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50c Chocolate and 5f violet (the only two values issued in 1887) overprinted "SPECIMEN", fine mint. S.G. £250. (2). Photo on Page 140. £80-100
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5c - 10f Mint set of eight with additional shades, comprising 5c (6, with block of four), 10c (2), 25c (2), 50c chocolate (2), 50c grey, 5f violet, 5f grey and 10f dull orange (2), also the unissued 25f grey (2) and 50f grey, small thins to one 50c chocolate and the scarce 5f violet, one 10f with one short perf, otherwise fine. S.G. 7/14, £3,050, B.6/13B, €3,675. (20). Photo on Page 140. £400-500
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Unmounted mint blocks and part panes comprising 5c block of 66, 10c corner blocks of four and twelve, 25c pair and block of four, six and ten, 50c grey complete left pane of fifty (splitting to central horizontal perfs, includes deformed "A" variety). S.G. £470+, B. €800+. (154). £100-120
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5c - 10f Set of eight used with additional shades of the 5c, 10c, 25c, 50c chocolate and 5f violet, cancels include Irebu, Leopoldville and Matadi in blue, also a repaired 50c grey with scarce Bena-Bendi c.d.s in black, one 5f violet with a short corner perf and trace of a light corner crease, otherwise fine. Also four forged stamps 'used'. S.G. 7/14, £1,770, B. €1,490. (18). Photo on Page 140. £240-280
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3f.50 on 5f "Colis Postaux" parcel post surcharges, first unframed type in black on 5f violet used with blue Banana datestamps (2, one with pulled perf), both expertised on reverse, one signed Stolow; second framed type in black on 5f violet mint or used on piece with blue Boma c.d.s, in blue on 5f violet used with black Banana c.d.s (tiny pin-hole), or in black on 5f grey mint (3, one surcharge inverted) or used (2, blue Boma or Banana c.d.s). Also forged first type surcharge on a forged 5f violet, forged second type surcharge on a genuine 5f grey, and impressions of both forgeries on piece from the Fournier book. A fine and scarce group. S.G. 15/17, £4,415, B.CP2/5, €5,230. (13). Photo on Page 140. £600-700
| 1887-94 Leopold II Issue Period - Covers and Cancellations | |
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Banana. 1889 15c Postal stationery postcard (H&G 5) written from Boma to Belgium, endorsed "Par S.S Ambaca", a fine Banana c.d.s in black; and 1894 cover to France franked 50c chocolate, tied by blue Banana c.d.s and Paris datestamp, backstamped in Rotterdam, some staining and edge tears with one side flap missing. (2). £150-180
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Boma. 1892 Cover to Belgium with 25c blue pair tied by Boma datestamps in black, backstamped at Boma, Antwerp and St. Nicolas, a fine and scarce early cover, with Pierre Kaiser Certificate (2000). Photo on Page 138. £250-300
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Boma. 1892 15c Postal stationery postcard (H&G 5) written from Boma to Belgium, backstamped at Banana; and 10c postcard (H&G 10) franked 5c green to Holland, both with Boma c.d.s cancels in blue. (2). £150-180
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Coquilhatville. 1897 (Jan 3) 15c Postal stationery postcard (H&G 11) written from Bassoko on the Arruwimi River, addressed to Berlin, cancelled a month after writing by blue Coquilhatville c.d.s, transit datestamps of Leopoldville (Feb 8), Boma (Feb 14), Lisbon and Berlin. An intriguing card. £150-180
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Leopoldville. 1891 (Jan.) Cover to England with 25c blue pair cancelled by black Leopoldville c.d.s, backstamped at Boma (three strikes, 14 & 16 Jan), Banana (16 & 20 Jan), Lisbon and Chelmsford, tear to side flap, an attractive early cover. Photo on Page 138. £240-300
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Leopoldville. 1893 (Oct 6) Cover to Brussels franked 5c, 10c pair and 25c each tied by blue Leopoldville c.d.s, backstamped at Boma (20 & 26 Oct) and Brussels. A little toning to the front, otherwise fine, a scarce and attractive three colour franking paying the correct 50c rate. Photo on Page 142. £400-500
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Leopoldville. 1893 (Nov 1) 10c Postal stationery postcard (H&G 6, reply half) written from Stanley Pool to Belgium, uprated with 5c and 10c stamps cancelled by blue Leopoldville datestamps, transit datestamps of Boma (15 & 19 Nov) and arrival datestamps, fine and attractive. Photo on Page 142. £150-180
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Leopoldville. 1894 (May 11) Cover to Belgium franked 50c chocolate tied by a fine blue c.d.s, backstamped at Boma (23 & 29 May) and at Alust. A fine cover. Photo on Page 142. £180-200
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Lukungu. 1892 (April 11) 10c Postal stationery postcard (H&G 4) to Belgium franked 5c, cancelled by double ring "ETAT INDEPENDENT DU CONGO / POSTES / LUKUNGU", backstamped at Boma (16 & 21 Apr) and Banana (21 & 25 Apr), fine and scarce. Photo on Page 142. £250-300
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Lukungu / Tumba. 1896 15c + 10c Reply card (H&G 13) to Belgium cancelled by blue "LUKUNGU" c.d.s, Matadi transit datestamps and a Verviers arrival c.d.s., no message; and an 1897 10c reply card (H&G 13, reply half) correctly used back from Boma to Tumba with superb blue "LUKUNGU" arrival c.d.s, addressee's surname removed. The Lukungu sub-office opened in July 1896; however the railway terminus had reached Tumba by that date, and the datestamp was therefore transferred there and from 1897 was used concurrently with the Tumba c.d.s, until withdrawn in 1898. An interesting pair of cards, the first a very early use, the second proving the use of the scarce Lukungu c.d.s at Tumba. (2). Photo on Page 142. £250-300
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Matadi. 1892 (Oct 5) 10c Postal stationery postcard (H&G 4) franked 5c to Belgium, blue Matadi datestamps, backstamped at Matadi (Oct 6) and Boma (6 & 9 Oct). The writer will shortly set out on the long march to Leopoldville, and asks his mother to send medicines and other supplies including opium pills to combat dysentery. Small hole near the printed stamp, otherwise fine. £120-150
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Matadi. 1893 (Sep 22) Cover to the American Baptist Missionary Union in Boston, USA, with 25c pair each cancelled by blue c.d.s, backstamped at Boma (23&26 Sep), Lisbon and Boston. A scarce cover to the USA. Photo on Page 142. £250-300
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Matadi. 1895 Cover to England franked 50c grey tied by blue Matadi c.d.s, backstamped at Matadi, Boma, Lisbon and Bournemouth. Exceptionally fine, the 50c grey very scarce on cover. Photo on Page 142. £500-600
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Matadi. 1895 15c + 10c Reply cards (H&G 13), a commercially used card to Belgium with the unused reply half still attached, and the outward half only to Germany (the sender on a hunting expedition), both with blue datestamps, the second card endorsed "Vapeur Ville de Maceio" with transit datestamps of Banana, Boma, Antwerp and a Schweidnitz arrival c.d.s. (2). £150-180
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Nouvelle-Anvers. 1894-98 15c Postal stationery postcards (H&G 11) written from Nouvelle-Anvers to Belgium, the 1894 card cancelled in Leopoldville, the 1898 card cancelled by the scarce Nouvelle-Anvers c.d.s in blue with Leopoldville transit c.d.s, both also with Boma and Antwerp datestamps. The second with part address removed and reinstated, otherwise fine, an interesting pair. The Nouvelle-Anvers post office established in July 1896. (2). £150-180
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Popacabacca. 1897 (Feb 17) 10c Postal stationery postcard (H&G 10) to Germany franked 1894 10c each cancelled by the scarce "POPACABACCA" c.d.s. in blue, both overstruck with the scarce "LUKUNGU" c.d.s (Mar 4/5, three further strikes on front and reverse, used at Tumba - see lot 867), datestamps of Boma and M. Gladbach. A fine commercial card with scarce cancels of two small offices. Popacabacca (on the Kwango River near Angola) had a sub-office briefly in 1896 and then again from 1898, this intriguing card sent in 1897 when this office was supposedly closed. Photo on Page 142. £250-300
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Tumbu-Mani. 1897 (May 30) 10c Postal stationery postcard (H&G 10) written from Popacabacca to Germany franked 1894 10c, the Popacabacca post office supposedly closed during 1897 (but see lot 873 for a similar 1897 card from this correspondence with a Popacabacca c.d.s), this card cancelled by scarce "TUMBU-MANI" datestamps (June 9), transit datestamps of "LUKUNGU" in blue (13/14 June, used at Tumba, see lot 867), Lisbon and M. Gladbach. A fine commercial card with two scarce cancels and an interesting comparison piece to the previous lot. Photo on Page 146. £250-300
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Tumbu-Mani. 1897 (June 16) 1897 10c Postal stationery postcard (H&G 6, reply half) written from Popokabaka to Belgium franked 1894 10c, the Popacabacca post office supposedly closed in 1897 (but see lot 873), the stamps cancelled by scarce "TUMBU-MANI" datestamps in blue (June 21), a June 20 c.d.s alongside applied upon receipt of the original reply card, transit datestamps of Boma (July 1), Antwerp and Verviers. A scarce card. Photo on Page 146. £200-250
| 1894-1908 Mols Issues | |
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Waterlow sample stamp sheets of nine in unissued colours, 10c lilac and black sheet, each stamp with a small punch hole and "WATERLOW & SONS LTD. / SPECIMEN" overprint; and 5f green and black sheet with zig-zag perforations resulting in two imperf between vertical pairs and two imperf between horizontal pairs with the central stamp perforated on all four sides. Two attractive sheets, the 5f sheet gummed. (2). £300-400
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1894 25 Frame Progressive Die Proof, the upper portion (including "25" values) and certain edge details not yet engraved, in brown, die sunk on white wove paper, 75x61mm. Possibly unique, from the Waterlow archives. Photo on Back Cover. £500-600
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1894 40c Frame Die Proof in pale brown, die sunk on white wove paper, 118x153mm, three peripheral creases all well clear of the printed proof, a rare proof (possibly unique in this colour), from the Waterlow archives. Photo on Page 168. £500-600
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1897 (Dec 14) Philatelic registered cover to F.G Kuck in Brussels bearing 1891 10c and 1894 Mols 5c, 10c, 25c and 50c, tied by blue Matadi datestamps with boxed "Recommande", arrival backstamp. All these first colour 5c and 10c stamps were sold by the Belgian Colonial Office to Kuck, a speculator in Brussels, and were never issued in the Congo, with 5c and 10c stamps having to be printed in new colours and issued in the Congo in 1895. These first 5c and 10c values were however valid, their genuine postal use in the Congo understandably being very scarce. An attractive and scarce cover. Photo on Page 146. £600-700
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1908 25c Blue and black with redrawn frame type II, used with 1909 Dima c.d.s in blue. Almost all examples of this 25c with re-engraved frame were overprinted "Congo Belge" in 1909. A rare stamp, with 2011 Pierre Kaiser Certificate which mentions a "light wrinkle of little importance" (and virtually impossible to see). B.22a, €700. Photo on Page 140. £200-250
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1901 1f Black and bright carmine, perf 15 block of four fine mint, scarce. S.G. 35, £1,900, B.26a, €1,980. Photo on Page 158. £400-500
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1895 5f Black and carmine-rose, perf 15 block of sixteen used with 1899 Boma datestamps, a few split vertical perfs near the foot, very unusual. S.G. 23, £768+, B.28a, €960+. £200-250
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1898 10f Black and green, perf 14 proof on greyish paper from the estate of the engraver T.S Harrison, possibly from the "Princes" printing, no gum, fine and unusual. Photo on Page 140. £200-250
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1898 10f Black and green, perf 12x14, fine mint, scarce. S.G. 29c, £550, B.29b, €540. Photo on Page 140. £120-150
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1905 10f Black and green, perf 12 pair watermarked with "S WRIGLE" part paper makers name, fine mint, scarce and unusual. S.G. 29a, £1,800+, B.29a, €1,760+. Photo on Page 140. £400-500
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1894-1908 5c - 10f Mint and used collection, very well written up in two albums, each value with the head and frame plates identified, many plate positions shown with major and minor plate flaws and re-entries, various perf types with numerous compound perfs (some very scarce), perf 12 through to perf 16 and many examples of irregular perfs, shades and printings all identified, cancels, some blocks and a few postcards, also some forgeries or forged cancels shown. The collection includes 1894 5c black and blue (14, also forgeries) and 10c black and brown (10, also forgeries), 10c black and carmine "SPECIMEN" and examples apparently imperf vertically or horizontally, 40c black (status unknown), 1f black and violet (20, with mint block), 1f black and claret (7), 1f black and carmine (22, two mint), 3f.50 (8, four mint), 5f (34, seven mint, also a used block of twelve), 10f (10, three mint), "TAXES" handstamps (22, all values to 10f), etc. A fine lot, compiled with great care over a considerable period of time, condition generally excellent. (1,200). Photo on Page 140. £2,800-3,500
| 1894-1908 Mols Issue - Covers and Cancellations | |
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1898-1906 Postal stationery cards (4), picture postcards (6) and covers (2) illustrating the various postal rates, comprising internal 10c stationery card rate and a 10c stationery card to Germany accepted without charge (probably mistaken for a 15c card), 15c overseas stationery card rate (2), 50c international letter rate (2), 50c international rate for privately produced postcards prior to May 1902 and an August 1902 card still sent at this old rate (franked 10c + 40c), reduced 15c international rate for privately produced postcards after May 1902, and 10c printed matter rate for cards with less than five words (3), cancels of Boma, Matadi or Leopoldville, one cover franked 5c (2) + 40c (light folds), two postal stationery cards with faults, otherwise fine. (12). £300-350
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Avakubi. 1908 (Dec 26) Picture postcard to Belgium franked 25c tied by a fine Avakubi c.d.s, datestamps of Leopoldville (Jan 7), Antwerp and Brussels. A scarce cancel in the Free State period, the office only opened in 1908. Photo on Page 146. £200-250
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Banana. 1897 Registered cover to Paul Kiderlen in Germany bearing the 1894-96 5c - 50c, the six stamps each tied by a fine c.d.s in blue, philatelic but very attractive. £120-150
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Banana. 1906 Cover franked 10c + 40c to the British Vice-Consulate at Helsingor, Denmark, Banana datestamps in black and an arrival backstamp. An attractive cover to an unusual destination. £100-120
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Banza-Boma. 1904 Picture postcard to Belgium, sent at the 10c printed matter rate, with a fine "BANZA-BOMA" c.d.s in blue and a Matadi transit c.d.s. Also cancels on two single stamps. The Banza-Boma c.d.s was effectively a T.P.O, the postbox carried on the train covering the zone between Inkisi and Haut Sele whilst the railway was being built. It was established in early 1903 and closed in October 1905 when this section of the railway was completed. A scarce and interesting card. (3). Photo on Page 146. £220-260
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Basankusu. 1907 (Mar 27) Picture postcard to Brussels, a 5c pair paying the printed matter rate to Belgium, two Basankusu datestamps, also tied by datestamps of Leopoldville (Apr 11) and Brussels. Basankusu was founded as a mission centre by the Mill Hill Missionaries in 1905, a post office opening in that year. £100-120
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Basankusu. 1907 (June 14) Picture postcard written from Bosow to Brussels franked 5c + 10c, cancelled at Basankusu, transit and arrival datestamps of Coquilhatville (June 17), Leopoldville (June 29) and Brussels, very fine. Photo on Page 146. £120-150
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Basoko. 1900 (Nov 25) 10c Postal stationery postcard (H&G 16) franked 5c to Belgium, two fine datestamps in blue, transit datestamp of Leopoldville (Dec 2) and an arrival c.d.s. Photo on Page 146. £120-150
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Basoko. 1902 (Dec 20) Cover to Brussels endorsed from the "Chef de Culture" at Basoko, bearing 10c single and strip of four (faults prior to use) each tied by a fine blue c.d.s, backstamped at Leopoldville (Jan 6) and Brussels, an attractive commercial cover. Photo on Page 146. £120-140
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Basongo. 1902 (Aug 9) Cover written from Butala to Belgium unusually franked 5c (2) + 40c, the three stamps each cancelled by the scarce "BASONGO" c.d.s in blue, backstamped at Leopoldville (Aug 12) and in Belgium. The Basongo sub office opened in 1901 (replacing Bena-Bendi on the other side of the river); it was replaced in turn by Dima in February 1909. A scarce cover, with Luc Vander Marcken Certificate (2014). Photo on Page 148. £300-350
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Bena-Bendi. 1901 (Dec 12) Cover to the USA, two 25c stamps each cancelled by the very scarce "BENA-BENDI" c.d.s in blue, arrival backstamps of New York and Richmond. Probably written by the American Presbyterian Missionary, the Rev. William Morrison. The Bena-Bendi post office was only open 1898-1901 (closing when the Basongo office was opened) and was little used. Very scarce. Photo on Page 148 £180-220
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Beni. 1907 (Oct.) Picture postcard to Belgium franked 15c tied by a fine "BENI" c.d.s, transit datestamps of Stanleyville (Nov 1) and Leopoldville (Nov 27). The Beni office was only open from 1906 until July 1908 and was little used. One of the rarest of all Belgian Congo cancellations, with Leo Tavano Certificate (2011). Photo on Page 148. £350-400
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Boma / Ngangila. 1898 Printed International Missionary Alliance envelope "IMA / CONGO MISSION AFRICA / NGANGILA STATION / CONGO FREE STATE", from the Presbyterian Mission at Ngangila to the USA, the 50c rate paid by three 5c stamps + 10c + 25c all cancelled in blue at Boma, backstamped at Lisbon, New York and Syracuse. Light creasing and some stamp defects, the reverse with two John Seybold collectors handstamps, nevertheless an attractive printed missionary envelope and a rare origin. Photo on Page 148. £250-300
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Boma. 1902 Cover to Belgium franked 5c + 10c pair + 25c all cancelled in blue, an attractive franking to pay the 50c rate. £100-120
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Boma. 1908 Printed advertising envelope for "Liqueurs Speciales a base de Vieille Fine Champagne Extra Dry Cusenier" depicting a young waitress carrying a tray of Cusenier drinks, posted from Boma to Brussels franked 50c. A superb advertising envelope, very unusual posted from the Congo. Photo on Inside Front Cover. £400-500
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Bumba. 1904 (Apr 10) Picture postcard to Belgium franked 15c, cancelled by a superb Bumba c.d.s and tied by a Leopoldville transit c.d.s (Apr. 23), fine. Photo on Page 148. £120-150
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