East Africa and Uganda Protectorates
Encyclopedia
East Africa and Uganda Protectorates was the name used by the combined postal service
of the protectorates of British East Africa and Uganda
between 1 April 1903 and 22 July 1920.
On 23 July 1920 British East Africa became a Crown Colony of Kenya
, with the exception of a coastal strip which remained a protectorate. Stamps were then inscribed "KENYA AND UGANDA"
The administration issued postage stamp
s with the profile of King Edward VII
and inscribed "EAST AFRICA AND UGANDA PROTECTORATES" in 1903. The same basic design was used throughout the period, with new watermark
and colours in 1904 and 1907, respectively, and the substitution of King George V
in 1912. The 6c stamp was surcharged 4c in 1919.
While the lower-denomination stamps are common, stamps of up to 500 rupees were sold, primarily for use as revenue stamp
s. Postal usages of the higher values are scarce and valuable.
, postcard
s and a telegram sheet. The designs of the imprints on registrations envelopes, newspaper wrappers and postcards were similar to that used on the stamps.
A total of four post paid envelopes were issued, the stamp imprint on all was oval with the head of king. A one anna envelope was issued in 1904, a six cent envelope was issued in 1907 and finally a 6 cent and a 10 cent envelope was issued with the head of King George in 1912.
Including different sizes, a total of eleven registration envelopes have been identified as having been issued; three during the reign of Edward VII and eight during the reign of George V.
Three different wrappers with the Edward VII design were produced and two with George V.
A total of 12 postcards are known to have been issued; eight during the reign of Edward VII and four during the reign of George V.
One unusual item of postal stationery
item, issued in 1903, was a telegram sheet with a one rupee stamp imprint. The design of the stamp was hexagonal with the head of Edward VII in a circle in the centre.
Mail
Mail, or post, is a system for transporting letters and other tangible objects: written documents, typically enclosed in envelopes, and also small packages are delivered to destinations around the world. Anything sent through the postal system is called mail or post.In principle, a postal service...
of the protectorates of British East Africa and Uganda
Uganda
Uganda , officially the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. Uganda is also known as the "Pearl of Africa". It is bordered on the east by Kenya, on the north by South Sudan, on the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the southwest by Rwanda, and on the south by...
between 1 April 1903 and 22 July 1920.
On 23 July 1920 British East Africa became a Crown Colony of Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
, with the exception of a coastal strip which remained a protectorate. Stamps were then inscribed "KENYA AND UGANDA"
The administration issued postage stamp
Postage stamp
A postage stamp is a small piece of paper that is purchased and displayed on an item of mail as evidence of payment of postage. Typically, stamps are made from special paper, with a national designation and denomination on the face, and a gum adhesive on the reverse side...
s with the profile of King Edward VII
Edward VII of the United Kingdom
Edward VII was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions and Emperor of India from 22 January 1901 until his death in 1910...
and inscribed "EAST AFRICA AND UGANDA PROTECTORATES" in 1903. The same basic design was used throughout the period, with new watermark
Watermark
A watermark is a recognizable image or pattern in paper that appears as various shades of lightness/darkness when viewed by transmitted light , caused by thickness or density variations in the paper...
and colours in 1904 and 1907, respectively, and the substitution of King George V
George V of the United Kingdom
George V was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India, from 6 May 1910 through the First World War until his death in 1936....
in 1912. The 6c stamp was surcharged 4c in 1919.
While the lower-denomination stamps are common, stamps of up to 500 rupees were sold, primarily for use as revenue stamp
Revenue stamp
A revenue stamp, tax stamp or fiscal stamp is a adhesive label used to collect taxes or fees on documents, tobacco, alcoholic drinks, drugs and medicines, playing cards, hunting licenses, firearm registration, and many other things...
s. Postal usages of the higher values are scarce and valuable.
Postal stationery
The postal administration of East Africa and Uganda issued post paid envelopes, registration envelopes, wrappersWrapper (philately)
In philately a wrapper is a form of postal stationery which pays the cost of the delivery of a newspaper or a periodical. The wrapper is a sheet of paper, large enough to wrap around a folded or rolled newspaper and with an imprinted stamp to pay the cost of postage...
, postcard
Postcard
A postcard or post card is a rectangular piece of thick paper or thin cardboard intended for writing and mailing without an envelope....
s and a telegram sheet. The designs of the imprints on registrations envelopes, newspaper wrappers and postcards were similar to that used on the stamps.
A total of four post paid envelopes were issued, the stamp imprint on all was oval with the head of king. A one anna envelope was issued in 1904, a six cent envelope was issued in 1907 and finally a 6 cent and a 10 cent envelope was issued with the head of King George in 1912.
Including different sizes, a total of eleven registration envelopes have been identified as having been issued; three during the reign of Edward VII and eight during the reign of George V.
Three different wrappers with the Edward VII design were produced and two with George V.
A total of 12 postcards are known to have been issued; eight during the reign of Edward VII and four during the reign of George V.
One unusual item of postal stationery
Postal stationery
A piece of postal stationery is a stationery item, such as a stamped envelope, letter sheet, postal card, lettercard, aerogram or wrapper, with an imprinted stamp or inscription indicating that a specific rate of postage or related service has been prepaid...
item, issued in 1903, was a telegram sheet with a one rupee stamp imprint. The design of the stamp was hexagonal with the head of Edward VII in a circle in the centre.