The explorer Henri Morton Stanley (1841-1904). No’s 135-149

 

Stanley, Henry Morton (1841-1904)

Explorer/author/journalist. Originally named John Rowlands. Welsh-born reporter working for the "New York Herald." Went first to Africa in 1871 to find the famous lost missionary David Livingstone. Stanley, with Dr. David Livingstone, in the 19th century explored and mapped much of what is today Congo. Books describing this exploration: "The Congo and the Founding of its Free State" (1885) and "In Darkest Africa" (1890).

This series was dedicated to commemorative the 50th anniversary of the exploration Of Stanley in 1878 and as a tribute to the greatest pioneer of the Belgian Congo.

 

Date of issue: 30 June 1928

Expiration date: 1 July 1938

Design & engraving: Graphical Institute of Paris

Printing: Atelier du Timbre, Malines

Perforation: 14

Size: 33 x 19 mm (two different sizes of the whole stamp are known, in the same sheet)

Sheet: 100 (20 x 5)

Marginal inscriptions: the stamps were printed in two plates, either a “1” or “2” is printed in the lower margin and “Atelier du Tembre Malines”

Circulation: see the series

 

No 135. 5c, green-gray, 3,079,000 stamps

No 136. 10c, violet, 3,131,900 stamps

No 137. 20c, vermilion, 2,034,400 stamps

No 138. 35c, green-yellow, 2,018,500 stamps

No 139. 40c, brown-red, 2,020,700 stamps

No 140. 60c, brown-gray, 2,015,900 stamps

No.141. 1Fr, pink-carmine, 5,000,000 stamps

No 142.1,60Fr, gray-black, 1,019,200 stamps

No 143. 1,75Fr, blue, 3,239,200 stamps

No 144. 2Fr, brown, 565,000 stamps

No 145. 2,75Fr, violet, 2,203,800 stamps

No 146. 3,50Fr, carmine, 1,123,800 stamps

No 147. 5Fr, green, 525,300 stamps

No 148. 10Fr, ultramarine, 500,300 stamps

No 149. 20Fr, lilac, 258,000 stamps

The series:

Note: because of the use of these stamps over a period of ten years, several editions were printed; this explains the many color nuances that exist. The 1f was issued in the largest quantity, the reason is simple, local mail and additional postage for each 20 grams was 1f.

 

There are no variations or curiosities known for any of the above shown material.

 

Proofs: There are many different proofs; different seizes paper, different paper, black & white and color proofs. Here are some examples: