1875-78 Aden Period: An Indian Post Office was established in Zanzibar on October 1st 1875. It was operated b the British Consul until June 1877 when the British Consul's Dr. Robb resigned after his requests for additional assistance were ignored. Throughout this period, Zanzibar was regarded as a sub-office under the Indian post office at Aden.
1876 (May) OHMS envelope from the Agency & Consulate General in Zanzibar (embossed Coat-of-Arms on backflap), sent to England with two India 1866-78 4a die I green tied by Aden "B-22" duplex (before the use of Zanzibar cancels), paying the single 8a rate (same as the rate from Aden to destinations other than Aden or India), with Bristol arrival backstamp, backflap slightly reduced and cover opened for display to show the Coat-of-Arms, fine and very rare example of mail sent from Zanzibar via the Indian Office at Aden during this period. (Image)
Opening GBP 600.00
Sold...GBP 2,600.00
Closed..Dec-08-2022, 23:59:00 EST
Sold For 2600
Sale No: 22DG
Lot No: 70587
Symbol: F
1878-79 Experimental Cancellation: After the closure of the sub-office at the British Consul, postal duties were then assigned to a local Parsi shop-keeper, who likewise was unable to meet the growing demands. An investigation by Indian post office officials led to the Zanzibar office becoming an experimental post office, which was maintained for less than 2 months before it became a permanent post office on 9th January 1879. The first canceller used by the newly opened Post Office at Zanzibar was introduced 1st June 1878.
1878/79 (Jun 1) envelope from Zanzibar to India with India 1866-78 4a green vertical pair tied by the experimental diamond of bars (Proud type K2) with Zanzibar JU 1 cds (type D2) adjacent, reverse with Sea Post Office, Aden and Mandvi arrival cds, cover faults and staining with some cosmetic enhancement at lower right, a rare usage of this cancel with only around 30-40 covers known, ex Walkley.
Note: This cover was sent on JU 1 which could be the first day of usage of this canceller, however none of the datestamps have year slugs. (Image)
Opening GBP 600.00
Sold...GBP 2,000.00
Closed..Dec-08-2022, 23:59:00 EST
Sold For 2000
Sale No: 22DG
Lot No: 70588
Symbol: F
1879-82 Second Cancellation under the Bombay Circle: The first obliterator and datestamp were replaced in August 1879 with a duplex cancel similar to those used in other Indian Post Offices.
1880 (Aug 25) envelope from Zanzibar to England with India 1866-78 4a green and 1873 1/2a blue tied by fine strike of the "BRITISH / P.O. / ZANZIBAR" "B" duplex (type KD4), paying the 4 1/2a UPU rate via England (1st Feb 1880- 1st Jan 1890), reverse with Aden transit and Darwen arrival, some minor cover imperfections, fine.
Note: Despite the wording on the postmark, it was not a British Post Office. Its status as an Indian P.O. was clear, but there may have been political reasons for stressing ultimate British authority at a time the "scramble for Africa" was in full swing. (Image)
Opening GBP 300.00
Sold...GBP 400.00
Closed..Dec-08-2022, 23:59:00 EST
Sold For 400
Sale No: 22DG
Lot No: 70589
Symbol: H,F
1880 (Sep 21) "Denhardt" envelope from Zanzibar to Germany with India 1866-78 4a green and 1873 1/2a blue tied by fine strike of the "BRITISH / P.O. / ZANZIBAR" "B" duplex (type KD4), paying the 4 1/2a UPU rate via England (1st Feb 1880- 1st Jan 1890), reverse with Aden and Sea Post Office transits, Zeitz arrivals, some minor cover toning, fine, plus 1/2a, 1a and 2a used singles with the same cancel.
Note: Despite the wording on the postmark, it was not a British Post Office. Its status as an Indian P.O. was clear, but there may have been political reasons for stressing ultimate British authority at a time the "scramble for Africa" was in full swing. (Image)
Opening GBP 300.00
Sold...GBP 270.00
Closed..Dec-08-2022, 23:59:00 EST
Sold For 270
Sale No: 22DG
Lot No: 70590
Symbol: F
1881 (Apr 12) Envelope from Zanzibar to Germany (Denhardt correspondence) from the India Post Office with 2a pair and 1a tied by "BRITISH / P.O. / ZANZIBAR" "B" duplex cancels, with French paquebot octagonal ds below, reverse with Paris transit and Zeitz arrival, very fine and scarce. (Image)
Opening GBP 300.00
Sold...GBP 350.00
Closed..Dec-08-2022, 23:59:00 EST
Sold For 350
Sale No: 22DG
Lot No: 70591
Symbol: H,F
1882-84 Third Cancellation under the Bombay Circle: The previous duplex cancellation was replaced in late August 1882 with a similar cancellation to other Indian Post Office abroad.
1882/84 (Nov 27) Commercial envelope from Zanzibar to India with four India 1873 1/2a blue tied by Zanzibar "B" duplex (type KD5), underpaying the 3a rate to India with "BOMBAY / SHIP LETTER / POSTAGE DUE 1an" hs adjacent, reverse with Bombay and Bhuj transits, Mundra arrival, cover reduced at left and other imperfections, a scarce usage, and considered rarer than the type KD4 cancel with less than 40 covers thought to be known, plus loose 1/2a vertical pair with same cancel. (Image)
Opening GBP 300.00
Sold...GBP 2,200.00
Closed..Dec-08-2022, 23:59:00 EST
Sold For 2200
Sale No: 22DG
Lot No: 70592
Symbol: H,F,W
1884-87 First Squared Circle Cancel
1885 & 1887, pair of envelopes; 1885 (Jun 9) envelope to England with 1864 2a orange pair and 1873 1/2a blue tied by crisp strikes of the four-barred squared circle ds (type KD7a with removed year slug which occurred in 1885), paying the 4 1/2a UPU rate to England, Birmingham arrival, backflap faults, attractive; and 1887 (Apr 8) envelope sent locally with 1/2a green tied by the same cancel (with year slug), fine, plus used seven singles with the same cancels incl. 1876 6a. (Image)
Opening GBP 100.00
Sold...GBP 100.00
Closed..Dec-08-2022, 23:59:00 EST
Sold For 100
Sale No: 22DG
Lot No: 70593
Symbol: H,F,W
Cat No: Collection
1887-94 Second Squared Circle Cancel and 1888 "REG" cds
1887-92, Group of six covers incl. 1890 envelope from HMS Garnet (emblem on backflap) which was on slavery patrol at the time, with 4a6p tied by three-barred squared circle, fine; 1888 envelope to Germany with 3a tied by the same cancel for the UPU rate not via UK, fine; 1887 cover to India with three 1a tied by the same cancels paying the 3a rate to India, minor cover imperfections; pair of covers from the same correspondence to Bombay, one with 6a and one with 4a6p pair, toning, cover faults; album page with 17 used singles with the same cancel; and 1890 cover (reduced at one side) sent registered to India with three 1/2a and 2a tied by "REG" cds and four used singles with same cancel. (Image)
Opening GBP 300.00
Sold...GBP 500.00
Closed..Dec-08-2022, 23:59:00 EST
Sold For 500
Sale No: 22DG
Lot No: 70594
Symbol: F,DFE
1894-98 Hatched Circle Cancellation:
1894 (Nov 17) Linen envelope sent locally in Zanzibar with India 1892-95 2a6p strip of three on reverse tied by hatched circle ds,very fine and rare franking for a heavy internal letter as well as being an early usage of this cancel (ERD 22nd Sep). (Image)
Opening GBP 200.00
Sold...GBP 160.00
Closed..Dec-08-2022, 23:59:00 EST
Sold For 160
Sale No: 22DG
Lot No: 70595
Symbol: F,DFE
1888 and 1895 front and envelope from missionaries in Uganda; 1895 (Sep 27) envelope from R. H. Leakey, endorsed at lower left, who was based at Koki in Uganda at this time, franked with two India 1/2a green and pair of 2a tied by hatched circle ds, reverse with Reading arrival cds, envelope slightly heavily toned (plus 9p and 2a6p singles with same cancel); and 1888 (Feb 3) front sent by Archdeacon R. H. Walker, endorsed at lower left, who was based at Natete during this time, with 2a6p tied by three-barred squared circle, front missing small portion at foot, a rare pair of items from Ugandan missionaries unusually sent through the Zanzibar post instead of British East Africa.
Note: Letters from Ugandan missionaries were carried by runners/caravan to the coast and thence to Zanzibar, where they will then have been stamped by forwarding agents Boustead Ridley, acting for the Church Missionary Society. Missionaries using this service initialled or signed all envelope before despatch so that the sender could be identified and the account debited. (Image)
