Countries which ceased to exist before 1960
This is my ever changing list of “Dead Countries”. “Country” can be defined pretty broadly in this case and includes: nations, colonies, occupations, puppet states, semi-autonomous states, or revolutionary governments. A fuller description can be found on my Definitions page.
This list will probably never be complete and will continue to change as I learn new information on the history of the country and the era. With a list exceeding 650 countries, I have organized the countries into geographic regions, and further subdivided them in logical historic or geographic significance. I have no personal agenda driving the categories, so if anyone is bothered by my organization, I apologize in advance, and welcome positive suggestions for improvement. In such a long list which is continuously being updated, I am not always consistent in terms or format. I will correct the errors as they become apparent.
If you have comments, additions or questions, please leave in the comments below.
NORTH AMERICA AND HAWAII
Canadian Provinces (transition chart)
• Province of Lower Canada (banknotes only)
• Province of Upper Canada (banknotes only)
• Province of Canada
• British Colombia
• British Colombia and Vancouver Island
• New Brunswick (1784 – 1867) – album only
• Newfoundland (1548 – 1949) – album only
• Nova Scotia (1713 – 1867)
• Prince Edward Island (1769 – 1873)
• Vancouver Island
Hawaiian Islands (transition chart)
• Hawai’i, Kingdom (1810 – 1893)
• Hawaii, Provisional Government (1893 – 1894)
• Hawaii, Republic (1894 – 1897)
United States of America Area
• Confederate States of America
• Republic of Texas (banknotes only)
Mexico Area
• Empire of Mexico, French Puppet Government
• Campeche, Mexican Revolution
• Chiapas, Mexican Revolution
• Chihuahua, Mexican Revolution
• Cuautla, Mexican Revolution
• Cuernavaca, Mexican Revolution
• Guadalajara, Mexican Revolution
• Merida, Mexican Revolution
• Tlacotalpan, Mexican Revolution
• Sinaloa, Mexican Revolution
• Yucatan, Mexican Revolution
CARIBBEAN ISLANDS
British Colonies in the Caribbean
• St. Christopher
• Tobago
• Trinidad
• Turks Islands
Cuba
• Cuba, Spanish Possession
• Cuba, US Occupation
Danish Colonies in the Caribbean
• Danish West Indies (1754 – 1917)
French Colonies in the Caribbean
• Guadeloupe
• Martinique
Puerto Rico
• Puerto Rico, Spanish Dominion
• Puerto Rico, U.S. Occupation
SOUTH / CENTRAL AMERICA
Argentine Provinces
• Buenos Aires, Argentine Province (1852 – 1861) – album only
• Cordoba, Argentine Province
• Corrientes, Argentine Province
Colombian States
• Antioquia, Colombian State
• Bolivar, Colombian State
• Boyaca, Colombian State
• Cundin Amarca, Colombian State
• Panama, Department of Colombia
• Santander, Colombian State
• Tolima, Colombian State
Chilean Occupation of Peru
• Ancachs, Chilean Occupation of Peru
• Apurimac, Chilean Occupation of Peru
• Arequipa, Chilean Occupation of Peru (1881 – 1885)
• Ayacucho, Chilean Occupation of Peru
• Chachapoyas, Chilean Occupation of Peru
• Chala, Chilean Occupation of Peru (1884)
• Chiclayo, Chilean Occupation of Peru (1884)
• Huacho, Chilean Occupation of Peru (1884)
• Cusco, Chilean Occupation of Peru
• Moquegua, Chilean Occupation of Peru
• Paita, Chilean Occupation of Peru
• Pasco, Chilean Occupation of Peru
• Peru, Chilean Occupation (1881 – 1884)
• Pisco, Chilean Occupation of Peru
• Piura, Chilean Occupation of Peru
• Puno, Chilean Occupation of Peru
• Yca, Chilean Occupation of Peru
French Colonies in South America
• French Guiana
• Inini
Venezuelan Occupations/Revolutions
• Carupano, Occupation
• Guayana, Revolution
ATLANTIC ISLANDS
Azores Islands
• Angara, District of the Azores
• Horta, District of the Azores
• Ponta Delgada, district of the Azores
Madeira Islands
• Funchal
WESTERN EUROPE
Swiss Cantons
• Basal, Swiss Canton
• Geneva, Swiss Canton
• Zurich, Swiss Canton
Spain, Carlist Revolution
• Andalusian Provinces, Spanish Provisional Government
• Asturias Province, Spanish Provisional Government
• Duke de la Torre Province, Spanish Provisional Government
• Madrid, Spanish Provisional Government
• Salamanca Province, Spanish Provisional Government
• Spain, Carlist Regime
• Spain, First Republic
• Teruel Province, Spanish Provisional Government
• Valladolid Province, Spanish Provisional Government
Spanish Civil War
• Barcelona, Spanish Revolution
• Burgos, Spanish Revolutionary Forces
• Caldiz, Spanish Revolutionary Forces
• Canary Islands, Spanish Revolutionary Forces
• Madrid, Spanish Revolution
• Malaga, Spanish Revolutionary Forces
• Orense, Spanish Revolutionary Forces
• San Sebastian, Spanish Revolutionary Forces
• Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spanish Revolutionary Forces
• Seville, Spanish Revolutionary Forces
Franco Prussian War Occupations in Western Europe
• Alsace and Loraine, German Occupation – Franco Prussian War (1870 – 1872)
WW1 Occupations in Western Europe
• Belgium, German Occupation – WW1 (1914 – 1918)
• France, German Occupation – WW1 (1915 – 1918) – album only
• Eupen and Malmedy, Belgian Occupation – post WW1 (1919 – 1920)
• Eupen, Belgian Occupation – post WW1 (1920 – 1925)
• Malmedy, Belgian Occupation – post WW1 (1920 – 1925)
WW2 Occupations in Western Europe
• Alsace, German Occupation – WW2 (1940 – 1944)
• France, Allied Military Occupation – WW2
• Guernsey, German Occupation – WW2
• Jersey, German Occupation – WW2
• Lorraine, German Occupation – WW2 (1940 – 1944)
• Luxembourg, German Occupation – WW2 (1940 – 1944)
GERMANY / POLAND AREA
German States
• Baden, Grand Duchy (1806 – 1871)
• Bergedorf, German State
• Bremen, German State
• Brunswick, German State
• Hamburg, German State
• Hanover, German State
• Holstein, Prussian/Austrian Occupation
• Lebeck, German State
• Mecklenburg-Schwarin, German State
• Mecklenburg-Strelitz, Greman State
• North German Confederation (1866 – 1871)
• Oldenburg, German State
• Prussia, German State
• Saxony, Kingdom (1806 – 1871)
• Schleswig, Prussian/Austrian Occupation
• Schleswig-Holstein, Duchy of Denmark
• Thurn and Taxis – Northern District, German State
• Thurn and Taxis – Southern District, German State
• Wurttemberg, German State
Bavaria Area
• Bavaria, Kingdom (1806 – 1918) – album only
• Bavaria, Revolution and Socialist Republic (1918 – 1919) – album only
• Bavaria, Free State (1919 – 1920) – album only
• Bavaria, Weimer State (1920 – 1921) – album only
German Empire
• Germany, Empire (1871 – 1920) – album only
Heligoland
• Heligoland
Post WWI Occupations and Plebiscites in Germany
• Belgian Occupation of Germany – post WW1
Plebiscite Areas
• Allenstein (1920)
• Marienwerder (1920)
• Schleswig (1920)
• Upper Silesia, plebiscite (1920 – 1922)
• Carinthia, Plebiscite
Danzig
• Danzig, Free State (1920 – 1939)
• Polish Offices in Danzig Free State (1920 – 1939)
• Danzig, German Occupation – WW2 (1939 – 1945)
Saar
• Saar League of Nations Administration
• Saar, French Administration
• Saar, French Protectorate
• Saar, German Administration
Post WW2 Occupation of Germany
• Baden, French Occupation – post WW2
• Berlin-Brandenburg, Russian Occupation – post WW2 (1945-1949)
• East Saxony, Russian Occupation – post WW2
• Germany, AMG Occupation – post WW2 (1945 – 1946) – album only
• Germany, French Occupation – post WW2
• Germany, Russian Occupation – post WW2
• Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Russian Occupation – post WW2
• Rhine-Palatinate, French Occupation – post WW2
• Saxony Province, Russian Occupation – post WW2
• Thuringia, Russian Occupation – post WW2
• West Saxony, Russian Occupation – post WW2
• Wurttemberg, French Occupation – post WW2
Poland
• Poland, Russian Domination
• Poland, German Occupation – WW1 (1914 – 1918)
• Poland, German Occupation – WW2
• Poland, Government in Exile – WW2
ITALY AREA
Italian States (transition chart)
• Modena, Italian State
• Neapolitan Provinces, Italian State
• Parma, Italian State
• Romagna, Italian State
• Roman States, Italian State
• Sardina, Kingdom (1720 – 1861) – album only
• Sicily, Italian State
• Tuscany, Grand Duchy (1569 – 1860)
• Two Sicilies, Italian State
Italy (transition chart)
• Kingdom of Italy
• Italian Social Republic (1943 – 1945)
WW1 Occupations of Italy (transition chart)
• Fiume (1919 – 1924) – album only
• Italy, Austrian Occupation – WW1
• Merano, Italian Occupation – WW1
• Trento and Trieste, Italian Occupation – post WW1 (1919) – album only
• Trintino-Alto Adige, Italian Occupation – WW1
• Venezia Giulia, Italian Occupation – WW1
Post WW2 Occupations of Italy (transition chart)
• Naples, AMG Occupation of Italy – ww2 (1943 – 1944)
• Sicily, AMG Occupation – WW2 (1943 – 1944)
• Trieste, AMG Occupation – WW2
• Trieste, Yugoslav Occupation – WW2
• Venezia Giulia, AMG Occupations – WW2
BALTICS
Estonia Area (transition chart)
• Estonia, Republic (pre USSR)
• Estonia, German Occupation – WW1
• Estonia, German Occupation – WW2
Latvia Area (transition chart)
• Wenden (Livonia)
• Latvia, Republic (pre USSR)
• Latvia, German Occupation – WW1
• Latvia, West Russian Army Occupation, Gen. Bermont-Avalov (1919) – album only
• Latvia, Soviet Occupation – WW2
• Latvia, German Occupation – WW2
• Courland (Kurland), German Occupation – WW2
Lithuania Area (transition chart)
• Lithuania, Republic (pre USSR)
• South Lithuania/Grodno District, Russian Occupation – WW1
• Central Lithuania (1920- 1922)
• Memel, French Administration (1920 – 1923)
• Klaipeda (Memel), Lithuanian Occupation (1923 – 1925)
• Lithuania, German Occupation – WW2
Cross Baltic Occupations (transition chart)
• Baltic Area (Ob Ost), German Occupation – WW1 (1916 – 1917) – album only
• Baltic Area (Ostland), German Occupation – WW2
CENTRAL / EASTERN EUROPE
Austro Hungarian Empire
• Austrian Empire
• Austro Hungarian Empire – Austria
• Austro Hungarian Empire – Hungary
• Austro Hungarian Empire, Military Occupations
• Lombardy-Venetia
Early Romania
• Moldavia
• Moldavia-Wallachia
WW1 Occupations in Central and Eastern Europe
• Arad, French Occupation – WW1
• Banat, Serbian Occupation – WW1
• Baranya, Serbian Occupation – WW1
• Debrecen, Romanian Occupation – WW1
• Dobruja District, Bulgarian Occupation – WW1
• Eastern Silesia, Plebiscite (1919 – 1920) – album only
• Hungary, Revolutionary Group at Szeged
• Romania, Austrian Occupation – WW1 (1916 – 1917)
• Romania, German Occupation – WW1
• Temesvár, Romanian Occupation – WW1
• Temesvár, Serbian Occupation – post WW1 (1918 – 1919)
• Transylvania, Romanian Occupation – WW1
WW2 German Occupations and Puppet States in Central and Eastern Europe
• Austria, Allied Military Occupation – post WW2 (1945 – 1955) – album only
• Austria, Allied Military Occupation – WW2
• Bohemia & Moravia
• Slovakia, German Puppet
BALKANS
Bulgaria
• Bulgaria, Principality of the Ottoman Empire
• Eastern Rumelia
• South Bulgaria
• Bulgaria, Kingdom
• Bulgaria, Communist Revolution
Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Bosnia & Herzegovina, Austro Hungarian Occupation (1878 – 1908)
• Bosnia & Herzegovina, Province of Austro Hungarian Empire (1908 – 1918) – album only
• Bosnia & Herzegovina, Yugoslav State
Croatia
• Dalmatia, Italian Occupation post WW1 (1918 – 1922)
• Croatia-Slavonia, Yugoslav State
• Croatia, German Puppet – WW2
• Istria and Slovine Coast (Zone B), Allied Occupation – WW2
Montenegro
• Montenegro, Principality / Kingdom (1878 – 1916)
• Montenegro, Austro Hungarian Occupation in WW1 (1916 – 1918) – album only
• Montenegro, Yugoslav State
• Montenegro, Italian Occupation – WW2
• Montenegro, German Occupation – WW2
Serbia
• Serbia, Province of the Ottoman Empire
• Serbia, Kingdom
• Serbia, Austro Hungarian Occupation – WW1 album only
• Serbia, Yugoslav State
• Serbia, German Occupation – WW2
Slovenia
• Slovenia, Yugoslov State
• Ljubljana, Italian Occupation – WW2
• Ljubljana, German Occupation – WW2
GREECE / ALBANIA
Albania Area
• Albania, Italian Offices in the Ottoman Empire
• Durazzo, Italian Offices in the Ottoman Empire
• Scutari, Italian Offices in the Ottoman Empire (1909 – 1916) – album only
• Valona, Italian Offices in the Ottoman Empire
• Valore Government
• Central Albania
• Albania, Principality
• Saseno, Italian Occupation – WW2 (1914 – 1947) – album only
• Albania, Italian Occupation – WW2
• Albania, German Occupation – WW2
Epirus Area
• Janina, Italian Offices in the Ottoman Empire (1902 – 1914) – album only
• Epirus, Autonomous Republic (1914)
• Korce
• North Epirus, Greek Occupation – WW1 (1914 – 1916)
• North Epirus, Greek Occupation – WW2 (1940 – 1941)
Greece Area
• Cavalla, French Offices in the Ottoman Empire
• Kavala / Cavalla, Greek Occupation – Balkan wars (1913)
• Mt. Athos, Russian Offices in the Ottoman Empire
• Salonika, Italian Offices in the Ottoman Empire (1908 – 1914) – album only
• Salonkia, Russian Offices in the Ottoman Empire
• Thessaly, Ottoman Occupation (1897 – 1898)
• Greece, Venizelist Revolutionary Government
• Greece, Axis Occupation – WW2
Thrace
• Dedeagatch, French Offices in the Ottoman Empire
• Dedeagatch, Greek Occupation – Balkans War
• Giumulzina, Greek Occupation – Balkans War
• Western Thrace, Provisional Government (1913)
• Western Thrace, Allied Occupation – WW1 (1919 – 1920)
• Thrace, Greek Occupation – post WW1 (1920 – 1922)
AEGEAN / IONIAN ISLANDS
Crete (transition chart)
• Crete, Autonomous Government (1898 – 1913)
• Crete, Austrian Offices (1903 – 1914) – album only
• Crete, British Occupation (1898 – 1909)
• Crete, French Occupation (1898 – 1909)
• Crete, Italian Occupation (1898 – 1909)
• Crete, Russian Occupation (1898 – 1909)
• Crete, Theriso Revolution (1905)
Ionian Islands (transition chart)
• Cephalonia and Ithaca, Italian Occupation – WW2 (1941)
• Corfu, Italian Occupation (1923)
• Corfu and Paxos, Italian Occupation
• Ionian Islands, British Protectorate (1810 – 1864)
• Ionian Islands, Italian Occupation – WW2 (1941 – 1943)
• Zakynthos (Zante), Italian Occupation in WW2
• Zakynthos (Zante), German Occupation in WW2 (1943 – 1944)
Dodecanese Islands
• Dodecanese Islands, Italian Occupation (1912 – 1923)
• Dodecanese Islands, Italian Colony
• Dodecanese islands, Greek Occupation
• Castellorizo, Italian Occupation (1921 – 1943)
• Castellorizo, French Occupation
• Rhodes, Italian Colony
North Aegean Islands
• Chios, Greek Occupation
• Icaria, Greek Occupation
• Lemnos, Greek Occupation (1912 – 1923)
• Mytilene, Russian Offices in the Ottoman Empire
• Mytilene (Lesbos), Greek Occupation
• Port Lagos (Samos), French Offices in the Ottoman Empire
• Samos (Vathy), French Offices in the Ottoman Empire
• Samos, Greek Occupation
RUSSIA AREA
Russian Empire and pre-Soviet Russia (transition chart)
• Russia, Empire
• Russia, Provisional Government
• Russian Soviet Federated Socialist Republic
North and West Russia album only
• Russian Army of the Northwest, Gen. Yudenich (1919)
Ukraine and South Russia (transition chart)
• Crimea, German Occupation (1918)
• Crimean Border Government (1918 – 1919)
• Crimea, White Army Control (1919 – 1920)
• Don Republic / Don Cossack Government (1918 – 1920) – album only
• Kuban Cossack Government (1918 – 1920)
• Russian Armed Forces of the South, Gen. Denikin (1919 – 1920) – album only
• Ukraine, pre USSR (1918 – 1920) – album only
• Ukraine, German Occupation – WW2
• Western Ukraine
• Western Ukraine, Romanian Occupation
• Wrangle’s Army (1920 – 1921)
Transcaucasia (transition chart)
• Armenia, Republic pre USSR (1918 – 1920)
• Armenia, Soviet Socialist Republic
• Azerbaijan, Allied Occupation
• Azerbaijan, Republic pre USSR (1918 – 1920)
• Azerbaijan, Soviet Socialist Republic
• Baku Province
• Batum, British Occupation
• Georgia, Republic pre USSR (1918 – 1921)
• Georgia, Soviet Socialist Republic (1921 – 1923) – album only
• Transcaucasian Republic (banknotes only)
• Transcaucasian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic (1922 – 1936)
Russian Central Asia and Mongolia (transition chart)
• Bukharan People’s Soviet Republic
• Khorezm People’s Soviet Republic
• Tannu Tuva
Siberia and Russian Far East (transition chart)
• Czech Legion Army in Russia (1918 – 1920) – album only
• Far Eastern Republic (1920 – 1922)
• Priamur Provisional Government, Merkulov (1921 – 1922)
• Priamur Rural Province, Gen Diterikhs (1922)
• Provisional Government in Siberia, Adm Kolchak (1918 – 1919)
• Trans-Biakal Region under Gen. Semyonov (1920) – album only
Finnish Area (transition chart)
• Finland, Grand Duchy of Russia
• Aunus, Finnish Occupation (1919)
• East Karelia, Finnish Military Authority (1941 – 1944)
• Karelia
• North Ingria (1920)
OTTOMAN EMPIRE / TURKISH AREA
Ottoman Empire
• Ottoman Empire
• Anatolia
• Ottoman Empire, Greek Occupations – Balkan/Greco-Turkish wars (1912 – 1923) – album only
Post Ottoman Turkey
• Sanjak of Alexandretta, French Mandate
• Cilicia, French Occupation (1918 – 1921)
• Hatay State (1938 – 1939)
Offices in the Ottoman Empire
• Austrian Offices in the Ottoman Empire
• British Offices in the Ottoman Empire
• French Offices in the Ottoman Empire
• German Offices in the Ottoman Empire
• Italian Offices in the Ottoman Empire
• Italian Offices in Constantinople (1909 – 1923) – album only
• Italian Offices in Smyrna (1908 – 1923) – album only
• Polish Offices in the Ottoman Empire (1919 – 1922) – album only
• Romanian Offices in the Ottoman Empire
• Romanian Offices in Constantinople
• Russian Offices in the Ottoman Empire
• Russian Offices in Constantinople
• Russian Offices in the Dardanelles (1774 – 1914) – album only
• Russian Offices in Kerassunde, Empire (1774 – 1914) – album only
• Russian Offices in Rizeh (1774 – 1914)
• Russian Offices in Smyrna (1774 – 1914) – album only
• Russian Offices in Trabzon (1774 – 1914) – album only
MIDDLE EAST / CENTRAL ASIA
Arabian Peninsula (transition chart)
• Hejaz, Kingdom (1916 – 1925)
• Hejaz, Nejdi Occupation
• Hejaz-Nejd
Jordan/Palestine Area (transition chart)
• Jerusalem, Italian Offices in the Ottoman Empire (1908 – 1914) – album only
• Jerusalem, Russian Offices in the Ottoman Empire
• Jaffa, Russian Offices in the Ottoman Empire
• Palestine, British Military Occupation (1918 – 1920)
• Palestine, British Mandate (1920 – 1948) – album only
• Palestine (West Bank), Jordanian Occupation
• Palestine (Gaza), Egyptian Occupation
• Transjordan, British Occupation
• Transjordan, British Mandate
Syria / Lebanon Area (transition chart)
• Beirut (Beyrouth), French Offices in the Ottoman Empire
• Beirut (Beyrouth), Russian Offices in the Ottoman Empire
• Alaouites (Alawite State), French Mandate (1924 – 1930)
• The Arabian Government
• Greater Lebanon, French Mandate
• Latakia, French Mandate (1930 – 1936)
• Rouad, Ile, French Occupation (1916 – 1920)
• Syria and Lebanon, French Occupation
• Syria and Lebanon, French Mandate
• Syria, French Mandate
• Syrian Autonomous Republic
• Syria, Free French Administration
Iran / Iraq Area
• Mesopotamia, British Occupation
• Bushire, British Occupation
NORTH AFRICA
Egypt Area
• Egypt, Ottoman Suzerainty
• Egypt, British Protectorate
• Alexandra, French Offices in Egypt
• Port Said, French Offices in the Ottoman Empire
Libya Area (transition chart)
• Bengasi, Italian Offices in Africa
• Cyrenaica, Italian Colony (1919 – 1934)
• Cyrenaica, Emirate (1949 – 1951)
• Fezzan, French Occupation (1949 – 1951)
• Fezzan-Ghandames, French Occupation (1943 – 1949)
• Ghadames, French Occupation (1949 – 1951)
• Libya, Italian Colony
• Tripoli, Italian Offices in Africa
• Tripolitania, Italian Colony (1922 – 1934)
• Tripolitania and Cyrenaica, British Occupation
Tunisia Area
• Tunisia, French Colony
Morocco Area
• Morocco, French Offices
• French Morocco
• Morocco, Spanish Offices
• Spanish Morocco
• Tangier, British Offices (1924 – 1956)
• Tangier, French Offices
• Tangier, Spanish Offices
• Tetuan
Spanish Sahara
• La Aguera
• Cape Juby
• Rio de Oro
• Spanish West Africa
WEST AFRICA
British West Africa (transition chart)
• Gold Coast
• Lagos, British Colony (1862 – 1906) – album only
• Niger Coast Protectorate (1893 – 1900)
• Northern Nigeria (1900 – 1914)
• Oil Rivers Protectorate (1885 – 1893)
• Southern Nigeria Protectorate (1900 – 1914)
French West Africa
• Benin, French Possession
• Chad, French Colony
• French Guinea
• French Sudan
• French West Africa
• Gabon, French Colony
• Niger, French Colony
• Senegal, French Colony
• Senegambia and Niger
• Upper Senegal and Niger
• Upper Volta, French Colony
German West Africa
• Togo, German Protectorate
• Togo, British Occupation
• Togo, French Occupation
Spanish West Africa
• Elobey, Annobon and Corisco
CENTRAL AFRICA
Congo
• Congo, Independent State
French Central Africa
• French Congo
• Middle Congo
• Ubangi-Shari-Chad (1910 – 1920) – album only
• Ubangi-Shari (1920 – 1934) – album only
German Central Africa
• Kamerun, German Protectorate
• Camerun, British Occupation (1915 – 1920) – album only
• Cameroun, French Occupation
Portuguese Central Africa
• Portuguese Congo
EAST AFRICA / MADAGASCAR
British East Africa
• British East Africa
• East Africa and Uganda Protectorates
• Kenya and Uganda
French East Africa
• Obock, French Colony (1884-1896)
• Zanzibar, French Offices
German East Africa
• German East Africa (1885 – 1919)
• German East Africa, Belgian Occupation
• German East Africa, British Occupation
Italian East Africa
• Eritrea, Italian Colony
• Eritrea, British Occupation
• Ethiopia, Italian Occupation (1935 – 1936)
• Italian East Africa
• Italian Somaliland
• Oltre Giuba (Trans-Juba), Italian Colony (1924-25)
• Somalia, British Occupation
Madagascar Area
• Sultanate of Anjouan (1886 – 1912)
• Diego Suarez
• Grand Comoro
• Madagascar, British Consular Offices
• Madagascar, French Offices
• Madagascar, French Colony
• Moheli
• Nossi-Be
• Ste. Marie de Madagascar
SOUTHERN AFRICA
British South Africa Area (transition chart)
• British Bechuanaland
• Cape of Good Hope (Cape Colony) (1815 – 1910)
• Griqualand West, British Colony
• Natal, British Colony (1843 – 1910) – album only
• Orange River Colony (1902 – 1910)
• Transvaal, British Colony
• Zululand, British Colony (1887 – 1897)
Boer Republics (transition chart)
• New Republic
• Orange Free State (1854 – 1902)
• Orange Free State, British Occupation (1900 – 1902)
• South Africa Republic (ZAR)
• South Africa Republic, British Occupation
• Stellaland
• Transvaal, British Occupation
• Vyborg, Boer Occupation
• Vyborg, British Occupation
Rhodesia Area (transition chart)
• British Central Africa
• British South Africa Company
Mozambique Area (transition chart)
• Inhambane, Portuguese Colonial Province
• Kionga Triangle, Portuguese Occupation – WW1 (1916 – 1919)
• Lourenco Marques, Portuguese Colonial Province
• Mozambique Company (1891 – 1942)
• Nyassa Company (1891 – 1929)
• Quelimane, Portuguese Colonial Province (1913 – 1920)
• Tete, Portuguese Colonial Province (1913 – 1920)
• Zambezia, Portuguese Colonial Province (1894 – 1920)
German Colonies in Southern Africa
• German South West Africa
INDIA AREA
British India
• Ceylon, British Colony
• East India Company
• India, British Colony
India Feudatory States
• Alwar, Indian Feudatory State (1803 – 1948)
• Bamra, Indian Feudatory State
• Barwani, Indian Feudatory State
• Bhopal, Indian Feudatory State
• Bhor, Indian Feudatory State
• Bijawar, Indian Feudatory State
• Bundi, Indian Feudatory State
• Bussahir, Indian Feudatory State
• Chakhari, Indian Feudatory State
• Cochin, Indian Feudatory State (1835 – 1949) – album only
• Dhar, Indian Feudatory State
• Dungarpur, Indian Feudatory State
• Duttia, Indian Feudatory State
• Faridkot, Indian Feudatory State (1763 – 1886) – album only
• Hyderabad, Indian Feudatory State (1798 – 1948)
• Idar, Indian Feudatory State
• Indore, Indian Feudatory State
• Jaipur, Indian Feudatory State (1818 – 1949) – album only
• Jammu, Indian Feudatory State
• Jammu and Kashmir, Indian Feudatory State
• Jasdan, Indian Feudatory State
• Jhalawar, Indian Feudatory State (1838 – 1949) – album only
• Jind, Indian Feudatory State
• Kishangarh, Indian Feudatory State
• Kashmir, Indian Feudatory State
• Kotah, Indian Feudatory State
• Las Bela, Indian Feudatory State
• Morvi, Indian Feudatory State
• Nandgaon, Indian Feudatory State
• Nowanuggur, Indian Feudatory State
• Orchha, Indian Feudatory State
• Poonch, Indian Feudatory State
• Rajasthan, Indian Feudatory State
• Rajpeepla, Indian Feudatory State
• Saurastra, Indian Feudatory State
• Sirmoor, Princely State of India (1815 – 1948)
• Soruth (Saurashtra), Indian Feudatory State
• Tonk, Indian Feudatory State
• Travancore, Indian Feudatory State
• Travancore-Cochin, Indian Feudatory State
• Wadhwan, Indian Feudatory State (1740 – 1947) – album only
India Convention States
• Chamba, Indian Convention State
• Faridkot, Indian Convention State
• Gwalior, Indian Convention State (1787 – 1947) – album only
• Jind, Indian Convention State
• Nabha, Indian Convention State
• Patiala, Indian Convention State
Bahawalpur
• Bahawalpur, Princely State of India (1833 – 1947)
• Bahawalpur, Princely State of Pakistan (1947 – 1955)
French India
• French India
CHINA AREA
China
• China, Empire
• China, Republic
China Treaty Ports
• Amoy, China Treaty Port
• Chefoo, China Treaty Port
• Chinkiang, China Treaty Port
• Chungking, China Treaty Port
• Foochow, China Treaty Port (1895 – 1896) – album only
• Hankow, China Treaty Port
• Ichang, China Treaty Port
• Kewkiang, China Treaty Port
• Nanking, China Treaty Port
• Shanghai, China Treaty Port
• Wei Hai Wei, China Treaty Port
• Wuhu, China Treaty Port
French Offices in China
• Canton, French Offices in Imperial China
• China, French Offices in Imperial China
• Hoi Hao, French Offices in Imperial China
• Kwangchowan, French Offices in Imperial China
• Mongtseu, French Offices in Imperial China
• Pak Hoi, French Offices in Imperial China
• Tchongking (Chungking) , French Offices in Imperial China
• Yunnan Fou, French Offices in Imperial China
German Colonies and Offices in China
• China, German Offices in Imperial China
• Foochow, German Offices in Imperial China
• Kiautschau, German Colony (1897 – 1914)
• Tientsin, German Offices in Imperial China
Japanese Offices in China
• China, Japanese Offices in Imperial China
• China, Japanese Offices in Taiwan
Russian Offices in China
• China, Russian Offices in Imperial China (1886 – 1920) – album only
Japanese Occupations and Puppets in China
• Hong Kong, Japanese Occupation
• Kwangtung, Japanese Occupation (1905 – 1945) – album only
• Manchukuo (1932 – 1945)
• Mengjiang (Inner Mongolia), Japanese Occupation (1939 – 1945)
• North China, Japanese Occupation (1937 – 1945)
• North China – Honan, Japanese Occupation (1941 – 1942) – album only
• North China – Hopei, Japanese Occupation (1941 – 1942) – album only
• Shinsi, Japanese Occupation of North China (1941 – 1942) – album only
• Shintung, Japanese Occupation of North China (1941 – 1942) – album only
• North China – Supeh, Japanese Occupation
• Shanghai and Nanking, Japanese Occupation (1942 – 1945) – album only
• Taiwan, Japanese Occupation
Chinese Revolution
• Central China, Communist
• East China, Communist
• Fukien, Nationalist
• Hunan, Nationalist
• Hupeh, Nationalist
• Kansu, Nationalist
• Kiangsi, Nationalist
• Kwangsi, Nationalist
• North China, Communist
• Northeast China, Communist
• Northwest China, Communist
• Port Arthur and Dairen, Communist
• Shensi, Nationalist
• Szechwan, Nationalist
• South China, Communist
• Southwest China, Communist
• Tsingtau, Nationalist
Tibet
• Tibet
• Tibet, Chinese Offices
FAR EAST
South East Asia
• Annam and Tonkin, French Colony (1883 – 1887)
• Bangkok
• Burma, British Colony
• Burma Independence Army, Japanese Occupation
• Burma, Japanese Occupation
• Cochin China (1864 – 1887)
• French Indochina
Malay Area
• Brunei, Japanese Occupation
• Labuan, British Colony (1848 – 1906)
• Malaya, Thai Occupation
• Malaya, Japanese Occupation
• Malaya – Johore, Japanese Occupation
• Malaya – Kedah, Japanese Occupation
• Malaya – Kelantan, Japanese Occupation
• Malaya – Kelatan, Thai Occupation
• Malaya – Malacca, Japanese Occupation
• Malaya – Negri Sembilan, Japanese Occupation
• Malaya – Pahang, Japanese Occupation
• Malaya – Panang, Japanese Occupation
• Malaya – Perak, Japanese Occupation
• Malaya – Selangor, Japanese Occupation
• North Borneo, Japanese Occupation
• Sarawak, Japanese Occupation
• Straits Settlements (1867 – 1946)
• Straits Settlements, Japanese Occupation
• Sungei Ujong
Netherlands Indies / Indonesia Area
• Netherlands Indies / Dutch East Indies (1801 – 1948) – album only
• Java, Japanese Occupation (1942 – 1945)
• Sumatra, Japanese Occupation (1942 – 1945)
• Borneo and the Great East, Japanese Occupation (1942 – 1945) – album only
• Netherlands Indies, Nationalist Revolution
• Dutch Indonesia
Korea Area
• Korea, Japanese Puppet Government
• Korea, Japanese Offices (1876 – 1905)
• Korea, U.S. Occupation
• Korea, Soviet Occupation
Philippines Area
• Philippines, Spanish Dominion
• Philippines, US Administration
• Philippines, US Commonwealth
• Philippines, Japanese Occupation in WW2 (1942 – 1945)
• Filipino Revolutionary Government
Japan Area
• Japan, Empire
• Japan, Australian Occupation
AUSTRALIA / SOUTH PACIFIC
Australian States
• New South Wales, Australian State
• Queensland, Australian State
• South Australia, Australian State
• Tasmania, Australian State
• Victoria, Australian State
• Western Australia, Australian State (1832 – 1901) – album only
Australian Colonies / Occupations
• New Britain, Australian Occupation
• New Guinea, Australian Occupation
• Northwest Pacific Islands, Australian Occupation
• Papua, Australian Administration (1906 – 1949) – album only
British Colonies in the Pacific
• British New Guinea (1884 – 1906)
French Colonies in the South Pacific
• Tahiti
German Colonies in the Pacific
• Caroline Islands
• German New Guinea (1884 – 1914)
• Mariana Islands, German Possession
• Marshall Island, German Dominion
Spanish Colonies in the Pacific
• Mariana Islands, Spanish Possession
U.S. Possessions in the Pacific
• Guam
Samoa
• Samoa, Kingdom
• Samoa, German Dominion
• Samoa, Japanese Occupation
• Samoa, British Occupation
Rif Republic (1921-1926)
Independence from Spain, France and Morocco.
Capital: Axdir
Currency: Riffan
Hi El Rif
Welcome to DCStamps. Wow, the Rif Republic is a new one for me me. I see that they issued banknotes, do you know of they issued any stamps?
Michael
Hi Michael –
It was nice to meet you at TCPC on Wednesday. Wonderful website.
I notice that you do not list the 2nd Mexican Empire as a dead country. I believe it fits your definition. And it does provide a very interesting collecting area. If you would like a sample, I can bring something to next month’s TCPC meeting.
Regards –
Kris
Hi Kris
Thanks for visiting DCStamps. We will have to get together some time and talk / share stamps. Maybe we can arrange some trades, if it works out for both of us.
I took a quick look at the history, and I agree with you, the “second” Mexican Empire indeed is a dead country, and I would probably label it under a Puppet regime under the French. I will add it to the the list.
Thanks again and see you at the next TPCP meeting. (feel free to bring the stamps, I am happy to take a look)
Michael
Would you consider Campione d’Italia a Dead Country? Campione is a small Italian enclave on the east coast of Lake Lugano. After the Italian surrender in World War II, the rescue of Mussolini and establishment of the fascist Italian Social Republic, Campione remained loyal to the King and since it could only be reached through neutral Swiss territory the Italian fascists and the Germans could not get to it. Stamps in Swiss currency were issued in 1944 for use for mail within the town and to Switzerland only; onward mail had to be franked with Swiss stamps also. Interestingly enough, the stamps were valid for such postage until 31 May 1952. Today, it contains some of the most expensive real estate in Europe due to favorable tax laws.
Hi Frank
To start with, I like to define a dead country historically, not philatelically. Since I, at least try to cover banknotes here, I can’t define a country by its postal service.
I often say – Not all countries issued stamps, and not all stamp issuing entities are countries.
I just released my second issue of the “Investigator“, where I discuss the question “what is a country?”
Regarding Campion d’Italia, an interesting question, but I am not sure I would call it a “country” in the first place. Many regions of Europe issued local postal stamps, or even currency( such as notgeld) during times of crisis, while never attempting to become a separate country. I would put Campion d’Italia into this category, primarily because they were “holding down the fort” for the return of the Kingdom.
Just my opinion.
Michael
Sir
Thanks for your good list of dead country, I am from India and collect stamps,after visit your site. I am interested dead country, now I am w
I’m trying to compose a list of all entities that have issued stamps – I already have stamps from more than 500 of them. The problem is the variety of lists – Smithsonoan, Linns, Wiki, et al. There is no common denominator.
You have most entries identified VERY well. Am I the only one who would like to see the list in Alpha order? Albums are arranged that way (at least my Scott Album for 1941 is). When I was 65 I could have memorized the geography quickly. I can still do it but the recall at age 89 has slowed considerably.
Of course, once I identify the states, colonies and offices as well as you have I can sort them myself, presuming my ability to continue using a computer.
Your efforts are appreciated – I used to be that good. Thanks.
J. Hugh Sullivan
Hi Hugh, welcome to DCStamps.
As you can attest, finding a total list of stamp issuing entities can be a big task. The problem with the various lists, is that each of them use different definitions of a Stamp Issuing Entity (I have my own as well as you can read in the site). Some lists include local issues, some do not. Some include stamps issued by companies or non-governmental entities (such as Thurn and Taxis or Russian Steamship Company), others do not. Some like me, define changes in a colony or an occupation by a foreign force as a different country, others do not. Definition is everything
Secondly, I certainly understand your interest in an alphabetical list, but my site is designed from a historic/geographic standpoint, rather philatelic. To me it is important to help people to understand the historical context that a dead country fits into, rather than just a list.
Also, albums and catalogs are not purely alphabetical either. They are designed philatelicly. For instance German States or Indian States are not listed individually throughout the album (you don’t normally find Alwar next to Allenstein), rather they are listed under the modern country.
I hope this helps you to understand why I chose the method I did
Cheers
Michael
–
Hi Hugh,
I’m also “a stamp from everywhere” collector. In addition to this site, I’ve also found these two extremely helpful:
http://www.stampworldhistory.com/
http://www.asfe.dk/
Penny
Hello there,
I can help you with this list. I collect a stamp from every country so I know what are you looking for. I have several of these lists depending on how far you want to go. And yes, there is a common denominator – it is an official list of Czech and Slovak collectors, used from 1970´s and updated till today ( it was also published ) It has 780 main countries, plus subcategories, cca 1500+ countries. Just send me an email.
Mr. V. Varga
You forgot Prussia. A Germanic country that fell after WWII, taken down by the Allied Forces because the country was deemed, ‘too powerful’ when it came to weapons. No joke.
Hi Dakotah, welcome to DCStamps. Actually you can find the Kingdom of Prussia listed under German states. I became the part of the German Empire at it’s formation in 1871. The Empire was actually defeated in World War I, and was essentially dismantled with the treaty of Versailles in 1919.
Michael
Wonderful site, although I think I preferred the undivided country list rather than the new one.
Hi Erik, welcome to DCStamps.
Thank you for your input, I went back and forth as to whether to have the accordion style format. As the list is quite long, I was trying to find easier ways to navigate the it. I would love to hear from others as well whether the find the new divided format more of a hinder than a help.
Thanks again
Michael
I found a Scott International stamp album printed in 1899 at a thrift store and paid $2.00 for it intending to cut out and frame the maps. After leafing through the book I couldn’t destroy it and instead started looking for stamps from each country. As you can imagine I discovered many dead countries and your site is so helpful. Many thanks
Hi Marjie, welcome to DCStamps.
Great find. Actually there are folks that collect these old albums. Might search the album and find out more about your discovery.
Michael
Wonderful site. Learning a lot by reading your site especially the confusing WW1 and WW2 Europe and occupation issues. Waiting for your updates on the Indian area.
Hi Joji
Welcome to DCStamps. Glad you like the site, I try and add a new article per month. I am currently working in the Balkans region, but I often jump around depending on my mood. We visited Jaipur and Rajasthan a couple of months ago, and I might include something from there. Always welcome your comments
Cheers
Michael
I cannot see any mention of Biafra which seceded from Nigeria in 1967 and was finally overrrun and rejoined Nigeria in 1970. There were three aluminium coins issued – 3 pence, 1 shilling and 2 shillings & 6 pence. Banknotes of 5/- (5 shillings) and 1 pound were first issued, followed by 10/-, 5 pounds and 10 pounds. Several stamps were also issued and these are listed in most catalogues.
Hi Tony
Thanks for visiting DCStamps. You are correct Biafra is considered a “Dead Country” I do not include it on my list primarily because I limit my list to those countries which ceased to exit by the end of 1955. I primarily do this because it covers the countries that I collect. However, you can find the Republic of Biafra on the British Nigeria Transition Chart, which can be found HERE.
Thanks
Michael
Hi !
Congratulation for your great site !
I am just diving into the fascinating world of DCS and i wanted to mention one topic of interest regarding stamps emitted by Thule (in Greenland) for a very limited period of time ( from August 10th 1935 to July 31st 1937)
It’s a small group of 5 stamps which are readily available, from 1935/36
I don’t know if Thule can be considered as a Dead Country, but anyways i will take it in my new collection
Just wanted to give the information here
All the Best
Philippe (from France)
I have been reading and very satisfied with your blog, about Dead Countries stamps. I am a world stamp collector, and in the process of exchanging from other collectors here in my country, and from purchasing from dealers here and abroad. I could not say no to other older issues mix with my purchased
stamps. I realized that these stamps are from the Dead Countries, that is why I began to research in the internet and found your blog very interesting and educational. Can you recommend to me some stamp dealers, who could sell Dead Countries in a bargain price? I ask you this because I am in particular about pricing, and I live here in the Philippines, that the exchange rate is very high. I hope you could help me.
Please send your messages to my email address—dayunior23@yahoo.com— I also like to exchange stamps with fellow collectors with my new mint Philippine stamps with the Dead Countries stamps in a 1:1 ratio. This is Roberto Tan from Manila, Philippines.
Wow, this is just an amazing site. I originally found it because I inherited a few DC stamps from an uncle who passed away years ago. But then I saw your transition charts and the excellent histories, and knew I had to spend much more time here to learn some history. You do an outstanding job in briefly summarizing histories of various areas around the globe. Thank you so much.
Hi Bobbie
Thank you for visiting DCStamps and for your kind words. Enjoy looking through your uncles stamps, there is lots of very interesting history in these little pieces of paper. I hope you catch the Stamp Collecting bug, and Dead countries is a very interesting area to collect.
Michael
Michael
I wish you would begin covering the French West Africa dead countries, because they are confusing to me. 😉 An overall transition map would be helpful, as well as better specific territorial maps. I’m struggling with “Senegambia & Niger” at the moment.
Hope all is well with you. Glad to see you are publishing again.
Jim
Hi Jim
I think that is a great suggestion. Let me put it together over the next week, and I will let you know when it is done. Although I am publishing again, since it is summer it is a little slower.
Michael
In dead countries list you also have to include Las Bela and Scinde (Scinde Dawk) under States of Pakistan. Las Bela was incorporated into Baluchistan Province of Pakistan and Scinde exists as Sind Province of Pakistan. I liked your site and going through it was a wonderful and refreshing experience. I collect worldwide postage stamps from 1840 to 1900, mint, used and on cover. The free country stamp albums you provide are a wonderful service to Philately. Have a nice day!
Hello Riasat, thank you for visiting DCStamps and for your kind words. I appreciate your comments and your insight. The reason I include Las Bela as an India state is because at the time they issued stamps, (1897 – 1907) they were part of British India, well before the formation of Pakistan.
Kind Regards
Michael
Based on the criteria “Overthrow of a absolute monarchy style government (not merely a dynasty)” you should also include Kingdom of Serbia and Kingdom of Montenegro. Although they were not actually overthrown, they were merged (with other states) in the formation of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, which also meets the criteria “Annexation of a country into a larger country”
Scott
Welcome to DCStamps. You are absolutely right, not sure how I missed them. Will of course add them to the list. Thank you for your insight.
Michael
Micheal
Thanks for your response. I built the list with the Michel catalog as my primary source and consider the list to be a reference list. I agree that stamp catalogs are not always historically accurate. Further research per country will definitely lead to changes. And I would be happy to receive any comments as I am continuously looking to improve the list.
Stanley & Gibbons is on the to do list. I will keep you posted of any changes that come out of that next step.
Hi Micheal
Great site you have. I love the way you are doing research and share it with fellow collectors.
I recently compiled a list of stamp issuing entities based on what I could find as such in the Michel, Scott and Yvert & Tellier catalogs. Apart from other contextual info the core of the list is a list of 1) major entities or countries as the Michel catalog has them, 2) minor entities which are countries broken down to departments, cities, companies etc that have ever issued stamps and finally 3) stamp issuing entities which are minor entities broken down to different forms of government.
The statistics of my current list are: major entities 412, minor entities 1875 and stamp issuing entities 2604.
The list contains all stamp issuing entities, not just the historical ones but here’s a link so you can download the list and if you like it play around with it and tune it to your needs.
http://1drv.ms/1sAbHtn
Regards
Gerben
Gerben – Wow, it looks like you put a lot of work in that spreadsheet. It looks very interesting and I will go through it and see if there are areas I need to modify, especially as I don’t have access to Y&T (and my French is terrible). Stanley Gibbons is also a very good reference, especially in the areas of the British Empire and Russia.
One comment, for DCStamps, the history decides whether an entity is included (or broken down in some way). I have found that Stamp Catalogues are sometimes not the best reference, because they often list entries for collectors convenience, while not always historically accurate.
I will work through your spreadsheet (although it will probably take several months as my time with stamps has been limited for a short bit) but if I see any issues, I will drop you an email.
Regards
Michael
THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP . I WILL BE TAKING YOUR ADVICE
I have my fathers stamp collection some stamps are from places that no longer exist . where are the best place to sell these and to get a valuation on all the vast amounts of stamps there are some very old valuation books as well please help as I would like them to be treasured than stuck in the attic
Thank you for visiting DCStamps. I am not sure where you live, but I would highly recommend that you find a local dealer in your area and set up an appointment for him/her to give you an evaluation. You should be able to use the internet to help find them. Even if you can’t find anybody close, you can call a dealer that is not too far away, and often they are willing to travel to your home to give the collection an evaluation.
I wouldn’t recommend eBay or another on line auction site, unless you know what you are selling.
Regards
Michael
Don’t see Ajman, Dubain list i, Umm-Al-Qiwain, Fujeira etc. now UAE states (emirates)…
Hello, thank you for visiting DCStamps. You are correct, as I state at the top of the list, I only include “countries” that ceased to exist before the end of 1955. Primarily because that I what I collect, so I understand the limitation. One of these days, I will create an expanded list which includes those that existed later, such as the countries you mentioned.
Michael
This is what I was looking for! My collection includes precisely dead countries and polities.
I recently bought interesting Sudetenland overprints, Siberian varieties and other nice stamps. Of modern times, I have some interesting (bogus?) overprints of Ukrainian cities (1991-92) on USSR stamps.
Maybe we can exchange pictures or real stamps if interested.
Best wishes,
Jose
Jose
It is always great to meet another Dead Country collector, especially one who is interested in understanding the history, background and politics of the situation. I actually don’t have any of the Sudetenland overprints, but someday I will find some. I would love to see some of your pictures (you can see many of mine, right here at DCStamps, if you click the Album Links). Also, I am always up for exchanges. You are free to email me at ILikeMaps@msn.com.
Thank you for visiting DCStamps.
Michael
Great site that I found that found by chance.
Very helpfull for my French world collection that I bought last January.
Very nice.
Yogev
Thank you for visiting, I am glad you found the site helpful. Unfortunately, my French world stamps on the are somewhat sparse at the moment, but I expect over time I will have more. I have yet to work through some of the big areas such as Indochine, or the French Africa area.
Michael
This a great site it has helped me to ID many stamps. I have come accross several stamps from Nederlandsch-Indie…I did not see this item in your list
Thanks
Tom
I am so glad you enjoyed DCStamps. Comments like yours make the site totally worthwhile. I currently don’t have very many Netherland Indies stamps. I am looking at some at some auctions, but currently am concentrating on organizing my Russia Area stamps as my “winter project”.
Michael
Great site that I found though Big Blue. I was actually looking for info on Greek forgeries, but I also collect Portugal& Colonies. The stuff on Greek occupations or vice versa area great. Thanks
Thanks David
I bought a very nice Greek collection about 6 months ago (primarily because it had a good variety of occupations). I continue to work through it and will hopefully finish it this year. Stay tuned.
Regards
Michael