French Morocco

1914-21 50c on 50c bister brown & lavender

Overprinted "Protectorat Français"

Quick History
Located on the northwest coast of Africa, the French had Offices in Morocco from 1891, but most of Morocco became a French Protectorate under the Treaty of Fez in 1912. This Protectorate lasted until 1956, when Morocco established independence.

French Morocco consisted of the area between Fez and Rabat and Casablanca south to Marrakesh , Mogador (Essaouira) and Agadir. The north of the country was actually a Spanish protectorate. Tangier was an "international" city with a French presence.

French Morocco Protectorate in 1912 ( light green)

Strictly speaking, the 'Protectorate" did not end the sovereignty of Morocco; the Sultan reigned but did not rule. Also, there was not much mixing of cultures; France practiced a version of apartheid in Morocco, building "Villes" next to "Medinas".

Arabic and Berber in Morocco

Today, about 90% of the population speaks Moroccan Arabic, with more than half able to speak Berber. French is the language of commerce and education. The Capital is Rabat, and the population was 4,400,000 in 1912.

1939 40c on 50c  dark blue green surcharged in red

"Kasbah of the Oudayas, Rabat"

Into the Deep Blue

The 2011 Scott Classic catalogue has 300 descriptions for regular, semi-postal, air post, air post semi-postal, postage due, and parcel post categories for the years 1891-1942. The coverage consists of 37 "French offices in Morocco" entries, with the rest for the "French Protectorate" era. Also, Morocco proper under the Sultan issued 14 stamps in 1912-13. Of the group, 172 or 55% are reasonably at <$1-$1+.

A closer look at the stamps and issues

1902-10 3c on 3c red orange & 25c on 25c blue

Second surcharged issue during the "French Offices in Morocco" era

The "French Offices in Morocco" era began in 1891 with an eight stamp "Navigation and Commerce" surcharged issue. Three are valued @ $3+. The next issue, illustrated above, had 12 stamps; six of them valued @ $1-$2+.

1911-17 5c on 5c green & 10c on 10c rose

Red or Blue surcharge with Arabic script

A 12 stamp series was then issued between 1911 and 1917 with a surcharge/overprint, including Arabic. Nine of these stamps are valued between <$1-$5.

1914-21 15c on 15c orange & 25c on 25c violet

First French Protectorate issue: overprinted "Protectorate Française"

With the Treaty of Fez in 1912, the French presence was strengthened considerably as Morocco became a French protectorate. With that reality, stamps from the previous issue were overprinted "Protectorate Française". Ultimately, 17 stamps were produced; 14 of them valued @ <$5.

1918-24 issue: 1fr claret & olive green overprinted "Tanger"

Although most of Morocco was a French protectorate, some parts were not; including the city of Tangier.

Consequently, an 18 stamp overprinted "Tanger" issue was used from 1918-1924 for posting from the "international" city of Tangier. Thirteen are valued @ <$2.

1917 engraved issue: 5c yellow green 

"Mosque of the Andalusians, Fez"

In 1917 a 17 stamp engraved issue was produced featuring various "monuments" in French Morocco. Twelve stamps are valued at $3.50 or less.

1917 line engraved 15c dark gray 

1923-27 photogravure 15c dark gray

The 1917 issue was line engraved. The next issue of 1923-27 has some stamps with the same colors and scenes. Specifically, the 15c dark gray, and the 20c red brown are similar except the 1923-27 issue was printed in photogravure. Observe the difference in printing outcome with the two methods illustrated above.

1923 -27 issue: 25c ultra "City Gate Chelia"

40c orange red ""Koutoubiah, Marrakesh"

The 1923-27 issue borrows many of the same scenes from the 1917 issue, but usually is printed in a different color, other than the stamps mentioned previously. This 26 stamp issue was printed in photogravure, and has an identifying "Helio Vaugirard" imprint on the lower right margin of the stamp.

1933-24 issue: 5c brown red ""Roadstead at Agadir"

The 23 stamp 1933-34 issue featured eight scenes of Morocco in heavy ornamental frames. Twenty of these stamps are valued @ <$1, with the most expensive @$6.50.

1939-42 1fr chocolate "Cedars" & 2fr prussian green "Fez"

The 1939-42 issue had a much more "modern" design, compared to the previous issue, as one can clearly observe. This 37 stamp eight design series spills over until 1942, but is included in the Deep Blue pages. Big Blue has some of these stamps in Part I, and some in the Part II volume.

1922-27 25c deep ultra & 75c deep green "Biplane over Casablanca"

These denominations can be found in different types

The 1922-27 eleven stamp Air Post issue has some interesting types; specifically the 25c,50c,75c, and 1fr.

Some come with a hyphen in the "Helio-Vaugirard" imprint ( The 25c illustrated), or a thicker frame (The 75c above). Take a look at your collection for differences. ;-)

Deep Blue
French Morocco has 22 pages in the Deep Blue album,, and presently I have stamps on 18 pages. All of the Scott major numbers are represented.

Comments....
1) The 1939-42 issue has 37 stamps, 12 of them issued between 1940-42. They are all included in the classic package download at the Bill Steiner website. So far so good. ;-)  But there are actually additional stamps issued later in the 1940's in the series. These stamps have no space (naturally) in Deep Blue, and can lead to confusion.

2) The Scott catalogue mentions, but does not list the Sultan of Morocco government stamp issue of 1912-13 in the "French Morocco" section. These are listed, however, under Morocco in the catalogue. There were 14 stamps issued, 10 of them between $1+-$9+ CV. These "Cherifien Posts Issues" are given space in Deep Blue.

1917-28 postage due 5c blue "numerals"

Big Blue
Big Blue '69 houses the French Moroccan stamps under "Offices in Morocco" in the France section. This was consistent with earlier Scott's catalogues (i.e., my '47 ), whereby French Moroccan stamps were also listed under the France section. But the 2011 Scott gives the French Moroccan stamps their own section, as most of the entries are for the "French Protectorate", not just "Offices" stamps.

Big Blue has 196 spaces on seven pages for the regular, semi-postal, air post, air post semi-postal, postage due, and parcel post categories. Coverage is 62%.

Comments...
1) The coverage looks good for the inexpensive French Moroccan stamps.
2) The 1939 issue has 26 spaces (Deep Blue has 37 spaces), as BB cuts off coverage at 1940. Additional spaces for the issue, which continues into 1942 and beyond, can be found in the Part II volume of the International.

Simple Checklist

French Offices in Morocco

1891-93

1,3,5,

1902-10

11,12,13,14,

15,16,18,

1911-17

26,27,28,29,

30,31,

French Protectorate

1914-21

38,39,40,41,42,

43,46,45,48,51,52,

1918-23

72,73,74,75,77,79,80,81,

1917

55,56,57,61,62,64,65,

Next page

1917

58,59,60,67,

1923

90,91,92,96,98,99,101,

102,103,93,94,95,

104,106,108,112,

1930

120,121,97,100,105,107,

109,110,111,113,

Next Page

1933

124,125,126,127,

128,129,130,131,

132,133,134,135,

136,141,143,144,

137,138,139,

1939-40

149,150,151,

152,153,154,155,156,

Next Page

1939-40

157,158,159,159A,

160,160A,162,163,

164,166,167,168,

161,165,169,170,172,173,

Next Page

Air post

1922-23

C2,C3,C4 or C5,C7,

C10,C1,C6,C8,

1927

C9,C11,C12,C13,

1923-40

C14,C15,C16,C17,

C18,C20,C21,C25,C19,

C22,C23,C24,

Next Page

Parcel Post

Q1,Q2,Q3,Q4,Q5,Q6,

Postage due

1911

J13,J14,J16,

1915-17

J18,J19,J20,J21,J23,J24,J25,

1917

J27,J28,J29,J30,J32,

1918

J35,J36,J37,J42,J43,(J44),

1926

J33,J34,

Next Page

Air post semi-postal

1928

CB1,CB2,CB3,CB4,

CB5,CB6,CB7,CB8,

CB9,CB10,

1929

CB11,CB12,

CB13,CB14,CB15,CB16,

CB17,CB18,CB19,CB20,

Semi-postal

1914-17

B6,B7,B8,B9,(B2),

Comments

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

B) Expensive stamps (Threshold $10):

Postage due

1911

Scott J16 50c on 50c red $10+

1922-27 air post 3fr gray black "Biplane over Casablanca"

Out of the Blue
The French designers of Moroccan stamps had the good sense to make the issues culturally appropriate for this Arabic and Berber Islamic country. Certainly, much different designs are found here than for French India (Brahma-also appropriate), or French Guinea. In general, the British Colonial stamps do not show as much cultural design work for a country, as they are on purpose heavily themed with the British Monarch. 

Note: Maps appear to be in the public domain.

Links
French Morocco - Bud's Big Blue

Would like a comment!

Big Blue goes to China and Hong Kong

In Downtown Guangzhou, a very busy store for China Philately

I had the fortune recently to spend two weeks in Guangzhou (mostly), and Hong Kong. Although this blog entry does not cover classical era philately specifically, some readers may be interested in my impressions of what is generally considered the "hottest" philatelic country at the moment.

The trip was for family reasons, not specifically philatelic. We have a wonderful new Daughter-in-law who is originally from Guangzhou ( Canton). We stayed with her parents in Guangzhou, and were given the "Royal Treatment", to say the least. We were far from the usual tourist Hotels, and the only foreigners we noted were two Russians on the subway.

The Cantonese love their fresh food, all sorts, and find ways to present almost everything into the cuisine. My Son told me I had to try one new "animal" a day. I must admit, the Diving Beetle tastes remarkably like salted sunflower seeds. ;-)

Guangzhou is perhaps the third most important city in China (after Beijing and Shanghai), and is impressive indeed. Because 99% of the population lives in high rise apartments (condos), the density is very high and the skyline is "Chicago" like. The infrastructure (highways, subways, recent buildings, parks) is first rate.

The only jarring problem in this very busy 24/7 city is the air: specifically the smog.

Guangzhou from the Canton Tower

I don't want to give an impression that the air caused difficulty in breathing; it did not. And there is clear evidence among the people and government of interest in recycling, "going green", and improving the air quality. There are thirteen million people in Guangzhou, and another thirteen million in Shenzhen, 50 miles south. That amount of humanity and economic activity is a challenge indeed on the environment.

Lovely green botanic gardens in Guangzhou

As a respite from city life, we spent time hiking the green semi-tropical foliaged hills around Guangzhou.

But back to the city..

Typical street scene in Guangzhou

Many people in the streets day and night. Shops line every street, and are open until 11 in the evening. Capitalism is definitely alive and well in China. We got around by foot, by bus, and most importantly by subway.

This is not during rush hour. ;-)

There are eight interlacing subways that connect the whole city. And each subway train comes every three-four minutes. Although life is hectic, it is also polite. We were offered a seat by a younger person more than once when we were left standing.

Although we preferred mass transit, we were also driven by car the first several days. Let's just say that driving is not for the faint of heart. Lanes are only suggestions, and the horn is used liberally. "Never give an inch" is the motto, and it reminded me more than once of an amusement park "bumper cars" ride. But we survived because Guangzhou drivers are actually very good.

At the end of the Gondola ride to Biyun Mountain a surprise..

A Post office with their own cancellation!

Now turning to philatelic impressions, I was surprised and pleased at how popular and pervasive "stamp collecting" is among the people I met. Clearly, the Chinese government also promotes the hobby. As an example, we happened to ride a gondola in Guangzhou up Biyun Mountain. There on top was a Post Office for mailing letters with their very own cancellation.

A very modern stamp store for PRC stamps.

In downtown Guangzhou, as mentioned, there was a stamp store: something literally not seen today in the U.S. I couldn't tell if it was government sponsored or private, but it was quite busy, and had a "land-rush" intensity about it. They seemed to deal exclusively with PRC stamps. When I asked about China stamps for the 1930's or earlier, they suggested E-Bay. :-) What was particularly popular were the theme stamp albums or yearly stamp albums produced by the China National Philatelic Corporation for Chinese stamps. There was a "sell list" for these stamp albums, with the 1980 album listing for thousands of dollars.

1980 Golden Monkey stamp

The "Golden Monkey" stamp for that year is quite valuable, listing in the four figures.

16th Asian Games Commemorative Stamps Album

Held in Guangzhou in 2010

I bought the Asian Games Stamp Album for $11 U.S., an absolutely lovely presentation.

Three dimensional view of the Asian Games - along with stamps- inside the album

Opening the album, some of the pages were cut-out three dimensional: what a delight! No wonder collecting these high quality albums for Chinese issues is popular!

2007 presentation stamp album

The most preferred way to collect among the folks I talked to were the yearly presentation stamp albums with all the issues and souvenir sheets. Beautifully presented, and, no doubt, bought with the idea that PRC stamp prices will only go up. ;-) Time will tell.

The presentation for the"Dancing Dragons and Lions" stamps in the 2007 album

An informative English translation is found on the opposite page

Now the folks I talked to about 'stamp collecting" are not what we would call "serious philatelists". But remember when many U.S. citizens casually put away stamps or sheets in anticipation of riches down the road? I think that is where many Chinese are today. With interest in PRC stamps by so many people, some should advance their interest and indeed become "serious philatelists".

Sun Yat-sen

Statue in Guangzhou

We couldn't leave Guangzhou before learning more about Sun Yat-sen, Guangzhou's favorite son, at the museum devoted to his life. He is considered the "Father of the Nation" in the Republic of China (1912-47), and the "forerunner of democratic revolution" by the PRC.

Some of the many Sun Yat-sen stamps issued by China

For a philatelist, the reason for being interested in  this fascinating revolutionary should be obvious. After all, he is reported to be listed on more catalogued numbered stamps than any other person in history!

Hong Kong

After China, we took a bullet train 70 miles to Hong Kong. Yes, Hong Kong is now part of China, but it didn't feel like it. :-) The border crossing was as arduous as any between two countries. And Hong Kong can keep their own institutions for 50 years. That means the Hong Kong Postal Service continues to issue their own stamps.

The main Post Office in Hong Kong

Although most everything about the Hong Kong mail service is the same: one thing is not. They had to change the color of their post office mailboxes from British red to China green, ;-)

Main philatelic store at the Hong Kong Post Office

The philatelic store at the main Post Office was also quite busy as one can observe from the picture. It was stocked with an ample supply of philatelic necessities such as stamp storage albums.

Old China Post Mail Box in Guangzhou

So what conclusion can one make about "stamp collecting" in China? As mentioned, I have the clear impression that many Chinese citizens do avidly collect PRC stamps, especially in an album format. Whether this is a "bubble", like tulip mania, baseball card collecting, or U.S. housing prices, or rather an entry to riches, I cannot say. One cannot disagree, though, that the stamps and the presentation albums themselves are very nice indeed.

Note regarding the Chinese Internet
I was unable to reach my blog site with the usual Chinese Internet. A VPN connection was successful.

Note" "Monkey Stamp" image appears to be in the public domain.

If the reader has additional experiences with China philately, please share in the comment section!

French India

1916 semi-postal 10c + 5c rose & black "Brahma"

Quick History
French India refers to the French possessions in India. They include Pondichéry ( Puducherry), Karikal and Yanaon (Yanam) on the Coromandel Coast, Mahé on the Malar Coast, and Chandernagor in Bengal.

Largest extent of French influence 1741-54

The French had much greater influence in the mid-eighteen century, but after losing conflicts first with the Dutch, then with the British, their influence shrank by the twentieth century to just the settlements listed. By 1941, the area for French India was 196 square miles, the population was 320,000, and the administrative Capital was Pondichéry. By 1954, all of the French holdings were de facto part of the Indian Union. But the French influence (language, architecture, churches, culture) today remains strong in Pondicherry and Yanam.

1909 map outlining British India holdings

A careful look will reveal Pondichéry labeled as French

Into the Deep Blue

The 2011 Scott Classic Specialized catalogue, beginning in 1892, has 141 descriptions for regular, semi-postal and postage due categories. 74 are valued at <$1-$1+.

A closer look at the stamps and issues

1892-1907 French India 2c brown/buff "Navigation and Commerce"

French India issues begin with the 19 stamp "Navigation and Commerce" colony design generic to many French colonies. "ÉTABLISSEMENTS" means settlements. Catalogue value ranges from $1-$45+.

1914-22 10c deep rose & black "Brahma"

The first design intended specifically for French India features Brahma, the Hindu God (Deva) of creation. This design and series, from 1914-22, was found on 15 stamps, with another 10 stamps illustrating the "Kali Temple near Pondichéry". This issue is inexpensive, with 18 stamps <$1+.

1923-28 4ca on 4c orange & black "Brahma"

In 1923, there was a change in currency. The 100 Centimes = 1 Franc equation was changed to 24 Caches = 1 Fanon; 8 Fanons = 1 Rupie. This necessitated surcharging/overprinting the previous issue as shown. 

1923-28 6ca on 45c blue green & black with red surcharge

"Kali Temple near Pondichéry"

The 1923-38 surcharged issue ( with two designs) had 26 stamps. Twenty stamps are <$2.

1929 20ca dark blue & green /bluish "Brahma"

A non surcharged series with the new monetary denominations was issued in 1929 with the same design themes as the previous issues.

1929 1fa6ca red orange & black "Kali Temple near Pondichéry"

The 1929 two design issue had 20 stamps, ranging in value from <$1-$2+.

Deep Blue

Deep Blue has 11 pages for French India, all laid out in logical Scott number format.

Deep Blue page for the 1914-22 "Brahma" design 

Deep Blue has two pages for the the 1914-22 issue; note all the color combinations used by the French on these stamps.

1929 Brahma, Kali Temple issue

Clearly an advantage of a long stamp issue is an aesthetic presentation in an album. Here Deep Blue presents the 1929 issue very nice indeed.

1922 5c on 15c violet & black with red surcharge

Big Blue

Big Blue,'69, on three pages, has 84 spaces. Coverage is 60%. It appears BB provides for a representative collection; perhaps only faulted for not providing quite enough spaces for these mostly inexpensive issues.

Simple Checklist

1892-1900

1,2,3,4,5,6,7,

1914

25,26,28,29,30,32,34,

40,41,42,(43),

1922

27,31,33,37,(39)

50,51,53,

1923

54,55,56,57,

Next Page

1923

58,61,59,62,64,

67,68,

1928

65,71,63,60,66,73,

1929

80,81,82,83,84,85,87,

88,86,90,91,89,

Next Page

1931

100,101,102,103,

1937

105,106,108,109,

104,107,

1939

111,112,

Semi-postal

1915-16

B1,B3,B4,B5,

1938

B6,

Postage due

1923

J1,J2,J3,J4,

1928

J8,J9,

1929

J12,J13,J14,J15,J16,(J17),

Comments

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

B) Expensive stamps ($10 threshold):

None

1929 postage due 1fa brown

Out of the Blue

If it wasn't for these postage issues, one wonders how many people would even be aware there was a French presence in India?

Maps appear to be in the public domain.

Links
French India - Bud's Big Blue

Comments appreciated!

The Big Blue Checklist is back!

1908 1pi deep blue on blue "Emperor Franz Josef"

Austria Offices in the Turkish Empire

The Big Blue Checklist is indeed back. You might note the left panel of the blog now has the Falkland Islands-Latvia Checklist heading. The checklist is in progress; and presently, as I write this, is up to French Guinea.

[ Update: The Checklists can be quickly accessed with the links found along the left panel ]

The annotated Aden-Ethiopia Checklist is now located in the November 17, 2011 blog titled "The Part IA1 checklist for Aden-Ethiopia is available here"

There has been some changes. 

In a word -Simple. 

But rest assured the same care that was taken for the annotated list is also strived for with the simple list.

Only the Scott numbers themselves listed in the order found in the 1969 edition Big Blue's pages are now presented. 

1997 edition users should find the list virtually identical in content, except the '97 will move categories (i.e. Air Mail, Postage Due) a bit. The '47/'41 editions share 95% of the inventory.

I will also attempt to include in the checklist any countries or large sections only found in the '41/'47 editions.

The Country blogs will include a copy of the checklist in the Big Blue section of the blog. There will be a comment section below where any checklist puzzlement will be addressed if necessary.

In addition, all catalogue value stamps greater than $10 will be identified and listed.

If there are several stamps to choose from for a space (indicated by an "or" between numbers), I will not comment if there is a choice for less than $10. If all the choices are greater than $10, then I will indicate the price for the least expensive.

Blank space suggested choices will have a (  ) around the Scott number. My blank space choice is usually sequential and/or the least expensive.

That's about it. ;-)

You might still want to know why the checklist is back?

A good question, and it deserves an answer.

I am committed to the Deep Blue (the Steiner) album and it's pages, but one is frankly left sailing the "Deep Blue" of the classical stamp era without guidance. Big Blue offers a well known, do-able, "inexpensive", and  firm anchor.

I now have a virtual Big Blue housed inside Deep Blue. The best of both worlds. :-)

Jim

Comments appreciated!

French Guinea

1904 French Guinea 1c black/yellow green "Fulah Shepard"

Quick History
In 1894, Dahomey, Cote-d'Ivoire, and the Colony of French Guinea (former name Rivieres du Sud) became "independent" colonies, although French Guinea was actually formed in 1891. In 1904, the Afrique Occidentale Française association was formed under the Governor General in Dakar with lieutenant governors for French Guinea, Dahomey, Senegal, Cote-d'Ivoire, and Upper Senegal and Niger.

French West Africa 1906

French Guinea was a colonial possession of France until 1958, when it became independent as "Guinea".
The Capital is Conakry, a port on the Atlantic Ocean, and the population was 2,000,000 in 1941.

Modern day Guinea: Has the same borders as French Guinea

Into the Deep Blue

The generic "Navigation and Commerce" stamps for the French colonies was the first issue for French Guinea beginning in 1892. The Scott Classic Specialized catalogue has 212 descriptions for regular, semi-postal, air post, and postage due categories. Some are of generic "French Colonies" origin ("Navigation and Commerce"), some of common design type ("New York World's Fair" issue), some of common French West Africa type (1906-07 "General Faidherbé" issue, 1940 Air Post issue), and the rest unique to French Guinea (1904 Fulah Shepard issues, 1913-33 "Ford at Kitim" issues). Clearly, the stamps unique to French Guinea are, for me, the most interesting.

Of the 212 descriptions in Scott, 130 are valued at <$1-$1+, or 61%. So it should not be difficult to have a representative collection of French Guinea for not much outlay for the WW classic collector.

A closer look at the stamps and issues
100 Centimes = 1 Franc

1892-1900 4c claret/lavender "Navigation and Commerce"

As is not unusual for French Colonies, the first issue for French Guinea is the generic, but lovely, "Navigation and Commerce" design. This 17 stamp issue was produced between 1892-1900. Five are priced <$5, while the most expensive is $80+.

1904 4c carmine/blue "Fulah Shepard"

The Fulah people and language is found in Guinea, Senegambia, Cameroon and Sudan

The first indigenous stamp design had a "Fulah Shepard" on 15 stamps issued in 1904. There was also a "Fulah Woman" 1905 postage due design released. Five of the 1904 issue are $1+, with many in the $10-$30 range.

 1912 5c on 15c violet/rose "Fulah Shepard"

As has occurred with other French Colonies issues, in 1912 stamps were surcharged with a "05" or "10". In this case, not only were seven "Navigation and Commerce" stamps used, but the Fulah issue contributed eight stamps. Be aware that these stamps also exist as minor numbers with more spacing between the numerals, and for much greater valuation.

1906-07 5c green "General Louis Faidherbé"

Although each Colony is imprinted, this issue was generic to French West Africa

In 1904, the French West Africa group of Colonies was formed, and here is an example of the first generic issue for the association (Afrique Occidental Française). This consisted of 15 stamps issued in 1906-07 with Faiderbé, Oil Palm, and Dr. Ballay designs. General Faidherbé was the Governor of Senegal from 1854-61, and 1863-65.

1913 1c violet & blue "Ford at Kitim"

SON with "Conakry", the Capital of French Guinea

The next issue was monstrous, consisting of 42 stamps, all with the "Ford at Kitim" central vignette design. As is typical for the colonial French stamps of the era, they had one color for the border, and the other for the scene. The French seemed to use every color of the rainbow for their stamps. ;-) This stamp was issued in waves from 1913-1933. This particular example illustrated above has a nice SON cancel of Conakry, the main Atlantic ocean port town and Capital.

1925 85c on 75c rose & ultramarine "Ford at Kitim"

Ten stamps from the former series were surcharged with new values from 1924-27

New values were surcharged on the design during 1924-27, as this 1925 example illustrates.

1927 1.50fr on 1fr deep blue & light blue "Ford at Kitim"

What's with the cancel?

The above example is the same surcharged issue, but that is not the reason I'm illustrating the stamp. I was curious about the postmark, and asked fellow collectors on Stamp Community Forum (http://www.stampcommunity.org/default.asp ) for information. The cancel is a Ship cancel for the "Vulcanus", from the Holland West Africa Line, that used to have shipping lanes in West Africa.  

And here is a pic of the "Vulcanus".

The Dutch ship "Vulcanus" launched in 1907

Fascinating! Thanks to SCF members who unraveled the postmark mystery. BTW, the SCF has a quite active WW classic stamp forum.

1938-40 3c ultramarine  "Guinea Village"

In 1938, a new four design 33 stamp issue was produced which has all the élan of French designed stamps.  Six of the stamps have the illustration above, all for CV 25 cents. I think this wonderful stamp puts the lie to the old saying " You get what you pay for". ;-)

1938-40 50c red brown "Hausa Basket Workers"

The second design is on seven stamps, and all are available for <$1. The Hausa tribe today is 15 million strong, generally Islamic, and found in northern Nigeria.

1939 90c rose violet "Forest Waterfall"

Nine stamps are found with the "Forest waterfall" design, all less than $1+.

1938-40 20fr chocolate "Guinea Women"

The last design is on nine stamps, all with catalogue value of <$1-$1+, and features "Guinea Women", and a man too. Please enlarge this stamp and admire the image!

What a pleasure it is to be a world wide classic collector. !!

Deep Blue
Deep Blue has 15 pages for French Guinea, and I have stamps on 12 of them.

Deep Blue's page layout for the 1913-33 "Ford at Kitim" issue

Here is an example pic of the nice aesthetic layout for French Guinea as provided by Deep Blue. One of the concerns when I switched over to Deep Blue was would I have many empty pages? Actually not so. Of course, naturally, the pages are not as full as Big Blue. But the aesthetic layout, and the certainty that every stamp I acquire will have a space is rewarding and comforting.

1905 postage due 5c blue "Fulah Woman"

Big Blue
Big Blue '69, on five pages, has 139 spaces. Coverage is 66%. BB '69 has 7 spaces for the 1892 "Navigation and Commerce", and 7 spaces for the 1904 "Fulah Shepard". It should cost no more than $8-$10 to fill these spaces with stamps. (Of interest, the '41/'47 editions truncates the spaces to 4 and 4 respectively.)

But three blank spaces among the 1906 set raises the costs considerably.

1906

“Dr Noel Eugene Ballay”

(Scott 45) 1fr black/azure  $20

(Scott 46)  2fr blue/pink $40 mint

(Scott 47)  5fr carmine/straw $60 mint

This yields two "Most expensive Stamps" for the ($35 threshold) list. Wow!

Simple Checklist

1892-1900

1,2,3,4,5,7,(10),

1904

18,19,20,21,22,23,(25),

1906

33,34,35,36,

37,(45),(46),(47),

38,39,(41),

1913-17

63,64,65,

Next Page

1913-17

66,68,71,74,83,84,

85,96,101,

1912

48,49,50,55,

56,57,58,59,

1922

67,69,78,

80,87,105,

1924

106,107,

1925

108,109,

1925-26

70,72,75,81,88,89,

Next Page

1925-26

90,92,94,

1926

111,

1927

110,112,

73,76,93,

1928-30

82,95,99,102,

1933

98,100,

1937

120,123,

121,122,124,125,

1938-40

128,129,130,131,

Next Page1938-40

132,133,134,135,136,137,138,139,

140,141,142,143,

144,145,146,147,

148,149,150,151,

152,153,154,155,(157),(158),

1939

161,162,163,

Next Page

1939

164,165,

Semi-postal

1915

B1,

1938

B2,

Air post

1940

C1,C2,

C3,C4,C5,

Postage Due

1905

J1,J2,J3,J4,

1914

J16,J17,J18,(J19),(J20),(J21),

1938

J26,J27,J28,(J29),(J30),

Comments

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

B) Expensive stamps ($10 threshold):

1904

(Scott 25 ) 25c blue “Fulah Shepard”  $10+

1906

“Dr Noel Eugene Ballay”

(Scott 45) 1fr black/azure  $20

(Scott 46)  2fr blue/pink $40 mint

(Scott 47)  5fr carmine/straw $60 mint

1938 postage due 15c green "Totem"

Out of the Blue

Just when I'm thinking I should perhaps limit myself to a sub-set of classic world-wide, I am faced with these fascinating and wonderfully designed stamps. How can one resist? :-)

Note: Maps are from worldatlas, or appear to be in the public domain. The photograph appears to be in the public domain.

Links
French Guinea - Bud's Big Blue

Drop me a comment!