Provisional Postmarks
Postal provisional postmarks used in the Lithuanian territory between 1918 and 1926. These provisional cancellations and temporary markings were used until the introduction of the Lithuanian standard postmarks.
The most detailed written reference on postal markings of Lithuania (1918-1940) is “P.O. Cancels in Lithuania” by Witold Fugalewitsch (Vytautas Fugalevičius, – 2nd ed. 1990), but it is not accessible to many. Moreover, the list of provisional postmarks included in the catalog is incomplete. Many new provisional postmarks have been discovered since the catalog was published in 1990.
Our aim is to expand on this work and provide an up-to-date comprehensive resource of provisional postmarks used in Lithuania.
Close co-operation is being provided by Dr. Vytautas Doniela.
Please help us to expand this page by sending scans of provisional box and line cancels found on stamps and covers. Use a scanning setting of 600-1200 dpi ‘color photo’ mode. The TIFF file format provides the best quality details and is the most suitable for archiving.
List of Provisional Postmarks (work in progress)
| Lithuanian Name | Foreign Spellings | Manuscript | Line | Circular | Reg. / Box cachet |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taujėnai | Tovjany, Towiani | unknown | unknown | yes | yes |
| Virbalis | Verzhbolovo, Wirballen | yes | unknown | yes | unknown |
| Jeznas (Jieznas) | Jezno, Ezno | unknown | yes | unknown | unknown |
| Šakiai | Shaki, Schaki | yes | yes | unknown | unknown |
| Prienai | Preny | yes | unknown | unknown | yes |
| Vilkija | Vilki, Wilki | unknow | yes | unknown | yes |
| Kretinga | Kretingen, Krottingen | yes | yes | unknown | unknown |
| Rietavas | Retovo, Retowo | yes | yes | unknown | unknown |
| Utena | Uciany, Uzjany | yes | unknown | unknown | unknown |
| Tytuvėnai (Tytavėnai) | Cytowiany, Citovjany | unknown | yes | unknown | unknown |
| Pasvalys | Poswol, Posvol | yes | unknown | unknown | unknown |
| Luokė | Lukniki | yes | unknown | unknown | yes |
| Gargždai (Garždai) | Gorsdy, Gorzhdy | yes | yes | yes | unknown |
| Telšiai | Telsze, Telsche | yes | unknown | unknown | unknown |
| Panemunis | Ponemun | yes | yes | unknown | yes |
| Marijampolė | Mariampol | unknown | unknown | yes | unknown |
| Tryškiai | Trischki, Trishki | unknown | unknown | yes | unknown |
| Tirkšliai | ? | yes | unknown | unknown | unknown |
| Salantai | Salanty | yes | unknown | unknown | unknown |
| Viekšniai | Wekschni, Viekshni, Viekshnia | yes | unknown | unknown | yes |
| Pakruojis | Pokroi | yes | unknown | unknown | unknown |
| Plungė | Plungiany | yes | unknown | unknown | unknown |
| Linkuva | Linkovo, Linkowo | yes | unknown | unknown | unknown |
| Gruzdžiai | Gruzdzi, Grusdi, Grusen | unknown | unknown | unknown | yes |
Box and Line Cancels (1918-1922)
Provisional box and line postmarks used in the Lithuanian territory between 1918 and 1922. [continue reading...]
Circular Cancels (1919-1926)
Provisional circular postmarks used in the Lithuanian territory between 1919 and 1926. [continue reading...]
Manuscript Cancels (1919-1922)
Postal manuscript cancels used in the Lithuanian territory between 1919 and 1922. [continue reading...]