2017-09-01 Fri

Albania got independence in 1912 and is among last of the Ottoman Empire’s European possessions. The country was poor, backward, tribal, and underdeveloped initially. The country made some progress under President Zogu (later King Zog). But after the Italians invaded in 1939 things became worse. Italians surrendered in 1943, but the country was then taken over by Nazis to be liberated by the Communists in 1944.

Albania became a repressive totalitarian police state from 1944 to 1991. Many stamps were released during this period. These stamps were cancelled to order and sold in bulk to packet makers.

After Communism ended in the 1990s, some topical stamps were released in low quantities. A 2007 miniature sheet of 12 Albanian Flag stamps is desired among flag stamp topical collectors. The market value of the sheet in mint never-hinged condition and used condition is $100.