French Post Ethiopia Stamps
French Post Ethiopia refers to the postal services operated by France within the territory of Ethiopia, primarily during the late 19th and early 20th centuries when French influence was significant in the region. These issues are geographically situated in the Horn of Africa and reflect the colonial administrative reach of the French postal system in an independent empire.
- Issued stamps
- 1907–1907
- Region
- Africa, Horn of Africa
- Currency
- FRF
- Languages
- French, Amharic
- Issuer type
- Colonial postal administration
- Part of
- France
History and background
Stamps typically bear French inscriptions, often overprinted on French colonial issues or specific local denominations, illustrating a period before Ethiopia fully integrated into the Universal Postal Union (UPU) system under its own authority. This postal entity ceased operations following shifting geopolitical alignments and the consolidation of Ethiopian national postal control.
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.
- ETHIOPIE
- AFARS ET ISSAS
How to identify them
- Look for 'ETHIOPIE' or 'AFARS ET ISSAS' overprints on French colonial stamps.
- Examine the base stamp for its original colonial origin (e.g., Obock, Djibouti).
- Verify the authenticity of overprints, as many forgeries exist.
Popular series
-
French Colonial Issues Overprinted
1907
Stamps of French colonies (often Obock or Djibouti) overprinted 'ETHIOPIE' or 'AFARS ET ISSAS' for use in French postal agencies in Ethiopia.
-
Surcharged Issues
1907
Existing French colonial stamps overprinted with new values, reflecting local postal rates.
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
- €5–€50
- Scarce stamps
- €100–€500+
Value depends heavily on the specific overprint, condition, and rarity of the base stamp. Forgeries and unofficial overprints are common, impacting value.
Catalogs. French Post Ethiopia 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 French Post Ethiopia stamps
French Post Ethiopia stamps refer to postal issues used by French postal agencies operating within Ethiopia, primarily in 1907. These were typically French colonial stamps, often from Obock or Djibouti, overprinted with 'ETHIOPIE' or 'AFARS ET ISSAS' to denote their use in the region.
The value of French Post Ethiopia stamps varies significantly. Common issues can be found for €5-€50, while rare overprints, specific base stamps, or those in pristine condition can fetch hundreds of euros. The presence of genuine overprints is crucial for value, as many forgeries exist.
To identify French Post Ethiopia stamps, look for French colonial stamps bearing overprints such as 'ETHIOPIE' or 'AFARS ET ISSAS'. Pay close attention to the original colony of the base stamp. A photo in the Stamp Identifier app gives a first identification; check the catalog number in a specialised catalog before relying on it.
French Post Ethiopia stamps are typically listed in major philatelic catalogs such as Scott, Michel, and Stanley Gibbons, usually within the sections for French Colonies or Ethiopia. Specialized catalogs for French colonial overprints may also provide more detailed information.
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