Postage stamps and postal history of the Comoros
Encyclopedia
The postage stamps and postal history of the Comoro Islands is an overview of the postage stamp
s and postal history
of the Comoro Islands
, an Indian Ocean
archipelago located on the south-east side of Africa
.
The postal service was linked to France
during the colonization, who began in Mayotte
in the 1840s. Successively, Mayotte's inhabitants and of Anjouan
, Grande Comore
et Mohéli
used stamps specific to each of these islands. In 1912, the archipelago was administratively and postally united to the colony of Madagascar
.
From 1950, the four Comorian islands were given stamps labelled "Archipel des Comores". After the independence of three of the Comoros
islands in 1975, two services existed : the Comorian and the French post in Mayotte
, whose inhabitants refused independence by referendum
.
Mayotte became a French colony at the beginning of the 1840s after commander Passot bought it to sultan Andriantsouly.
The first stamps from the Imperial Eagle series, common to all French colonies, are sent late 1861-start 1862. They were dispatched between Mayotte and Nosy Be
, a northern Madagascar island. The oldest known stamped letter from Mayotte is dated December 1863.
When the French influence extended to Mohéli
, Grande Comore
and Anjouan
, the Frenchmen must have used the postal service based in Mayotte. Eagle stamps and French stamps (non perforated in the colonies) were certainly used. But, on the datestamp, it was always written "Mayotte and dependencies" (Mayotte et dépendances). Unless the address of the sender or the letter can give hints, it is impossible to recognize the real origin of a Comorian letter of that time. Until the 1870s, the postage stamp itself was cancelled with rhombus of points with a hole in the middle ; it is impossible to know where an unstuck stamp was used.
Following excess by French adventurer Léon Humblot against Comorian people, the French Navy
intervened in the archipelago and imposed the French administration. Mayotte was kept at the center of the new organisation.
Progressively, like all French colonies, each island received stamps with its name : the postal administration was victim of a stamp traffic between low-valued currency colonies and high-valued currency colonies. Mayotte and the "sultanat d'Anjouan" received them in November 1892, Grande Comore in November 1897 and Mohéli in 1906. Twenty values were issued in Mayotte, Nineteen in Anjouan and Grande Comore, sixteen in Mohéli.
colony, the postal fusion is effective in 1912. The remaining stamps are overprinted with big black and red "05" and "10" to serve at small values of five and ten centimes. All post offices of the former colonies linked now to Madagascar did the same ; overprinted stamps were accepted every where in the colony.
From 1912 to 1950, Madagascar stamps are used in the Comoros. Collectors look for the place of cancellation to find Comorian items.
The situation changed in 1946 when the archipelago was no more a colony, but an oversea territory of France : specific stamps are issued on 15 May 1950 printed "Archipel des Comores" with value in CFA franc
. The first series showed local landscapes. Aquatic fauna and flora of the Comoros, traditions, arts and crafts constituted the most part of the philatelic program, with the French colonies' omnibus issues.
The first person to be honored by a Comoros Archipelago stamps was Charles de Gaulle
in 1971, using two of the Metropolitan French series. Then, international scientists and artists are commemorated between 1972 and 1973. Finally, two local personalities appeared : president Said Mohamed Cheikh
(died 1970) on two 1973 stamps and Saïd Omar ben Soumeth, Comoros' grand mufti
in 1974.
on Grande Comore. They were overprinted to strike mentions of the French sovereignty and to add "État comorien" (Comorian State).
In 1976 and 1977, under President Ali Soilih
, Comoros knew a philatelic issue frenzy : in these two years, the country had issued more stamps than during the years of the Comorian Archipelago (1946-1975). Moreover, a little number of these stamps were about a local subject. Topical philatelists were aimed : space exploration, Winter Olympic Games, etc.
During the Federal and Islamic Republic of Comoros, philatelic programs returned to local topics.
Between 1997 and 2000, secessionist events occurred on Anjouan
and Mohéli
islands, finally resolved with the creation of the Union of Comoros.
In Anjouan, postage stamps may have circulated on mail. Only one revenue stamp
with the map and flag of Anjouan, printed in France, served on a juridic document.
End 1997-beginning 1998, French philatelic magazines reported a message announcing the opening of a private postal service between Anjouan and French-controlled Mayotte
. The stamp used on the received letters (map and symbols of Anjouan, and the flag of France) represented the cost of the transport by dhow
between the islands. In Mayotte, a French stamp was added and put in a French post box. However, it seems no proof of real service exists.
Postage stamp
A postage stamp is a small piece of paper that is purchased and displayed on an item of mail as evidence of payment of postage. Typically, stamps are made from special paper, with a national designation and denomination on the face, and a gum adhesive on the reverse side...
s and postal history
Postal history
Postal history is the study of postal systems and how they operate and, or, the study of postage stamps and covers and associated material illustrating historical episodes of postal systems...
of the Comoro Islands
Comoro Islands
The Comoros Islands form an archipelago of volcanic islands situated off the south-east coast of Africa, to the east of Mozambique and north-west of Madagascar. They are divided between the sovereign state of Comoros and the French overseas department of Mayotte...
, an Indian Ocean
Indian Ocean
The Indian Ocean is the third largest of the world's oceanic divisions, covering approximately 20% of the water on the Earth's surface. It is bounded on the north by the Indian Subcontinent and Arabian Peninsula ; on the west by eastern Africa; on the east by Indochina, the Sunda Islands, and...
archipelago located on the south-east side of Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
.
The postal service was linked to France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
during the colonization, who began in Mayotte
Mayotte
Mayotte is an overseas department and region of France consisting of a main island, Grande-Terre , a smaller island, Petite-Terre , and several islets around these two. The archipelago is located in the northern Mozambique Channel in the Indian Ocean, namely between northwestern Madagascar and...
in the 1840s. Successively, Mayotte's inhabitants and of Anjouan
Anjouan
Anjouan is an autonomous island, part of the Union of Comoros. The island is located in the Indian Ocean. Its capital is Mutsamudu and its population as of 2006 is about 277,500. The total area of the island is 424 sq. kilometers Anjouan (also known as Ndzuwani or Nzwani) is an autonomous island,...
, Grande Comore
Grande Comore
Grande Comore is an island in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Africa. It is the largest island in the Comoros nation. Most of its population is of the Comorian ethnic group. Its population as of 2006 is about 316,600. The island's capital is Moroni, which is also the national capital...
et Mohéli
Mohéli
Mohéli, also known as Mwali, is one of the three islands which make up the nation of Comoros. Mohéli is located in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Africa. It is by far the smallest of the Comoros islands. Its population, as of 2006, is about 38,000. Its capital city is Fomboni...
used stamps specific to each of these islands. In 1912, the archipelago was administratively and postally united to the colony of Madagascar
Madagascar
The Republic of Madagascar is an island country located in the Indian Ocean off the southeastern coast of Africa...
.
From 1950, the four Comorian islands were given stamps labelled "Archipel des Comores". After the independence of three of the Comoros
Comoros
The Comoros , officially the Union of the Comoros is an archipelago island nation in the Indian Ocean, located off the eastern coast of Africa, on the northern end of the Mozambique Channel, between northeastern Mozambique and northwestern Madagascar...
islands in 1975, two services existed : the Comorian and the French post in Mayotte
Postage stamps and postal history of Mayotte
This is an overview of the postage stamps and postal history of the Indian Ocean island of Mayotte, one of the Comoros Archipelago islands located on the south-east side of Africa....
, whose inhabitants refused independence by referendum
Referendum
A referendum is a direct vote in which an entire electorate is asked to either accept or reject a particular proposal. This may result in the adoption of a new constitution, a constitutional amendment, a law, the recall of an elected official or simply a specific government policy. It is a form of...
.
Before the joining to Madagascar in 1911
A very few numbers of letters posted before 1900 in the Comoros are known. The oldest came from Mayotte in December 1850 and do not bear a postage stamp.Mayotte became a French colony at the beginning of the 1840s after commander Passot bought it to sultan Andriantsouly.
The first stamps from the Imperial Eagle series, common to all French colonies, are sent late 1861-start 1862. They were dispatched between Mayotte and Nosy Be
Nosy Be
Nosy Be is an island located off the northwest coast of Madagascar. Nosy Be is Madagascar's largest and busiest tourist resort. It has an area of 312 km2 and its population was officially estimated at 36,636 in 2001....
, a northern Madagascar island. The oldest known stamped letter from Mayotte is dated December 1863.
When the French influence extended to Mohéli
Mohéli
Mohéli, also known as Mwali, is one of the three islands which make up the nation of Comoros. Mohéli is located in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Africa. It is by far the smallest of the Comoros islands. Its population, as of 2006, is about 38,000. Its capital city is Fomboni...
, Grande Comore
Grande Comore
Grande Comore is an island in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Africa. It is the largest island in the Comoros nation. Most of its population is of the Comorian ethnic group. Its population as of 2006 is about 316,600. The island's capital is Moroni, which is also the national capital...
and Anjouan
Anjouan
Anjouan is an autonomous island, part of the Union of Comoros. The island is located in the Indian Ocean. Its capital is Mutsamudu and its population as of 2006 is about 277,500. The total area of the island is 424 sq. kilometers Anjouan (also known as Ndzuwani or Nzwani) is an autonomous island,...
, the Frenchmen must have used the postal service based in Mayotte. Eagle stamps and French stamps (non perforated in the colonies) were certainly used. But, on the datestamp, it was always written "Mayotte and dependencies" (Mayotte et dépendances). Unless the address of the sender or the letter can give hints, it is impossible to recognize the real origin of a Comorian letter of that time. Until the 1870s, the postage stamp itself was cancelled with rhombus of points with a hole in the middle ; it is impossible to know where an unstuck stamp was used.
Following excess by French adventurer Léon Humblot against Comorian people, the French Navy
French Navy
The French Navy, officially the Marine nationale and often called La Royale is the maritime arm of the French military. It includes a full range of fighting vessels, from patrol boats to a nuclear powered aircraft carrier and 10 nuclear-powered submarines, four of which are capable of launching...
intervened in the archipelago and imposed the French administration. Mayotte was kept at the center of the new organisation.
From Madagascar to the Comoros Archipelago (1911-1975)
After the decision to unite Comoros to the MadagascarMadagascar
The Republic of Madagascar is an island country located in the Indian Ocean off the southeastern coast of Africa...
colony, the postal fusion is effective in 1912. The remaining stamps are overprinted with big black and red "05" and "10" to serve at small values of five and ten centimes. All post offices of the former colonies linked now to Madagascar did the same ; overprinted stamps were accepted every where in the colony.
From 1912 to 1950, Madagascar stamps are used in the Comoros. Collectors look for the place of cancellation to find Comorian items.
The situation changed in 1946 when the archipelago was no more a colony, but an oversea territory of France : specific stamps are issued on 15 May 1950 printed "Archipel des Comores" with value in CFA franc
CFA franc
The CFA franc is the name of two currencies used in Africa which are guaranteed by the French treasury. The two CFA franc currencies are the West African CFA franc and the Central African CFA franc...
. The first series showed local landscapes. Aquatic fauna and flora of the Comoros, traditions, arts and crafts constituted the most part of the philatelic program, with the French colonies' omnibus issues.
The first person to be honored by a Comoros Archipelago stamps was Charles de Gaulle
Charles de Gaulle
Charles André Joseph Marie de Gaulle was a French general and statesman who led the Free French Forces during World War II. He later founded the French Fifth Republic in 1958 and served as its first President from 1959 to 1969....
in 1971, using two of the Metropolitan French series. Then, international scientists and artists are commemorated between 1972 and 1973. Finally, two local personalities appeared : president Said Mohamed Cheikh
Said Mohamed Cheikh
Said Mohamed Cheikh was the head of the Government of Comoros from 1962 until his death in 1970.Cheikh served in the French National Assembly from 1946-1962 and He was also the president of the Parti Vert and of the Governing Council.-Biography:Cheikh was born in 1904 but he completed his...
(died 1970) on two 1973 stamps and Saïd Omar ben Soumeth, Comoros' grand mufti
Mufti
A mufti is a Sunni Islamic scholar who is an interpreter or expounder of Islamic law . In religious administrative terms, a mufti is roughly equivalent to a deacon to a Sunni population...
in 1974.
Since the independence in 1975
Following the 1974 referendums, the Comorian Parliament voted independence on 5 July 1975. The postage stamp stocks were in MoroniMoroni, Comoros
-References:...
on Grande Comore. They were overprinted to strike mentions of the French sovereignty and to add "État comorien" (Comorian State).
In 1976 and 1977, under President Ali Soilih
Ali Soilih
Ali Soilih, full name Ali Soilih Mtsashiwa, was a Comorian socialist revolutionary and political figure.-Biography:...
, Comoros knew a philatelic issue frenzy : in these two years, the country had issued more stamps than during the years of the Comorian Archipelago (1946-1975). Moreover, a little number of these stamps were about a local subject. Topical philatelists were aimed : space exploration, Winter Olympic Games, etc.
During the Federal and Islamic Republic of Comoros, philatelic programs returned to local topics.
Secession of Anjouan and Mohéli in 1997
Anjouan
Anjouan is an autonomous island, part of the Union of Comoros. The island is located in the Indian Ocean. Its capital is Mutsamudu and its population as of 2006 is about 277,500. The total area of the island is 424 sq. kilometers Anjouan (also known as Ndzuwani or Nzwani) is an autonomous island,...
and Mohéli
Mohéli
Mohéli, also known as Mwali, is one of the three islands which make up the nation of Comoros. Mohéli is located in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Africa. It is by far the smallest of the Comoros islands. Its population, as of 2006, is about 38,000. Its capital city is Fomboni...
islands, finally resolved with the creation of the Union of Comoros.
In Anjouan, postage stamps may have circulated on mail. Only one revenue stamp
Revenue stamp
A revenue stamp, tax stamp or fiscal stamp is a adhesive label used to collect taxes or fees on documents, tobacco, alcoholic drinks, drugs and medicines, playing cards, hunting licenses, firearm registration, and many other things...
with the map and flag of Anjouan, printed in France, served on a juridic document.
End 1997-beginning 1998, French philatelic magazines reported a message announcing the opening of a private postal service between Anjouan and French-controlled Mayotte
Mayotte
Mayotte is an overseas department and region of France consisting of a main island, Grande-Terre , a smaller island, Petite-Terre , and several islets around these two. The archipelago is located in the northern Mozambique Channel in the Indian Ocean, namely between northwestern Madagascar and...
. The stamp used on the received letters (map and symbols of Anjouan, and the flag of France) represented the cost of the transport by dhow
Dhow
Dhow is the generic name of a number of traditional sailing vessels with one or more masts with lateen sails used in the Red Sea and Indian Ocean region. Some historians believe the dhow was invented by Arabs but this is disputed by some others. Dhows typically weigh 300 to 500 tons, and have a...
between the islands. In Mayotte, a French stamp was added and put in a French post box. However, it seems no proof of real service exists.
Synthesis
| Years | Stamps in use |
|---|---|
| Colony then oversea territory of France | |
| 1850?-1861? | None |
| 1861?-1892 | General Colonies stamps |
| 1892-1912 | Mayotte Mayotte Mayotte is an overseas department and region of France consisting of a main island, Grande-Terre , a smaller island, Petite-Terre , and several islets around these two. The archipelago is located in the northern Mozambique Channel in the Indian Ocean, namely between northwestern Madagascar and... Sultanat d'Anjouan Anjouan Anjouan is an autonomous island, part of the Union of Comoros. The island is located in the Indian Ocean. Its capital is Mutsamudu and its population as of 2006 is about 277,500. The total area of the island is 424 sq. kilometers Anjouan (also known as Ndzuwani or Nzwani) is an autonomous island,... |
| 1897-1912 | Grande Comore Grande Comore Grande Comore is an island in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Africa. It is the largest island in the Comoros nation. Most of its population is of the Comorian ethnic group. Its population as of 2006 is about 316,600. The island's capital is Moroni, which is also the national capital... |
| 1906-1912 | Mohéli Mohéli Mohéli, also known as Mwali, is one of the three islands which make up the nation of Comoros. Mohéli is located in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Africa. It is by far the smallest of the Comoros islands. Its population, as of 2006, is about 38,000. Its capital city is Fomboni... |
| 1912-1950 | Madagascar Madagascar The Republic of Madagascar is an island country located in the Indian Ocean off the southeastern coast of Africa... |
| 1950-1975 | Archipel des Comores |
| Independence | |
| 1975-1975 | État comorien |
| 1976-1977 | État comorien |
| 1977-1979 | République des Comores |
| 1979-2000 | Rép. féd. islamique des Comores |
| 2000-... | Union des Comores |
| Legend | |
| ? | Supposed date of first used. (Mayotte). |
| |
overprinted mention |
See also
- Postage stamps and postal history of MadagascarPostage stamps and postal history of MadagascarThis is a survey of the postage stamps and postal history of Madagascar, briefly also known as Malagasy.Madagascar is an island nation in the Indian Ocean off the southeastern coast of Africa...
- Postage stamps and postal history of MayottePostage stamps and postal history of MayotteThis is an overview of the postage stamps and postal history of the Indian Ocean island of Mayotte, one of the Comoros Archipelago islands located on the south-east side of Africa....
- Postage stamps and postal history of Anjouan
Sources
- On the French period : Catalogue de cotations des timbres des DOM-TOM, DallayDallayDallay is a French philatelic editor established in Paris. Dallay has published stamp catalogs since 2001.The catalogs list postage stamps issued by France and other francophone areas: metropolitan France, French overseas territories, French post in Andorra and Monaco...
, 2006-2007, pages 358 to 399. - Philatelic section of the Comores-online.com website.