Latvia 1919 Imperforate Map Stamps, Full Sheet

Latvia · 1919 · 5 Kapeikas

This is a full, imperforate sheet of Latvia's first definitive stamps, often called the 'Map Issue'. The stamps feature the Latvian coat of arms and were printed on the backs of unfinished German military maps of the Courland region, a unique characteristic of this early issue. The sheet contains 228 stamps, comprising various tête-bêche pairs and different design types.

Issued in 1919 shortly after Latvia declared independence, these stamps were a practical necessity printed on available paper stock—German military maps—due to post-war shortages. They represent a key moment in the establishment of Latvian sovereignty.