Algeria- a closer look at the stamp issues

1936 Scott 89 45c deep ultramarine

"Sidj Bon Medine Cemetery at Tiemcen"

Into the Deep Blue
The 2011 Scott Classic Specialized 1840-1940 catalogue has, for Algeria 1924-1940, 130 regular, 35 semi-postal, 24 postage due, and 2 newspaper stamps with major numbers. Total = 191. Of those, 154 are CV <$1-$1+, or 81%. Clearly, Algeria is quite affordable for the classical collector.

A closer look at the stamps and issues
100 Centimes = 1 Franc

1924 Scott 24 65c rose, blue overprint "Sower"

The initial issue of French Algeria used overprinted stamps of France. The 1924-26 production had 32 stamps, and the overprint is found in red, blue, and black.

1926 Scott 31 3fr violet & blue

"Liberty and Peace"

The CV for the issue is remarkably inexpensive, with only one stamp valued higher than $1+. And the beauty of French stamps is not to be denied. Thus series alone would make me want to collect classical WW!

1926 Scott 34 2c red brown 

"Street in Kasbah, Algiers"

A street scene from Kasbah -  intriguing. Go ahead and click on the image and enlarge :-). The street scene stamp is the first design in the 35 stamp issue of 1926-39.

1926 Scott 65 5fr red & violet

"Marabout of Sidi Yacoub"

The higher denominations share this image, and only here does the CV begin to climb above $1+.

1927 Scott 72 90c on 80c orange red

"La Pecherie Mosque"

Stamps of 1926 Surcharged with New Values"

In 1927, seven stamps from the preceding 1926 issue were surcharged.

La Pecherie Mosque

 Another view of the Mosque.

1936 Scott 94 75c slate blue

"Oued River at Colomb-Bechar"

Between 1936-41, a lovely 31 stamp pictorial issue was released. We will take a look at the eight designs, in no particular order.

The Oued Ksob is a river in (now) western Morocco that empties into the Atlantic ocean. A French Foreign Legion post was once located at Columb-Bechar.

1936 Scott 102 2.25fr yellow green

"Travel across the Sahara"

The Sahara, the hottest desert in the world, can have sand dunes up to 600 feet in height. BTW, this is the most expensive stamp in the set @ $10+.

1936 Scott 101 2fr dark brown

"Arch of Triumph, Lambese"

Except for three stamps, all the stamps in the issue are CV <$1-$1+.

1936 Scott 97 1.25fr light violet

 "Admiralty Building, Algiers"

The heavy scroll work around the frame is characteristic of the issue.

1936 Scott 88 40c brown violet

"Kings' Tombs near Touggourt"

Touggourt is located next to an oasis in the Sahara.

1936 Scott 86 25c rose violet

"El-Kebir Mosque, Algiers"

The great Mosque of Algiers was built in 1097.

1938 Scott 118 65c ultramarine

"Ruins of a Roman Villa"

Philippeville (now Skikda) was founded in 1838 by the French on the ruins of an ancient Phoenician city. For the centenary, a five stamp issue was produced in 1938.

1930 Scott B20 50c + 50c ultramarine

"Ruins at Djemila"

This 1930 semi-postal shows Djemila, a village in mountainous Algeria, where some of the best Berbero-Roman ruins have been preserved.

Deep Blue

Deep Blue (Steiner) has 12 pages for Algeria, and all the major numbers in Scott have a space.

1925 Scott 21 45c red, blue overprint

"Louis Pasteur"

Out of the Blue

I'm adding more stamp images (and discussion) to the earlier published posts. The French inspired Algerian stamps are worthy indeed.

Note: La Pecherie Mosque pic appears to be in the public domain.
Note: These images are added to the original Algeria post.

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