1. SOMALI COAST, 1894, 1fr on 5fr CARMINE USED, #4, full margins, neat d.s., very fine, signed Brun, with 2004 Roumet cert., cat. $500.00
In the 19th century The Horn Of Africa was a much sought after real estate for Europe and was colonized by Germany, Italy, Great Britain, and France. Tracking the history of this area is particularly fascinating for collectors of French Colony stamps considering how very little of northern east Africa the French were able to acquire. Especially considering the high geopolitical and economic value of the coast.
French Somaliland was established between 1883-1887, it included Obock, and Djibouti. The primary interest in the area from France was access to their own coaling station for steamships, as opposed to dependence on The British Aden station. It wouldn’t be until 1967 it would be re-named French Territory of the Afars and the Issas, and now is The Republic Of Djibouti after receiving independence in 1977.
French Somaliland’s geopolitical importance is due to it lying between Arabia, sub-Saharan Africa and southwestern Asia in the Gulf Of Aden. Its prime location for trade has always made it an attractive location for other nations. To this day Djibouti City, due to it’s maritime port, has the second largest economy in The Horn Of Africa.
Long before the inception of philately the area, together with modern Somalia has interested historians believing it to be The Land Of Punt. The Land Of Punt appears in ancient Egyptian texts in regard to important trade.
This stamp is an example of Obock issues from 1894 that were overprinted with a handstamp “Djibouti” or “DJ” in black, blue or red ink and included a surcharge in the same fashion. This was a consequence of the French administration moving from Obock to Djibouti in that year in search of a more safe haven.
Before the overprint and the surcharge the stamp was issued from Obeck port 1893 Scott No.45. Collectors take specific interest in the quarille lines printed on the paper as opposed to perforations. This could have been due to the issues being the first stamps in the shape of an equilateral triangle.
Specific stamp issues inscribed Cote Francaise des Somalis for the Somali Coast were first issued in 1984-1902 issues.
