The Oldest Beethoven Stamp
The oldest Beethoven stamp in my collection is a local stamp from Altona , Germany issued in 1889. Its initial value on issue was 20 pfennic (penny). Present value is around US$ 30. Altona is the westernmost urban borough of the German city state of Hamburg , on the right bank of the Elbe river . From 1640 to 1864 Altona was under the administration of the Danish monarchy. Altona was an independent city until 1937. In 2006 the population was 243,972. It was founded in 1535 as a village of fishermen. In 1664 it received city rights from Danish King Frederik III . Until 1864 Altona was one of the Danish monarchy's most important harbour towns. The railroad from Altona to Kiel, the Christian VIII Baltic Sea Rail Line, was opened in 1844. Because of the severe restrictions on the number of Jews allowed to live in Hamburg , a major Jewish community developed in Altona. Members did business both in Hamburg and in Altona itself. All that remains is the Jewish cemetery, but in the seven