Estonia First Issue, Flower and Numeral Design

Estonia · 1918 · 5 kopecks

This is the first postage stamp issued by the newly independent Republic of Estonia. The design features a prominent numeral '5' for the denomination, surrounded by an ornamental floral pattern. It was printed in Tallinn on the back of unfinished German military maps due to paper shortages following World War I.

Issued in November 1918, this stamp marks Estonia's declaration of independence from the Russian Empire and the end of German occupation after World War I. The use of map paper is a classic example of provisional stamp production during a period of national transition and scarcity.