frankierung

Frankierung is the marking or method by which postage for mail is prepaid or evidenced, commonly used in German-speaking postal systems. The term covers adhesive postage stamps, franking marks produced by postage meters, and other prepaid labels or impressions. A frankiert item indicates that the sender or a designated organization has paid the postage, allowing the item to be processed and delivered without additional payment by the recipient.

Historically, frankierung developed as postal systems shifted from handstamped indications of paid postage to the use of stamps and later to machine-produced franks. Before adhesive stamps existed, officials or carriers often marked mail to certify that postage had been paid. The introduction of stamps in the 19th century enabled individuals and businesses to affix proof of payment, while the 20th century saw the rise of franking machines that print prepaid impressions for bulk mail and corporate use.

Methods and variants: Adhesive stamps remain common for individual mail, whereas meter marks and machine-imprinted labels are used by businesses, government agencies, and organizations with bulk mailing needs. Some systems also provide official privileges, such as Dienstfrankierung, allowing certain senders to prepay mail through dedicated accounts or credit arrangements (often referred to as Eigenfrankierung in some contexts).

Modern usage and philatelic relevance: Today, frankierung continues to describe prepaid mail in various formats, differing by country, rate, and technology. In philately, the study of frankierung encompasses the types of imprints, their dates, and the corresponding postal rates, providing insight into historical practices and changes in postal administration.