A is for Aden and Z is for Zanzabar


A is for Aden and Z is for Zanzibar... Now what is between? For the world wide classical era philatelist and stamp collector, a country specific philatelic survey is offered by the blog author, Jim Jackson, with two albums: Big Blue, aka Scott International Part 1 (checklists available), and Deep Blue, aka William Steiner's Stamp Album Web PDF pages. In addition, "Bud" offers commentary and a look at his completely filled Big Blue. Interested? So into the Blues...

Sunday, January 22, 2012

French Guiana

1905-28  2c blue "Great Anteater"
Part of the first pictorial issue
Quick History
French Guiana, on the north-east coast of South America, is still (beginning in 1946) an overseas department of France. It should not be confused with British Guiana (now Guyana) or Dutch Guiana (now Suriname), or even French Guinea (In Africa). Since the Treaty of Paris in 1814, the area has been under French influence. The Capital is Cayenne, and the population was 30,000 in 1936.

French Guiana
The Îles du Salut (Ironic name for this infamous place!) is where Devil's Island is located

From 1852-1946, a penal colony- known collectively as "Devil's Island" to the English speaking, bagne de Cayenne, to the French speaking world- was located just off the coast of French Guiana. It held political prisoners ( Those that opposed Napoleon III coup d etat), Alfred Dreyfus (1895), to thieves and murderers. Of the 80,000 prisoners sent to Devil's Island and French Guiana, very few survived  or were ever seen again.

Stamps of the French Colonies can be found surcharged or overprinted from 1886-1892. Thirty-one are described in the Scott catalogue, and all are rather expensive; the cheapest $30-$40.


1900 10c red "Navigation and Commerce"
SON: Saint-Laurent Du Maroni, a border town in north-west French Guiana
Into the Deep Blue
For the French Guiana specialist, there are the surcharged/overprinted French Colonies stamps of 1886-92. They are expensive, and I don't have any. ;-)  The first formal issue for French Guiana are the well known 1892-1904 "Navigation and Commerce" design, consisting of 19 stamps. An example illustrated above has a nice SON cancel.

The Scott Classic Specialized catalogue has 208 major stamp descriptions for regular, semi-postal, air post and postage due categories. Of those, 136 are <$5, many only <$1-$1+. "Affordability" index= 65%. Clearly, considering its rather infamous history, French Guiana is an interesting country for the WW classic collector.

A closer look at the stamps and issues


1922 4c on 15c violet (green surcharge) "Great Anteater"
The 1905-28 issue had pictorial designs related to French Guiana, as opposed to the generic 1892-1904 "Navigation and Commerce" issue. Nine of the stamps featured the "Great Anteater" design illustrated above, and they all are inexpensive too. Isn't that a great design? :-)

The 15c violet stamp was also surcharged in four! different colors in 1922 as illustrated above.

1915 semi-postal 10c + 5c rose "Great Anteater"
The Anteater design was surcharged and also used on this 1915 semi-postal shown above. Nice!

1922 30c rose "Washing Gold"
The second design found on 18 stamps of the 1905-28 issue shows a native worker washing gold. Again, all these stamp are quite inexpensive (<$1-$1+).

1905-28 2fr blue "Palm Grove at Cayenne"
The last design on the higher denomination stamps for the 1905-28 issued had a palm grove pictorial scene. This design is found on nine stamps, with the most expensive valued ~$15. Altogether, the 1905-28 issue had 36 stamps, almost all within the reach of the Deep Blue/Big Blue collector. And the French do have a way with their stamp designs. ;-)

1912 Scott 88 5c on 4c claret/lavender with carmine surcharge
1912 Scott 87a 5c on 2c brown/buff with black surcharge
Spacing between numerals 1.5 mm and 2.25 mm respectively
Returning to the "Navigation and Commerce" design, in 1912 six different denomination stamps had a "05" or "10" surcharged placed. What is interesting, however, is the surcharges exist with different widths between the numerals. The major Scott numbers have numerals that are 1.5 mm apart, while the minor numbers are 2.25 mm apart for the "05" surcharge. In this case, the 2c brown/buff (Scott 87a) is valued @$21, rather than $1+. ! So check the spacing on your stamps-could be worth more. ;-) Of interest, even though the minor numbers are bolded, and are prominent in Scott, there is not a separate space provided in Deep Blue.

1929-40 10c magenta and brown "Carib Archer"
Part of a 43 stamp issue with three designs
The second major French Guiana issue began in 1929 and produced 43 stamps using three designs. The first design used on the nine lower denomination stamps featured the "Careb Archer". I would venture to say this is one of the more common French Colonies stamps found in older collections. I found one or more of these stamps in seven various feeder albums I have. ;-)  Not complaining-a nice stamp!

1932-40 25c dark red and dark brown "Carib Archer"
Overprinted "TERRITOIRE DE L'INNI"
I found these overprinted "Careb Archer" stamps in three feeder albums. But the overprint is not listed in the Scott Classic Catalogue for French Guiana! What gives? A little internet research yielded the answer.

Inini and French Guiana
Inini  was basically the interior of French Guiana- essentially wild. Supposedly, the population was 5,000 in 1941, and the Capital was Saint-Elie. It was administered separately by the French from 1930-1946. During this time, postage stamps of French Guiana were overprinted like the "Careb Archer" stamp shown. The stamps must have frequently ended up in packets for collectors, and now are found in older collections.

On further investigation, Scott does list 58 overprinted stamps under "Inini" in the catalogue for the years 1932-40. Big Blue has 2 pages with 48 stamp spaces. Coverage by BB is 83%.  Since Inini was in reality a territory of French Guiana, I am including them here.

1940 1fr black & violet blue "Shooting Rapids, Maroni River"
Second design in 1929-40 issue
Eighteen stamps for the 1929-40 issue have this design-Nice! Almost all can be had for <$1-$1+.

1929-40 3fr brown red & red violet 
"Government Building, Cayenne"
Third design for issue
Can you imagine a British or an American stamp with this color combination? ;-) Sixteen stamps for the series had this image; almost all again available for <$1-$1+. 

One could seriously argue, no doubt, why a Colony with 30,000 population, with many of them illiterate, needed a 43 stamp issue? They didn't. ;-) But there is no denying the stamps are attractive.

Deep Blue
Bill Steiner designed 15 pages for French Guiana, and I have stamps on 12 of them. He follows the Scott catalogue with a space for all the major numbers. The only pages that are mostly out of my league are the overprinted early "French Colony" stamps: two pages.

I wish he did provide space for the Scott 87-93 bolded minor number "Navigation and Commerce" surcharged varieties that have a different spacing between the numbers on the overprint. See illustration elsewhere.

Finally, the 2011 Scott Classic Specialized catalogue has 15 stamp entries for the 1921 "Societe De Transports Aeriens Guyanais" issue; a pioneering airmail service like the well known Colombian "SCADTA" airmail service. Spaces are not found in Deep Blue. But a moot point, as valued from $750-$3000. ;-)

1933 Air Post 2fr orange "View of Cayenne"
Big Blue
Big Blue '69, on five pages, has 125 spaces for regular, semi-postal, air post, and postage due categories. Coverage is 60%.

Beginning with the  1892-1904 "Navigation and Commerce" issue (eight spaces- most expensive $10), BB provides a very nice representative selection. I suspect these stamp spaces, inexpensive and attractive, have always been popular with BB collectors.



Simple Checklist


1892-1904
32,33,34,35,36,38,39,42,

1905-26
51,52,53,54,55,56,
60,61,57,58,59,62,63,
64,65,67,68,69,70,72,
73,74,75,78,76,77,(71),

1912
87,88,89,90,(91),92,(93),

1922-25
94,95,96,97,100,102,103,

Next Page

1925-26
79,83,

1926
106,

1927
104,105,107,108,

1928
66,80,81,

1929
109,110,112,113,114,115,
116,118,121,122,117,
124,127,129,131,

Next Page

133,136,137,138,
141,143,(120),(130),

1935
156,157,158,159,

1937
162,165,163,164,166,167,

1939
169,170,

Next Page

1939-40
111,
119,123,126,
128,132,135,139,
140,142,146,147,

Next Page

Air post
1933
C1,C2,C3,C4,

Postage due
1925
J1,J2,J3,J4,

1929
J13,J14,J15,J16,J17,
J18,J19,J20,J21,

Semi-postal
1915
B2,

1938
B3,

Comments
A) ( ) around a number signifies a suggested blank space choice.
B) Expensive stamps ($10 threshold):
1892-1904
Scott 35 5c green/greenish “Navigation and Commerce” $10

1935
Scott 159 1.75fr lilac rose “Products of French Guiana” $10+

Semi-postal
1938
Scott B3 1.75fr +50c bright Ultramarine “Curie” $10+

1929 Postage due 20c green & rose red "Royal Palms"
Who says postage due designs can't be interesting?
Out of the Blue
The design attractiveness of the French Guiana stamps contrasted with the 80,000 prisoners who (mostly) found their last days on "Devil's Island" is difficult to reconcile.


Maps appear to be in the public domain.

Links
French Guiana - Bud's Big Blue

Enjoy the post? Would like to hear from you!

Monday, January 16, 2012

French Equatorial Africa

1937 Air Post 8.50fr red brown & yellow
"Trimotor over Stanley Pool"
Quick History
French Equatorial Africa stamps were issued exclusively after 1936, but the name has existed since 1910. Then Gabon and Middle Congo with its military dependencies were politically united as French Equatorial Africa, although each colony had administrative autonomy and had their own stamp issues. Ubangi-Chari-Chad was made an autonomous colony in 1915, and then in 1920 Chad was made an autonomous colony. The four colonies listed above were administratively united as one colony in 1934, and consequently the separate colonies stopped their own stamp issues in 1936. So to summarize: French Equatorial Africa consisted of four dependencies; namely Middle Congo, Ubangi-Shari, Chad and Gabon.

The Capital was Brazzaville, and the population was 3,400,000 in 1936.

French Equatorial Africa ( In Purple) 1920-1960

1937 1.50fr ultramarine Paris International Exposition Issue
Common Design Type: "Cultural Treasures of the Colonies"
Into the Deep Blue
The Scott Classic Specialized catalogue, beginning in 1936,  has 167 descriptions for regular, semi-postal, air post, and postage due categories. 139 are less than $5. Affordability index= 83%. Although "affordable", they are not cheap, as many are valued in the $1-$2 range. The most expensive are two air post stamps (1940-41 C9 & C11) @ $240.

A close look at the stamps and issues

1936 1c brown violet "Timber Raft on Ogowe River"
Overprinted 1932 Gabon
The first "official" French Equatorial Africa production was 10 stamps, overprinted on a 1932 Gabon issue.

Note: Since Big Blue provides no spaces for this issue in the FEA section, these stamps were found in the margins of  Gabon in my feeder albums.

1936 2c dull blue "Viaduct at Mindouli"
Overprinted 1933 Middle Congo
Likewise, another 16 stamp production were overprinted on a 1933 Middle Congo issue.

So does any "French Equatorial Africa" overprint mean the stamp can be found in the French Equatorial Africa section of the catalogue?

1924 Middle Congo 1c olive gray & brown
Overprinted
Here is a 1924 Middle Congo stamp that is overprinted "French Equatorial Africa", but is part of the stamp production from 1924-30 of the Middle Congo!  Remember, these colonies were politically grouped together since 1910 as "French Equatorial Africa", but issued their own stamps. Some of them have overprints like this-very confusing. ;-) So "French Equatorial Africa" overprints before 1936 go in the respective colonies stamp section.

1937 15c blue & buff  "People of Chad"
Part of a 40 stamp issue 1937-40
From 1937-40, an issue with six designs and 40 stamps was produced. Fairly attractive, but one has to wonder if 40 stamps are a little much?

1937 20fr olive black & dull yellow
"Governor Victor Liotard"
The high end of the 1937-40 issue had a 20 Franc stamp illustrated above. How many do you think were used for postage as opposed to ending up in a stamp collection? ;-)

1937-40 25c copper red & blue
Type I: wide numerals (25c); Type II: narrow numerals (25c)
The 1937-40 25c has an interesting twist: two types of numerals as illustrated above. The Type II narrow numeral variety is valued @ $2.75: much more than Type I. Check your album to see which one you have. :-)

1940-41 1c brown & yellow "Logging on Loeme River" with carmine overprint
1940-41 3c blue & yellow with lower case black overprint?
In 1940, the 1937 issue was overprinted "Afrique Francaise Libre" or just simply "Libre", no doubt because of WWII. Scott recognizes 46 major descriptions, and the overprint on some stamps is found in either carmine or black. But I cannot find the black lower case overprint on the 3c blue & yellow illustrated above in Scott. Do any readers have a clue? ( The non-overprinted variety is @ 30 cents, while the "overprinted" variety catalogues @ $2, so a fake? ;-)

1940-41 30c gray & green "Pierre Savorgnan de Brazza" carmine overprint
1941 30c chalky black, indigo & buff with black overprint "Libre"
Here is a same denomination stamp that was produced in different colors, and each stamp comes in either carmine or black overprint! BTW, the 1940-41 overprinted issue is much more expensive than the 1937 issue, with several stamps in the $65 range.

1940 1fr on 65c "Émile Gentil" 
Has carmine surcharge
Finally, the 1940 overprinted issue has two surcharged varieties issued in 1940.

So, to summarize, French Equatorial Africa had two major issues between 1937-41 of 40 and 46 stamps respectively. No wonder I find a lot of FEA stamps in Big Blue collections. ;-)

Deep Blue
Deep Blue has 14 pages for French Equatorial Africa, and I managed to place stamps on 12 of those pages. Not bad. ;-) Deep Blue follows the Scott catalogue exactly. The puzzler was the black lowercase overprint I found on the 1940-41 3c blue & yellow, when Scott only has an uppercase carmine overprint variety listed.

1938 1.75fr blue issued for Centenary of Gabon
Count Louis Edouard Bouet-Willaumez and His Ship "La Malouine"
Note "AEF" for "French Equatorial Africa" 
Big Blue
The 69 BB has 63 spaces on three pages for regular, semi-postal, air post and postage due categories.
Coverage is 38%. BB does not provide any spaces for the 1936 overprinted Gabon and Middle Congo stamps. Twelve of them range from <$1-$1+. For the 40 stamp 1937-40 issue, BB provides 30 spaces. No coverage of the overprinted 47 stamp 1940-41 issue in BB, although Part II (1940-48) does have spaces if you happen to have that volume.


Simple Checklist

1937-40
28,27,30,29,
31,33,34,32,
35,36,37,38,
39,40,41,42,
43,44,45,46,
47,48,49,50,

Next Page

1937-40
51,52,53,54,
55,56,57,58,
59,(60),(61),(63),
74,75,76,77,

1939
78,79,

Semi-postal
1938
B1
B2,B3,

Next Page

Postage Due
1937
J1,J2,J3,J4,j5,
J6,(J7),(J8),(J9),J10),

Air post
1937
C1,
C2,C3,C4,
C5,C6,C7,
C8,

Comments
A) ( ) around a number indicates a suggested blank space choice
B) Expensive stamps ( $10 threshold):
Semi-postal
1938
Scott B1 1.75 + 50c bright ultramarine “Curie” $20+

1937 postage due 2fr dark blue & buff
"Numeral of Value on Equatorial Butterfly"
Out of the Blue
What is interesting is to see the separate stamp issuing colonies come together finally as French Equatorial Africa. So what happened during WWII and afterwards? As a collector, one can tell from the "Libre" overprinted FEA stamps of 1940-41, that French Equatorial Africa was on the side of the Free French Forces. Gabon was briefly Vichy French from June-November, 1940.

The Federation was represented in  the French parliament from 1946-58. But after 1960, the territory became independent Chad, Central African Republic (former Oubangui-Chari), The Republic of the Congo (former French Congo), Gabon and Cameroon. (Cameroon was never technically integrated into the FEA.)

Map appears to be in the public domain.

Links
French Equatorial Africa - Bud's Big Blue

Would like to hear from you!


Tuesday, January 10, 2012

French Congo

1900-04 French Congo 4c scarlet & gray blue "Leopard"
Quick History
The French Congo (Congo français) began as a protectorate for the Bateke people in 1880 at Brazzaville along the north side of the Congo River. Angola was on the south side of the Congo river. Concessions were subsequently given to French companies to develop the colony, but only some ivory, rubber and timber were extracted.

In 1888, the French Congo was administratively joined with Gabon (Although Gabon  had its own stamp production). Stamps of the French Colonies can be found surcharged "Congo français" in 1891. The "Navigation and Commerce" issue was available in 1892 with "Congo français" on the faceplate.  In 1894 and 1900, the military holdings of Ubangi and Chad were added to the colony respectively. Stamp production for the French Congo continued until 1904.

But, the Gabon-Congo area was renamed Middle Congo (Moyen-Congo) in 1903. Then in 1906, Gabon and the Middle Congo were separated, and the "French Congo" as such no longer existed. Subsequently, the colonies (Middle Congo, Gabon, ) were re-united in 1910 as "French Equatorial Africa", but had their own stamp production until 1933.

Chad and Ubangi continued as a dependency with the name "Ubangi-Chari-Chad", and the stamps of the Middle Congo were used there.

1906 Map of French Congo
Into the Deep Blue

Affordable collectability
The 2011 Scott Classic Specialized catalogue has  52 major stamp descriptions for the years 1891-1903. "Affordable" stamps can be found from the 1892-1900 "Navigation and Commerce" issue ( 12 stamps <$20; of those 4 stamps <$5), and the 1900-04 Pictorial (Leopard etc) issue ( 10 stamps <$5).
Total "affordable" stamps: 22  
Affordability Index = 43%.

There are  16 generic "French Colony" stamps (regular and postage due) that are surcharged for the French Congo between 1891-92 that range from $45 to $4,400. A bit out of my league. ;-)

A closer look at the stamps and issues

1892-1900 5c green/greenish "Navigation and Commerce"
Typical of most French colonies, there is a 17 stamp issue of the "Navigation and Commerce" design, with the faceplate stamped with "Congo Français".  Six of the stamps are <$6+, so a representative selection could be had without too much cost. Although the carmine color for the name of the colony is typical, look for the 4c claret in black and blue: worth $170+.  :-)

One could argue that a 17 stamp issue is a little much, but finding a socked on the nose cancel (Brazzaville) in my collection was, as the college kids say, "sweet". ;-)  (Illustrated elsewhere in the blog)

1900-04 2c brown & orange "Leopard"
A 15 stamp pictorial (Leopard, Bakalois Woman, Coconut Grove) bi-colored issue was produced for the French Congo in 1900-1904. Nice! Of interest, the stamps are watermarked with either a "Thistle branch", a "Rose branch" or a "Olive branch". Nine stamps are <$2+. The same design is found in the subsequent  1907-22 Middle Congo issue. 

1900-04 10c dark red & red: Leopard design found in two Types
Type 1: End of left tusk extends behind and above right tusk.
It is well worth checking the Leopard design (1c-15c, six stamps) for Type 2, found only in position 91 of each pane of 100, where the left tusk does not extend above the right tusk. Valued @ $45-$110. :-)

Deep Blue
Deep Blue has four pages for the French Congo issues, and follows sequentially the Scott catalogue.


1892-1900 French Congo 25c black/rose "Navigation and Commerce"
Note the nice SON Brazzaville postmark
Big Blue
Big Blue '69, on one half page, has 18 spaces for the French Congo. Coverage is 35%.

More specifically, BB has seven spaces for the 1892 Navigation and Commerce issue. Filling those spaces economically (as there are two blank spaces), would range from $1+- $10. Very nice.

The 1900-04 Pictorial issue has 11 spaces (three blank), and filling those spaces would cost from <$1-$10.

Big Blue has a nice affordable selection. :-)

Simple Checklist
1892-1900
18,19,20,,21,23,(25),(28),

1900
35,36,37,38,(40),
41,42,43,44,45,(46)

Comments
A) ( ) around a number indicates a suggested blank space choice.

B) Expensive stamps ($10 threshold):
Scott 46 75c red violet & orange "Bakalois Woman" $10

1900-04 5c green & gray green "Leopard"
Leopards were found throughout sub-Saharan Africa in both rain forests and deserts.
Out of the Blue
The "Leopard" pictorial is a refreshing contrast to the "Monarch" British Colonies stamps of the same era. And the lithe Leopard appears capable of leaping out of the stamp! ;-)

Maps appear to be in the public domain.

Links
French Congo - Bud's Big Blue

Drop a comment to me!

The Republic of the Congo: Independent since 1960
Occupies former area of the French Congo (Later Middle Congo)
Note: Do not confuse with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Zaire) !

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

French Colonies

1865 20c blue/bluish "Eagle and Crown" : Has gum on back
The 1887 official reprint had no gum on back, and the design was brighter
Quick History
"French Colonies" here strictly refers to the parts of the French Empire, the colonies, that did not have stamps of their own. For the stamp era we are concerned about, the use was between 1859-1906. Some of the possessions include Martinique, Guadeloupe, Cochin China, Mayotte, Nossi-Be, New Caledonia, Diego Suarez, Gabon, Malagasy (Madagascar), Reunion, Senegal, and Tahiti.

The stamps used were the "Eagle and  Crown" 1859-65, the "Napoleon III" and the "Ceres" 1871-72, the new designed/colored "Ceres" 1872-77, and the the "Peace and Commerce" (Type I & Type II) 1877-1880, all imperforate.

A perforated "Commerce" stamp, used exclusively for the colonies, and inscribed "COLONIES", was issued 1881-86. Many of these "Commerce" stamps were overprinted by the colonies during the 1880's and 1890's.

In 1892, France issued the perforated "Navigation & Commerce" series with the colonies name on the stamp. These stamps will be found under the specific colonies philatelic issues.

Common Postage Due stamps (imperforate) were issued for the colonies between 1884-1906. After 1906, all colonies used their own intended stamp issues.

The distinguishing feature of the Colony stamps were, prior to 1880, they were issued imperforate, while the French motherland version was (usually) perforated. The Postage dues (1884-1906) were also issued imperforate, while the french version was perforated.

Nevertheless, identifying Colony stamps is very difficult for certain issues, being virtually identical to a French version. The collector will look at imperforate vs perforate, or color (usually a poor determining factor, but read the next paragraph), or finding a postmark on a used stamp.  We will look into this problem in more depth shortly.

Addendum: One experienced collector reminded me that the French mainland issues date from 1849-1952, while the French Colonies issues were printed in 1871-1876. So, although the same plates were used, the color tints are quite different for the periods. Compare the colors of the possible French Colonies stamps with the mainland circa 1870+ perforated variety, and the color tints should be similar. A very good tip.

1873 1c olive green/pale blue "Ceres": Imperforated
The French version was issued perforated
Into the Deep Blue
Affordable collectability
The 2011 Scott Classic Specialized catalogue has, from 1859-1906,  58 major stamp descriptions for the 1849-1886  regular issues, and 22 for the Postage dues, for a total of 80 major stamp descriptions.
For the regular issues: 1849-1886: 27 stamps are  <$20; of those 6 are <$5.
For the postage dues: 1884-1906: 13 stamps are  <$5.
Total "inexpensive" stamps: 40
Affordability Index = 50%.

These "classic" colony stamps are fairly expensive, but not outrageously so. One gets what one pays for. ;-)

What about costs compared to the motherland French version?
Here is an example of the prices for a similar colony and French stamp.
(Note:  All of these stamps are illustrated elsewhere on this blog.)

1872 25c blue/bluish "Ceres" Colony imperforate stamp: $13
1871 25c blue/bluish "Ceres" French perforated stamp: $1.25
1849 25c light blue/bluish "Ceres" French imperforate stamp: $40 

 The 1871 perforated French "Ceres" is less expensive than the 1872  imperforated colony version.
Certainly, a closely cropped "imperforate" could actually be the French perforated stamp. So, one would want "no doubt" margins for the colony stamps in one's collection.

A larger worry is confusing the 1872 colony imperforate with the earlier 1849 French imperforate. Almost always, the French 1849-50 "Ceres" ( and the imperforate Napoleon III) stamps are more expensive than the colony imitation. So the concern here is finding a less expensive colony stamp placed among the more expensive imperforate French issues.


A closer at the stamps and issues


1887 40c orange/yellowish "Eagle and crown": No Gum
Probable official reprint from the 1859 issue
The 1859-65 imperforate "Eagle and Crown" colonies issue has one nice virtue: It cannot be confused with motherland French stamps, as it is a unique design. It is found in six denominations ranging from $8-$60 ($24-$110 mint) in catalogue value. Nice stamps. One fly in the ointment is there was an official reprint of these stamps ( and others) in 1887 that had no gum, and the colors and paper are brighter in design than the originals. Unfortunately, many of the earlier French colonies were issued originally without gum too, so not a great help. The reprints are valued @ $20 mint. So the above stamp, the 40c orange, could be either one as it has no gum. Since I do not have more material to compare, and I am not a french specialist, I will categorize it as a reprint- the cheapest choice- until I know more. OTOH, the 20c blue illustrated at the top of the blog has gum. So, that stamp could be an original issue, although clearly I would need more study to be certain.

1872 5c green/pale blue "Ceres" Imperforated
The corresponding French stamp, 1872 yellow green/ pale blue is perforated.
As mentioned, fortunately many of the French Colony issues can distinguished by being imperforate, compared to their French perforated dopplegänger. ( I know, I'm mixing a German word with a French topic ;-)  )

The 1872-77 eight stamp issue "Ceres", and the 1877-80 twenty-one stamp issue "Peace and Commerce" are all imperforate. That is the largest difference. Sometimes, color can be a clue,  if you noted Scott's color characterization for the 5c illustrated above. But caution is advised interpreting color as a sure sign of a stamp identification. Many shades exist. For instance, the above French 5c also is found in Scott 53a, green/pale blue: the exact color of the imperforated French Colony 5c illustrated above. :-)

1873 French Colony 1c olive green/pale blue "Ceres" imperforated
1870 1c olive green/pale blue "Ceres" perforated
The above illustration shows the same denomination French Colony and French stamp. Can you tell the difference, other than the obvious imperforated/perforated dichotomy? Good luck with that. ;-) Actually, the Maury catalogue will often parse the stamps further, depending on (small) engraving differences.

There is another clue: the postmark. The "GUA" postmark on the French colony stamp might very well be for Guadeloupe. So, always check  French colony stamps for postmarks.

1872 "French Colony" 25c blue/bluish "Ceres" imperforate
Can one be sure it is a French colony stamp?
O.K. This is where identification gets real hairy. There are some French colony stamps that are found also with a French imperforate stamp in a similar/same color. 

The similar imperforate stamps are:
1850 French Scott 1 10c bister/yellowish "Ceres" (shades exist) ($250+)
1871 French colony Scott 9 10c bister/yellowish "Ceres"  ($120+)

1849 French Scott 4a 20c blue/bluish "Ceres" ($2000+)
1871 French colony Scott 11 20c blue/bluish "Ceres" ($120+)

1850 French Scott 6a 25c blue/bluish "Ceres" ($40)
1872 French colony Scott 12 25c blue/bluish ($10+)

1850 French Scott 7 40c orange/yellowish (Type I) "Ceres" ($450+)
1871 French colony Scott 14 40c orange/yellowish (Type I) "Ceres" ($10+)

1854 French Scott 13 5c green/greenish (Type II) "Napoleon III" ($85)
1972 French colony Scott 8 5c yellow green/greenish "Napoleon III" ($400+)

A couple of comments....
A) Note the French stamps are worth more except for the 5c "Napoleon III" French colony.
B) The difference in price means inadvertent or "on purpose" switching of stamps is a real possibility.
C) Obviously, identification of the postmark-location, date,- would be nice.
D) Scott gives no help; suggests getting an expert opinion.
E) I would think the Maury catalogue would be helpful. But I only have the French catalogue; not one that covers the French colony stamps here detailed. And my French is marginal. ;-)
F) Note: I do not include the Bordeaux issues here, because they can be differentiated. Those issues were lithographic, while the others are typographic. And the lines in the neck on the Bordeaux ( rather than points) is diagnostic. 

1872 "French Colony" 25c blue/bluish imperforate
1871 French 25c blue/bluish perforated
The model for the imperforate 25c French colony stamp would be found in the 1870-73 French perforated issue. The colors might match, and the stamps can be examined for similarities. BTW, Maury breaks down the French 25c perforate into three types, depending on the shape of the X's (fleurons) in the corner boxes. Perhaps the French colony stamps have similar types?

1872  Scott 12 "French Colonies" 25c blue/bluish "Ceres" imperforate
1849 French 25c light blue/bluish "Ceres" imperforate
Here is a direct comparison between a French colony 25c and the 1849 French 25c. The colors don't match, but not in the way that Scott describes them. The French colony 25c comes in "blue" according to Scott, but Maury also lists a "dull blue" which appears more likely. Then Scott has either "light blue" or "blue" as the colors for the 1849 French 25c, but Maury lists a "dark blue" which here looks right. So much for relying on shades in Scott. ;-)

So is there a difference? There has to be, otherwise they would be the same issue*. ;-)  Yes, I see a difference here, a difference there, but I don't really know what to look for. So, as a non specialist, without the appropriate information or catalogue, I am presently stuck. C'est la vie

*Note: I've been told that the same plates were used, so in fact they are the same issue. Perhaps there is a difference in a worn plate or a re-touch that a specialist can determine? Otherwise, one would have to rely on a postmark, or possibly a change in color.

Moving on, I don't have examples of the 1877-80  21 stamp ( Type I & Type II) French colony "Peace and Commerce" issue. They range in price from $5+-$75, with an outlier at $270+. The Type I & Type II variations were discussed in the 1849-1900 French blog. The basic difference is that the French colony stamps are imperforate.

1881 French Colony 4c claret/lavender "Commerce": issued perforated
Inscribed "COLONIES POSTES"
The 1881-86 fourteen stamp perforated "Commerce" issue was issued only for the French colonies, so no identification problems here. ;-)  Eight of the stamps are $5 or less. As mentioned earlier, many of these "Commerce" stamps were overprinted by the colonies during the 1880's and 1890's.

1881 French Colonies 25c yellow/straw "Commerce"
Postmarks-both names and dates- can be helpful to track down the French colony origin. This stamp might be from St. Pierre & Miquelon, which would increase the valuation from $5+ to $40+. :-)

1892 1c black/blue & 2c brown/buff  "Navigation and Commerce"
Anjouan
Finally, the regular generic "French colonies" issues came to an end with the French possession inscribed  "Navigation and Commerce" stamps in 1892.

1884 French Colony Postage Due 1c black imperforated
1882 French Postage Die 1c black perforated
Although the regular issues for generic "French Colonies" ended in 1892, the postage due stamps began in 1884, and continued until 1906. There are two series: the 1884-85 fourteen stamp "black" issue, and the 1894-1906 eight stamp "colored" issue. The stamps are fairly inexpensive, with thirteen stamps <$5. The key to French colony postage dues? They are identical to the French stamps, but imperforated.

Deep Blue
Deep Blue has four pages with all Scott major numbers having a space. A show and tell will give you an idea....

1881-86 French Colonies "Commerce" issue in Deep Blue
Big Blue provides seven spaces for this issue (1c-15c,25c black/rose ) with the most expensive stamp @$5+. Deep Blue has a space for all fourteen stamps in the issue. Big Blue does not give a space for the 25c yellow/straw @$3+. The rest of the issue is valued @ $18-$60. One must admit, if one is particularly deep in coverage for an issue, it is nice to have a space for them.
Advantage Deep Blue if "deep" in an issue.
Advantage Big Blue if not.

Postage Due French Colonies (Imperforate) in Deep Blue
Big Blue provides seven spaces for the two postage due issues (1884-85, 1894-1906). Deep Blue has spaces for all twenty-two stamps on one page. Filling up the designated spaces in Big Blue, there is no room for four of the 1894-1906 issue with valuations @ $1+.
Advantage Deep Blue

1881 1fr bronze green/straw "Commerce"
Inscribed "COLONIES POSTES"
Big Blue
Big Blue '69, on one half page, has 20 stamp spaces for regular (14) and postage due (6). The "Eagle and  Crown" 1859-65 issue has Scott 3 &4  10c & 20c ($8-$13+). In addition, the Scott 5 40c ($13+), and a blank space (Scott 2 5c?-$15+) have spaces also. The 1872 imperforate "Ceres" has the Scott 16 1c ($10+), Scott 19 5c ($9+); and Scott 12 25c blue/bluish "Napoleon III"($10+). The 25c blue needs to be differentiated from the French 1849 25c blue imperforate.

Then the 1881-86 "Commerce" stamps have seven spaces.

Finally the postage due section has seven spaces: Four for the 1884-85 issue, and three for either issue.

In summary, BB has a representative selection, with no stamp more than $15+.


Simple Checklist
1859-65
3,4,

1872
16,19,12,

1859-65
5,(2),

1881-86
46,47,48,49,50,51,54,

Postage Due
1884-1906
J1,J2,J3,J4,(J5),(J9),

Comments
A) ( ) around a number indicates a suggested choice for a blank space.

B) Expensive stamps ($10 threshold) include:

1859-65 Imperforate “Eagle and crown”
Scott 4 20c blue/bluish $10+
Scott 5 40c orange/yellowish  $10+

(Scott 2) 5c yellow green/greenish $10+

1872
Scott 16 1c olive green/pale blue “Ceres”$10+
Scott 12 25c blue/bluish “Ceres” $10+


1894 Postage Due 50c lilac: Imperforate
Issued in seven different colors for each denomination
The French version is perforated
Out of the Blue 
Interesting and tricky. Recall, that the French Colonials discussed here only come imperforate, and are found for the 1849-1880 regular, and all the postage dues. This feature often determines a French colonial stamp. Watch for postmarks and dates for identification. Good luck with the identical? same color imperforate French colony and imperforate French stamps. ;-)

Links
French Colonies - Bud's Big Blue

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