France Dahomey year 1899/1910 MH/Used lot of stamps

France Dahomey year 1899/1910 MH/Used lot of stamps

During the period from 1899 to 1910, Dahomey was a French colony in West Africa. The postal history of Dahomey during this time includes the use of French stamps overprinted with “DAHOMEY” for use in the colony. Here are some key points about this period:

1. Colonial Status: Dahomey, located in present-day Benin, was colonized by France in the late 19th century as part of the Scramble for Africa. It became a French colony and was administered as part of French West Africa.
2. Postal Service: The postal service in Dahomey during this period was integrated into the broader French colonial postal system. French postage stamps were used in Dahomey, often overprinted with “DAHOMEY” to indicate their validity in the colony.
3. Overprinted Stamps: French stamps from various series were overprinted with “DAHOMEY” to serve as definitive stamps for postal use within the colony. These overprints typically featured the name “DAHOMEY” in capital letters across the center of the stamp.
4. Denominations and Designs: Overprinted stamps were issued in various denominations to accommodate different postal rates. The designs of the stamps remained consistent with the original French stamps, featuring symbols, figures, or landmarks associated with France.
5. Postal History: The use of overprinted French stamps in Dahomey during this period reflects the colonial administration’s control over the postal system. Stamps served as a means of communication and facilitated the movement of mail within the colony and with other parts of the French Empire.

Overall, the period from 1899 to 1910 represents an important era in the postal history of Dahomey, during which French stamps overprinted with “DAHOMEY” were used for postage within the colony. These stamps are valuable philatelic artifacts that reflect the colonial relationship between France and Dahomey during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.