Spain : Ceuta

Ceuta (pronounced Selta)

Wiki:
Ceuta is an 18.5-square-kilometre (7.1 sq mi) autonomous city of Spain and an exclave located on the north coast of North Africa surrounded by Morocco. Separated from the Iberian peninsula by the Strait of Gibraltar, Ceuta lies on the border of the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. Ceuta along with the other Spanish exclave Melilla are the only Spanish territories located in mainland Africa. It was regarded as a part of Cadiz province prior to 14 March 1995, when the city's Statute of Autonomy was passed.

Ceuta (like Melilla) was a free port before Spain joined the European Union. As of 2008, it has a population of 75,276. Its population consists of Christians, Muslims (chiefly Moroccan Arabic speakers), and small minorities of Jews and Hindus. Spanish is the official language.

Morocco had previously called for negotiations on the future of Ceuta, Melilla and a number of Mediterranean islands and enclaves which border it. The majority of the city's population are ethnic Spanish who are opposed to the idea of being ruled by Morocco. A poll conducted by Instituto Opina found that 87.9% of people from mainland Spain consider the two cities to be Spanish.


Old Ceuta map: source unknown.

Don't have any stamps or stationery from this area, but do have several radio QSL cards if you would llike me to scan them...
Nice post Rod222, now I will have to go out and see if any postal stationery ever existed for this "state".

Yes please, PoStat.
I am not aware of any stamps that exist,
so stationery shall be doubtful.
I'll dig out the stamp atlas and see what the lads have
to say about Ceuta.


Melilla and Ceuta not mentioned,
Spanish PO's in Morocco used spanish stamps from 1860
Spanish Morocco Stamps issued 1903
I wonder if Melilla and Ceuta pmks exist?

The French had the Sherifian Post (octagonal cachet)

I'm afraid that you won't find anything special for Ceuta & Melilla relating to postage. For the Spanish, both cities are the same as any mainland ones, and treat postally as them.
Spanish are very careful not to give the foreigner any clue on their geography (mainland Africa) or true (colonial) status.
Someone looking a letter or postcard from Ceuta or Melilla will think thay it comes form a Southern Spain city like Malaga or Cadiz. That's their aim.
For a Spanish there's not any difference between Ceuta and, let's say, Albacete...

In radio, both amateur and international, Ceuta & Melilla count as a separate radio country. Every now and then some ham (amateur operator) wanders over there to put the country on the air.
The provinces have a amateur prefix of EA9 (or any other authorized Spanish prefix - follow by the "9"), 2 TV stations, one located in each section, and 23 radio stations (1 of which is a AM station-the rest being FM stations).
When I get home I will try to remember to scan some radio cards for posting.

As promised> I found a bunch of radio QSL cards, most with just printing on them (no stamps as they were mailed in envelopes- and who knows what box they are in) and one with a photo of the place recently. I have another couple with lighthouses on adjacent islands, but can't find them yet....
So, here is one (if no more)..




If I stumble on the other ones,I will post.

Nice ephemera!