The Szekula Family of Stamp Dealers

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This website is dedicated to the Hungarian born stamp dealers Béla, Géza, Eugen and Frank Sekula. Each one of them ran his own stamp business with emphasis on international stamp trade, likely driven by their business acumen rather than a particular preference for philately. All four assumed Swiss nationality and were based in Lucerne side by side for years. Especially Béla’s business ideas provoked more than one scandal during his career. However, the history of philately would arguably be poorer without the Sekula brothers.

Eugen Sekula



“Fee Paid” Covers — September 1, 1923 – September 19, 1923

During the hyperinflation in the Weimar Republic it became increasingly difficult for the Imperial Printing Office in Berlin to produce new postage stamps to keep up with the frequent rate changes. Consequently, out of necessity, locally produced fee paid stamps (aka local issues) were officially approved and were therefore valid for postage. However, some dealers also seized the opportunity and produced their own labels. Both Béla and Eugen Sekula collaborated with these dealers in creating philatelic collectibles by acting as recipients of the travelled covers.

The fee paid labels used on this cover are products of the print shop owner and philatelist Ulrich Runge in Halle. Although their use was forbidden immediately, some letters slipped through, even by registered mail and also to foreign countries.

Registered mail sent on September 19, 1923, from Halle, Germany, to Lucerne, Switzerland. Arrived on September 22, 1923.
See also the same and other inflation covers to Béla Sekula.
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