Postage stamps and postal history of East Africa and Uganda Protectorates

The postage stamps and postal history of East Africa and Uganda Protectorates is a fascinating topic. The East Africa and Uganda Protectorates were British colonies that existed from 1895 to 1920, and their postal history reflects the colonial era's impact on the region.

The first postage stamps of East Africa and Uganda Protectorates were introduced in 1896, featuring the image of Queen Victoria. These stamps were used in the territories of Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, which were then known as British East Africa, Uganda Protectorate, and German East Africa.

The postal history of East Africa and Uganda Protectorates was marked by the use of different postal systems, including the East African Post Office and the Uganda Post Office. The East African Post Office was established in 1895, while the Uganda Post Office was established in 1896.

The postal rates and regulations of East Africa and Uganda Protectorates varied over time, with rates increasing in 1903 and 1912. The introduction of airmail services in 1919 marked a significant change in the postal history of the region.

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The East Africa and Uganda Protectorates stamps were a significant part of the region's postal history, with the first issue being a set of definitive stamps featuring King Edward VII's profile in 1903.

These stamps were valued in Annas and Rupees, and another set was produced the following year with a different watermark. The design of this set mirrored the previous issue, with high values printed on chalk-surfaced paper.

The administration continued to issue stamps with the same basic design until 1912, when King George V took over, and new colors and watermarks were added. The 6c stamp was surcharged 4c in 1919, and postal usages of the higher values are scarce and valuable.

The East Africa and Uganda Protectorates stamps were a fascinating series, issued between 1901 and 1920. They featured the profile of King Edward VII and were inscribed "EAST AFRICA AND UGANDA PROTECTORATES".

The first issue was a set of definitive stamps with King Edward VII's profile, valued in Annas and Rupees. These stamps were single- or bi-color and were released from 1903.

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High values were printed on chalk-surfaced paper, making them distinct from the lower-denomination stamps. The design of this set remained the same until 1907, when the currency was changed from Annas to Cents.

A new issue was produced featuring Edward VII and valued in Cents, with the same design as the previous issues. This set remained in use until 1912, when King George V took over as the featured monarch.

The East Africa and Uganda Protectorates stamps featured King George V from 1912 to 1921, with new colors and watermark changes. A 6 Cents stamp was surcharged "4 Cents" and featured bars at the top and bottom in 1919.

While the lower-denomination stamps are common, stamps of up to 500 rupees were sold, primarily for use as revenue stamps. This made postal usages of the higher values scarce and valuable.

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The East Africa and Uganda Protectorates stamps had a distinctive design featuring a side portrait of King Edward VII in an oval frame with the inscription "EAST AFRICA AND UGANDA PROTECTORATES" at the bottom.

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The stamps were bi-colored, with the higher values being larger. They also had watermarks, either "Crown & CA" or "Crown & CC", depending on the denomination.

The first set of stamps made between 1904 and 1907 had the "Multiple Crown & CA" watermark and high denominations were printed on chalk-surfaced paper.

King George V replaced King Edward VII in the 1912 issues, which looked similar but had the "Multiple Script & CA" watermark starting from 1921.

The stamps were printed on different types of paper, with the 1907-1908 issue being bi-colored like its predecessor.

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Postal stationery from the Imperial British East Africa Company Administration is a fascinating area of study. The first postal stationery items were inscribed 'IMPERIAL BRITISH EAST AFRICA COMPANY' and included two sizes of registration envelopes issued in 1891.

These early envelopes were produced by Bradbury, Wilkinson & Co. Three different sizes of pre-paid 2½ annas envelopes were issued in 1893.

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Two postcards were made available in 1893, with face values of ½ anna and 1 anna. The Imperial British East Africa Company envelopes were later overprinted 'BRITISH EAST AFRICA' in 1895.

In 1896, two different envelopes were produced by overprinting envelopes from India with 'British East Africa', featuring values of 2½ annas on 4½ annas and 2 annas 6 pies. De la Rue also printed 2½ annas envelopes inscribed 'BRITISH EAST AFRICA PROTECTORATE' in 1896.

Four different newspaper wrappers were issued during 1896, with two produced by overprinting Indian ½ anna and 1 anna wrappers with 'British East Africa', and two printed by De la Rue.

Here is a summary of the postal stationery items:

The postal history of East Africa and Uganda Protectorates is a fascinating topic. The combined postal service of British East Africa and Uganda was established in 1901 and lasted until 1920, when British East Africa was split into the colony and protectorate of Kenya.

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The administration issued postage stamps with the profile of King Edward VII and inscribed "EAST AFRICA AND UGANDA PROTECTORATES" in 1903. These stamps were used throughout the period with new watermark and colors introduced in 1904 and 1907, respectively.

One of the interesting facts about these stamps is that they feature the profile of King George V instead of King Edward VII, which was introduced in 1912. This change occurred when King George V ascended to the throne.

The lower-denomination stamps are relatively common, but stamps of higher values, such as those up to 500 rupees, are scarce and valuable. These higher-value stamps were primarily used as revenue stamps.

Postal usages of the higher-value stamps are rare and highly sought after by collectors.

The early days of postal history in East Africa are fascinating. Letters were sent by runner to forwarding agents in Zanzibar as early as 1848.

The Indian post office in Zanzibar was opened in 1875, marking a significant milestone in the region's postal history.

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In 1890, the Imperial British East Africa Company set up post offices at Mombasa and Lamu, and issued their first stamps on May 23rd of that year. These stamps were surcharges on British postage stamps.

The company's first stamps featured a symbolic sun and crown design and were inscribed 'IMPERIAL BRITISH EAST AFRICA COMPANY', with values in annas and rupees. They were issued on October 14th, 1890.

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In the pre-stamp era, mail was sent by runner to forwarding agents in Zanzibar as early as 1848.

Letters from the early missionaries in British East Africa were indeed sent this way, making it a notable method of communication back then.

From 1875, mail was sent via the Indian post office, which had been opened in Zanzibar, marking a shift in mail handling practices.

This change allowed for more organized and efficient mail delivery, although it's hard to imagine the challenges of sending mail by runner.

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The Imperial British East Africa Company was the first to use their company name on their stamps, a practice that would later be adopted by other companies.

They issued their first stamps in May 1890, which were surcharges on British postage stamps with values of ½, 1 and 4 annas and 'BRITISH EAST AFRICA COMPANY'.

The company set up post offices at Mombasa and Lamu in May 1890, and during an acute shortage of stamps in August and September, 1890, stamps of India were used and are known postmarked 'MOMBASA' or 'LAMU'.

These Indian stamps were allegedly bought up by an agent of stamp dealer Whitfield King.

The Imperial British East Africa Company issued stamps with a symbolic sun and crown design on 14 October 1890, all valued in annas and rupees, and inscribed 'IMPERIAL BRITISH EAST AFRICA COMPANY'.

Shortages of some values between 1891 and 1895 led to a variety of surcharges being produced.

The administration issued postage stamps with the profile of King Edward VII and inscribed "EAST AFRICA AND UGANDA PROTECTORATES" in 1903.

These stamps were the same basic design used throughout the period, with new watermark and colors introduced in 1904 and 1907, respectively.

The profile of King George V was substituted in 1912, marking a change in the monarch featured on the stamps.

Stamps of up to 500 rupees were sold, primarily for use as revenue stamps, although their postal usages are scarce and valuable.

The 6c stamp was surcharged 4c in 1919, a change that affected the denomination of this particular stamp.

Lower-denomination stamps are relatively common, but higher-value stamps like these are highly sought after by collectors.