Postcard with Saxon Black-out Stamp, Chemnitz 1945

Germany · 1945 · 6 pfennig (blacked-out)

The image shows a postcard with a German stamp (likely Hindenburg series) overprinted with a large black rectangle, known as the 'Saxon black-out.' This provisional measure was used in Chemnitz, Saxony, in 1945.

Following Germany's surrender in WWII, existing stamps were often demonetized or overprinted due to the collapse of the postal system and the need to remove Nazi-era symbols. The 'Saxon black-out' was a provisional measure in the Soviet occupation zone to invalidate existing stamps and allow continued postal service.