The Polish Postal Service in Danzig:  Permanent Court of International Justice

For collectors of Danzig postal history, the Polish Postal Service in the Free City of Danzig is a fascinating topic. In 1925, the Permanent Court of International Justice (PCIJ) gave an important advisory opinion about this service. This article explains the background, the documents published, and why this moment matters for philatelists.

After World War I, the Treaty of Versailles created the Free City of Danzig (now Gdańsk, Poland). It was not part of Germany or Poland but was under the protection of the League of Nations. However, Poland had special rights in Danzig, including control over foreign relations and some postal services. This situation caused tension between the Danzig Senate (the local government) and Poland, especially about who had the right to run postal services in the city. To solve this, the League of Nations asked the Permanent Court of International Justice for advice.

On May 16, 1925, the Court gave its opinion. It was published in two main series:

– Series B, No. 77: This volume includes the official advisory opinion titled “Polish Postal Service in Danzig.”
– Series C, No. 8: This contains all the documents, letters, and records used to prepare the opinion.

These publications were printed by A.W. Sijthoff’s Publishing Company in Leyden (Leiden), Netherlands.

The documents include:

– A public sitting of the Court.
– A dossier with materials sent to the Court between March and April 1925.
– Correspondence between the parties.
– A map of Danzig from 1921, showing areas related to the High Commissioner’s decision.
– An analytical and alphabetical index to help readers find information.

Before the final version was printed, the Court’s staff corrected some small errors in the dates and documents. These changes were only clerical, but they were noted to keep the record clear.

For postal history collectors, this case is important because:

– It shows how international law affected postal services.
– It helps explain the use of Polish and Danzig stamps during this period.
– It provides insight into postal routes, offices, and administration in a politically complex area.

Collectors may find postmarks, covers, or stamps related to the Polish Post in Danzig that reflect this legal and historical background.

If you’re interested in learning more, consider exploring:

– Postal treaties between Poland and Danzig.
– Stamps and cancellations used by the Polish Post in Danzig.
– The role of the League of Nations in managing postal conflicts.
– Other advisory opinions by the PCIJ that affected postal systems.

The 1925 advisory opinion on the Polish Postal Service in Danzig is more than a legal document, it’s a key piece of postal history. For collectors, it offers a deeper understanding of how politics and law shaped the mail we now study and preserve.