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) !

French Colonies

1865 20c blue/bluish "Eagle and Crown" : Has gum on back

The 1887 official reprint had no gum on back, and the design was brighter

Quick History
"French Colonies" here strictly refers to the parts of the French Empire, the colonies, that did not have stamps of their own. For the stamp era we are concerned about, the use was between 1859-1906. Some of the possessions include Martinique, Guadeloupe, Cochin China, Mayotte, Nossi-Be, New Caledonia, Diego Suarez, Gabon, Malagasy (Madagascar), Reunion, Senegal, and Tahiti.

The stamps used were the "Eagle and  Crown" 1859-65, the "Napoleon III" and the "Ceres" 1871-72, the new designed/colored "Ceres" 1872-77, and the the "Peace and Commerce" (Type I & Type II) 1877-1880, all imperforate.

A perforated "Commerce" stamp, used exclusively for the colonies, and inscribed "COLONIES", was issued 1881-86. Many of these "Commerce" stamps were overprinted by the colonies during the 1880's and 1890's.

In 1892, France issued the perforated "Navigation & Commerce" series with the colonies name on the stamp. These stamps will be found under the specific colonies philatelic issues.

Common Postage Due stamps (imperforate) were issued for the colonies between 1884-1906. After 1906, all colonies used their own intended stamp issues.

The distinguishing feature of the Colony stamps were, prior to 1880, they were issued imperforate, while the French motherland version was (usually) perforated. The Postage dues (1884-1906) were also issued imperforate, while the french version was perforated.

Nevertheless, identifying Colony stamps is very difficult for certain issues, being virtually identical to a French version. The collector will look at imperforate vs perforate, or color (usually a poor determining factor, but read the next paragraph), or finding a postmark on a used stamp.  We will look into this problem in more depth shortly.

Addendum: One experienced collector reminded me that the French mainland issues date from 1849-1952, while the French Colonies issues were printed in 1871-1876. So, although the same plates were used, the color tints are quite different for the periods. Compare the colors of the possible French Colonies stamps with the mainland circa 1870+ perforated variety, and the color tints should be similar. A very good tip.

1873 1c olive green/pale blue "Ceres": Imperforated

The French version was issued perforated

Into the Deep Blue
Affordable collectability

The 2011 Scott Classic Specialized catalogue has, from 1859-1906,  58 major stamp descriptions for the 1849-1886  regular issues, and 22 for the Postage dues, for a total of 80 major stamp descriptions.

For the regular issues: 1849-1886: 27 stamps are  <$20; of those 6 are <$5.

For the postage dues: 1884-1906: 13 stamps are  <$5.

Total "inexpensive" stamps: 40

Affordability Index = 50%.

These "classic" colony stamps are fairly expensive, but not outrageously so. One gets what one pays for. ;-)

What about costs compared to the motherland French version?

Here is an example of the prices for a similar colony and French stamp.
(Note:  All of these stamps are illustrated elsewhere on this blog.)

1872 25c blue/bluish "Ceres" Colony imperforate stamp: $13

1871 25c blue/bluish "Ceres" French perforated stamp: $1.25

1849 25c light blue/bluish "Ceres" French imperforate stamp: $40 

 The 1871 perforated French "Ceres" is less expensive than the 1872  imperforated colony version.

Certainly, a closely cropped "imperforate" could actually be the French perforated stamp. So, one would want "no doubt" margins for the colony stamps in one's collection.

A larger worry is confusing the 1872 colony imperforate with the earlier 1849 French imperforate. Almost always, the French 1849-50 "Ceres" ( and the imperforate Napoleon III) stamps are more expensive than the colony imitation. So the concern here is finding a less expensive colony stamp placed among the more expensive imperforate French issues.

A closer at the stamps and issues

1887 40c orange/yellowish "Eagle and crown": No Gum

Probable official reprint from the 1859 issue

The 1859-65 imperforate "Eagle and Crown" colonies issue has one nice virtue: It cannot be confused with motherland French stamps, as it is a unique design. It is found in six denominations ranging from $8-$60 ($24-$110 mint) in catalogue value. Nice stamps. One fly in the ointment is there was an official reprint of these stamps ( and others) in 1887 that had no gum, and the colors and paper are brighter in design than the originals. Unfortunately, many of the earlier French colonies were issued originally without gum too, so not a great help. The reprints are valued @ $20 mint. So the above stamp, the 40c orange, could be either one as it has no gum. Since I do not have more material to compare, and I am not a french specialist, I will categorize it as a reprint- the cheapest choice- until I know more. OTOH, the 20c blue illustrated at the top of the blog has gum. So, that stamp could be an original issue, although clearly I would need more study to be certain.

1872 5c green/pale blue "Ceres" Imperforated

The corresponding French stamp, 1872 yellow green/ pale blue is perforated.

As mentioned, fortunately many of the French Colony issues can distinguished by being imperforate, compared to their French perforated dopplegänger. ( I know, I'm mixing a German word with a French topic ;-)  )

The 1872-77 eight stamp issue "Ceres", and the 1877-80 twenty-one stamp issue "Peace and Commerce" are all imperforate. That is the largest difference. Sometimes, color can be a clue,  if you noted Scott's color characterization for the 5c illustrated above. But caution is advised interpreting color as a sure sign of a stamp identification. Many shades exist. For instance, the above French 5c also is found in Scott 53a, green/pale blue: the exact color of the imperforated French Colony 5c illustrated above. :-)

1873 French Colony 1c olive green/pale blue "Ceres" imperforated

1870 1c olive green/pale blue "Ceres" perforated

The above illustration shows the same denomination French Colony and French stamp. Can you tell the difference, other than the obvious imperforated/perforated dichotomy? Good luck with that. ;-) Actually, the Maury catalogue will often parse the stamps further, depending on (small) engraving differences.

There is another clue: the postmark. The "GUA" postmark on the French colony stamp might very well be for Guadeloupe. So, always check  French colony stamps for postmarks.

1872 "French Colony" 25c blue/bluish "Ceres" imperforate

Can one be sure it is a French colony stamp?

O.K. This is where identification gets real hairy. There are some French colony stamps that are found also with a French imperforate stamp in a similar/same color. 

The similar imperforate stamps are:

1850 French Scott 1 10c bister/yellowish "Ceres" (shades exist) ($250+)

1871 French colony Scott 9 10c bister/yellowish "Ceres"  ($120+)

1849 French Scott 4a 20c blue/bluish "Ceres" ($2000+)

1871 French colony Scott 11 20c blue/bluish "Ceres" ($120+)

1850 French Scott 6a 25c blue/bluish "Ceres" ($40)

1872 French colony Scott 12 25c blue/bluish ($10+)

1850 French Scott 7 40c orange/yellowish (Type I) "Ceres" ($450+)

1871 French colony Scott 14 40c orange/yellowish (Type I) "Ceres" ($10+)

1854 French Scott 13 5c green/greenish (Type II) "Napoleon III" ($85)

1972 French colony Scott 8 5c yellow green/greenish "Napoleon III" ($400+)

A couple of comments....

A) Note the French stamps are worth more except for the 5c "Napoleon III" French colony.

B) The difference in price means inadvertent or "on purpose" switching of stamps is a real possibility.

C) Obviously, identification of the postmark-location, date,- would be nice.

D) Scott gives no help; suggests getting an expert opinion.

E) I would think the Maury catalogue would be helpful. But I only have the French catalogue; not one that covers the French colony stamps here detailed. And my French is marginal. ;-)
F) Note: I do not include the Bordeaux issues here, because they can be differentiated. Those issues were lithographic, while the others are typographic. And the lines in the neck on the Bordeaux ( rather than points) is diagnostic. 

1872 "French Colony" 25c blue/bluish imperforate

1871 French 25c blue/bluish perforated

The model for the imperforate 25c French colony stamp would be found in the 1870-73 French perforated issue. The colors might match, and the stamps can be examined for similarities. BTW, Maury breaks down the French 25c perforate into three types, depending on the shape of the X's (fleurons) in the corner boxes. Perhaps the French colony stamps have similar types?

1872  Scott 12 "French Colonies" 25c blue/bluish "Ceres" imperforate

1849 French 25c light blue/bluish "Ceres" imperforate

Here is a direct comparison between a French colony 25c and the 1849 French 25c. The colors don't match, but not in the way that Scott describes them. The French colony 25c comes in "blue" according to Scott, but Maury also lists a "dull blue" which appears more likely. Then Scott has either "light blue" or "blue" as the colors for the 1849 French 25c, but Maury lists a "dark blue" which here looks right. So much for relying on shades in Scott. ;-)

So is there a difference? There has to be, otherwise they would be the same issue*. ;-)  Yes, I see a difference here, a difference there, but I don't really know what to look for. So, as a non specialist, without the appropriate information or catalogue, I am presently stuck. C'est la vie

*Note: I've been told that the same plates were used, so in fact they are the same issue. Perhaps there is a difference in a worn plate or a re-touch that a specialist can determine? Otherwise, one would have to rely on a postmark, or possibly a change in color.

Moving on, I don't have examples of the 1877-80  21 stamp ( Type I & Type II) French colony "Peace and Commerce" issue. They range in price from $5+-$75, with an outlier at $270+. The Type I & Type II variations were discussed in the 1849-1900 French blog. The basic difference is that the French colony stamps are imperforate.

1881 French Colony 4c claret/lavender "Commerce": issued perforated

Inscribed "COLONIES POSTES"

The 1881-86 fourteen stamp perforated "Commerce" issue was issued only for the French colonies, so no identification problems here. ;-)  Eight of the stamps are $5 or less. As mentioned earlier, many of these "Commerce" stamps were overprinted by the colonies during the 1880's and 1890's.

1881 French Colonies 25c yellow/straw "Commerce"

Postmarks-both names and dates- can be helpful to track down the French colony origin. This stamp might be from St. Pierre & Miquelon, which would increase the valuation from $5+ to $40+. :-)

1892 1c black/blue & 2c brown/buff  "Navigation and Commerce"

Anjouan

Finally, the regular generic "French colonies" issues came to an end with the French possession inscribed  "Navigation and Commerce" stamps in 1892.

1884 French Colony Postage Due 1c black imperforated

1882 French Postage Die 1c black perforated

Although the regular issues for generic "French Colonies" ended in 1892, the postage due stamps began in 1884, and continued until 1906. There are two series: the 1884-85 fourteen stamp "black" issue, and the 1894-1906 eight stamp "colored" issue. The stamps are fairly inexpensive, with thirteen stamps <$5. The key to French colony postage dues? They are identical to the French stamps, but imperforated.

Deep Blue
Deep Blue has four pages with all Scott major numbers having a space. A show and tell will give you an idea....

1881-86 French Colonies "Commerce" issue in Deep Blue

Big Blue provides seven spaces for this issue (1c-15c,25c black/rose ) with the most expensive stamp @$5+. Deep Blue has a space for all fourteen stamps in the issue. Big Blue does not give a space for the 25c yellow/straw @$3+. The rest of the issue is valued @ $18-$60. One must admit, if one is particularly deep in coverage for an issue, it is nice to have a space for them.

Advantage Deep Blue if "deep" in an issue.

Advantage Big Blue if not.

Postage Due French Colonies (Imperforate) in Deep Blue

Big Blue provides seven spaces for the two postage due issues (1884-85, 1894-1906). Deep Blue has spaces for all twenty-two stamps on one page. Filling up the designated spaces in Big Blue, there is no room for four of the 1894-1906 issue with valuations @ $1+.

Advantage Deep Blue

1881 1fr bronze green/straw "Commerce"

Inscribed "COLONIES POSTES"

Big Blue
Big Blue '69, on one half page, has 20 stamp spaces for regular (14) and postage due (6). The "Eagle and  Crown" 1859-65 issue has Scott 3 &4  10c & 20c ($8-$13+). In addition, the Scott 5 40c ($13+), and a blank space (Scott 2 5c?-$15+) have spaces also. The 1872 imperforate "Ceres" has the Scott 16 1c ($10+), Scott 19 5c ($9+); and Scott 12 25c blue/bluish "Napoleon III"($10+). The 25c blue needs to be differentiated from the French 1849 25c blue imperforate.

Then the 1881-86 "Commerce" stamps have seven spaces.

Finally the postage due section has seven spaces: Four for the 1884-85 issue, and three for either issue.

In summary, BB has a representative selection, with no stamp more than $15+.

Simple Checklist

1859-65

3,4,

1872

16,19,12,

1859-65

5,(2),

1881-86

46,47,48,49,50,51,54,

Postage Due

1884-1906

J1,J2,J3,J4,(J5),(J9),

Comments

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

B) Expensive stamps ($10 threshold) include:

1859-65 Imperforate “Eagle and crown”

Scott 4 20c blue/bluish $10+
Scott 5 40c orange/yellowish  $10+

(Scott 2) 5c yellow green/greenish $10+

1872

Scott 16 1c olive green/pale blue “Ceres”$10+

Scott 12 25c blue/bluish “Ceres” $10+

1894 Postage Due 50c lilac: Imperforate

Issued in seven different colors for each denomination

The French version is perforated

Out of the Blue 
Interesting and tricky. Recall, that the French Colonials discussed here only come imperforate, and are found for the 1849-1880 regular, and all the postage dues. This feature often determines a French colonial stamp. Watch for postmarks and dates for identification. Good luck with the identical? same color imperforate French colony and imperforate French stamps. ;-)

Links
French Colonies - Bud's Big Blue

I would like to hear from you!

Tattered Big Blue goes for $8700 on the Bay

First page of Canada

Note all the large Queens

Happy New Year!

Of interest to Big Blue collectors, an extremely ragged Big Blue album circa 1947 or earlier went for $8700 on E-Bay today. Lots of competition with 21 bidders. The top two bidders, presumably dealers with many transactions, swooped in at the last second and took the lot away from a probable collector (with 12 recent ebay transactions) who topped out at $8000.

Look on Ebay for....

Bulging - VALUABLE - US and Worldwide 1841-1940 Collection in Album

I was curious about the high price, as the album was "stuffed", but by no means full. In addition, the album was "clean" with no clearly additional expensive stamps mounted around the edges of the page. No estimate of numbers were given, but it appears to be in the neighborhood of 14,000-20,000 stamps. Since Bob Skinner of "Filling Spaces" blog fame has managed to collect 18,000 stamps recently for little more than $3000, did Ebay hysteria cause this lot to be sold for way too much? Possibly.

But a close look reveals a loaded U.S. collection ($1800 CV on first page alone with a nice Scott 1), and a look at the first page of the Canada collection ( illustrated above) shows Large Queens etc for >$500 CV. No doubt the reason for the buying frenzy.  ;-)

For myself, I don't have the means to be spending funds like this at one go. And doesn't it take a bit of fun away if one obtains everything at once?  ;-)

Comments appreciated on this subject.

Note: Pic is from the Ebay auction

(Note: I will be in China this month, so be patient with replies from me. )

France: Semi-Postal, Air Post, Postage Due, Offices

1939 semi-postal 90c + 35c black brown 

"Civilian facing Firing Squad"

Quick History
The Third French Republic existed from 1870 until 1940 and the conquest by Germany. France is the largest western European country, and in 1936 the population was 42,000,000. Paris is the capital.

The State is governed under the fundamental document of the French Revolution, The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen. This Declaration derives from the philosophical thinking of the Age of Enlightenment, and shares the principles of human rights with the U.S. Declaration of Independence. The rights of man are considered universal, valid in all situations, places and times.

It is helpful to be aware of the Age of Enlightenment human rights declarations and beliefs, as much of the allegorical imagery found on the French definitives, and French stamps in general, refer back to these principles.

1936-37 semi-postal 1.50fr + 50c deep blue "Louis Pasteur"

Surtax used for relief of unemployed intellectuals

Into the Deep Blue
This is the third blog on French Stamps, and I will review the non regular, or "Back of the Book" issues. I  don't have some of the categories (Occupation stamps, Parcel Post stamps), so will say little about those. Also, there are a lot of "Offices Abroad" stamps in both the Scott catalogue and in albums. It is my experience that, unless one specializes in this area, not a lot of stamps are actually found in general classic era albums in this category.  :-)

Affordable collectability
These are the categories, and the total number of major stamp descriptions in the Scott catalogue...

Semi-Postal 1914-1940: 107 stamps; of those 43 <$5.  Affordability Index = 40%
Comment: The French Semi-Postals are fairly expensive.

Air Post 1927-1936: 17 stamps; of those 4 <$5. Affordability Index = 23%
Comment: In 1928, C3($1800) and C4($8000+) were produced when they received a 10 Franc surcharge in New York by order of the French consul general. This paid for the mail on the liner Ile de France (on the eastern voyage) to be put on a hydroplane which was then catapulted to France. Rather expensive for a one day speed-up of mail. ;-)

Postage Due 1859-1941: 47 stamps; of those 16 <$5. Affordability Index = 34%

"Recouvrements" stamps 1908-1931: 23 stamps; of those 16 <$5. Affordability Index = 70%
Comment: "Recouvrements" stamps are a form of postage due. But these were charged to the sender when the mail could not be delivered, and was returned to the sender.

Military stamps 1901-39: 9 stamps; of those 5 are <$5
Comment: Overprinted "F.M." on regular issues, and indicates "Franchise Militare" (Military Frank).

Newspaper 1868-1933: 8 stamps; of those 2 are <$5

Parcel Post 1892-1939: 159 stamps; of those 64 are  <$5. Affordability Index = 40%
Comment:  Deep Blue does not include the PP category in the main classical download, but does have the option of downloading separate pages for PP. I have no PP stamps in my collection. I wonder if the PP category was a recent addition to the Classic Scott catalogue? Clearly, these French Parcel Post stamps are not found as commonly as the Belgium Railroad/Parcel Post stamps. I hate to be critical, but these PP stamps are not very attractive to me, and they are not inexpensive. I'm not sure I will collect them.

Franchise stamp 1939: 1 stamp ($2+)
Comment: For the use of Spanish refugees in France.

Occupation stamps
Franco-Prussian war: 1870: 14 stamps; of those 0 are <$5.
Comment: 4 are <$20.

WWI: 1916: 12 stamps: of those 8 are <$5.
Comment: Clearly, I have some holes in my French collection, as I do not have any occupation stamps at the moment. ;-)

WWII:1940: 32 stamps; of those 28 are <$5.
Note: see WWI comment.

Offices in China
A large number of issues are represented in Scott. As I noted above, not many of these stamps are found in general WW collections in my experience

Offices in China: regular & postage due: 1894-1922: 137 stamps (including bolded minor numbers); of those 34 <$5.  Affordability Index = 25%

Canton:1901-1919: 83 stamps; of those 36 <$5.Affordability Index = 43%

Hoi Hao: 1901-1919: 84 stamps; of those 28 are <$5. Affordability Index = 33%.

Kwangchowan: regular & semi-postal :1906-1939: 139 stamps; of those 94 are <$5. Affordability Index = 68%

Mongtseu: 1903-1919: 68 stamps; of those 20 are <$5. Affordability Index = 29%

Pakhoi:1903-1919: 69 stamps; of those 27 are <$5. Affordability Index = 39%.

Tchongking: 1903-1919: 67 stamps; of those 20 are <$5. Affordability Index = 30%

Yunnan Fou:1903-1919: 66 stamps; of those 18 are <$5. Affordability Index = 27%

Total China: 713 stamps; of those 277 are <$5. Affordability Index = 39%.
Comment: A very large group of stamps; a representative collection might suffice.

Offices in Crete: 1902-1903: 20 stamps; of those 10 are <$5.Affordability Index = 50%.

Offices in Egypt
Alexandria: regular, semi-postal & postage due: 1899-1930: 104 stamps; of those 60 are <$5.  Affordability Index = 58%.

Port Said: regular, semi-postal and postage due: 1899-1930: 104 stamps; of those 38 are <$5. Affordability Index = 37%.

Total Egypt: 208 stamps; of those 98 are <$5. Affordability Index = 47%.
Comment: Less expensive than China

Offices in Turkey (Levant); also Cavalle, Dedeagh, Port Lagos, Vathy
1885-1923: 103 stamps; of those 30 are <$5. Affordability Index = 29%.

Offices in Zanzibar: regular & postage due: 1894-1904: 67 stamps; of those 0 are <$5.
Comment: 11 stamps are <$10- a more realistic "affordability" mark as these are ~19th century era stamps.

Total Offices abroad: 1111 stamps; of those 415 are <$5. Affordability Index = 37%.

Total Back of the Book: 1540 stamps; of those 602 are <$5. Affordability Index = 39%.
Comment: Wow! A lot of BOB stamps; no wonder specialization is attractive. ;-)

Grand Total for France
1849-1900: 108 stamps; of those 49 are <$20.
1900-1940: 284 stamps; of those 243 are <$5.
Total BOB: 1540 stamps; of those 602 are <$5.
Total: 1932 stamps; of those 894 are "affordable".
Affordability Index = 47%
Comment: About half of French stamps are reasonable in price. Now, just how will I obtain them? Ah, there's the rub.  :-)

A closer look at the stamps and issues

1939 semi-postal 90c + 10c bright red violet

Honoré de Balzac

Although France was late with the commemoratives, since 1914, they have had a reasonable output of semi-postal stamps to raise funds for various causes. One of the more interesting causes, with three issues, is a surtax for unemployed intellectuals. One of the stamps is illustrated above, and the Pasteur semi-postal illustrated elsewhere in the blog is from another issue. I can't imagine the U.S. having a stamp issue for a cause like that. ;-) The French take their intellectuals, artists, and scientists seriously.

1882-92 1c black postage due & 1909 30c bister "recouvrements" stamp

The left stamp is a postage due, not too out of the ordinary. But the right stamp is a "recouvrements" stamp. This stamp was intended to recover funds from the sender if the letter or parcel was returned to the sender if it couldn't be delivered or was refused. Perhaps other countries do this, but France is the first for the classic countries and this blog.

1901 15c orange overprinted "F.M."

Military stamp: Franchise Militare

I haven't seen this category before, but France has issued overprinted stamps to be used by the French military from 1901-39. Interesting.

Offices in China

Kwangchowan: 1923 1/5c blue & black with red overprint

Kwangchowan: 1927 1/2c yellow with black overprint

Yunnan Fou: 1908 4c blue & black with red overprint

The Offices in China issues (713! stamps) were produced between 1894-1922 by France for seven locations in China to receive and send overseas mail. The stamps of Indo-China were generally overprinted or surcharged for this use. Not found in abundance in most general collections, one will need to pursue and acquire these fascinating stamps.

Offices in Crete

1902-03 3c red orange "Liberty, Equality and Fraternity"

During the period (1902-03) when Crete was autonomous, France, Austria, Italy, and Britain maintained their own post offices. France issued 20 stamps.

Offices in Egypt

1902-13 Alexandria 4c yellow brown

1902-03 Port Said 2c violet brown 

Alexandria and Port Said had French post offices from 1899-1929. About equally divided, Alexandria and Port Said together had 208 stamps.

Offices in Turkey (Levant)

1886 1pi on 25c black, rose surcharged in red

1903 1pi on 25c blue surcharged in black

France and other countries has post offices in the Turkish Empire, as a result of various treaties.  France had Offices in Turkey (Levant) stamps; also specific Cavalle, Dedeagh, Port Lagos, and Vathy location stamps. From 1885-1923, 103 stamps were issued.

Deep Blue
Deep Blue of course has all the major number Scott spaces-1540 for BOB! No surprises, although the parcel post stamps need to be separately downloaded. In contrast, Big Blue provides 453 spaces for the BOB stamps.

1936 air post 1.50fr dark ultramarine

"Airplane & Galleon"

Big Blue
Big Blue '69, on thirteen pages, has three pages and 67 stamp spaces for semi-postals (107 in Scott), one page and 10 spaces for air post (17 in Scott),  and on one page- 20 spaces for postage due and "recouvrements" stamps (70 in Scott), 3 spaces for military stamps, 2 spaces for newspaper stamps, and 8 spaces for the 1916 occupation stamps.
Total spaces for semi-postal through occupation stamps: 110 stamp spaces.
Total coverage for semi-postal through occupation stamps (269 in Scott): 41%

There are no spaces for parcel post.

Offices abroad
Offices in China: five pages and 213 stamp spaces.
Includes coverage for offices in China, Canton, Hoi Hao, Kwangchowan, Mongtseu, Packhoi, Tong King, and Yunnan Foo.

Offices in Crete: 12 stamp spaces

Offices in Egypt: two pages and 73 stamp spaces
Includes coverage of Alexandria and Port Said.

Offices in Zanzibar: 7 stamp spaces.

Offices in the Turkish Empire: one page and 38 stamp spaces.
Includes coverage of Levant, Cavalle, Dedeagh, Port Lagos , and Vathy.

Total coverage of Offices Abroad: 343 stamp spaces (Scott 1111): 31%

Note: Big Blue has spaces for "Offices in Morocco", but I will cover those stamps in a separate blog for two reasons.
1) True, there are "French offices in Morocco" stamp issues from 1891-1917, but then Morocco became a French Protectorate 1914-1942 with many stamp issues.
2) Scott has Morocco listed under its own title as "French Morocco".

Overall coverage by Big Blue
1849-1900  :65 spaces (108 in Scott)
1900-1940: 234 spaces ( 284 in Scott)
Back of the Book: 453 spaces (1540 in Scott)
Grand Total for Big Blue: 752 spaces (1932 in Scott)
Total coverage by Big Blue: 39%.

As far as expensive entries, there are six semi-postals that cross the $35 threshold for the "Most Expensive Stamp" list. There are three horizontal blank spaces in the early 1918-28 section of the semi-postals.  This yielded,at the least expensive, B7 ($125), B8 ($180), and B27 ($150)! Wow! I also note that the 1918 B11 semi-postal "Hospital Ship and Field Hospital" stamp @ $60 has a space.

Also I noted a quite different layout for the earlier issues in the '41/'47 editions compared to the '69 edition. However, I didn't do further investigation.

Comment
With 752 spaces (343 for China offices abroad), Big Blue provides good coverage of France.

Simple Checklist

Postage Due

1882-92

J11,J15,J16,J17,

1893-1906

J29,J30,J31,J32,

J34,(J38),

1908-19

J46,J47,J48,J49,(J51),

1927-31

J58,J59,J60,J61,(J63),

Military stamps

1901-34

M1,(M5),(M6),

Newspaper Stamps

1919

P7,

1933

P8,

Occupation Stamps

1916

N15,N16,N17,N18,N19,N20,N21,(N22),

Next Page

Semi-Postal

1914-19

B1,B2,B5,B3,B4,

B11,(B7),(B8),B27),

B14,B12,B13,B15,

B16,(B21),(B17),(B18),

1936-37

B48,B50,B51,

B53,

Next Page

1935

B42,B43,

1936

B46,B45,B44,

1937-38

B60,B62,B49,B68,B61,

B52,B63,B64,B70,

B66,B67,B71,B72,B73,B74,

B76,B77,B79,B82,

Next Page

1938-40

B75,B80,B78,B81,B84,B85,

B83,B87,B88,B89,

B86,B90,B91,B92,B93,B103,

B94,B95,B104,B105,

B106,B107,

Next Page

Air Post

1930

C5,C6a or C6,

1934

C7

1936

C8,C9,C10,

C11,C12,C13,

1936

C16,

Next Page

Offices in China

1894

1,3,6,

1902

18,19,20,21,22,

1900

2,

1902-03

34,35,36,38,

1904

26,

1904-05

46,47,48,50,(49),

1907

57,58,59,60,61,62,

1911-21

65,66,67,68,(69),

Postage Due

1901

J1,J2,

1911

J33,J34,J35,J36,

Canton

1901

1,1A,3,5,

Next Page

(Canton)

1903

15,16,17,18,19,20,21,

1906

31,32,33,34,35,

1908

48,49,50,51,52,53,54,55,

1918

65,66,67,68,59,70,(71),

Hoi Hao

1903

16,17,18,19,20,

1908

49,50,

51,52,53,54,55,56,57,58,

1918

67,68,69,70,71,72,(76), 

Next Page

Kwangchowan

1908

18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,

1918

36,37,38,39,40,41,

1923

54,55,56,57,58,59,60,61,

1927

75,76,78,79,80,81,82,83,

Mongtseu

1908

33,34,35,36,37,38,39,40,

1918

51,52,53,54,55,56,57,

Next Page

Packhoi

1903

1,2,3,4,5,

1906

17,18,19,

1908

34,35,36,37,38,39,40,41,

1918

52,53,54,55,56,57,58,

Tong King

1903

2,33,4,5,6,

1906

17,18,19,

1908

34,35,36,37,38,39,40,41,

1918

51,52,53,54,55,56,57,(59),

Next Page

Yunnan Fou

1903

1,2,3,4,5,6,7,(8),

1906

17,18,19,20,21,

1908

34,35,36,37,38,39,40,

41,42,43,(44),

1918

51,52,53,54,55,56,57,(58),

Offices in Crete

1902-03

1,2,3,4,5,6,7,

8,9,10,11,(12),

Next Page

Offices in Egypt

Alexandria

1899-1900

1,2,3,5,

1902-03

16,17,18,

19,20,21,22,23,24,25,

26,27,

1921-22

47,48,(49),

1925

62,63,65,66,67,68,69,70,

1927-28

77,81,82,  Semi-postal

1915

B1,

Postage Due

1922

J1,J2,J3.

1928

J6,J7,J8,J9,J10,J11,J12,J13,

Next page

Port Said

1899-1900

1,2,3,4,(5),

1902-03

18,19,

20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,

28,29,

1921-22

56,57,

1925

70,71,72,73,74,75,

76,77,

1927-28

83,87,88,

Semi-postal

1915

B1,

Offices in Zanzibar

1896-1900

1*,18,19,

1902-03

39,40,(41),(42),

Next Page

Offices in the Turkish Empire

Levant

1895-1900

1,2,5,

1902-03

21,22,23,24,25,

26,27,28,30,34,35,

1921

40,42,44,45,46,

Cavalle

1893

4,

1902-03

9,10,11,12,13,

Dedeagh

1893

5,

1902-03

9,10,11,15,16,

Port Lagos

1893

1,3,(2),

Vathy

1894-1900

1,3,4,5,

Comments

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


B) Caution on "Offices in Zanzibar" section: possible confusion...

Offices in Zanzibar Scott 1, 18, 19

The overprint is different for the descriptive spaces 

Watch out for the Scott 1,18,19 spaces.  The Scott 1 (with illustration cut) shows an overprint "1/2 ANNA". The Scott 18 and 19 actually have an overprint that adds "ZANZIBAR".

C) Expensive stamps ($10 threshold) include:

Semi-Postal

1914-19

B5 15c + 10c gray green "Woman Plowing" $20+

B11 15c + 5c slate & red "Hospital Ship and Field Hospital" $60

(B7) 35c + 25c slate & violet "Trench of Bayonets" $125

(B8) 50c + 50c  pale brown & dark brown "Lion of Belfort" $180

(B27) 1.50fr + 8.50fr dull blue "Industry and Agriculture" $150

B16 25c + 5c slate & violet "Woman Plowing" $10+

(B21) 50c + 10c olive brown & dark brown "Lion of Belfort" $10+

(B17) 50c + 10c pale brown & dark brown "Lion of Belfort "$10+

(B18) 1fr + 25c cl + mar "La Marseillaise" $37+

1936-37

B53 1.50fr + 50c deep ultramarine "Louis Pasteur" $20

1935

B43 50c + 2fer dull red "Symbolic of Music" $45

1936

B45 75c + 50c violet "Statue of Liberty" $10

1937-38

B70 1.75fr + 75c deep blue "Palace of Versailles"  $10+

B66 30c blue green "Winged Victory of Samothrace" $40

B67 55c red "Winged Victory of Samothrace" $40

B73 55c + 45c vermilion "Monument" $10+

B74 65c + 35c ultramarine "Reims Cathedral" $10+

B76 1.75fr + 50c deep ultramarine "Curie" $10+

1938-40

B80 90c + 35c black brown "Civilian Facing Firing Squad" $10+

B83 90c + 35c turquoise blue ""Ministry of Post, Telegraph, and Telephone" $20

B89 2.25fr + 25c bright ultramarine "Clause Bernard" $10+

B93 70c + 30c brown violet "Statue of Widow and Children" $10+

Air Post 1936

C13 3.50fr orange brown "Plane over Paris" $20+

Offices in China

Canton

1903

21 20c red/green  $10+

Mongtseu

1908

40 25c blue & black $10+

Yunnan Fou

1903

7 20c red/green $10+

Offices in Crete

1902-03

11 40c red & pale blue $10+

(12) 50c bister brown & lavender $10+

Offices in Zanzibar

1902-03

(41) 1 1/2a on 15c pale red $10+

(42) 2a on 20c brown violet $10+

Offices in the Turkish Empire

Levant

1895-1900

5 4pi on 1fr bronze green $10+

Cavalle

1893

4 15c blue $20+

Dedeagh

1893

5 1pi on 25c black/rose $30+

Port Lagos

1893

1 5c green/greenish $30

1918 semi-postal  B11 15c + 5c slate & red 

"Hospital Ship and Field Hospital"

Out of the Blue
It has been a bit of a marathon putting these three blogs together to cover France. But I now have a better understanding of these well designed issues.

Links
France - Bud's Big Blue


Any thoughts? Would like to hear from you!