Obock

1892 Scott 23 2c on 15c blue 

Stamps of French Colonies

 Handstamped with additional Surcharge

Quick History
Obock was a French seaport on the Gulf of Aden in eastern Africa, and across from the British port of Aden. It was the first French settlement (colony) in the region through a treaty with the local Afar Sultans in 1862. These agreements were strengthened between 1883 and 1887.

Obock, 1896

All of the lands north of the Gulf of Tadjoura were known as Obock. By 1885, there were 800 inhabitants in Obock. 

The reason for the settlement? The French wanted their own coaling station for steamships (the Suez Canal had opened in 1869), as they did not want to rely solely on the British Aden coaling station.

Stamps were issued beginning in 1892, and consisted of French Colonies stamps that were handstamped "Obock". Stamp issues continued until 1894.

Djibouti, Obock, and the Somali Coast (French Somaliland), 1922

Then the port of Djibouti on the south side of the Gulf of Tadjoura was established in 1888, and provided a safer haven. The French protectorate- "Cote francaise des Somalis" (French Somaliland) was established in Djibouti in 1894, and the administrative capital was moved from Obock. The port of Obock was included in the new French Somaliland, and began to use the stamps of the "Somali Coast" in 1901.

The population subsequently declined to about 500 in 1911. So ends the glory days of Obock.

1892 Scott 36 10c black/lavender

"Navigation and Commerce"

Into the Deep Blue
The 2011 Scott Classic 1840-1940 catalogue has, for Obock 1892-1894, 83 major descriptive numbers for the regular and postage due categories. Of those, only 5 (6%) are CV $1+. If one raises the CV bar to $20, then 35 ( 42%) qualify. Clearly, Obock's stamps are fairly expensive.

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

1892 Scott 4 5c green/greenish 

Stamps of French Colonies

Handstamped in Black

The initial eleven stamp issue in 1892 consisted of the stamps of the French Colonies handstamped in black as shown. Four stamps have a CV of $20+.

1892 Scott 12 4c claret/lavender

Stamps of French Colonies

Handstamped in Black

There was another handstamped issue of nine stamps produced in 1892 as illustrated here. Note the "Obock" postmark. Five stamps are CV $10+.

1892 Scott 21 1c on 25c black/rose

Stamps of French Colonies

 Handstamped with additional Red Surcharge

Four of the preceding 1892 handstamped stamps were surcharged in various denominations and colors (red, blue, or black) to provide an additional eleven stamp issue in 1892.

1892 Scott 24 4c on 15c blue

Stamps of French Colonies

 Handstamped with additional Black Surcharge

The surcharged issue has a CV of $10+ for five stamps.

1892 Scott 40 30c brown/bister

"Navigation and Commerce"

1892 was a very productive year for Obock (stamp wise), as the fourth issue consisted of the familiar "Navigation and Commerce" stamps. "Obock" was printed on the stamps in red or blue, and the thirteen stamp set has a CV of $1+-$3+ for five stamps.

1894 Scott 53 25c black & blue "Somali Warriors"

A 1894 issue of 18 stamps- 13 with the "Somali Warriors" design (shown above), 5 with the triangular "Camel Scene" design ( not shown)- is interesting indeed. It is imperforate with "fake" perforations. ;-)

1894 "Somali Warriors" Issue

Quadrille Lines printed on Paper

The back of the stamps have quadrille lines. Twelve of the stamps in the issue have a CV ranging from $1+-$9

BTW, there were three surcharges produced in 1902, but they are listed with the stamps of the Somali Coast..

Deep Blue

1892 Handstamped & Surcharged Issue in Deep Blue

Deep Blue (Steiner) has five pages for Obock. and includes a space for every Scott major number.

1892 Scott 15 15c blue

Stamps of French Colonies

Handstamped in Black

Big Blue

Big Blue '69, on two lines of one page, has 12 spaces for the stamps of Obock. Coverage is 15%. Considering the expensive nature of Obock stamps, the limited coverage is probably justifiable.

Obock in Big Blue

The Obock section shares a page with  "Nyassa" and "Prussia" in the '69 edition. The earlier 40s editions have Obock on the last page of the "Nyasaland Protectorate" section. The coverage appears to be the same for all editions.

Of note, "Obock" is not included in the Table of Countries in the '69 edition.

The coverage includes three spaces for the 1892 handstamped French Colonies stamps: the type illustrated and heading the "Big Blue" section above. All three of these stamps are CV $10+.

Checklist

1892

12,13,(14), 32,33,34,35,(36),

1894

46,47,48,49

End

Comments

A) Expensive stamps ($10 threshold):

1892 Scott 12 4c claret/lavender ($10+)

1892 Scott 13 5c green/greenish ($10+)

1892 Scott (14) 10c black/lavender ($10+)

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

1892 Scott 43 75c violet/orange

"Navigation and Commerce"

Out of the Blue

The little town of Obock now has about 20,000 population, a  blip on the world scene. But in the philatelic sphere, it will be remembered and even cherished.

Note: Maps appear to be in the public domain.

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