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.