Post and Telecommunications :

the 15 district offices of Deutsche Post (BDP)
the radio directorate (FuDP)
the Kombinat Fernmeldebau
the Government Telecommunications Exchange (FMAReg)
the main post office
the engineering school "Rosa Luxemburg" of the Deutsche Post Leipzig with a branch in Naumburg (Saale)
the Institute for Post and Telecommunications (IPF)
the Institute for Socialist Economic Management of the Post and Telecommunications System
the organization and data center (ORZ)
the postal museum
the Central Radio and Television Office (RFZ)
the studio technology television
the studio technology broadcasting
the newspaper sales office (ZVA)
the Central Office for Vocational Education and Training
the Central Office for Radio Control and Measurement Services
the Central Office for Materials Management (ZfM)
the Central Post Office (ZPA) (1973-1979)
the Central Post and Telecommunications Office (ZPF) (from 1980).

Depending on the local area of responsibility, the heads of the directorates were subordinate to:

81 Post and Telecommunications Offices (PFA)
15 Telecommunications Offices (FMA)
31 main post offices (HPA)
the radio offices (FuA)
the telecommunications building authorities (FBA)
the railway post offices (BPA)
the company schools (BS)
the Fernamt Berlin
the telephone office in Berlin
the Postfuhramt Berlin
the district workshops for postal vehicles (BWKw).

Flag, colors, ranks, and uniforms

Mailbox of the Deutsche Post of the GDR around 1970. With an additional red sticker that indicates that the postal address is correct .

Restored GDR post moped " Simson S51 B2-4", built in 1981.

The Deutsche Post carried its own service flag . It was derived from the flag of the Reichspost at the time of the Weimar Republic . In the red stripe of the black-red-gold German flag was a gold post horn with tassels and lightning bolts.

The traditional color and color of the vehicles in the postal service / postal check service was yellow, for the telecommunications service gray was used and the studio technology for radio / television used dark blue.

After the ranks customary for the Reichspost had been abolished in the GDR, ranks and uniforms were reintroduced at the end of the 1950s . The uniform has been changed several times over the years. While the uniform was worn for daily work in the postal service, it was usually reserved for special occasions in the telecommunications service and studio technology.

Relevant for the rank were the technical qualifications, the activity performed ( position ) and the length of time at Deutsche Post. The first award of a rank was referred to as an attestation , after which the employee could be promoted . Certificates were issued for attestation and promotion.

The ranks of the uniform were identified by combinations of stars, stripes and oak leaves in gold on the cuffs.

The following ranks were awarded:

Sub-assistant, assistant, senior assistant, main assistant (1 stripe, 1 to 4 five-pointed stars)
Under Secretary, Secretary, Upper Secretary, Chief Secretary (2 stripes, 1 to 4 five-pointed stars)
Inspector, chief inspector, bailiff (3 stripes, 1 to 3 five-pointed stars)
Council, upper council, main council (1 wide stripe, 1 to 3 stars bordered with oak leaves)
Director, Senior Director, Main Director (2 wide stripes, 1 to 3 stars bordered with oak leaves)

education

from the series "Deutsche Post Training Centers": HfV Dresden

The training of the employees took place at the company schools of the directorates (craftsmen / skilled workers), at the " Engineering School Rosa Luxemburg " of the Deutsche Post in Leipzig (engineering training) and at the University of Transport (graduate engineers and economists) in Dresden.

Post offices and post offices

Postal traffic was handled in 2,279 post offices and 9,586 post offices, in 1985 1.273 billion letters, 15 million parcels, 40 million parcels were delivered, and 1,317 million local and 767 million long-distance calls were made, with the level of equipment in private households being compared with telephone connections to western industrialized countries as low. With the reunification of Germany in 1990, Deutsche Post was integrated into the Deutsche Bundespost , after the privatization process was completed, the name was used again, this time as Deutsche Post AG .

Former service building of the GDR Deutsche Post, Magdeburg (2004)

history

After the surrender of the German Wehrmacht, the Allied Control Council replaced the Reich government on May 23, 1945 . Germany was divided into British, American, Soviet, and French zones; Greater Berlin in four sectors. The Allied Control Council was set up in Berlin . On June 9, 1945, the Soviet Military Administration in Germany (SMAD) was established. From July 27, 1945, the " German Central Administration " was responsible for the entire Soviet Zone, including the communications system.

The establishment of the " German Economic Commission " (DWK) served since June 14, 1947 to steer the economy. She regulated u. a. The permits for shipments in parcel and money traffic with the western zones ensured restrictions in the movement of goods within the Soviet Zone and in traffic with the Soviet-occupied sector of Greater Berlin.

After discussions about a common currency reform in the Control Council failed, the currency reform was carried out in the three western zones on June 21, 1948 (West Berlin June 25). Between June 24th and 28th, the citizens of the Soviet occupation zone received the so-called coupon mark as a temporary solution. Newly printed banknotes of the Mark (GDR) were only put into circulation from July 24, 1948. Postage stamps are overprinted with a district stamp.

Head design of the official gazettes in the Soviet Zone (1947) and the GDR (1949)

On July 3, only the postage stamps with the imprint "Soviet Occupation Zone" could be bought in small quantities. From September 1, 1948, until further notice, the postage stamps of the Berlin bear series with the overprint "Soviet occupation zone" were also valid. On October 11, 1948, the postage stamp series “Personalities” was published.

After the Soviets left the Allied Control Council on March 20, 1948, the blockade of Berlin began on June 24, which lasted until May 12, 1949. In connection with transport difficulties, only postcards , letters up to a weight limit of 100 g (only with messages), printed matter and business papers up to 500 g, Braille items up to 5 kg were allowed to be sent from the Soviet Zone and Berlin to the western occupation zones of Germany . the items 1 to 4 also registered - insured letters to be delivered openly up to 100 g weight and a value of 500 DM. All consignments on the way to the western occupation zones that did not comply with these provisions were to be returned to the sender immediately. Fees were not reimbursed. The traffic restrictions fell away with effect from May 12, 1949.

Postal service after World War II

After the collapse, the postal service was only gradually resumed according to the regulations of the occupying powers. The start of the various services did not take place uniformly or simultaneously in the occupation zones and even within the OPD districts in the course of 1945. Rather, there are considerable differences in this relationship. The tariff-based fees according to the postal regulations were generally levied for the permitted mail. The restrictions that had been imposed during the war were no longer taken into account without an express order having been issued.

Approved were as of August 1, 1947

1. Within the Soviet occupation zone:

Letters up to 1,000 g,
Postcards, simple and with reply card,
Printed matter,
Business papers,
Samples,
Mixed shipments up to 500 g,
Braille mail up to 5 kg,
Direct mail,
Letters with delivery certificate,
Station letters,
Station newspapers up to 15 kg (up to October 15, 1947 up to 20 kg),
Postal newspaper service,
Parcels up to 2 kg,
Ordinary parcels (including bulky goods) up to 20 kg,
Insured letters up to RM 1,000,
Postal orders up to RM 1,000
Telegraphic postal orders (unlimited amount),
Postal orders up to RM 1,000
Cash on delivery for letters including small packages and for packages up to RM 1,000,
Registered mail for letters including parcels,
Return receipt for registered letters and insured letters as well as for parcels,
Deposits and withdrawals using postal checks (unlimited amount, orders can also be placed by telegram),
Postal savings bank service,
Address search service.

Note: The request for express delivery was excluded for consignments from the SBZ that remain in it.

2. To Greater Berlin:

As under 1, but with the following approvals:

Ordinary parcels (including bulky goods) only up to 7 kg,
authorized express mail for letters, including small parcels and postal orders,

however, the following restrictions:

no station letters,
no postal savings bank service and
no address search service.

Note: Within Greater Berlin, the maximum weight for parcels was 20 kg. Ordinary and registered parcels up to 2 kg and parcels up to 7 kg are permitted in traffic between Berlin and the western zones. Bulky goods were not accepted in Berlin. The postal newspaper service was not admitted to Berlin from the Soviet zone of occupation, from Berlin to the Soviet zone only insofar as the newspapers appeared in the Soviet sector of Berlin.

3. after the western zones:

Letters up to 1,000 g,
Postcards, simple and with reply card,
Printed matter,
Business papers,
Samples,
Mixed shipments up to 500 g,
Letters with delivery certificate,
Braille mail up to 5 kg,
Direct mail,
Registered mail for letters,
Return receipt for registered mail,
Express delivery for letters.

Not allowed:

Station letters,
Postal newspaper service,
Parcel,
Packages,
Insured letters,
Postal orders,
Postal orders,
Cash on delivery
Postal check service,
Postal savings bank service
Address search service.

4. Not introduced

Mail,
urgent packages,
Pneumatic tube deliveries,
Airmail,
Advertising reply cards,
Address check,
Postal traveler's check,
Postal savings cards
Post office cards.

Station newspapers (up to 20 kg) were admitted to the West on September 8, 1947. On October 8, 1947, the postal newspaper service was added, including postal newspaper goods (up to 20 kg). Addresses were checked on October 15, 1947.

Postal service after the founding of the GDR and the Federal Republic of Germany

The provisions of the Universal Postal Treaty came into force in the GDR on July 1, 1953.

On January 16, 1950, the international airmail service began with the USSR and on August 1, 1950 . From June 1, 1951, the Deutsche Post issued airmail easy-fold letters at a price of 2 pfennigs each.

ID card for purchasing special stamps for philatelists

From January 1, 1952, stamp collectors were only taken into account when delivering special postage stamps against ID. You received up to five sets of each issue. It was only possible to exceed this through the Philately section. The ID card was available for a fee of DM 1 and was valid for one year. The stamps had to be picked up within 14 days.

With effect from January 1, 1954, the reference to first-day covers and postal stationery (postcards) was expanded. Postal customers could order 15 sets, members of the Philately Section 20 sets. Members of the section had to pay a special fee of up to DM 5 for this (was only valid for a short time and was reduced to three rates per postal customer).

Reference to collector's stamps, letter to the Federal Republic, 1971

From April 15, 1954, the incoming exchange shipments from West Germany, West Berlin and abroad had to carry a sticky label. The sticky note was white with a green border. An initial broadcast had to be made from the east. In 1955 two-tone stickers were given to the Philately section. The items marked with such labels had to be stamped with particular care.

GDR official gazettes

In an order dated May 23, 1954, postal surveillance was set up as an internal security and investigative body of Deutsche Post. The main task was to prevent loss or damage to mail or postal property. If there was justified suspicion of a criminal act, a criminal complaint had to be filed with the responsible public prosecutor or with the People's Police (Criminal Police Department). (The internal investigation documents also had to be attached to the report if they were relevant to criminal proceedings.)

On August 1, 1954, the " Wirtschafts-Postgut " (W-PG) was introduced. The following counted as normal parcels:

ordinary packages,
Economic mail,
unsealed value parcels for domestic German traffic,
unsealed economic mail with indication of value
Still insured parcels abroad.

For such broadcasts was u. a .:

participation in the self-booking process for parcel shipments,
Posting of at least 150 W-PG items per calendar month,
only permitted in traffic within the GDR including East Berlin,
Maximum weight 20 kg.

The following special treatments were possible:

"Urgent",
"Express delivery",
"Against acknowledgment of receipt ",
" Bulky goods "
Cash on delivery
unfree delivery.

W-PG could also be delivered unsealed with a value of up to DM 1,000. W-PG sealed with an indication of the value were not permitted.

16 pfennig badge

In the Central Gazette of the GDR of August 1, 1954, the issuing of official stamps for the use of official mail was announced. In addition, parties, mass organizations and cooperatives were allowed to use official stamps.

From February 1, 1955, the " mass printed matter " newly introduced in West Germany and West Berlin was also delivered to GDR citizens.

On April 1, 1955, the Deutsche Post introduced the new service branch “ Post rental container traffic”. Here, cardboard boxes with removable lids were transported.

Centralization of courier services in 1955

GDR postal receipts

Central courier service

On October 10, 1955, with two exceptions, all courier services in the GDR were dissolved and the central courier service was introduced at the post office. From the order: “A central courier service will be created in the Ministry of the Interior to carry out the postal traffic of the central state organs, institutions and bodies, which… relies on postal institutions. After the Central Courier Service has started its activity, the existing courier services within the German Democratic Republic are to be closed. The courier service of the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is excluded from this. "

Duty to present the identity card for private individuals 1958

In 1958, the presentation of an identity card for cash deposits and parcel / parcel deliveries by private individuals became mandatory. (Regulated by the "Order on the presentation of GDR identity cards when posting mail".)

Legal regulation of the Post from 1959

The postal newspaper sales logo is introduced in 1959

On April 3, 1959, the "Law on Post and Telecommunications" and on August 1, 1959, the Postal Code was introduced. With this, the Deutsche Post was subordinated to the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications. The Minister for National Defense was granted the right to set up and operate his own telecommunications systems or to produce press products, provided that these were intended for “national defense”.

I.a. Deutsche Post was obliged to "present" all cross-border mail that was subject to customs and goods controls to the relevant departments for inspection free of charge. Lt. The text of the law would remain “the secrecy of mail and telecommunications guaranteed”, unless “repealed by law”. Section 354 of the Criminal Code is amended as follows: "Anyone who, as an employee or agent of Deutsche Post, willfully open unauthorized mailings during transport, inform others of the content of mailings or messages, authorize others to do such an act or provide assistance, will face imprisonment up to 3 years or public censure. ”This law comes into force on August 1, 1959.

Letters

Until the entry into force of the “ Ordinance on the Postal Service - Postal Regulations ” from April 3, 1959 to August 1, 1959, the postal regulations of 1929 were still in force in a number of revised versions. As letters were counted

Letters (up to 500 g),
Postcards,
Printed matter (up to 500 g),
Business printed matter (up to 500 g),
Printed mail (up to 50 g),
Commercial replies (Introduced: July 1, 1951, deleted: January 1, 1967)
Items for the blind (up to 7 kg).

Except for ordinary and registered letters and postcards, all items had to be franked. The postage charge for items that were not or insufficiently prepaid was one and a half times the missing fee. Usually these items had to be returned to the sender. If the recipient refused to pay the postage and thus to accept the delivery, the shipment was to be treated as undeliverable.

Folded letters were a specialty . Due to a lack of envelopes, they were allowed again until January 1, 1951 and from January 25, 1955. From June 1, 1951, airmail letters were issued at a price of 2 pfennigs each. On January 10, 1957, Deutsche Post issued folded letters with printed stamps. From 1959, cut-out stamps were no longer allowed to be used. From December 1, 1947, printed matter in folded letter form was permitted until December 1950, and permitted again from January 1955. The 1959 postal code no longer mentions folded letter printing.

The following were permitted as additional services:

Express delivery,
Airmail,
Pneumatic tube ,
Station consignment (from May 1, 1975 excluding postal newspapers),
Registered mail,
Value,
Insured (until January 1, 1967),
Hand delivery,
Formal Delivery,
Return receipt,
Cash on delivery.

From July 1, 1971, the provisions of the Universal Postal Treaty also applied to cross-border postal traffic with the Federal Republic and West Berlin. The following additional services were permitted for postcards :

Express delivery,
Airmail (canceled 1 May 1975),
Pneumatic tube,
Registered mail,
Hand delivery,
Return receipt,
Cash on delivery

The following additional services were permitted for printed matter :

Express delivery,
Airmail (canceled 1 May 1975),
Pneumatic tube,
Cash on delivery

for printed matter in card form as well

Registered mail,
Hand delivery,
Return receipt.

The business printed matter arose from the amalgamation of the shipping types business papers, goods samples and mixed shipments. The additional services were for business printed matter

Express shipments,
Airmail (canceled April 30, 1975),
Pneumatic tube and
Cash on delivery

authorized. Samples of goods with no commercial value could be attached to the business printed matter.

The printed matter was not forwarded or returned. Additional services were not permitted. They were delivered open, wrapped in ribbon or cruciate ligament, tied in an open envelope or simply folded. Samples of goods in open boxes or bags were allowed. A list of groups of recipients for printed mail was available for 20 pfennigs. Since May 1, 1975, mixed items (printed matter and product samples) and the list of recipient groups were no longer available, and direct mail was only sent to all households in a certain territory. The addition of samples with no commercial value was not permitted (Postal Code 1975). On July 1, 1990, they were only possible in the Deutsche Post area.

On July 1, 1951, ordinary letters and printed matter up to 20 g as well as postcards were accepted as advertising replies . The commercial replies were treated like other postage-paid programs. The postage charge was only as much as the charge for a similar postage item plus a fixed surcharge.

Additional services for items for the blind were possible:

Registered mail,
Return receipt,
Express delivery,
Airmail (canceled April 30, 1975),
Cash on delivery

From May 19, 1949 up to 7 kg (previously 5 kg), on July 1, 1953, the entire shipment was exempt from fees. Since August 1, 1959, additional services have been subject to charges, since April 30, 1975 they are again free of charge with additional services, changed again on July 1, 1990, after which express delivery was free of charge, the other additional services subject to charge.

Additional services

Deutsche Post - stamp set from the GDR

Additional services have already been mentioned several times above. In addition to the shipping fee, the fees had to be paid immediately.

Deutsche Post introduced self-service facilities for registered mail on March 15, 1968, which existed until May 13, 1981.

A return receipt was possible for registered letters, postcards and insured letters. With the Federal Republic and West Berlin, the return receipt could also be requested, although since 1948 letters with the additional service registered mail and value indication were not allowed; they were only admitted again on January 8, 1950.

Since July 26, 1950, the special fee of 20 pfennigs for the required payment to the recipient himself has ceased to apply to telegraphic postal and payment orders with the note personal . Only the word fee of 15 or 20 pfennigs had to be charged for the telegraphic note "MP".

In 1947, cash on delivery was only permitted within the Soviet-occupied zone for letters including small parcels and for parcels up to RM 1,000, not admitted to the western zones. For the carriage fee, the same fee as for a similar shipment and the presentation fee were applied. (The postal order or payment card fee for the transmission of the collected amount has been deducted from the collected amount).

Valuables were allowed since 1947, but they were subject to strict regulations. It was like that B. Since 1950 it has only been possible to deliver insured letters over 500 g open at the counter if the sender lived in the west.

When express delivery was requested, the delivery fee was payable in addition to the fee for a similar express delivery. It was valid when the fee was paid in advance by the sender. In the event of non-prepayment, the recipient was charged the real delivery costs, at least the rates for prepayment.

The delivery document was used for delivery to the recipient by notarizing the delivery. Postage fee and fee for formal delivery as well as for return was paid by the sender.

For a postal order , the same fee was charged as for a similar registered letter + presentation fee + postal order or payment card fee for the transmission of the collected amount. On August 1, 1959, postal orders to collect money were canceled.

The pneumatic tube in Berlin was resumed on March 1, 1949 and not stopped until 1977. The transport fee was unchanged at 20 Pfg. Per shipment.

An airmail there since August 1, 1959 Domestic traffic, were approved letters (including postcards), postal and money order, payment order. For every full or part of 20 g a surcharge of 5 pounds was to be levied, parcels and parcels cost 50 pounds for each full or part of 500 g, and if express delivery is requested, the fee for a similar express delivery. In 1951, 1955, 1956 and 1957 there were already the trade fair flights Berlin – Leipzig, 1958 and 1959 Berlin – Leipzig, Leipzig – Dresden, Leipzig – Erfurt and Leipzig – Karl-Marx-Stadt (only 1958), as well as a special flight on February 18, 1962 Borkheide – Brück each without surcharge. The fee changed on January 1, 1967, now each letter item up to 20 g (including postcard), postal and payment instructions, deposit order (5 Pfg.) And per small item shipment for each full or started 500 g (50 Pfg.) Had to be paid .

Station letters were allowed to weigh a maximum of 5 kg, the appearance was mandatory, in addition to the usual postage, a monthly fee of 36 Marks was to be paid or 12 Marks per week. They were registered within the Soviet-occupied zone on August 1, 1947. Since January 8, 1950, they were approved between the Federal Republic and West Berlin, but only for the press service. This service was discontinued on November 1, 1953. The postal regulations of August 1, 1959 stipulated for station letters: “Station consignments are sent using the postal connections prescribed by the sender. They must be posted by the sender at a specific post office at an agreed time and picked up by the recipient immediately after arrival at the agreed location. If the timely collection is not made, the items will be delivered with the next letter or parcel delivery. ” On May 1, 1975, the last sentence was deleted. The treatment fee was charged for the calendar month or for the calendar week in the case of regular postings, whereas in the case of irregular postings, it was charged for each mail item. The transport fee replaced the fee for the transport of a similar item of mail.

Small goods shipments

The parcel (up to 2 kg) belonged to the small goods shipments, they were at times considered to be letters. From January 1, 1967, there was the economic package (up to 2 kg). The parcel (up to 20 kg) and the economic mail delivery form (up to 15 kg), replaced by the economic parcel on January 1, 1967 .

Parcels were sealed items of mail up to a weight of 2 kg. A new regulation from January 1, 1967 only allowed citizens or freelance workers to send parcels. All others had to send economic parcels. The following additional services were possible:

Express delivery,
Airmail (canceled 1 May 1975),
Registered mail,
Personal delivery ("by hand"),
Return receipt,
Cash on delivery

Parcels were mail items weighing up to 20 kg, from January 1, 1976 to July 1, 1990 only up to 10 kg. Since January 1, 1967, they were only allowed to be sent by citizens or freelancers. The consignment was certified. The following additional services were possible for packages:

Express delivery,
Airmail (canceled May 1, 1975),
Value,
Personal delivery ("by hand"),
Return receipt,
Cash on delivery allowed.

On August 1, 1954, the economic mail (W-PG) was introduced in small goods traffic . From January 1, 1959, the maximum weight for business mail and non-prepaid parcels was set at 15 kg. Since August 1, 1959, normal parcels and business mail up to 500 marks could be insured. On January 1, 1967, the delivery of mail Economy was lifted, were newly introduced economic packages , business packages. Since 1990, a surcharge of DM 5.00 has been levied for bulky parcels and business parcels.

Items of mail were items up to a weight of 50 kg (from January 1, 1976: 25 kg) that could be posted for transport within the scope of the operational possibilities regardless of the passenger's ride. They were used to provide better postal services in the country.

Newspaper printed matter were prepaid items containing newspapers and magazines that could be sent by publishers and newspaper distributors (newspaper dealers, etc.) up to a maximum weight of 1 kg to any recipient at a reduced fee. From October 8, 1947, they were approved in all occupation zones up to 1 kg. In contrast to normal printed matter, neither registered mail nor cash on delivery nor express delivery was permitted for newspaper printed matter.

Station newspapers up to 20 kg were permitted in the Soviet-occupied zone and in reciprocal traffic with the other occupation zones in Germany and with Greater Berlin. The station newspaper was no longer broadcast on January 1, 1967.

Since September 23, 1952, consignment receipts have been issued for an ordinary parcel or parcel, express or airmail, telegram, or certificate of a long distance call. The fee was 10 pfennigs, several to one recipient (collective certificate) also 10 pfennigs, the maximum fee (only when presenting a mailing book or a prepared receipt) 50 pfennigs.

On October 10, 1949, preferential transport of official mail in interzonal traffic and in traffic with the Soviet sector of Berlin was ordered. The term " Government Post " the official correspondence was all authorities, including the self-governing bodies, political parties, mass organizations and all working for the national economy enterprises. Mail sent to the aforementioned locations by private senders was also included. The consignments had to be marked with the noticeable “Authority Post” on the label side between the recipient and the destination or immediately to the left of the destination. 1950 the term changes to " business mail ".

Monetary transactions

The fees for postal orders remained unchanged, a drastic increase took place on July 1, 1990. If further messages were added to the telegram, the telegram fee had to be paid. On April 1, 1970, the maximum amount was increased from 1,000 to 5,000 marks, but only for farms in the agricultural and food industry. The maximum amount for postal orders by telegram was unlimited.

The fees for payment cards remained unchanged, a substantial increase took place on July 1, 1990. Since November 1, 1947, transfers by postal check were free of charge .

Inpayment orders were postal items by means of which amounts of money are transmitted with a form for crediting to the bank holding the account. There was no limit to the amount. The fees were the same as for postal orders.

Payment orders were postal items by means of which the postal check office transmits the amount of a postal check debited from a postal checking account for payment to the recipient named in the check. In addition to a fixed fee of 15 pfennigs, a further pfennig was charged for each 20 marks. The fee for telegraphic instructions was staggered.

Intercity buses

The overland lines of the Kraftpost were operated until June 30, 1953, after which this division was discontinued without replacement and the lines were handed over to VEB Kraftverkehr. In addition, until the 1970s - and in some cases beyond - so-called land power posts, which transported people and mail with minibuses (initially e.g. the Granit 30K phenomenon ), especially to remote places.

More news from the official gazettes

From September 1, 1959, the sale and permanent purchase of postage stamps from the GDR were reorganized. The sale of special postage stamps was only permitted in quantities of up to ten items per value to a buyer (there were exceptions). Postage stamps could be obtained by stamp collectors from the post offices using the identification procedure or from the dispatch point. With effect from May 1, 1960, the collector's cards for the purchase of postage stamps were issued to employees of Deutsche Post free of charge.

From January 1, 1960, the domestic fee applied to letters up to 20 g and postcards to socialist countries. This also applied to postcards with a reply section. From January 1, 1967, this also applied to Yugoslavia.

July 25, 1963: It was compulsory to present an identity card when delivering parcels and parcels to other countries, West Germany and West Berlin. In Berlin, the presentation of the identity card was mandatory for every delivery of parcels and parcels.

GDR postcodes

With effect from October 1, 1964, postcodes were introduced in the GDR .

Almost all postage stamps issued up to 1963 had a time-limited validity. Special postage stamps were regularly expired on March 31 of each year. All special postage stamps issued since January 1, 1964 (including the miniature sheets), the postage stamps of the permanent series and the airmail permanent series as well as the stamps on the postcards remained valid indefinitely. This also applied to postage stamps, the validity of which was to end on March 31, 1966 or March 31, 1967.

On January 1, 1967, a revised postal order came into force. The following types of shipments and services have been canceled:

Economic mail,
Insurance fee,
Advertising replies (the shipments are to be sent as letters , postcards , printed matter or business printed matter ),

Railway station newspapers (the items are to be posted as station items),

Newspaper printed matter (the mail items are to be posted as printed matter or business parcels).

Newly introduced:

Economic packages and
Economic package .

Returns are now free of charge for all types of shipment - including parcels.

Registered number stamp

From September 1967 in 108 Berlin, me, 102 Berlin, mb, 102 Berlin ZAW, me and in 1002 Berlin PSchA, md, new number stamps for registered mail are being tested. In 1968, self-service facilities for the posting of registered mail were set up at selected post offices. The registration slips printed on transparent paper correspond largely to the normal R slips, but with the note “Fee paid”. Until April 15, 1968, such facilities will be in: 1017 Berlin, 1035 Berlin-Lichtenberg 5, 1057 Berlin, 1066 Berlin, 108 Berlin, 1092 Berlin, 1102 Berlin-Pankow 2, 15 Potsdam 8, 25 Rostock 1, 65 Gera 1, 701 Leipzig, 75 Cottbus 1, 8023 Dresden, 8025 Dresden, 8122 Radebeul 1 and 89 Görlitz 3 put into operation. In the same year, a technological test "partial self-service when delivering parcels" is carried out at the post offices 1092 Berlin 92 and 1137 Berlin-Friedrichsfelde 2. Parcel deliveries and parcel deliveries abroad are excluded from this attempt.

During the maneuver "Brotherhood of Arms" of the National People's Army and its friendly armies between September 29 and October 18, 1970, the GDR field post was tested. During the Czechoslovakian crisis from August 30 to October 21, 1970, the intelligence force (s) of the National People's Army was (s) in action.

Since January 1, 1971, the German Democratic Republic was a member of the Universal Postal Union and its subsidiary agreements. Between the Federal Republic of Germany and the GDR there was a first State Treaty in 1972, the "Transport Agreement".

The "Order for the protection of official secrets" published in the special edition of the Law Gazette No. 717 came into force on March 1, 1972. The scope of application encompassed state and business management bodies, their subordinate departments, nationally owned combines as well as companies, institutes and facilities of all forms of ownership (except those of social organizations), socialist cooperatives and persons who, through their social activities or otherwise, had knowledge of or dealing with official secrets had this. New regulations apply to the use of the Central Courier Service.

On January 3, 1972, the order banning the trade in collector's stamps, coins, other money tokens, medals, orders, decorations and documents as well as philatelic and numismatic specialist literature of a fascist, anti-democratic or anti-humanist character appeared. At the same time, the order of August 4, 1958 on the prohibition of the trade in postage stamps with anti-democratic content expired. However, VEB Philatelie Wermsdorf was allowed to sell postage stamps from the period from 1933 to 1945, as it was subject to special regulations for export.

On March 20, 1976, the Agreement on Post and Telecommunications between the GDR and the Federal Republic of Germany was signed. From July 1, 1976, new regulations applied to international postal traffic with the Federal Republic of Germany and West Berlin. Parcels were allowed up to a maximum weight of 2 kg. The maximum amount of the indication of value on letters and parcels was limited to 10,000 marks of the GDR or German marks of the Federal Republic of Germany. The value had to be stated in GDR marks on the items of value posted in the GDR. For gift consignments posted in the GDR, shipping and thus the value of up to 100 marks were permitted in accordance with the customs regulations of the GDR (no conversion into gold francs was required). In the case of mail with the Federal Republic of Germany and with Berlin (West), the assignment of claims for compensation was excluded.

On the research base of the Academy of Sciences of the GDR in the Antarctic , a day stamp with the inscription ANTARKTISSTATION / DDR / "Georg Forster" with a portrait of Georg Forster was used from May 1st, 1988 .

GDR special letter

On the occasion of the national stamp exhibition of the GDR there was a special registered number slip - self-service - "3010 Magdeburg 1 / DDR 89"

Brands in DM-West

In accordance with the resolution of the Council of Ministers of the GDR on June 13, 1990, the fees and services for national and international mail and telecommunications were redefined with effect from July 1, 1990. These fees apply to postal traffic within the GDR (Deutsche Post area) and partly to the Federal Republic of Germany and Berlin (Deutsche Bundespost area). All stamps issued up to June 30, 1990 lost their validity on October 2, 1990, the day before reunification . An exchange for new postage stamps in DM currency was not officially permitted. From July 2 to October 2, 1990, 22 postage stamps were issued, now with the currency denomination Deutsche Mark , including a new series of definitive stamps. These trademarks were also valid until December 31, 1991 in the Federal Republic and Berlin (West).

With effect from July 1, 1990, Domestic Datapost was introduced. This eliminated the central courier service . The media postcard for participation in competitions, sweepstakes and surveys, which had been introduced in the Federal Republic of Germany on a trial basis for 3 years since April 1, 1990 , was also displayed at all post offices in the GDR from July 1, 1990 and offered to customers free of charge. It was to be released according to the postcard fee.

reunion

With the monetary, economic and social union on July 1, 1990, Deutsche Post issued new postage stamps in the Deutsche Mark currency . The name GDR was replaced on the stamps by Deutsche Post .

On October 3, 1990, in the course of German reunification, in accordance with Article 27 of the Unification Treaty, Deutsche Post was merged with Deutsche Bundespost . In the former GDR postal services in lieu of regional post directorates in post different directorates, the central office at Postbank Postbank set up and the branches Postbank and telecommunications-service Directorates Telekom.

The Deutsche Post as part of the surveillance state GDR

Failure to observe the confidentiality of letters was formally punished in the GDR in Section 135 of the Criminal Code (GDR) . Nevertheless, a systematic control of all mail from or to the West was carried out by Department M of the Ministry for State Security (MfS). This worked together with the Deutsche Post of the GDR. Post control operated under the code name "Department 12" or "Dienststelle 12".

The postal control of the MfS began in 1950 with three units and a few dozen employees and was continuously expanded. At the end of 1989, the division had ten departments with almost 2,200 employees. The importance that the SED attached to the control of letters was shown by the fact that the head of the department, Rudi Strobel , was a major general and had been under an area of responsibility since 1982 that was headed by Erich Mielke himself.

The same applied to the telecommunications sector. Failure to comply with telecommunications secrecy was also formally punishable in Section 202 of the Criminal Code (GDR) in the GDR . Nevertheless, all telephone calls from or to the West and many calls within the GDR were systematically checked by Department 26 of the MfS. This worked together with the Deutsche Post of the GDR.

The telephone monitoring of the MfS began in 1950. The main department S (technical security) consisted at the beginning of two units with less than 20 employees. In the mid-1980s there were around 1000 employees. In 1986, 2,030,130 calls were tapped.

literature

Gerhard Rehbein (ed.): Transpress Lexicon Post - Post and Telecommunications. Berlin, Transpress Verlag für Verkehrwesen 1983 (the above definition contains many facts from this lexicon ).
Horst Mortag: The history of the postal system in the Gothaer Land 1945–1990. Verlag Rockstuhl, Bad Langensalza 2001, ISBN 3-934748-17-1 .
Werner Steven: Postbuch - GDR for the years 1947 to 1989. Adapted from official sources. Self-published, Braunschweig, 2001.
Horst Mortag: History of the telegraph and communications system in Gothaer Land 1850–1990. Rockstuhl Verlag, Bad Langensalza 2003, ISBN 3-934748-14-7
The motor vehicle system of the Deutsche Post. In: Motor vehicle technology 8/1954, pp. 225–228.
Roger Engelmann , Bernd Florath , Helge Heidemeyer, Daniela Münkel , Arno Polzin, Walter Süß : The MfS Lexicon. 3rd updated edition, Ch. Links Verlag, Berlin 2016, ISBN 978-3-86153-900-1 , p. 33 ff., P. 331, online version .