1888-92 Tunisia in Bud's Big Blue
Bud's Big BlueBud's Observations
(From Jim: Bud is well, but has a lot of non philatelic obligations and responsibilities at the moment. With his permission, I will upload country pages in his complete '69 Big Blue that so far has not been shown. He might add his observations later. Enjoy!)
Jim's Observations
The French Protectorate of Tunisia encompasses the years 1881-1956.
By May 12, 1881, French forces occupied Tunisia, and required Bey Muhammad III as-Sadiq to agree to grant a French protectorate through the Bardo Treaty. Although Tunisia was nominally independent (with France acting as a protectorate), the reality was Tunisia essentially became a French colony.
Stamps with the "Bey Coat of Arms" were introduced in July 1, 1888.
The 2014 Scott Classic Specialized 1840-1940 catalogue has, for Tunisia 1888-1938 (-46), 336 major descriptive numbers. Of those, 221 are CV <$1-$1+, or 66%. Clearly, Tunisia is affordable for WW collectors.
During the period covered by this blog, Tunisia was a French protectorate, so naturally the stamps produced are from a French perspective. Fortunately, unlike some European countries who produced stamps for colonies (and protectorates), the stamps have mostly designs reflecting the local scenes, buildings, historical ruins, and people. Because of that, I found Tunisian stamps to be quite delightful.
During the period covered by this blog, Tunisia was a French protectorate, so naturally the stamps produced are from a French perspective. Fortunately, unlike some European countries who produced stamps for colonies (and protectorates), the stamps have mostly designs reflecting the local scenes, buildings, historical ruins, and people. Because of that, I found Tunisian stamps to be quite delightful.
Big Blue '69, on five pages, has 151 spaces for the regular, postage due, air post, semi-postal, and parcel post categories. Coverage is 45%.
There are only three "expensive" stamps required.
Overall, BB does a nice job for a "representative" selection for Tunisia. One could argue that the semi-postal 1918 surcharge stamps (Scott B12-B14), the semi-postal 1923 surcharged stamps (Scott B20-B28), and some of the 1888-97 perforated "T" postage stamps could of had spaces, perhaps.
The 1926-46 long definitive pictorial set spaces is, of course, short, as the post 1940 issued stamps (33 stamps) are not given a space. But, a number of them do have a space in the Part II 1840-49 International album.
There are only three "expensive" stamps required.
Overall, BB does a nice job for a "representative" selection for Tunisia. One could argue that the semi-postal 1918 surcharge stamps (Scott B12-B14), the semi-postal 1923 surcharged stamps (Scott B20-B28), and some of the 1888-97 perforated "T" postage stamps could of had spaces, perhaps.
The 1926-46 long definitive pictorial set spaces is, of course, short, as the post 1940 issued stamps (33 stamps) are not given a space. But, a number of them do have a space in the Part II 1840-49 International album.
For more on the history and the stamps themselves, click on the link below.
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