GPS May 2020

The official Lithuanian position was that Memel was part of it, so
there was no reason to continue issuing stamps for the place. The League
of Nations, however, refused to accept that contention, so interim stamps
were still needed. Having run out of stocks of the first definitives, the
Lithuanian Printery (in Memel) surcharged remainders of the April
“Seaport” commemoratives to meet needs.
Again, no plate types but a total of 18 various overprint and plate
flaws on the basic stamps. As these are more abundant (70-163,000)
both the stamps and the flaws are more reasonably priced.
Also note that if the 1 Litas value was in strong demand, the new
currency unit must have had a very low rate of foreign exchange.
6. New Surcharges on First Definitives
6.1923
Image 7.
As summer turned to fall, it was evident that Lithuania’s difficulties
with the League might well be resolved later rather than sooner, and the
shortage of postage in Memel was becoming critical. Instead of printing
a fresh series with the new currency, resort was made to surcharging the
few remaining stocks of the first definitives with the denominations most
necessary for everyday use.
Although the “set” contains 24 stamps, there are only four
May 2020 173