The John Minns East Africa: 1894 (Nov.) Surcharges: 1894 (Dec. 22) "5/ANNAS" on 8a. blue (3) and "71/2/ANNAS" on 1r. carmine pair and single tied by Mombasa c.d.s's to registered envelope size F type RE1b addressed to England by Miss Sibella Bazett, member of the C.M.S. staff at the Freretown Mission, a total franking of 371/2a. paying treble rate postage and 30a. insurance fee for cover up to £25, carried on the S.S. "Assyria" to Aden and with two provisional surcharges additionally tied by red London registered oval transit of Jan. 12 and with Birkenhead next day arrival backstamp, some cover tone spotting, mainly on reverse. (Image1)

The John Minns East Africa: 1895 (Sept.) "21/2" Provisional: "21/2" on 41/2a. dull violet tied by 1895 (Oct. 29) Mombasa squared circle to envelope addressed by Rev. Johannes Hofmann of the Leipzig Evangelical Mission "via Brindisi" to Bavaria with octagonal "LA REUNION A MARSEILLE/2/NOV/95. L.V. No. 4" of S.S. "Yangtse" alongside, with Zanzibar Nov. 2 and Munich Nov. 21 backstamps, slight trimming at top, also another example tied to small piece by Lamu Nov. 30 1895 c.d.s. The cover ex Rossiter. One of only six commercial covers known, the others all to England. Photo. (Image1)

The John Minns East Africa: 1895 Protectorate Handstamps: 1895 (July 25), 21/2a. tied by Lamu c.d.s. to locally handstamped 2a. registered envelope size F from the Denhardt correspondence to Germany, addressed to Hamburg and redirected to Brunshaupten showing octagonal "LIGNE N/13/AOUT/95/PAQ. FR. No. 1" datestamp (S.S. "Patna") and with "G.Denhardt& Co/Lamu/(East-Africa)" handstamp, Aden Reg. Aug. 12, Hamburg Aug. 26 and next day arrival c.d.s's on reverse. One of very few 'Provisional' covers emanating from Lamu and a scarce stationery item, only 125 issued. Photo. (Image1)

The John Minns East Africa: 1895 Protectorate Handstamps: 1895 (July 27), 1/2a. and 2a. franking envelope from the Tucker missionary correspondence, addressed by Miss Louisa Pilgrim (with initials at left) to the wife of Bishop Tucker in Surbiton and redirected to Cromer, Norfolk, the adhesives tied by Mombasa squared circles with Kingston Aug. 20 arrival at left, backstamped Zanzibar July 28, and Cromer Aug. 21. The Uganda Mission had disembarked at Mombasa on July 9 and started on the 800 mile journey to Mengo on July 16, finally arriving on Oct. 4. Qualified nurse Eliza Louisa Pilgrim (1863-1947) was among this first pioneering group of C.M.S. missionaries and finally retired in 1926 having spent the last years of her work in Babumale. This cover probably sent from Rabai where the party stopped from Oct. 17-20. Illustrated in "British East Africa: The Stamps and Postal Stationery" by Minns (ed. Krieger, 2006), p. 64. Photo. (Image1)

The John Minns East Africa: 1895 Protectorate Handstamps: 1895 (Aug. 5), 1/2a. and 2a. used on locally handstamped 21/2a. envelope addressed to her sister in Hull at double rate by Miss Edith Furley, the adhesives tied by Mombasa squared circles and carried on the S.S. "Patna" to Aden with Hull Aug. 26 arrival backstamp. Ex Pennycuick. The Uganda Mission had disembarked at Mombasa on July 9 and started on the 800 mile journey to Mengo on July 16, finally arriving on Oct. 4. Edith Markham Furley (1854-1942) a former nurse, was one of the pioneering party and subsequently placed in charge of baptism and confirmation classes at Mengo as well as teacher training. Illustrated in "British East Africa: The Stamps and Postal Stationery" by Minns (ed. Krieger, 2006), p. 65. Photo. (Image1)

The John Minns East Africa: 1895 Protectorate Handstamps: 1895 (Aug. 5), 21/2a. and 2a. pair franking envelope from the Tucker missionary correspondence, addressed by Miss Mary Thomsett to the wife of Bishop Tucker in Surbiton and redirected to Carnforth, Lancs., the adhesives tied by Mombasa squared circles Kingston Aug. 20 arrival at left and next day Carnforth arrival backstamp. Ex Dunstan. The Uganda Mission had disembarked at Mombasa on July 9 and started on the 800 mile journey to Mengo on July 16, finally arriving on Oct. 4. Mary Susannah Thomsett (1860-1930) one of the pioneering party of C.M.S. women missionaries and also a qualified nurse, served in the Uganda Mission, like the other ladies, for 25 years and died unexpectedly in England whilst preparing for another tour. Photo. (Image1)

The John Minns East Africa: 1895 Protectorate Handstamps: 1895 (Aug. 12), 21/2a., left marginal example tied by Lamu squared circle to envelope to Finland addressed by Rev. Emil Hederstrom with Zanzibar Aug. 20, Aden Sept. 10 and ÌÉbo (Turku) Sept. 25 arrival on reverse, the cover opened for display. Rev. Emil Hederstrom was a Finnish missionary at the Swedish-American Alliance Mission at Kulesa on the River Tana, which had reopened in Sept. 1893. Photo. (Image1)

The John Minns East Africa: 1895 Protectorate Handstamps: 1895 (Oct. 10) 21/2a. locally handstamped stationery envelope cancelled by fine Lamu squared circle and addressed to "Surgeon W.E. Horne R.A./HMS Swallow/Zanzibar" with Mombasa next day transit c.d.s. on reverse. Ex Dunstan. Photo. (Image1)

The John Minns East Africa: 1895 Protectorate Handstamps: 1895 (Nov. 23), 41/2a. franking registered cover to India, tied by Mombasa squared circle with "RU" in oval and ms. markings, carried on the S.S. "Sutlej" to Bombay with Sea Post Office C transit and Karachi Reg arrival of Dec. 16. Photo. (Image1)

The John Minns East Africa: 1895 Protectorate Handstamps: 1896 (Jan. 24), 3a. and 4a. used on reverse of registered cover to Kilwa, G.E.A. at 7a. double weight registered rate, tied by Mombasa squared circles and carried on the S.S. "Madura" with Zanzibar Reg Jan. 25 and Dar-es-Salaam Jan. 29 transit c.d.s's. Ex Seys. Photo. (Image1)

The John Minns East Africa: 1895 Protectorate Handstamps: 1895 (Nov. 23), 1/2a. franking wrapper at book post rate, addressed by Miss Sibella Bazett to England endorsed "Book Post/MS only", the adhesive tied by Mombasa squared circle and Apr. 19 Reading "635" receiving duplex, redirected to Llandudno with Apr. 21 arrival backstamp. Carried on the S.S. "Mecca" to Aden. Ex Pennycuick. Sibella Bazett was a member of the C.M.S. Mission at Freretown. Photo. (Image1)

The John Minns East Africa: 1895 Remington Provisionals: 1895 (Mar. 11) envelope locally addressed at 1a. rate by John A. Bailey, C.M.S. accountant and secretary at the Freretown Mission bearing "1/2 anna" in manuscript on 3a. black on dull red (2) initalled "T.E.C.R." by Postmaster Thomas E.C. Remington, tied by Mombasa c.d.s's with same day strike on reverse. Ex 'Shivani'. Photo. (Image1)

The John Minns East Africa: 1895-96 'On India' Overprints: 6a. pale brown, mint block of ten (5 x 2) from the lower left corner of the upper pane with margins and part inscription, the lower row unmounted, with gum toning mainly in selvedge, a rare multiple illustrating a major portion of the setting, also two left marginal mint singles (one with Zanzibar overprint, the other with B.E.A.) showing overprint additionally in selvedge. S.G. 56, Zanzibar 13. (Image1)

The John Minns East Africa: 1895-96 'On India' Overprints: 1895 (Oct. 28) 21/2a. pair tied by fine Lamu squared circle to locally handstamped provisional 2a. registered envelope size F addressed to Hamburg from the Denhardt correspondence with "G.Denhardt& Co/Lamu/(East-Africa)" handstamp in violet, Aden Reg. Nov. 4 transit and Nov. 11 arrival c.d.s's on reverse. Ex Rowell. Very rare 'proving' item demonstrating advance use of the 'On India' overprints during the period of stamp shortage in British East Africa and also a scarce stationery item, only 125 issued. Photo. (Image1)

The John Minns East Africa: 1895-96 'On India' Overprints: 1895 (Nov. 20) 2a. used on 21/2a. locally handstamped provisional stationery envelope for registration to Egypt "via Aden", with Mombasa squared circle cancellations, "R" in oval, carried on the S.S. "Pemba" with Aden Reg Dec. 2 transit and Alexandria Dec. 11 arrival c.d.s. on the reverse. Rare commercial registered use and combination franking 'proving' advance use of the 'On India' overprints during the period of stamp shortage in British East Africa, the main transfer of the stamps overprinted at Zanzibar not taking place until Nov. 23. Photo. (Image1)

The John Minns East Africa: 1895-96 'On India' Overprints: 1895 (Nov. 20) 2a. used with Protectorate handstamp 8a. to pay 10a. quadruple letter rate on locally handstamped provisional registered envelope size J (only 200 issued), addressed to Germany from the Denhardt correspondence with Lamu squared circle cancellations and annotated receiving cachet alongside, and showing "G.Denhardt& Co/Lamu/(East-Africa)" handstamp in violet, Aden Reg. Dec. 2 transit and Jlmenau Dec. 16 arrival c.d.s's on reverse, vertical fold. Rare, one of just two such 'mixed franking' covers 'proving' advance use of the 'On India' overprints during the period of stamp shortage in British East Africa, the main transfer of the stamps overprinted at Zanzibar not taking place until Nov. 23. Ex Rossiter and 'Shivani'. Photo. (Image1)

The John Minns East Africa: 1895-96 'On India' Overprints: 1895 (Dec. 31) registered cover to England franked by 1a.6p. and 3a. (introduced on Dec. 18) tied by Mombasa squared circles with hooded London Feb. 7 transit in red below, backstamped Aden Reg Jan. 25 and Ipswich Feb. 7 arrival. Photo. (Image1)

The John Minns East Africa: 1895-96 'On India' Overprints: 1896 (Jan. 1) G. Denhardt & Co. envelope at double rate to Germany "via Zanzibar" franked by 2a.6p. pair neatly tied by Mombasa squared circle with Denhardt annotated receiving cachet below, probably sent from Zanzibar to Aden by the B.I.S.N. Co. steamer then transferred to the R.P.D. "Bundesrath" (D.O.A.G.) and from Naples to Berlin by train, backstamped Zanzibar Jan. 3, Zanzibar Jan. 25 and Jlmenau arrival of Feb. 7. Ex Rossiter. Photo. (Image1)

The John Minns East Africa: 1895-96 'On India' Overprints: 1896 (Mar. 28) "On India" "ONE ANNA" on 11/2a. stationery card type PC5 commercially used to London by Capt. F.S. Dugmore, local news contributor, complaining of non-payment, horizontal crease but unusual. Photo. (Image1)

The John Minns East Africa: 1895-96 'On India' Overprints: 1896 (Mar. 29) early use of "On India" 2a. registered envelope size F type RE5 used to Hamburg with added "On India" 2a., showing Lamu squared circle cancellations, large "G.Denhardt&Co/Lamu/(East-Africa)" in violet, Aden Reg. Apr. 6 transit and Hamburg Apr. 19 arrival c.d.s's. Photo. (Image1)

The John Minns East Africa: 1895-96 'On India' Overprints: 1896 (Aug. 8) 'up-country' cover addressed to botanist Nicholas E. Brown in England, initialled at lower left, with unusual combination franking of 'On India' 1a.6p. and 'small Queen' 1a. tied by Mombasa squared circle with Zanzibar Aug. 9 transit and Kew Gardens Aug. 31 arrival on reverse. Photo. (Image1)

The John Minns East Africa: 1895-96 'On India' Overprints: 1896 (Oct. 20) "On India" 2a. registered envelope size F type RE5 used to Hamburg with added 'small Queen' 5a., showing Lamu squared circle cancellations, large "G.Denhardt&Co/Lamu/(East-Africa)" in violet, Mombasa Nov. 2, Aden Reg. Nov. 15 and Hamburg Dec. 1 arrival c.d.s's. Ex Dunstan. Photo. (Image1)

The John Minns East Africa: The Uganda Railway: 1896 (Nov. 29) "On India" "ONE ANNA" on 11/2a. stationery card, blue overprint type PC5a cancelled by Melindi squared circle with greetings message from Jilore mission station, written and signed by C.M.S. lay missionary Lawrence H. Roberts. Ex Dunstan. Photo. (Image1)

The John Minns East Africa: 1895-96 'On India' Overprints: 1897 (Jan. 16) 1/2a. tied by Mombasa squared circle to Taveta Chronicle Book Post wrapper to Miss Taylor at the Great Yarmouth Mission House with Taveta Jan. 16 temporary single circle c.d.s. at left. Ex Rossiter. The Taveta Chronicle was the first newspaper to be printed on the East African mainland. Photo. (Image1)

The John Minns East Africa: 1895-96 'On India' Overprints: 1898 (Jan. 13) envelope addressed to C.M.S. headquarters in London with unusual combination franking of 'On India' 1a. vertical pair and 'small Queen' 1/2a. tied by Melindini squared circles with Zanzibar Jan. 15 transit on reverse. Photo. (Image1)