Coquilhatville. 1897 (Jan 3) 15c Postal stationery postcard (H&G 11) written from Bassoko on the Arruwimi River, addressed to Berlin, cancelled a month after writing by blue Coquilhatville c.d.s, transit datestamps of Leopoldville (Feb 8), Boma (Feb 14), Lisbon and Berlin. An intriguing card.

Lukungu. 1892 (April 11) 10c Postal stationery postcard (H&G 4) to Belgium franked 5c, cancelled by double ring "ETAT INDEPENDENT DU CONGO / POSTES / LUKUNGU", backstamped at Boma (16 & 21 Apr) and Banana (21 & 25 Apr), fine and scarce. Photo on Page 142. (Image1)

Lukungu / Tumba. 1896 15c + 10c Reply card (H&G 13) to Belgium cancelled by blue "LUKUNGU" c.d.s, Matadi transit datestamps and a Verviers arrival c.d.s., no message; and an 1897 10c reply card (H&G 13, reply half) correctly used back from Boma to Tumba with superb blue "LUKUNGU" arrival c.d.s, addressee's surname removed. The Lukungu sub-office opened in July 1896; however the railway terminus had reached Tumba by that date, and the datestamp was therefore transferred there and from 1897 was used concurrently with the Tumba c.d.s, until withdrawn in 1898. An interesting pair of cards, the first a very early use, the second proving the use of the scarce Lukungu c.d.s at Tumba. (2). Photo on Page 142. (Image1)

Matadi. 1892 (Oct 5) 10c Postal stationery postcard (H&G 4) franked 5c to Belgium, blue Matadi datestamps, backstamped at Matadi (Oct 6) and Boma (6 & 9 Oct). The writer will shortly set out on the long march to Leopoldville, and asks his mother to send medicines and other supplies including opium pills to combat dysentery. Small hole near the printed stamp, otherwise fine.

Matadi. 1893 (Sep 22) Cover to the American Baptist Missionary Union in Boston, USA, with 25c pair each cancelled by blue c.d.s, backstamped at Boma (23&26 Sep), Lisbon and Boston. A scarce cover to the USA. Photo on Page 142. (Image1)

Matadi. 1895 Cover to England franked 50c grey tied by blue Matadi c.d.s, backstamped at Matadi, Boma, Lisbon and Bournemouth. Exceptionally fine, the 50c grey very scarce on cover. Photo on Page 142. (Image1)

Popacabacca. 1897 (Feb 17) 10c Postal stationery postcard (H&G 10) to Germany franked 1894 10c each cancelled by the scarce "POPACABACCA" c.d.s. in blue, both overstruck with the scarce "LUKUNGU" c.d.s (Mar 4/5, three further strikes on front and reverse, used at Tumba - see lot 867), datestamps of Boma and M. Gladbach. A fine commercial card with scarce cancels of two small offices. Popacabacca (on the Kwango River near Angola) had a sub-office briefly in 1896 and then again from 1898, this intriguing card sent in 1897 when this office was supposedly closed. Photo on Page 142. (Image1)

Tumbu-Mani. 1897 (May 30) 10c Postal stationery postcard (H&G 10) written from Popacabacca to Germany franked 1894 10c, the Popacabacca post office supposedly closed during 1897 (but see lot 873 for a similar 1897 card from this correspondence with a Popacabacca c.d.s), this card cancelled by scarce "TUMBU-MANI" datestamps (June 9), transit datestamps of "LUKUNGU" in blue (13/14 June, used at Tumba, see lot 867), Lisbon and M. Gladbach. A fine commercial card with two scarce cancels and an interesting comparison piece to the previous lot. Photo on Page 146. (Image1)

Tumbu-Mani. 1897 (June 16) 1897 10c Postal stationery postcard (H&G 6, reply half) written from Popokabaka to Belgium franked 1894 10c, the Popacabacca post office supposedly closed in 1897 (but see lot 873), the stamps cancelled by scarce "TUMBU-MANI" datestamps in blue (June 21), a June 20 c.d.s alongside applied upon receipt of the original reply card, transit datestamps of Boma (July 1), Antwerp and Verviers. A scarce card. Photo on Page 146. (Image1)

Banana. 1906 Cover franked 10c + 40c to the British Vice-Consulate at Helsingor, Denmark, Banana datestamps in black and an arrival backstamp. An attractive cover to an unusual destination.

Banza-Boma. 1904 Picture postcard to Belgium, sent at the 10c printed matter rate, with a fine "BANZA-BOMA" c.d.s in blue and a Matadi transit c.d.s. Also cancels on two single stamps. The Banza-Boma c.d.s was effectively a T.P.O, the postbox carried on the train covering the zone between Inkisi and Haut Sele whilst the railway was being built. It was established in early 1903 and closed in October 1905 when this section of the railway was completed. A scarce and interesting card. (3). Photo on Page 146. (Image1)

Basankusu. 1907 (June 14) Picture postcard written from Bosow to Brussels franked 5c + 10c, cancelled at Basankusu, transit and arrival datestamps of Coquilhatville (June 17), Leopoldville (June 29) and Brussels, very fine. Photo on Page 146. (Image1)

Basoko. 1902 (Dec 20) Cover to Brussels endorsed from the "Chef de Culture" at Basoko, bearing 10c single and strip of four (faults prior to use) each tied by a fine blue c.d.s, backstamped at Leopoldville (Jan 6) and Brussels, an attractive commercial cover. Photo on Page 146. (Image1)

Basongo. 1902 (Aug 9) Cover written from Butala to Belgium unusually franked 5c (2) + 40c, the three stamps each cancelled by the scarce "BASONGO" c.d.s in blue, backstamped at Leopoldville (Aug 12) and in Belgium. The Basongo sub office opened in 1901 (replacing Bena-Bendi on the other side of the river); it was replaced in turn by Dima in February 1909. A scarce cover, with Luc Vander Marcken Certificate (2014). Photo on Page 148. (Image1)

Bena-Bendi. 1901 (Dec 12) Cover to the USA, two 25c stamps each cancelled by the very scarce "BENA-BENDI" c.d.s in blue, arrival backstamps of New York and Richmond. Probably written by the American Presbyterian Missionary, the Rev. William Morrison. The Bena-Bendi post office was only open 1898-1901 (closing when the Basongo office was opened) and was little used. Very scarce. Photo on Page 148 (Image1)

Beni. 1907 (Oct.) Picture postcard to Belgium franked 15c tied by a fine "BENI" c.d.s, transit datestamps of Stanleyville (Nov 1) and Leopoldville (Nov 27). The Beni office was only open from 1906 until July 1908 and was little used. One of the rarest of all Belgian Congo cancellations, with Leo Tavano Certificate (2011). Photo on Page 148. (Image1)

Boma / Ngangila. 1898 Printed International Missionary Alliance envelope "IMA / CONGO MISSION AFRICA / NGANGILA STATION / CONGO FREE STATE", from the Presbyterian Mission at Ngangila to the USA, the 50c rate paid by three 5c stamps + 10c + 25c all cancelled in blue at Boma, backstamped at Lisbon, New York and Syracuse. Light creasing and some stamp defects, the reverse with two John Seybold collectors handstamps, nevertheless an attractive printed missionary envelope and a rare origin. Photo on Page 148. (Image1)

Boma. 1908 Printed advertising envelope for "Liqueurs Speciales a base de Vieille Fine Champagne Extra Dry Cusenier" depicting a young waitress carrying a tray of Cusenier drinks, posted from Boma to Brussels franked 50c. A superb advertising envelope, very unusual posted from the Congo. Photo on Inside Front Cover. (Image1)

Coquilhatville. 1898-1901 Covers sent at the 50c rate to Belgium, the 1898 cover (endorsed from "Equateur") franked 5c + 10c (2) + 25c, the 1901 cover franked 10c pair + 15c (2), datestamps in blue, a few edge faults, the 1901 cover with vertical and horizontal folds, two unusual frankings. (2)

Coquilhatville. 1905 (Feb 2) Cover with printed heading "ETAT INDEPENDANT DU CONGO / COMMISSION D'ENQUETE" posted to Brussels, 5c + 15c vertical strip of three tied by Coquilhatville datestamps in black. Opening tears to upper edge, otherwise fine and unusual. The "Commission D'Enquete", composed of three eminent judges, was set up by King Leopold to look into allegations of atrocities in the Congo, and was in the Congo from October 1904 until late February 1905. The judges were chosen as likely to be sympathetic to the King, but still submitted a damning report on their return. Photo on Page 148. (Image1)

Dima. 1909 (May 12) Picture postcard to Belgium with unoverprinted 5c + 10c each tied by the scarce "DIMA" c.d.s in black. The Dima office opened in February 1909 (replacing Basongo) after the start of the colonial mandate, but the Congo Free State stamps were still valid for a 6 month grace period. A scarce cancel on Free State issues. Photo on Page 148. (Image1)

Ibembo. 1907 (Jan 27) Cover to Sicily franked 5c pair + 10c + 15c (2), the five stamps each cancelled at Ibembo, backstamped at Leopoldville (Feb 21) and Palermo. Small edge tear at base affecting the 10c stamp and part flap missing, an attractive cover from this small office which closed in 1907. Photo on Page 150. (Image1)

Kinshasa. 1909 (Mar 17) Picture postcard sent at the 10c printed matter rate, an unoverprinted stamp with a fine cancel in black, Matadi transit datestamp. The Kinshasa sub-office opened in December 1908 after the "Free State" had formally become a Belgian Colony, but unoverprinted stamps continued to be valid in the first six months of 1909. A scarce cancel on Free State issues. Photo on Page 150. (Image1)

Leopoldville. 1897 (Feb 3) Cover to London, the 50c rate paid by five 10c stamps (including vertical strip of three) each tied by c.d.s in blue, backstamped at Boma, Lisbon and Walthamstow. Some perf staining, otherwise fine, early and attractive. Photo on Page 150. (Image1)

Leopoldville. 1900 Registered cover to the Netherlands franked 5c, 10c, 25c (2), 40c and 50c all cancelled in blue, with boxed "Recommande", backstamped at Boma, Antwerp and The Hague, flap missing, otherwise fine, an attractive and unusual registered franking. Photo on Page 150. (Image1)