GERMAN COLONIES
KAMERUN
STAMPS
1887 / 1901
Kamerun (Cameroon) was a German colony on the west coast of Africa occupying a coastal strip between the English colony in Nigeria and the Spanish colony of Guinea (Rio Muni). The colony reached as far inland as Lake Chad in the Northeast down to The Congo in the Southeast. The territory was ceeded to Spanish Rio Muni in 1916.
Forerunners are stamps of the German Empire that were in circulation in foreign countries and the colonies without any special identification (i.e. not overprinted "Kamerun"), until issue of their own stamps. 'Proper' forerunners were officially delivered to post offices and were sold from postal counters, stamps that were not used or not officially issued are non-proper forerunners. All forerunners and interim stamps can only be recognised by the cancellation and as such there is no such thing as an unused forerunner.
MICHEL V44
FORERUNNERS (V)
From 1887 / 1901. The German post offices in Kamerun used German Empire stamps. Michel 37c and 37d (internal service: number in oval). Michel 39 to 44 (number and/or eagle in oval), so-called "Pfennig".
Mi V44
50 Pf
olive
(variations)
50 Pf
olive
(variations)
VARIATIONS
Mi V44a
50 Pf
medium grey green
(1887/88)
50 Pf
medium grey green
(1887/88)
Mi V44b
50 Pf
dark olive
(1887-91)
50 Pf
dark olive
(1887-91)
Mi V44c
50 Pf
bright olive green to bright green olive
(1887/88)
50 Pf
bright olive green to bright green olive
(1887/88)
Mi V44d
50 Pf
dark grey green
(1889)
50 Pf
dark grey green
(1889)
PLATE FLAWS
Mi V44 PF III
tip of ornament not filled in centre right
tip of ornament not filled in centre right
Mi V44 PF IV
tip of ornament not filled in centre top
tip of ornament not filled in centre top
Mi V44 PF V
open tip centre top
open tip centre top
Mi V44 PF VI
small centre tip top
small centre tip top
Mi V44 PF VII
white scratch through 'NNIG' of 'PFENNIG'
white scratch through 'NNIG' of 'PFENNIG'
STAMPS FROM MY COLLECTION
