Costermansstad (Bukavu). No’s 203-208.

The block was issued on the occasion of the International Congress of Tourism held in Costermansville in October 1938.

Date of issue: 3 October 1938

Expiration date: 1 January 1940

Design:

Engraving: Malvaux

Printing: Atelier du Timbre, Malines. (Zegeldrukkerij, Mechelen-Belgium)

Perforation: 11.5

Size block: approximately 121 x 139 mm (can differ a few mm)

Sheet: issued in blocks with the series of 6 stamps: 32,000 blocks (OBC)

Note: According to several other sources e.g. Balasse, 100,000 blocks.

Could the number 32,000 be the official sold amount of these blocks?

Circulation: see above

203 5c. River Molindi, bistre center, blue border.

204 90c. Bamboo, bistre center, blue border.

205 1,50Fr. Suza River, bistre center, blue border.

206 2,40Fr. Rutshura River, bistre center, blue border.

207 2,50Fr. Karisimbi, bistre center, blue border.

208 4,50Fr. Mitumba, bistre center, blue border.

The series (always from block 2):

Note: the series was only sold in block.

Block 2:

The total stamp value is 11.85f, but the buying price of the sheet was 15.00f.

The extra 3.15f was used for propaganda and to stimulant the tourism in Congo.

Note: the blocks were probably printed in sheets of 8.

Imperforated block, these blocks are extremely rare because they were made as proofs, never to be issued: (Sorry no image available)

There are no variations or curiosities known for any of the above shown material.