French Congo

1900-04 French Congo 4c scarlet & gray blue "Leopard"

Quick History
The French Congo (Congo français) began as a protectorate for the Bateke people in 1880 at Brazzaville along the north side of the Congo River. Angola was on the south side of the Congo river. Concessions were subsequently given to French companies to develop the colony, but only some ivory, rubber and timber were extracted.

In 1888, the French Congo was administratively joined with Gabon (Although Gabon  had its own stamp production). Stamps of the French Colonies can be found surcharged "Congo français" in 1891. The "Navigation and Commerce" issue was available in 1892 with "Congo français" on the faceplate.  In 1894 and 1900, the military holdings of Ubangi and Chad were added to the colony respectively. Stamp production for the French Congo continued until 1904.

But, the Gabon-Congo area was renamed Middle Congo (Moyen-Congo) in 1903. Then in 1906, Gabon and the Middle Congo were separated, and the "French Congo" as such no longer existed. Subsequently, the colonies (Middle Congo, Gabon, ) were re-united in 1910 as "French Equatorial Africa", but had their own stamp production until 1933.

Chad and Ubangi continued as a dependency with the name "Ubangi-Chari-Chad", and the stamps of the Middle Congo were used there.

1906 Map of French Congo

Into the Deep Blue

Affordable collectability

The 2011 Scott Classic Specialized catalogue has  52 major stamp descriptions for the years 1891-1903. "Affordable" stamps can be found from the 1892-1900 "Navigation and Commerce" issue ( 12 stamps <$20; of those 4 stamps <$5), and the 1900-04 Pictorial (Leopard etc) issue ( 10 stamps <$5).

Total "affordable" stamps: 22  

Affordability Index = 43%.

There are  16 generic "French Colony" stamps (regular and postage due) that are surcharged for the French Congo between 1891-92 that range from $45 to $4,400. A bit out of my league. ;-)

A closer look at the stamps and issues

1892-1900 5c green/greenish "Navigation and Commerce"

Typical of most French colonies, there is a 17 stamp issue of the "Navigation and Commerce" design, with the faceplate stamped with "Congo Français".  Six of the stamps are <$6+, so a representative selection could be had without too much cost. Although the carmine color for the name of the colony is typical, look for the 4c claret in black and blue: worth $170+.  :-)

One could argue that a 17 stamp issue is a little much, but finding a socked on the nose cancel (Brazzaville) in my collection was, as the college kids say, "sweet". ;-)  (Illustrated elsewhere in the blog)

1900-04 2c brown & orange "Leopard"

A 15 stamp pictorial (Leopard, Bakalois Woman, Coconut Grove) bi-colored issue was produced for the French Congo in 1900-1904. Nice! Of interest, the stamps are watermarked with either a "Thistle branch", a "Rose branch" or a "Olive branch". Nine stamps are <$2+. The same design is found in the subsequent  1907-22 Middle Congo issue. 

1900-04 10c dark red & red: Leopard design found in two Types

Type 1: End of left tusk extends behind and above right tusk.

It is well worth checking the Leopard design (1c-15c, six stamps) for Type 2, found only in position 91 of each pane of 100, where the left tusk does not extend above the right tusk. Valued @ $45-$110. :-)

Deep Blue

Deep Blue has four pages for the French Congo issues, and follows sequentially the Scott catalogue.

1892-1900 French Congo 25c black/rose "Navigation and Commerce"

Note the nice SON Brazzaville postmark

Big Blue
Big Blue '69, on one half page, has 18 spaces for the French Congo. Coverage is 35%.

More specifically, BB has seven spaces for the 1892 Navigation and Commerce issue. Filling those spaces economically (as there are two blank spaces), would range from $1+- $10. Very nice.

The 1900-04 Pictorial issue has 11 spaces (three blank), and filling those spaces would cost from <$1-$10.

Big Blue has a nice affordable selection. :-)

Simple Checklist
1892-1900
18,19,20,,21,23,(25),(28),

1900
35,36,37,38,(40),
41,42,43,44,45,(46)

Comments
A) ( ) around a number indicates a suggested blank space choice.

B) Expensive stamps ($10 threshold):
Scott 46 75c red violet & orange "Bakalois Woman" $10

1900-04 5c green & gray green "Leopard"

Leopards were found throughout sub-Saharan Africa in both rain forests and deserts.

Out of the Blue
The "Leopard" pictorial is a refreshing contrast to the "Monarch" British Colonies stamps of the same era. And the lithe Leopard appears capable of leaping out of the stamp! ;-)

Maps appear to be in the public domain.

Links
French Congo - Bud's Big Blue

Drop a comment to me!

The Republic of the Congo: Independent since 1960

Occupies former area of the French Congo (Later Middle Congo)

Note: Do not confuse with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Zaire) !