Nyassa

1901 Scott 32 50r black & dark blue "Giraffe"

Quick History
Nyassa  Company (or Niassa Company) received a Portuguese royal concession to administer the Nyassa and Cabo Delgado lands north of the river Lurio in Portuguese East Africa (Mozambique) between 1891-1929. This was really a sign of weakness, as the Portuguese lacked the ability to keep Portuguese East Africa from the encroachment of British and German forces. Hence, they turned one third of their lands over to three British companies in 1891- the Mozambique Company, the Zambezi Company, and the Nyassa Company. Specifically, the Nyassa Company represented British and French interests, although it was founded by a Lisbon merchant, Bernard Daupais.

Map of Portuguese East Africa 1922

Note "Nyasa Company" in the north region

The Company instituted a forced labor policy (chibalo system), which required the natives to work the plantations.

The Capital was Porto Amelia (now Pemba), founded in 1904, and the population was 3,000,000.

Note "Niassa" and "Cabo Delgado" 

Present Day Mozambique

O.K., does that mean we will have the same old, same old, run of Portuguese colony stamps? 

No!

By 1901, the Company arranged (with permission) for printing it's own designs by Waterlow and Sons in London. And the subsequent stamp issues are....magnificent!

But we have to be realistic- these stamps were intended for the philatelic market (Waterlow and Sons must have made a killing! ;-). Most of the printings of an issue were never sent to Nyassa.

Although tons of stamps were sold, ultimately, the Portuguese government was not impressed, and the concession was terminated in 1929. Mozambique stamps were then used.

1898 Scott 16 15r brown "King Carlos I"

Overprinted on 1898 Mozambique Issue

Into the Deep Blue
The 2011 Scott Classic Specialized catalogue has, for Nyassa 1898-1925, 141 major stamp descriptions. Of those, 96, or 68% are CV <$1-$1+. Clearly, Nyassa is a bargain.

In fact, it is quite remarkable that most of the pictorials from Nyassa have a low CV- even lower than what one would expect for Portuguese colonies. The Nyassa Company, no doubt, made a nice income from the stamp sales ( as did Waterlow and Sons in London that produced many of the issues), but they must have produced more supply than demand. Today's WW classical era collector is the beneficiary.

A closer look at the stamps and issues
1000 Reis = 1 Milreis
100 Centavos = 1 Escudo (1919)

1898 Scott 21 80r violet "King Carlos I"

Overprinted on 1898 Mozambique Issue

In 1898, two sets of issues from Mozambique were overprinted "Nyassa": An 1894 12 stamp "King Carlos I" issue (A3 design), and an 1898 13 stamps "King Carlos I" issue (A4 design). Illustrated above is the overprinted 1898 Mozambique issue.

All a bit "ho-hum", though, wouldn't you say?

1901 Scott 28 10r black & deep green "Giraffe"

Well, the next issue in 1901 is definitely not in the "ho-hum" category. ;-) It has a small vignette of Carlos I in the upper left corner, and a Coat of Arms in the upper right corner, but everything else is......wonderful!

The lower seven engraved bi-colored denominations feature a giraffe eating the leaves of a palm tree.

1901 Scott 33 75r black & carmine lake "Camels'

The upper six engraved bi-color denominations show several resting camels. Honestly, if stamps produced today looked like this, I would be buying contemporary issues. ;-)

1903 Scott 39 65r on 80r black & lilac "Camels"

A three stamp surcharged set was released in 1903.

1903 Scott 43 25r black & orange "Giraffe"

Overprinted "Provisorio"

A two stamp "temporary" set was also released in 1903- but the truth is the "Provisorio" labeled stamps were used through 1910- so "hardly" temporary. 

1910 Scott 49 5r on 2 1/2r black & red brown

Another "Provisorio" labeled two stamp set was published in 1910. This gives me an excuse to show more of these handsome stamps.

BTW, 1 1/2 mm separates the space between the surcharge lines for the 1910 issue, but 2 mm separates the space for the 1921 reprint. The stamp illustrated above is the 1910 variety.

1911 Scott 56 50r black & deep blue "Zebra"

Red overprint

King Carlos was assassinated in 1910.  His young (age 19) son Manuel briefly became king, but then had to flee. The monarchy was overthrown, and "Republica" was overprinted on almost all Portuguese colony stamps in 1911.

In 1911, a new 12 stamp issue was released. The stamps had "Manuel" portrayed (already an anachronism), but with a red "Republica" overprint. The lower six denominations showed a Zebra.

1921 Scott 89 5c on 50r

Lisbon Surcharges

In 1918, an 18 stamp surcharged and overprinted "Republica" issue was released, using, curiously, the older "King Carlos face in the upper left corner" 1901-03 stamps.

But I'm skipping ahead three years to this 1921 12 stamp "Lisbon" surcharge issue - using the previous 1911 "King Manuel face in the upper left corner" issued stamps.

The "Lisbon" overprint for the surcharge, obviously printed in Lisbon, show letters in "Centavos" that vary from thick to thin in width. (This is somewhat subtle, so each stamp "centavos" overprint should be carefully examined.)

The "Lisbon" overprint is CV $2+; somewhat more than the "London" overprint. But the "Lisbon" overprint was actually the only one to be shipped to Nyassa.

1921 Scott 100 3c on 400r

Vasco da Gama's Flagship "San Gabriel"

London Surcharges

The second 1921 surcharged issue- also 12 stamps- was the "London" overprint. The image I am showing here - the "San Gabriel"- is found on six stamps of the issue.

This overprint has "centavos" in a darker shade than the "Lisbon" overprint, and the width of the letters is uniform. Obviously, this issue was overprinted/surcharged in London. (If you are still having difficulty determining the two overprint varieties, Scott has more information available.)

The CV is $1+. And, apparently, this issue was never sent to Nyassa, but went directly into the philatelic trade.

1921-23 Scott 110 2c red & black 

"Vasco da Gama"

Between 1921-23, an absolutely wonderful engraved 20 stamp 5 design issue was produced. One could argue that this issue might be the nicest ever produced by a Portuguese colony. Seriously.

1921-23 Scott 118 15c black & carmine

"San Gabriel'

And the amazing thing is the CV is <$1, save for the two highest denominations @ $2+. One tends to forget that stamp design beauty and CV cost are independent variables.

1924 Postage Due Scott J4 3c red orange "Zebra"

The last issue I will show is the triangular nine stamp set produced in 1924 for the purposes of postage due.

Waterlow and Sons, no doubt, produced these magnificent specimens for the stamp trade, as there is no evidence that they were actually used in Nyassa.

Deep Blue

Nyassa 1924 Postage Due issue in Deep Blue

Deep Blue (Steiner) has eleven pages for Nyassa, and has a space for all the major Scott numbers. There is a page each for the Lisbon and London surcharges for the 1921 issue. Nice.

1921-23 Scott 107 1/2c steel blue "Giraffe"

Big Blue

Big Blue '69, on 3 1/2 pages, has 85 spaces. The pages are located between "Nyasaland Protectorate" and "Oltre Giuba". The last half page is shared with "Obock" and "Prussia".

Coverage is 60%.

Observations....

* No stamps even get close to the $10 threshold for Nyassa in BB.

* Although one can argue that a 60% coverage is "generous" for a representational album, I did find 16 additional stamps with CV <$1-$1+ that are not in BB.

* The largest missing issue is the "Lisbon Surcharge" 1921 issue- some 12 stamps with CV @ 2+. That is because BB specifies the "London Surcharge" 1921 issue @ CV $1+. ! I would think BB owners would want to have a separate page for the "Lisbon Surcharge" issue stamps.

Checklist

1897

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

1898

13,14,15,16,17,18,19,

1901

26,27,28,29,30,

31,32,33,34,

35,36,37,38,

1903

39,40,41,

1903

42,43,

Next Page

1911

51,52,53,54,

55,57,58,59,56,

60,61,62,

1921*

94,97,95,

96,98,99,101,

100,102,103,104,105,

Next Page

1921-23

106,107,108,109,110,111,

112,113,114,115,116,117,

118,119,120,121,122,

123,124,125,

Postage Due

1924

J1,J2,J3,

Next Page

Postage Due

1924

J4,J5,J6,

J7,J8,J9,

End 

Comments

A) Expensive stamps ($10 threshold): None

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

C) *1921- BB specifies "London Surcharges" (Scott 94-105 @ CV $1+). That rules out the "Lisbon Surcharges"! (Scott 81-93 @ CV $2+).

1921-23 Scott 122 50c black & green "Zebra & Warrior"

Out of the Blue

Let's face it. Nyassa Company was a miserable imperialistic organization that exploited the natives- very close to slave labor.

But the stamps!..Oh, the stamps!......

Note: Maps appear to be in the public domain.

Have a comment?

Alaouites- a closer look at the stamp issues

1925 Scott C5 2p dark brown

Additional overprint in green

On stamps of Syria, 1925, overprinted

Into the Deep Blue
The 2011 Scott Classic Specialized catalogue has, for Alaouites 1925-1930, 73 major stamp descriptions in the regular, air post, and postage due categories. Of those, only one stamp is CV $1+. Moving up to the CV $2+-$4+ range, 28 additional stamps are found (38%). A collection can be formed if one is willing to spend a little more.

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

The initial twenty-one 1925 regular stamp issue under the French Mandate were surcharged French stamps. There was also four air mail and five postage due French surcharged stamps produced. By a quirk of collecting WW, I happen to have none of them. ;-)  All the examples I will show here will be overprinted/surcharged stamps of Syria.

1925 Scott 36 10p violet brown 

Stamps of Syria, 1925

Overprinted in Red, Black, or Blue

The initial overprinted Syrian issue had 13 stamps. The overprint was in French and Arabic. The CV is $1+-$3+ for 9 stamps.

1926 Scott 43 50p on 75c brown orange

In 1926, 8 stamps were surcharged using the preceding 1925 issue. CV is $2-$5.

1928 Scott 47 2p on 1.25p deep green

In 1928, four more surcharged stamps were issued, using Syrian stamps. The surcharges were in red.

1925 Scott C7 5p violet

Alaouites issue of 1925 with additional overprint in green

A green "avion" was added to four stamps from the preceding 1925 Alaouites issue for air mail  in 1925.

1926 Scott C10 3p orange brown

Red plane overprint applied to 1925 Alaouites issue

I sometimes think about "specializing" in WW by collecting air mail stamps, and this example is perfect to highlight the attractions of such a collection. ;-) Here, four stamps from the 1925 Alaouites issue had a red plane overprint applied, obviously for air mail.

1929 Scott C18 1p magenta, black overprint

Three additional stamps, two using the Alaouites 1925 issue, one from Syria, were overprinted as shown in 1929. I believe this example is the only Alaouites air mail stamp with a black plane overprint.

1930 Scott C20  2p on 1.25p deep green

Red airplane overprint

Two previously issued Alaouites stamps received a red plane overprint in 1929-30. This was the last air mail issue for "Alaouites", as the State than became known as Latakia in 1930.

1925 Scott J8 2p black/blue, red overprint

On postage due stamps of Syria, 1925

Any French mandated territory will have postage due stamps, and the Alaouites are no exception. Shown is a 1925 five stamp issue produced from 1925 postage due stamps of Syria. The overprint can be in black, blue, or red.

Deep Blue

1925 Alaouites issue in Deep Blue

Deep Blue (Steiner) has six pages for the Alaouites, and, as usual, provides a space for all Scott major number stamps.

The "Alaouites" (Alawite area) region of Syria

Out of the Blue

The French Mandated era stamps for Syria, Alaouites, and Latakia I find particularly attractive. Perhaps it is because of subsequent - and current history?

Note: Map image appears to be in the public domain.

Note: I'm adding more about the stamp issues to previously published posts, and this "A closer look at the stamps and issues" section has been added to the original Alaouites post.

Comments?

Nyasaland Protectorate

1908 Scott 3 1p carmine "Edward VII"

Quick History
The Nyasaland Protectorate, in southern Africa by Lake Nyasa, was renamed on July 6, 1907, being formerly known as the British Central Africa Protectorate.

Nyasaland 1908

Cecil Rhodes's British South Africa Company (BSAC) was actually in charge of the protectorate when their authority was withdrawn in 1907, and direct British rule was instituted.

One of the legacies of the British South Africa Protectorate and the BSAC is white settlers were brought in who developed coffee plantations using African labor.

Nyasaland was part of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland between 1953-1963, but became independent as the nation of Malawi in 1964.

1945 Scott 71 2p scarlet & black 

"Map and Coat of Arms"

The population was 970,000 in 1911 (760 Europeans), and the Capital was Zomba.

On July 22, 1908, "King Edward VII" stamps with "Nyasaland Protectorate" script were introduced. In 1934, the script was changed to "Nyasaland".

1913 Scott 17 4p scarlet & black/ yellow "George V"

Into the Deep Blue
The 2011 Scott Classic Specialized catalogue has, for the Nyasaland Protectorate 1908-1951, 103 major descriptive numbers. Of those, 44, or 43% are CV <$1-$1+. As a British Protectorate, the CV for their stamps are a bit higher than many countries, driven by the many British Commonwealth collectors.

A closer look at the stamps and issues
12 Pence = 1 Shilling
20 Shillings = 1 Pound (Southern Rhodesian Pound (1907-53))

1908 Scott 3 1p carmine "Edward VII"

In 1908, an 11 stamp issue with an "Edward VII" vignette was produced for the newly named "Nyasaland Protectorate". Note the postmark here with "Chiromo", a settlement on the south-western edge next to Mozambique. Although apparently used in 1912, the postmark still bears "B.C.A", for "British Central Africa".

1913 Scott 16 3p violet/ yellow "George V", Wmk 3

Between 1913-19, a 13 stamp issue was released; this time with a "George V" portrait. These have the wmk 3, "Multiple Crown and C A" paper.

BTW, a "N. F." overprint on these stamps is for "Nyasaland Force", and are 1916 occupation stamps for German East Africa.

1921 Scott 28 2p gray "George V", Wmk 4

A second 13 stamp issue with "George V", but with wmk 4 "Multiple Crown and Script C A" was released between 1921-30. ( If the memory needs refreshing about British Colonial watermarks, check the blog post Malta, or one of the other British colonial posts.)

Note the postmark shows "Zomba", the capital at the time. There is apparently still some British colonial architecture extant in Zomba.

1921 Scott 33 2sh ultramarine & dull violet/ blue

"King George V"

The higher values of the 1913-19 and 1921-30 issues have this striking royal image. Not very "native' in design, but nice anyway.

1934 Scott 40 1 1/2p rose 

"George V and Leopard"

However, the 1934-35 nine stamp set has this more local design with a leopard and a sun. Very nice!

 Nyasaland Coat of Arms

The leopard is also found on the Coat of Arms. Along with the leopard, the Coat of Arms is sometimes bordered with the Latin phrase "Lux in Tenebris"- "Light in Darkness".

1938 Scott 58 3p blue "George VI and Leopard"

The British were not ones to just throw away a good design, and the 1938-44 "George VI" issue  repeats the image on 13 stamps.

1938 Scott 64 2sh 6p red & black/ blue

"King George VI"

The five higher values of the 1938 issue have this bi-colored regal look.

1945 Scott 69 1p deep green & black

"Soldier of King's African Rifles"

In 1945, a nice pictorial 14 stamp issue was produced. The 1p denomination shows a member of the King's African Rifles (KAR). These African battalions (with British officers) performed both military and internal security duties in east African colonial possessions. The 1st and 2nd Central African Battalions (1902-1963) were from Nyasaland, while other battalions were from Kenya, Uganda, and British Somaliland.

King's African Rifles War Memorial, Zomba, Nyasaland

The KAR battalions were active in WW I against the German forces in German East Africa (East Africa Campaign). At the end of WW I, there were 2,700 British officers and NCOs, and 31,000 Africans in the KAR. They suffered 5,100 casualties, with an additional 3,000 perishing from disease.

1945 Scott 68 1/2p brown violet & black

"Canoe on Lake Nyasa"

Lake Nyasa is 47 miles wide and 350 miles long, and is the ninth largest in the world.

Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi)

David Livingstone also called the lake, "Lake of Stars", as the lantern lights on the boats of the fishermen on the lake resembled such.

1945 Scott 70 1 1/2p gray green & black

"Tea Estate, Mlanje Mountain"

Tea growing around the Blantyre region of Mulanje Mountain still exists.

Mount Mulanje

A lovely beautiful place. Tolkien wrote "The Hobbit" after climbing Mount Mulanje. True!

1945 Scott 72 3p blue & black

"Fishing Village, Lake Nyasa"

It is interesting that the Nyasaland  George VI  pictorial issue was produced in 1945. For virtually all the other colonial possessions, a George VI pictorial issue was released beginning in 1938. Perhaps it was scheduled, but had to wait until after the war?

1945 Scott 73 4p rose violet & black

"Tobacco Estate"

Tobacco is still the main crop produced in today's Malawi. The country is the leading producer of the burley leaf tobacco, and the economy essentially depends on it's tobacco production. Lighting up a Camel or Marlboro? You are smoking blends of tobacco, including from Malawi.

( I hate smoking, so it is probably best if you do not mention it to me. ;-)

1947 Scott 84 1p emerald & orange brown

For reasons that are unclear, the 1p denomination was replaced in 1947 with this more nominal design. Still very lovely.

There are not many (any?) native leopards left in Nyasaland (Malawi). In fact, leopards have been recently reintroduced into the Majete Wildlife Reserve. 

1951 Scott 93 6p purple 

"Arms of British Central Africa and Nyasaland Protectorate"

For the 60th anniversary of Nyasaland - reaching back to when it was called "British Central Africa"- a four stamp set was issued in 1951 with the C of A's for both entities.

Deep Blue

"1938-44 Issue in Deep Blue"

The Deep Blue album (Steiner) has 10 pages for the Nyasaland Protectorate, and covers through the George VI era (1951). All the major numbers have a space, and a couple of the 1913 1sh "George V" color variation minor numbers are also given a space.  Some 36 stamps were issued between 1940-51, which is more than usual for a British possession, and naturally there are spaces for them.

1945 Scott 74 6p violet & black

"Tea Estate, Mlanje Mountain"

Big Blue
Big Blue '69, on two pages, has 36 spaces for the stamps of the Nyasaland Protectorate.

The choices are judicious, as only one stamp ( 1935 Jubilee issue 1sh brown violet & indigo) has a CV >$10.

As usual, the George V definitive 1913-30 stamps, with two watermarks varieties ( wmk 3 and 4), are given only one space in BB.

It is a pity that BB stops coverage at 1940, as the 1945 George VI pictorial issue is not covered. The Steiner (Deep Blue) and the Scott Classic 1840-1940  catalogue, though, does have the issue.

Checklist

1908
2,3,4,(5),

1913-23*
12 or 25, 13, 14 or 28, 15, 16 or 29,
17 or 30, (18 or 31), (19),

1934-35
38,39,40,
41,42,43,
44,(45),

Next Page

1935
47,48,49,
50,

1937
51,52,53,

1938
54,55,
56,57,58,59,
60,61,62,

End

Comments
A) Expensive stamps ($10 threshold):
1935 Scott 50 1sh brown violet & indigo ($20)
B) (    ) around a number indicates a blank space choice
C) *1913-23- Choice between  wmk 3 vs wmk 4 on many spaces

1945 Scott 75 9p olive green & black

"Canoe on Lake Nyasa"

Out of the Blue
The British were well aware of the Nyasaland area because of the published exploits of David Livingstone. Perhaps I too have become a bit more acquainted through the avenue and portal of stamps. ;-)

Note: Pics and map appear to be in the public domain.

Comments are appreciated!