Biafra Free State

Official Mail and Postal Stamps

The first Independence issue of Biafra (issued 5th February 1968) was printed by the Mint in Lisbon.

The second issue, from which the offset (offered as lot 7656 in our 9th November sale) comes, was overprinted on Nigerian stamps at the Biafran Government Printer. A third issue, the First Anniversary of Independence, was also printed in Lisbon. Stanley Gibbons footnote a fourth issue of Butterflies, plus the same overprinted for the 1968 Mexico Olympics.

A complete list (1968-1970) of Biafra postage stamps and souvenir sheets (miniature sheets)

Scott #       SG #              Year Description

—              1-3                 1968 Independence (3v)
—             4-16                1968 Defs/Sovereign – 1/2d-1.00 (ovpt) (13v)
—              —                  1968 BIAFRA-FRANCE FRIENDSHIP (ovpt) (2v)
—            17-21                1968 First Independence Anniversary (5V)
—              —                  1968 First Independence/HELP CHILDREN (5v) (ovpt)
—              —                  1968 Butterflies (4v)
—              —                  1968 Butterflies/MEXICO OLYMPICS (ovpt) (4v)
—            35-38                1969 Second Independence Anniversary (4v)
—              —                  1969 Second Independence Anniversary (ss)
—            39-42                1969 Pope Paul Visit (4v)
—              —                  1969 Pope Paul Visit (ss) (mag)
—              —                  1969 Pope Paul Visit (ss) (brwn)
—              —                  1969 Pope Paul Visit/CHRISTMAS (4v) (ovpt)
—              —                  1969 Pope Paul Visit/CHRISTMAS (ovpt) (ss) (mag)
—              —                  1969 Pope Paul Visit/CHRISTMAS (ovpt) (ss) (brwn)
—              —                  1970 Second Independence/SAVE BIAFRA (ovpt) (4v)
—              —                  1970 Second Independence/SAVE BIAFRA (ss) (ovpt)
—              —                  1970 Pope Paul Visit/HUMAN RIGHTS (ovpt) (2v)

       2 p Map of Republic
1968 1st Year of Independence
5th Feb. Special issue, typography, perforation K 12 1/2

4 p  Arms, flag and date of independence
1968 1st Year of Independence
5th Feb. Special issue, typography, perforation K 12 1/2

1 Sh Mother and child
1968 1st Year of Independence
5th Feb. Special issue, typography, perforation K 12 1/2

1969 Visit Pope Paulus
Miniature sheet No. 2, size 140 x 110 mm
10 Sh. miniature sheet 2 A, perforated, multicoloured

1969 Visit Pope Paul to Africa

25th Sept.  Special issue, offset printing, perforated K 13 1/2 : 13 3/4

4 P.  Papal Arms

6 P.  Arms of Vatican

9 P.  Saint Peter’s Basilica

3 Sh.  Statue of Saint Peter, colour: carmine-rose

1968 Butterflies and Flowers (4v)

2nd Sept. Special issue, multicoloured, offset printing, perforated K 14

4 P Papilio dordanus, Lankesteria barteri

1 Sh 6 P Papilio antimachus, Ipomea involucrata

2 Sh. 6 P.  Papilio zalmoxis, Haemanthus cinnabarinus

5 Sh.  Papilio hesperus, Clerodendrum splendens

1969  2nd Independence Anniversary

30th May  Special issue, offset printing, perforated K 13 3/4

2 P.  Child in Chains, Globe; multicoloured

4 P.  Child in Chains, Globe; multicoloured

1 Sh.  Child in Chains, Globe; multicoloured

2 Sh. 6 P.  Child in Chains, Globe; multicoloured

1969  2nd Year of Independence

30th May Special issue of miniature sheet, multicoloured

10 Sh  miniature sheet 1 A, size 140 x 110 mm

1969  First Independence Anniversary

30th May Special issue, multicoloured, offset printing, perforation K 12 1/2

4 P. Weapon Maintenance

1 Sh. Victim of Atrocity

2 Sh. 6 P. Nurse and Refugees

5 Sh.  Arms and Banknote

10 Sh. Orphaned Child