French Tunisia stamps year 1888 / 1893 Used set

French Tunisia stamps year 1888 / 1893 Used set

The stamps issued by French Tunisia between 1888 and 1893 are significant as they represent the first definitive postage stamps specifically designed for Tunisia under the French Protectorate (which began in 1881).

These years cover the first two major issues of the protectorate:

1. The 1888 “Arms of Tunisia” Issue (First Set)

• Year of Issue: July 1888.
• Design: These stamps feature the Coat of Arms of the Bey of Tunis (the ruler of the Regency of Tunis). The inscription at the bottom is “RÉGENCE DE TUNIS.”
• Background: The most distinctive feature of this initial printing is that the Coat of Arms design is set against a plain (unshaded or white) background.
• Denominations: A set of eight values was issued, ranging from 1 centime (c) up to 5 francs (F).
• Catalogue Reference: In the Scott catalog, these are generally listed as Scott 1-8 (or similar, depending on the specific catalogue edition).

2. The 1888-1893 “Arms of Tunisia” Issue (New Printings)

• Year of Issue: October 1888 through 1893 (and later).
• Design Change: This series used the same Coat of Arms design but printed on a stamp with a finely shaded or horizontally ruled background. Additionally, the numerals in the value tablet at the bottom were often thicker than the original 1888 printing.
• Purpose: These were new printings and additional values to replace the first series and meet postal demand.
• Denominations: This extended series included many new and re-issued values, including 10c, 20c, 35c, and higher franc values up to 5F.
• The 1893 Detail: The year 1893 specifically refers to an important printing within this series where certain values were printed on a special quadrilled (ruled or graph-like) paper, most notably the 15c value (Scott 27). This paper variety is important for specialist collectors.
• Catalogue Reference: In the Scott catalog, this larger series is generally listed as Scott 9-27 (or similar, including minor number varieties).

The stamps from this period are crucial for collectors of French Colonial Philately or North African postal history as they mark the transition from using French general-issue stamps to having a distinct, locally designed series. The value of any specific stamp depends on its denomination, shade, condition, and whether it has the plain or shaded background, or the rare quadrilled paper.