Madagascar - British Inland Mail

These may be Cinderellas or they may be Private Post or they may even be an official issue that I have not been able to find. At any rate, they have piqued my interest and I would appreciate any and all comments.

I have found that Britain gave over all claims to Madagascar to France in the 1880s in return for a similar concession from France for their claims in Zanzibar. Other than a few consular issues earlier than this, there do not appear to be any officially used British issues in this territory.

These stamps were found in a large lot recently purchased and are increasingly intriguing simply because I cannot identify what they are.

Anyone out there know?

They were issued in 1895 and are listed in SG, which I don't have access to at the moment.

k

These are, top to bottom: SG 57, 58, 60 & 61.

This set which also has a 6d green and a 4s bright purple was issued during the French/Malagasy war in 1895 and was used from March until the end of September when French forces occupied Antananarivo.

An earlier set of seven was issued in January 1895 with a simple design of the value in a diamond within a rectangular frame.

Thanks for the information. I just need to hope that our local Public Library has a copy of the Stanley Gibbons Catalogue. Again, leads me to wonder why on earth Scott would have decided not to list something like this.

Thanks guys a very good thread. The kind that makes this forum worthwhile. Daniel

nigelc




Does it look french to you this set. Am I missing something? A delaid wake up...

Or the anglos issued it after they lost it. That make sense but an incomplete story. Daniel

from Gibbons,

" In January 1895 the Malagasy Government agreed that a syndicate of British merchants at Antanariravo, including the Vice Consul should operate an inland postal service during the war with France. Mail was sent by runner to the port of Vatomandry and forwarded via Durban where Natal stamps were added ".

Pagoda

Thanks Pagoda
You bring a light!

From Robson Lowe, Africa,

" These stamps paid postage on overseas letters as far as Durban. Issued March 1895, suppressed in September 1895 ".

Pagoda.