Commemoration of the battle against the slave trade. No’s 300-301.

This series was issued as a completion of the series from 1947 (no’s 274-276).

The series from 1947 have French first, these series has Dutch first.

Monsignor Charles Lavigerie (1825-1892)

Born in Huire, France, deceased in Algiers.

Cardinal Lavigerie founded the Missionary Society of the White Fathers (Peres Blancs) in Algeria in 1864. Its official name is Fathers of Our Lady of Africa. Members did not take monastic vows but bound themselves to work in Africa for all their lives.

"... Slavery, as it is practiced in Africa, is not only, indeed, contrary to the Gospel, it is contrary to natural law. (...) Now, the natural laws do not concern Christians only, they involve all humanity. That is why I am appealing to everyone, without distinction of nationality, party or religious creed. I do not address myself simply to faith, but to reason, to justice, to respect, to love of liberty..."
(Talk given by Charles Lavigerie at the Church of Gesu in Rome,
28 December, 1888 - Antislavery campaign)

Baron Francis Dhanis (1862-1909)

Born in London-England, deceased in Breton-France

Having completed his education at the “ecole Militaire” he entered the Belgian army, joining the regiment of grenadiers, in which he rose to the rank of major. As soon as he reached the rank of lieutenant he volunteered for service on the Congo, and in 1887 he went out for a first term. He did so well in founding new stations north of the Congo that, when the government decided to put an end to the Arab domination on the Upper Congo, he was selected to command the chief expedition sent against the slave dealers. The campaign began in April 1892, and it was not brought to a successful conclusion till January 1894.

Date of issue: 25 June 1951

Expiration date: 1 January 1953

Design:

Engraving:

Printing: Enschedé & Zonen, Haarlem (The Netherlands)

Perforation: 12.5 x 12.25

Size: 21.4 x 28.2 mm

Sheet: 100

Marginal inscriptions: 2 printing-plates were used, in bottom margin a “1” or “2” is indicated.

Circulation: unknown

The series:

No 300. 1,50Fr, violet – Monsignor Charles Lavigerie

No 301. 3Fr, brown-black – Baron Francis Dhanis

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