Nigerian Stamps and Postal History

This week, I will showcase a number of covers and postcards from the Niger Coast Protectorate that fall into the period covered by the overprinted Great Britain issues. Two of these covers were featured in my post last week, but I will show them again here. Niger Company Territories Before the formation of Northern and Southern Nigeria in 1901, the area north of the Oil Rivers Protectorate was known as the Niger Company Territories. Generally, prior to the issuance of the Oil Rivers stamps, stamps of Great Britain, or Postal Stationery items were used. The only way to identify them as Niger Company Territories is by the postmarks, which were generally violet boxed handstamps from Akassa, Burutu, Abutshi and Lokoja. Akassa and Burutu are the most common village names, but that being said, none of these are common by any means. Stamps with the postmarks are scarce enough, but covers and postcards are very scarce indeed. Below are some stamps on piece, as well as some individual lo...

Today's post will look at the cancellations associated with these issues. Next week, I will look at postal history and the following week, I will look at the provisional surcharges, which include some of the rarest items in all of British Commonwealth philately. Post Offices The Niger Coast Protectorate was the official name given to the protectorate, after an Order in Council, dated May 12, 1893 extended the Oil Rivers Protectorate indefinitely inland, which became necessary as trade expanded thoughout the region. 17 post offices were opened in the protectorate between November 1891 and April 18, 1895, as follows: Bakana - opening date unknown, earliest recorded date May 1, 1892. Benin River - opened November 1891, and earliest recorded date is January 25, 1893. Benin - opening date unknown, earliest recorded date March 29, 1893.  Bonny River - opened November 1891 and earliest recorded date is February 6, 1892. Bonny - opening date unknown, earliest recorded date is ...