British Military Administration Eritrea Stamps
British Military Administration Eritrea was a territory in Northeast Africa administered by the United Kingdom following the defeat of Italian forces in East Africa during World War II. This administration, active from 1941 until Eritrea's federation with Ethiopia, utilized stamps that often overprinted existing Italian colonial issues or featured definitive series reflecting British authority.
- Issued stamps
- 1948–1951
- Region
- Africa, East Africa
- Currency
- EAS
- Languages
- English, Arabic, Italian
- Issuer type
- Occupation postal administration
- Part of
- United Kingdom
History and background
The postal issues primarily bear inscriptions in English, reflecting the governing power, alongside Arabic and sometimes Italian, which was the legacy language of the former colony. This period represents a significant transition between Italian colonial rule and the subsequent Ethiopian incorporation, marked by distinct provisional postal stationery.
Further reading: Wikipedia
Inscriptions to look for
Words printed on the stamp that point to this issuer. Search any of them in the issuer directory.
- B.M.A. ERITREA
How to identify them
- Look for the overprint 'B.M.A. ERITREA' (British Military Administration Eritrea) on Italian colonial stamps.
- Stamps will typically feature King George VI or designs characteristic of British colonial issues of the period.
- Denominations are in East African Shillings and Cents.
Popular series
-
King George VI Overprints
1948-1951
Italian colonial stamps overprinted 'B.M.A. ERITREA' and new values in East African Shillings and Cents, featuring King George VI.
-
Definitive Series
1948-1951
A series of definitive stamps issued specifically for the British Military Administration, often depicting local scenes or symbols of British authority.
Value overview
Typical ranges as orientation, not prices for a particular stamp. Condition, variety and demand decide the value of your copy; for current asking prices, check listings or the app.
- Common stamps
- £1–£20
- Scarce stamps
- £50–£500+
Values vary significantly based on condition, specific overprint varieties, and completeness of sets. Early overprints and errors can be particularly valuable.
Catalogs. British Military Administration Eritrea stamps are listed in the major world catalogs: Scott, Michel and Stanley Gibbons. Catalog numbers and groupings differ between them; the Stamp Identifier app shows the numbers it can find for your stamp.
Questions about British Military Administration Eritrea stamps
British Military Administration Eritrea stamps were issued by the United Kingdom during its post-World War II administration of Eritrea, from 1948 to 1951. These stamps often consisted of Italian colonial issues overprinted with 'B.M.A. ERITREA' and new values, or definitive series reflecting British authority.
The value of British Military Adm. Eritrea stamps can range from a few pounds for common issues to several hundred pounds for rare varieties, complete sets, or stamps with significant overprint errors. Condition plays a crucial role in determining value.
You can identify British Military Adm. Eritrea stamps by looking for the 'B.M.A. ERITREA' overprint, typically on Italian colonial stamps, or by designs featuring King George VI. Denominations will be in East African Shillings and Cents. For a first lead, photograph the stamp in the Stamp Identifier app, then confirm the catalog number; valuable stamps deserve an expert opinion.
British Military Adm. Eritrea stamps are listed in major philatelic catalogs, including Scott, Michel, and Stanley Gibbons. These catalogs provide detailed information on issues, varieties, and estimated values.
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