German Cameroon Stamps
German Cameroon was a colony located in West Africa, administered by the German Empire from 1884 until its occupation by Allied forces during World War I. The postal history of this territory is characterized by issues under German authority, often featuring German inscriptions and currency, reflecting its status as a key part of *Deutsch-Mittelafrika*.
- Issued stamps
- 1897–1916
- Region
- Africa, West Africa
- Currency
- Pfenning/Mark
- Languages
- German
- Issuer type
- Colonial postal administration
- Part of
- German Empire
About German Cameroon stamps
Following the war, the territory was partitioned into British and French mandates, leading to distinct subsequent postal administrations and stamp issues for British Cameroons and French Cameroun.
Further reading: Wikipedia
How to identify German Cameroon stamps
- Look for the 'Kamerun' overprint on German Empire stamps or the 'Yacht' design with 'Kamerun' at the bottom.
- Examine the watermark (usually lozenges for the Yacht series) and perforation for authenticity.
- Pay attention to the currency denominations, which are in Pfennig and Mark.
Popular series
-
Yacht Series (Hohenzollern)
1900-1919
The definitive series for all German colonies, featuring the imperial yacht 'Hohenzollern'. These stamps were overprinted with 'Kamerun' for use in German Cameroon.
-
Provisional Issues
1897-1900
Early issues often consisted of German Empire stamps overprinted 'Kamerun' or 'Deutsch-Ostafrika' (for some early provisional uses) before the dedicated yacht series.
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
- €100–€5,000+
Values vary significantly based on condition, specific overprint varieties, and cancellations. Early provisional issues and high-value Yacht series stamps, especially unused or with rare cancellations, can be quite valuable. Forgeries exist, particularly of overprints.
Catalogs. German Cameroon 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 German Cameroon stamps
German Cameroon stamps are postage stamps issued for the German colony of Kamerun in West Africa, from 1897 until its occupation during World War I. They primarily consist of German Empire stamps overprinted 'Kamerun' and the distinctive 'Yacht' series stamps with 'Kamerun' inscribed.
The value of German Cameroon stamps varies. Common issues can be found for a few euros, while rare provisional overprints, high-denomination Yacht series stamps, or stamps with specific rare cancellations can fetch hundreds or even thousands of euros. Condition plays a significant role in their value.
To identify German Cameroon stamps, look for the 'Kamerun' overprint on German Empire stamps or the 'Yacht' design with 'Kamerun' at the bottom. Check the currency (Pfennig/Mark) and the design elements. For a first lead, photograph the stamp in the Stamp Identifier app, then confirm the catalog number; valuable stamps deserve an expert opinion.
German Cameroon stamps are extensively listed in major stamp catalogs. You can find them in the Michel Deutschland-Spezial-Katalog (specifically for German Colonies), the Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue (Volume 3), and the Stanley Gibbons Commonwealth & British Empire Stamps catalogue (though primarily for the subsequent British Cameroons issues, some early German issues may be referenced).
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