Northern Nigeria

1906 Scott 19a 1/2p violet & green "Edward VII"

Quick History
The British protectorate of Northern Nigeria was located in western Africa, with Southern Nigeria on the southern border, and surrounded on other sides by French West African lands.

The Capital was Zungeru, and the population was 11,800,000.

The Protectorate of Northern Nigeria was notable for allowing the chiefs and emirs to be the native authorities at the grassroots, while the British provided the veneer over the top.

Northern Nigeria in red

British possessions in pink (1913)

Northern Nigeria was more isolated, less developed, and mostly Muslim. Southern Nigeria had more economic development, with a large Christian missionary influence. So they were larger differences between the protectorates than their similar names and proximity would suggest.

In fact, in modern Nigeria, those differences persist, and continue to cause internal tension within the country.

Northern Nigeria had stamp issues between 1900-1912. In 1914, their stamp production ceased when they were united with Southern Nigeria and Lagos colony to form the Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria.

Northern & Southern Nigeria, 1914

Into the Deep Blue
The 2011 Scott Classic Specialized catalogue has, for Northern Nigeria 1900-1912, 51 major descriptive numbers. Of those, 11 or 22% are CV <$1-$1+.

For those with deep pockets, the 1904 Scott 18A 25 Pound green & carmine is CV $ 45,000. ;-)

All of the Northern Nigeria issues are keyplate "Victoria", "Edward VII", and "George V" designs.

A closer look at the stamps and issues
12 Pence = 1 Shilling
20 Shillings = 1 Pound

1906 Scott 20a 1p violet & carmine rose "Edward VII"

There was a 1900 nine stamp keyplate "Victoria" issue, which is rather expensive, save for two CV $3+ stamps. I don't have any at the moment.

In 1902, a nine stamp "Edward VII" keyplate design was issued with wmk 2 "Crown and C A". Six of the stamps are CV <$1-$4+.

Then in 1905, another "Edward VII" set of eight stamps was issued on ordinary paper with wmk 3 "Multiple Crown and C A". As the 1902 and 1905 issues are essentially identical in appearance, a watermarking tray will be needed. 

There was a chalky paper variety of the 1905 issue produced between 1906-07, and given minor numbers by Scott. A 1p violet & carmine rose example is shown above.

1910 Scott 31 2 1/2p ultramarine "Edward VII"

In 1910-11, an 11 stamp set of "Edward VII" was produced, this time in different colors than the preceding issues. CV is <$1-$3 for six stamps.

1912 Scott 41 1p carmine "George V"

The next year (1912), new stamps with the now reigning monarch "George V" were issued.  The thirteen stamp Die I issue has a CV of <$1-$4+ for nine stamps.

Deep Blue

Deep Blue (Steiner) has three pages for Northern Nigeria, and has spaces for all the major numbers. The 1906-07 "chalky paper" seven stamp minor number variety does not have designated spaces. These could be put into the major number spaces, or a separate quadrilled page could be used. I chose to put my examples in the major spaces with a notation.

1910 Scott 29 1p carmine "Edward VII"

Big Blue

The '69 BB has 1/2 page and 19 spaces devoted to Northern Nigeria. The coverage  is found after North Borneo, and on the same page as North Ingermanland. Total coverage is 37%.

Northern Nigeria in BB

Observations...

* Although Northern Nigeria, as a British colony is not cheap for WW collectors, none of the stamp spaces in BB require an expensive stamp (threshold $10).

* BB , as per usual, gives one space for the wmk 2 1902 and wmk 3 1905 "Edward VII" issue.

Checklist

1900

1,(2),

1902-05*

10 or 19, 11 or 20, 12 or 21, (13 or 22),

1910-11

28,29,31,32,33,(34),

1912

40,41,42,43,44,45,(46),

End

Comments

A) Expensive stamps ($10 threshold): None

B) (    ) around a number indicates a blank space choice.

C) * 1902-05- wmk 2 vs wmk 3 choices

1912 Scott 40 1/2p green "George V"

Out of the Blue

The stamps themselves- being the too familiar keyplate design- are perhaps not all that interesting. But the (exotic) location, close reading of history, and a tangible reminder of colonial days, makes, for the WW collector, a worthwhile endeavor indeed.

Note: Maps appears to be in the public domain.

Comment?