French Tunisia year 1893 -1902 stamps Used

The stamps of French Tunisia from 1893 to 1902 were issued during the period when Tunisia was a French protectorate. Here are some key details about these stamps:

• In 1888, Tunisia became a French protectorate under the Treaty of Bardo after years of growing French influence in the region.
• The first postage stamps issued for use in Tunisia under French administration were French stamps overprinted with the word “TUNISIE” in 1888.
• In 1893, the first truly Tunisian stamps were issued, inscribed “TUNISIE” in Arabic and French. These were typographed stamps known as the “Carthage” design featuring an image of a Carthaginian horse rider.
• Subsequent stamp issues from 1893-1902 maintained the Carthage design but introduced new values and colors.
• Many of the early Tunisian stamps were printed in Paris but some lower values were also printed locally in Tunisia.
• The stamps during this period were denominated in French currency – centimes and francs.
• By 1902, new pictorial designs began replacing the Carthage motifs on Tunisian stamps.

These early Tunisian stamps under the French protectorate are prized by collectors interested in classic-era stamps as well as those focusing specifically on French colonial postal history. The iconic Carthage designs represent the transition to a distinct Tunisian philatelic identity under French rule.