French Congo - Bud's Big Blue

French Congo "local color" Issues

Into the Deep Blue
Bud's Observations

French Congo further illustrates the point about the progression in colonial stamps from mother country stamps to those of an independent nation (see comment on French Colonies). French Congo early “local color” issues sport a tarzanic aesthetic, although I don’t know if Viscount Greystoke’s legend crossed the English Chanel, much less if they inspired the crouching leopard, coconut grove, or topless Pygmy woman. Maybe so, probably not -- although the stamps are sufficiently garish to suggest so.

Oops. I just read that the first Tarzan book came out in 1912, so maybe the stamps inspired the author

French Congo subsumes Gabon, Chad, Ubangi Shari, and Middle Congo in 1904. Stamp issuing authorities changed rapidly in French African territories. For a road-map, see: 

http://www.stampworldhistory.com/country-profiles-2/africa/french-congo/.

Census: 18 in BB spaces, eight on supplement page.

Jim's Observations
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! 

French Congo Post and BB Checklist

Page 1 (Click and enlarge for examination)

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Supplements
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Comments appreciated!