After reading so much about sea rise and the loss of islands, I became interested in the postal history of the Marshall Islands I have found info and examples of the early German overprints and Japanese overprints and their own stamps issued following their independence.in 1984. Now this is where I need a bit of help. What stamps were used between 1944 and 1984? I am assuming US stamps but have not been able to verify those issues with examples.Or did they continue with the older stamp issues? Can anyone help?
Cheryl

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re: Searching for the postal history of the Marshall Islands

The Marshall Islands were discovered by the Spanish in 1526 and explored the area another 4 years but never settled or claimed them.
Rediscovered by Capt. John Marshall of the UK and of course the islands were later named after him.
The Russians explored the area in 1816-17.
There were 7 major populated islands of Micronesians that migrated from Asia, but refer to themselves and their language as Marshallese. They were never united pre-European years.
It was the United States that 1st sent missionaries to Ebon in 1857 which expanded their influence to 4 more atolls by 1875. This also is likely where the 1st use of western style postage service may have occured. American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions was the group behind the missionaries and must have had to communicate via letters on the progress, need & status. More research needed.
In 1859 a German-Portuguese trading company was established on Ebon, but by 1873 they relocated to the larger community of Jaluit.
In 1874 the Spanish tried and failed to reestablish their presence in the Marshalls.
In 1875 and secret arrangement was made between UK & Germany for spheres of influence in the Pacific and Marshalls came under German influence.
In 1878 Germany was able to arranged a Treaty Of Friendship giving the German Empire "most favored status", a fueling station at Jaliut as well as free use of the harbor there which was signed and agreed to by several leaders of the various atolls. It may have been about this time the stamps of Germany may have been introduced.
By 1885 the Marshalls were annexed by Germany and formerly administered as a Protectorate the following year.
In 1989 the 1st postal cancelations were used in Jaluit by German postal services.
In 1897 the 1st stamps issued for the issues using stamps of Germany overprinted in black "Marschall-Islein" and most of these stamps were issued and sold in Berlin. Scott #1a was only used at Jaluit and was 5pf light brown color. A second issue in 1899-1900 overprinted "Marshall-Inselin".
In 1901 the classic colony omnibus issue was created depicting the Kaiser's yacht the "Hohenzollern" and release in the Marshalls.
Starting in 1888 The islands were run by Politcally islands became less important for in 1906 the Islands became subordinate to German New Guinea and later subordinate to the Caroline Is. government which was subordinate to German New Guinea.
During WW1 The British seized stamps of the New Guinea in 1914 and issued overprinted stamps of the Kaiser yacht type with GRI (Georgius Rex Imperator) for use in New Guinea when they occupied the that entire island. While the Japanese started occupying the islands in October of 1914. The Japanese did not create any special issues while they administrated the islands. It is assumed that Japanese stamps were used during this time. The island were divided by Japan into 2 districts, Jaluit west of the 164 parallel, east assigned to the district of Ponape of the Caroline Islands.
In 1916 & 1919 Germany issued stamps for the islands but never placed into use since they no longer controlled by Germany.
The Marshalls were under Japanese military administration from 1914 until Japanese civil administration began in July 1918.
With the signing of the Treaty of Versailles Germany relinquish all claims to the Marshalls. The League of Nations (United Nations forerunner) mandated the Islands to Japan's control officially. In 1922 Japan created a new civilian government called the South Seas Government with it's capital in Koror, Caroline Is under the Office of the Prime Minister until 1929 under the Ministry of Treasury & Over Seas Affairs until 1942. Then in 1942 the islands were subordinate to the Ministry of Greater East Asia by name actually under Japanese military control. Also note in 1943 new districts were created and the islands are reunited within the "Eastern Area", while under this administration started various islands starting in 1944 were being occupied by the US..
In 1935 Japan declares the mandated territories are integral part of Japan and then withdraws from the League of Nations the next day.
As noted above US Military occupation starts in 1944 and remains under US Naval Administration until 1951.
In 1947 United Nations places the Marshall Islands under the "UN Trust Territory of The Pacific Islands" administered by the US. In 1951 administration was transferred to the Department of the Interior until 1979. During this time US postage stamps were used. Precancel stamps were used at Ebeye. While under US adm., in 1977 the Marshall Islands voted to be separate of the rest of Micronesia within the trust territories. On May 1, 1979 Autonomy was granted with the Republic of the Marshall Islands on March 12, 1982.
In 1984 in agreement with the US Postal Service they were permitted to issue their own stamps including precancels for Ebeye & Majuro.

 
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