German Democratic Republic

Under construction
The German Democratic Republic (GDR), or Deutsche Demokratische Republik (DDR), aka East Germany was the former Soviet zone of occupation following World War II. The GDR/DDR was established in October 1949. 
 * Its first issue was released in October 1949, a stamp commemorating the UPU. It and other 1949 issues were inscribed DEUTSCHE POST. So were issues of the American and British Zone ("Bizone") and 1949 issues of the Federal Republic. Other DDR isues of that year included an international labor conference set and a Stamp Day semipostal. All others so inscribed are Bizone, Federal Republic issues, or from the Soviet Zone.
 * In 1950, a winter sports championship set was issued. It and following issues were inscribed DEUTSCH DEMOKRATISCHE REPUBLIK.
 * Also in 1950, the first Wilhelm Pieck set was issued on Stars watermark paper. In 1952, stamps were issued on DDR and Posthorn watermarked paper. In 1953, the 1m and 2m values were issued with a finer screen print resulting in finer detail. In 1958, the fine prints were issued on Multiple DDR and flower watermarked paper. In 1961, a 20pf value was issued with dates added.
 * In 1952-53, the Soviet Zone Personalities series of 1948 was released by the DDR on DDR and Posthorn watermarked paper.



(more to follow) 
 * Also in 1953, the first of the Five Year Plan definitive sets was issued in offset lithography. Reprints exist.
 * In 1953-54, the second five Year plan series was issued, redrawn. The new versions have solid shading lines not borken up into dots like the first series.



 File:DDR Schumann.jpg|Robert Shumann, with corrected music. File:DDR rose.jpg File:DDR Zentraler.jpg 

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