DAHOMEY

(french colony in Africa)

Return To Catalogue - France

Note: on my website many of the pictures can not be seen! They are of course present in the cd's;
contact me if you want to purchase them: evert@klaseboer.com.

1899 French colonies type (Tablet), inscription "DAHOMEY ET DEPENDANCES" in blue or red

4 c brown 

  1 c black
  2 c brown on yellowish
  4 c brown
  5 c green
  10 c red (1900)
  15 c grey
  20 c red on yellow
  25 c black on red
  25 c blue
  30 c brown
  40 c orange
  50 c brown on blue (name in red)
  50 c brown on blue (name in blue)
  75 c lilac
  1 F green
  2 F violet
  5 F lilac

These stamps have perforation 14 x 13 1/2. For stamps in the same Tablet design, but for other French colonies, click here. The 25 c black on red stamp was first issued in 1899, the others followed from 1900 to 1905.

Value of the stamps

 
vc = very common
c  = common
*  = not so common
** = uncommon
 
*** = very uncommon
R   = rare
RR  = very rare
RRR = extremely rare
Value Unused Used Remarks
1 c * *  
2 c * *  
4 c * *  
5 c ** **  
10 c *** ***  
15 c *** **  
20 c R R  
25 c black R ***  
25 c blue *** ***  
30 c R R  
40 c R ***  
50 c R R Red country name
50 c R R Blue country name
75 c RR RR  
1 F R R  
2 F RR RR  
5 F RR RR   
Surcharged '05' or '10' (1912)

  '05' on 2 c brown on yellowish
  '05' (red) on 4 c brown
  '05' (red) on 15 c grey
  '05' on 20 c red on green
  '05' (red) on 25 c blue
  '05' (red) on 30 c brown
  '10' on 40 c red
  '10' (red) on 50 c brown on blue (countryname in red)
  '10' (red) on 50 c brown on blue (countryname in blue)
  '10' on 75 c lilac

All the above stamps exist with more space between the '0' and '5' in '05' or more space between the '1' and '0' of '10', value: *** to RRR.

Value of the stamps

 
vc = very common
c  = common
*  = not so common
** = uncommon
 
*** = very uncommon
R   = rare
RR  = very rare
RRR = extremely rare
Value Unused Used Remarks
05 on 2 c * *  
05 on 4 c * *  
05 on 15 c * *  
05 on 20 c * *  
05 on 25 c * *  
05 on 30 c ** **  
10 on 40 c ** **  
10 on 50 c *** *** Blue country name
10 on 50 c RRR RRR Red country name
10 on 75 c *** ***  

Postal Stationery:

I've seen postal stationery of the following values: 10 c red (postcard), 15 c grey and 25 c blue.

Forgeries:


Fournier forgeries, note that the perforation does not match in the corners.


(Fournier forgery, reduced size)

Fournier has made forgeries of these stamps, for more information on these forgeries click here.

 

1906 General Faidherbe, palm trees and dr. Ballay, inscription 'DAHOMEY' in blue or red

General Faidherbe

  1 c grey
  2 c brown
  4 c brown on blue
  5 c green
  10 c red

Value of the stamps

 
vc = very common
c  = common
*  = not so common
** = uncommon
 
*** = very uncommon
R   = rare
RR  = very rare
RRR = extremely rare
Value Unused Used Remarks
1 c c *  
2 c ** **  
4 c ** **  
5 c ** *  
10 c R *   
Palm trees

20 c brown

  20 c black on grey
  25 c blue
  30 c brown
  35 c black on yellow
  45 c brown on green
  50 c violet
  75 c blue on orange

Value of the stamps

 
vc = very common
c  = common
*  = not so common
** = uncommon
 
*** = very uncommon
R   = rare
RR  = very rare
RRR = extremely rare
Value Unused Used Remarks
20 c *** ***  
25 c *** ***  
30 c *** ***  
35 c RR R  
45 c *** ***  
50 c *** ***  
75 c RR RR   
Dr. Ballay

2 F blue on red 

  1 F black on blue
  2 F blue on red
  5 F red on yellow

Value of the stamps

 
vc = very common
c  = common
*  = not so common
** = uncommon
 
*** = very uncommon
R   = rare
RR  = very rare
RRR = extremely rare
Value Unused Used Remarks
1 F R R  
2 F RR RR  
5 F RR RR  


Forgery of the 5 F value with perforation wrong (not matching in the corners) and a forged cancel "PORTO NOVO 7 OCT 06 DAHOMEY". For more information on these forgeries click here.

Postal Stationery:

I've seen postal stationery of the following value: 5 c green (postcard).

 

1913 Man climbing in palm tree

  1 c violet and black
  2 c brown and red
  4 c black and brown
  5 c green (two shades of green on one stamp)
  5 c lilac and violet (1922)
  10 c orange and red
  10 c green (1922, two shades of green on one stamp)
  10 c red and olive (1925)
  15 c red and lilac
  20 c grey and brown
  20 c green (1925)
  20 c lilac and black (1927)
  25 c blue (two shades of blue on one stamp)
  25 c lilac and orange (1922)
  30 c lilac and violet
  30 c orange and red (1922)
  30 c yellow and violet (1925)
  30 c green (1927, two shades of green on one stamp)
  35 c brown and black
  35 c grey and green (1938?)
  40 c black and orange
  45 c grey and blue
  50 c brown (two shades of brown on one stamp)
  50 c blue (1922, two shades of blue on one stamp)
  50 c red and blue (1925)
  55 c green and brown (1938?)
  60 c violet on red (1925)
  65 c brown and olive (1925)
  75 c blue and violet
  80 c red and blue (1938?)
  85 c blue and red (1925)
  90 c lilac and red (1930)
  90 c brown and red (1938?)
  1 F green and black
  1 F blue (1925, two shades of blue on one stamp)
  1 F brown and red (1927)
  1 F red and orange (1938?)
  1 F 10 lilac and brown (1928)
  1 F 25 blue and brown (1933)
  1 F 50 blue (1930, two shades of blue on one stamp)
  1 F 75 brown and orange (1933)
  1 F 75 dark blue and bright blue (1938?)
  2 F orange and brown
  3 F lilac (1930)
  5 F violet and blue

These stamps have perforation 13 1/2 x 14.

Value of the stamps

 
vc = very common
c  = common
*  = not so common
** = uncommon
 
*** = very uncommon
R   = rare
RR  = very rare
RRR = extremely rare
Value Unused Used Remarks
1 c vc vc  
2 c vc c  
4 c vc c  
5 c green * *  
5 c lilac and violet vc vc  
10 c orange and red ** *  
10 c green * *  
10 c red and olive c vc  
15 c c c  
20 c grey and brown * *  
20 c green * *  
20 c red and black c c  
25 c blue *** *  
25 c lilac and orange c c  
30 c lilac and violet *** ***  
30 c orange and red * *  
30 c yellow and violet * *  
30 c green c c  
35 c * *  
40 c c c  
45 c c c  
50 c brown *** ***  
50 c blue * *  
50 c red and blue c c  
60 c * *  
65 c * *  
75 c * *  
85 c * *  
90 c * *  
1 F green and black ** **  
1 F blue * *  
1 F brown and red * *  
1.10 F * *  
1.25 F ? ?  
1.50 F * *  
1.75 F ? ?  
2 F * *  
3 F ** **  
5 F ** **   
Red cross issue (1915)

  '+5c' (red) on 10 c orange and red

Value of the stamps

 
vc = very common
c  = common
*  = not so common
** = uncommon
 
*** = very uncommon
R   = rare
RR  = very rare
RRR = extremely rare
Value Unused Used Remarks
5 c on 10 c * *   
Surcharged

  '= 25c =' on 2 F orange and brown (1924)
  '= 60 =' on 75 c violet on red (1922)
  '= 65 =' on 15 c red and lilac (1925)
  '= 85 =' on 15 c red and lilac (1925)
  90 c on 75 c red (1927)
  '= 1f25 =' (red) on 1 F blue (1926)
  '1 f 50' on 1 F blue (1927)
  '3 F.' on 5 F olive and red (1927)
  '10 F.' on 5 F violet and brown (1927)
  '20 F.' on 5 F red and olive (1927)

Value of the stamps

 
vc = very common
c  = common
*  = not so common
** = uncommon
 
*** = very uncommon
R   = rare
RR  = very rare
RRR = extremely rare
Value Unused Used Remarks
25 c on 2 F ** **  
60 c on 75 c * *  
65 c on 15 c * *  
85 c on 15 c * *  
90 c on 75 c * *  
1.25 F on 1 F * *  
1.50 F on 1 F * *  
3 F on 5 F ** **  
10 F on 5 F *** ***  
20 F on 5 F *** ***   
Overprinted 'SECOURS NATIONAL' and surcharged (1941)
  '- 1 fr.' on 50 c red and blue
  '- 2 fr.' on 80 c red and blue
  '- 2 fr.' on 1.50 F blue
  '- 3 fr.' on 2 F orange and brown

Postal Stationery:

I've seen postal stationery of the following values: 15 c red and lilac.

 

1931 'EXPOSITION COLONIALE INTERNATIONALE PARIS 1931', various designs (designs identical to many other French colonies)

For an image of a similar stamp of another colony, click here.

  40 c green and black
  50 c lilac and black 
  90 c red and black
  1.50 F blue and black

 

1937 World Exhibition in Paris in 1937, design identical to many other French colonies

For an image of a similar stamp of another colony, click here.

  20 c violet
  30 c green
  40 c red
  50 c brown
  90 c red
  1.50 F blue

A imperforate minisheet with one stamp 3 F blue and black exists, with inscription above and below the stamp: 'EXPOSITION INTERNATIONALE ARTS ET TECHNIQUES 1937'.

 

1938 Pierre and Marie Curie, design identical to many other French Colonies

For an image of a similar stamp of another colony, click here.

  1.75 F + 50 c blue

 

1939 'CENTENAIRE DE RENE CAILLIE 1799-1938', similar stamps were issued for other French Colonies

For an image of a similar stamp of another colony, click here.

  90 c red and orange
  2 F lilac
  2.25 F blue

 

1939 'EXPOSITION INTERNATIONALE NEW YORK 1939', design identical to many other French Colonies

For an image of a similar stamp of another colony, click here.

  1.25 F red
  2.25 F blue

 

1939 French revolution commemoration, Bastille, design identical to many other French colonies

For an image of a similar stamp of another colony, click here.

  45 c + 25 c green and black
  70 c + 30 c brown and black
  90 c + 35 c orange and black
  1.25 F + 1 F lilac and black
  2.25 F + 2 F blue and black

 

1941 Various designs, inscription 'DAHOMEY AOF'

Man in canoe

  2 c red
  3 c blue
  5 c brown
  10 c green
  15 c black

Native hut on river
  20 c brown
  30 c violet
  40 c red
  50 c green
  60 c black
  70 c lilac

Sailing boat

  80 c black
  1 F violet
  1.30 F brown
  1.40 F blue
  1.50 F lilac
  2 F brown
  
Native woman

  2.50 F blue
  3 F red
  5 F green
  10 F brown
  20 F black

 

1941 Native hut on river, in top right corner portrait of Petain, inscription 'DAHOMEY AFRIQUE OCCIDENTALE FRANCAISE'

  1 F green
  2.50 F blue

Overprinted 'OEUVRES COLONIALES' and surcharged 
  50 + 1.50 F (red) on 2.50 F blue 
  +2.50 F on 1 F violet

 

1941 Soldiers issue, (so-called 'DEFENSE DE L'EMPIRE' set), similar designs were issued for other French Colonies

For an image of a similar stamp of another colony, click here.

  1 F + 1 F red
  1.50 F + 3 F brown
  2.50 F + 1 F blue

 

Later issues: not listed.

Postage due stamps

1906 Inscription 'AFRIQUE OCC FRANCAISE DAHOMEY TAXE A PERCEVOIR, beach and heads


(reduced sizes)

  5 c green
  10 c brown
  15 c blue
  20 c black on yellow
  30 c red on yellow
  50 c violet
  60 c black on brown
  1 F black on red

Value of the stamps

 
vc = very common
c  = common
*  = not so common
** = uncommon
 
*** = very uncommon
R   = rare
RR  = very rare
RRR = extremely rare
Value Unused Used Remarks
5 c * *  
10 c ** **  
15 c ** **  
20 c *** ***  
30 c *** ***  
50 c *** ***  
60 c *** ***  
1 F *** ***  

Similar stamps were issued for French Guinea, Mauritania, Senegal and Upper Senegal - Niger.

 

1914 New type, number, inscription 'CHIFFRE TAXE A PERCEVOIR'

  5 c green
  10 c red
  15 c grey
  20 c brown
  30 c blue
  50 c black
  60 c red
  1 F violet

Surcharged (1927)
  '2F' on 1 F lilac
  '3F' on 1 F brown

Value of the stamps

 
vc = very common
c  = common
*  = not so common
** = uncommon
 
*** = very uncommon
R   = rare
RR  = very rare
RRR = extremely rare
Value Unused Used Remarks
5 c vc c  
10 c c c  
15 c c c  
20 c c c  
30 c c c  
50 c c *  
60 c c *  
1 F * *  
2 F on 1 F * *  
3 F on 1 F * **  

Similar stamps were issued for French Guinea, Mauritania, Senegal and Upper Senegal - Niger.

 

1941 Native statue of a woman, inscription 'POSTES A PERCEVOIR A.O.F. DAHOMEY'

  5 c black
  10 c lilac
  15 c blue
  20 c green
  30 c orange
  50 c brown
  60 c green
  1 F red
  2 F yellow
  3 F violet

Air Mail

1940 Inscription 'AFRIQUE OCCIDle FRANCAISE DAHOMEY', aeroplane and palm trees landscape

  1.90 F violet
  2.90 F red
  4.50 F green
  4.90 F olive
  6.90 F orange


Similar stamp of Mauritania

 

1942 Inscription 'AOF DAHOMEY POSTE AERIENNE'

  50 c red and blue
  1 F brown and blue
  2 F green and brown
  3 F blue and red
  5 F violet and red


Similar stamp of French Guinea

 

1942 Inscription 'AFRIQUE OCCIDle FRANCAISE DAHOMEY', camels and aeroplane

  10 F blue and orange
  20 F red and black
  50 F green and blue

Similar stamps were issued for many other French colonies.


Similar stamps of Mauritania

 

1942 'QUINZAINE IMPERIALE' and 'PROTECTION DE L'ENFANCE' (all different designs)

  1.20 F + 1.80 F blue and red ('Quinzaine')
  1.50 F + 3.50 F green ('protection')
  2 F + 6 F brown ('protection')
  3 F + 9 F red ('protection')

Fiscal Stamps

Fiscal stamp of France (Quittances), overpritned 'DAHOMEY':

Stamps - Timbres-poste - Briefmarken

Copyright by Evert Klaseboer