A is for Aden and Z is for Zanzabar


A is for Aden and Z is for Zanzibar... Now what is between? For the world wide classical era philatelist and stamp collector, a country specific philatelic survey is offered by the blog author, Jim Jackson, with two albums: Big Blue, aka Scott International Part 1 (checklists available), and Deep Blue, aka William Steiner's Stamp Album Web PDF pages. In addition, "Bud" offers commentary and a look at his completely filled Big Blue. Interested? So into the Blues...

Thursday, April 21, 2011

British Central Africa

1903-04 Scott 60 1p carmine & black "King Edward VII"
Quick History

Chartered from British South Africa, this British Territory in Central Africa was located on the western shore of Lake Nyassa, with the Capital Zomba. The population was 1,600,000. The name (and the stamps) was changed to Nyasaland Protectorate in 1907.

Big Blue Picture

British Central Africa is represented in Big Blue (1997) by one line on one page with 7 stamp spaces for 1891-1907. The 2011 Scott Classic Specialized catalogue for the same time period has 73 major stamp descriptions. Coverage by Big Blue is 9+%.

"BCA" stamps are not found much in Big Blue collections. Why? The stamps in the Scott Classic catalogue tend to be expensive- from the $10's to $100's to 1891-95 Scott 17 ten pound red brown @ $4,000+! The seven "checklist" stamps are more reasonable at <$1-$10+. An additional  six stamps listed below can be had for $2+-$5+.


Additional stamps for the Big Blue collector...
1891-95
2 ($2+)
3($5+)

1895-96
33 ($5+)

1897-1901
48($5+)
49($2+)

1903-07
63 ($2+)


Big Blue Checklist
1891 Stamps of Rhodesia 1890-94 overprinted in black "B.C.A."
Scott 1 1p black ($5+)

1895-96 Coat of Arms of the Protectorate
Scott 32 or 21  1p black ($2+-$10+)

1897-1901
Scott 43 1p ultra & black ($1+)
Scott 44 1p rose & violet (<$1)
Scott 45 2p yellow & black ($2+)

1903-07 King Edward VII
60 or 70 1p ($2+)
61 2p ($2+)

1895 map of British Central Africa Protectorate
Kinds of Blue
The 1997,1969,1947 and 1941 editions are identical for content.

Big Blue Bottom Line

I love smaller more obscure historical stamp issuing territories- I plan to add some to my collection.

Note: Map in public domain.

2 comments:

  1. BB '17 has a blank space after 1 (so suggest 2 or 3), a blank space after 21/32 (so suggest 33).

    Then:
    Issue of 1897 (not 1897-1901 as in later editions): 43, 45, blank space (suggest 46)

    Issue of 1901: 44, blank space (suggest 49)

    Issue of 1903-07: 60/70, 61, blank space (suggest 63)


    All in all, a handful of spaces for the suggestions you list!

    ReplyDelete