Majunga (Mahajanga) Stamps
Majunga, known today as Mahajanga, is a historical port city located on the northwestern coast of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean. Its postal history is intrinsically linked to French colonial administration, as Madagascar was a French colony and later a French protectorate, leading to stamps often bearing French inscriptions alongside Malagasy.
- Issued stamps
- 1895–1895
- Region
- Africa, East Africa
- Currency
- FRF
- Languages
- French, Malagasy
- Issuer type
- Colonial postal administration
- Part of
- France
History and background
The region experienced significant administrative changes following Madagascar's independence in 1960, which altered the issuing authority and subsequent stamp designs. The linguistic environment on its postal material primarily reflects French and Malagasy.
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.
- MAJUNGA
How to identify them
- Look for the 'MAJUNGA' overprint, typically in black, on stamps of French Colonies.
- Verify the underlying stamp design, which is usually the 'Navigation and Commerce' series.
- Examine the denomination and color of the underlying stamp, as these were consistent with French colonial issues.
Popular series
-
General Issues
1895
Stamps of French Colonies overprinted 'MAJUNGA' with value in centimes and francs, featuring the 'Navigation and Commerce' design.
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+
The value of Majunga stamps is primarily driven by their rarity, condition, and the specific overprint variety. Early colonial issues, especially those with clear overprints and good centering, command higher prices. Used copies are often less valuable than unused, unless they bear rare cancellations.
Catalogs. Majunga (Mahajanga) 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 Majunga (Mahajanga) stamps
Majunga stamps are postal issues from the French colonial period in Madagascar, specifically for the port city of Majunga (now Mahajanga). These stamps were typically French Colonies issues overprinted with 'MAJUNGA' to indicate their specific use in that territory during a brief period in 1895.
Yes, some Majunga stamps can be valuable, particularly those in fine condition, with clear overprints, or rare varieties. While common examples might be in the $5-$50 range, rarer issues or those with specific errors or cancellations can fetch hundreds of dollars. Their value is influenced by their historical significance as a short-lived colonial issue.
To identify Majunga stamps, look for the distinct 'MAJUNGA' overprint on stamps originally issued for French Colonies, often featuring the 'Navigation and Commerce' design. Pay attention to the clarity and type of the overprint. For a first lead, photograph the stamp in the Stamp Identifier app, then confirm the catalog number; valuable stamps deserve an expert opinion.
Majunga stamps are listed in major philatelic catalogs such as Scott (under French Colonies or Madagascar), Michel, and Stanley Gibbons. These catalogs provide detailed information on varieties, issue dates, and estimated values, which are essential for collectors.
Not sure where
it's from?
Photograph the stamp and Stamp Identifier names the issuer, the year and the series. One identification every 24 hours is free; prices and listings need Premium.