For the Zoo of Leopoldstad. No’s 209-213
Created in 1933 by the Belgian colonial
administration, the zoo occupies a vast area of land in the middle of a man-made forest in the center of the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the former Zaire.
It long served as a transit zone for animals destined for export to Belgium, but after independence in 1960 the zoo was put under the control of the country's new authorities.
A limited edition with surtax to support the Zoo of Leopoldville, only obtainable in complete series after subscription.
Date of issue: 6 June 1939
Expiration date: 1 January 1941
Design:
Engraving: Malvaux
Printing: Atelier du Timbre, Malines. (Zegeldrukkerij, Mechelen-Belgium)
Perforation: 14
Size: 27.5 x 23.5 mm
Sheet: 25
Marginal inscriptions: I own no’s 209, 210 & 212 without inscriptions. No 211 & 213 “S” “1939” and sheet number (see example of a whole sheet below).
Circulation: 37,500 series
No 209 1Fr + 5Fr, Marabou Storks (Leptoptilos crumeniferus
Ciconiidae), deep claret
No 210 1,25 + 1,25, Buffon’s Kob (Kobus kob kob), carmine
No 211 1,50 + 1,50, Pygmy chimpanzees or Bonobos (Pan paniscus), violet
No 212 4,50 + 4,50, Nile Crocodiles (Crocodylus niloticus), gray-green
No 213 5Fr + 5Fr, Lioness (Panthera leo), brown
The series:
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The imperforated series is in size and coloring exact the same as above:
Remark: the white border around these stamps is much larger when cut from a side, top, bottom or corner of a sheet.
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No 211 1,50 + 1,50. Whole sheet
For%20the%20Zoo%20of%20Leopoldstad_files/image006.jpg)
Note: double sheets exist also; between the two sheets are double perforated lines.