Crete is the largest of the Greek Islands and is situated in the Mediterranean Sea. Its capital is Heraklion.

In the late 19^th Century the island fell under Ottoman rule, but after many decades of civil war, (half the population wanting to be part of Greece and the other half accepting rule by the Ottoman Empire) the Ottoman Empire declared war on Greece. However, the Great Powers at the time (Britain, France, Italy and Russia) intervened and decided to restore order by jointly governing the island. In 1898 Prince George of Greece became the first governor general of an autonomous Greece which was no longer under Ottoman rule. In December 1913, Crete was unified with mainland Greece.

In 1941, the Germans took control of the island, but this only lasted until late 1944 when Crete was liberated and once again fell under Greek rule. During this period Italy also had control of a portion of the island as well as other islands in the Ionian Sea. This historical background is necessary to understand the history of the stamps of Crete.

When Crete was still part of the Ottoman Empire, Greek Post Offices operated in three cities. This was only for about 9 months, so stamps from this period are very rare.

During the period in which the Great Powers jointly governed the island, Britain and Russia issued stamps inscribed in Greek, but France and Italy used their own stamps, overprinted with the name of the island. Crete issued its own stamps for the first time on 1 March 1900. Since 1913 Greek stamps have been used on the island.

In 1941, the Italians had Greek stamps overprinted with Corfu, Cefalonica or Itaca, subsequently with “Isole Jonie”. In 1943 the stamps were replaced with German overprinted stamps.

1900

Various Scenes Series

Crete-1-AL108

SG # 1

Used (Hinged)

Crete-3-AJ38

SG # 3

Used (Hinged)

1908

Crete Diktean Cave Birthplace of Zeus — Diktean Cave known as the Birthplace of Zeus

Various Frames Series

(Overprinted HELLAS in various sizes and styles)

Crete 34 G261

SG # 34

Used (Hinged)

Crete 36 G 260

SG # 36

Used (Hinged)

Revolutionary Assembly

In March 1905, a revolt began in favour of union with Greece. With headquarters at Theriso, south of Canea, the revolt was organised by Venizelos. The revolt collapsed in November 1905. Stamps were only issued by the Revolutionary Assembly during 1905.