4d Qv - Brit. Bechuanaland Overprint?

I have no idea about this overprint on this Queen Victoria. Obviously British Bechuanaland, but the first pictures I show are of George V. Information says that British had stamps here as early as 1898. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks - Jeff

Bechuanaland 1891 Scott 35

Hi Jeff,

This is British Bechuanaland SG 35 from 1891.

There were two Bechuanalands - this stamp was from the British Colony of "British Bechuanaland" which issued stamps from 1885 until 1895 when it became part of the Cape Colony and is now part of South Africa. The other one - the "Bechuanaland Protectorate" - issued stamps from 1888 until 1966 and is now Botswana.

To complicate things a little from 1890 to 1895 they both used British Bechuanaland stamps and these stamps were used from 1895 until 1897 in the Protectorate before new Protectorate stamps were issued.

Thanks for the explanation Nigel, I feel much better now. Anyone with a gun? (and thanks as always to you also, Russ)