Red Cross and 1st anniversary of the Independence, no’s 66-68.
The stamps, issued to commemorate Katanga’s first anniversary of Independence, portray Moïse Tshombe and the Katanga national colors. The stamps were sold with a surtax of 5 francs, which was given to the Katanga Red Cross. The set was very popular in Elisabethville and sold out in a few hours.
Date of issue: 11 July 1961
Expiration dates see: Historical background
Design:
Paper with silk thread
Printer: Hélio
Courvoisier, s.a., La Chaux De Fonds, Switzerland
Perforation: 12.5
Size: 45 x 26 mm
Sheet: 25 (5 x 5)
Marginal inscriptions: in black letters on top and on the bottom margin “Impression Courvoisier S.A., La Chaux – De – Fonds (Suisse)”.
Circulation: 40,000 series According to a letter by Mr. Pierre Mwalela written during his tenure as Katanga “Directeur-Chef de Service des Postes” (Most catalogues list 30,000)
No 66. 6,50F + 5F
No 67. 8F + 5F
No 68. 10F + 5F
The series:
%20Red%20Cross%20and%201st%20anniversary%20of%20the%20Independence_bestanden/image002.jpg)
%20Red%20Cross%20and%201st%20anniversary%20of%20the%20Independence_bestanden/image004.jpg)
%20Red%20Cross%20and%201st%20anniversary%20of%20the%20Independence_bestanden/image006.jpg)
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 or corner of a sheet.
%20Red%20Cross%20and%201st%20anniversary%20of%20the%20Independence_bestanden/image008.jpg)
%20Red%20Cross%20and%201st%20anniversary%20of%20the%20Independence_bestanden/image010.jpg)
%20Red%20Cross%20and%201st%20anniversary%20of%20the%20Independence_bestanden/image012.jpg)
There are no variations or curiosities known for any of the above shown material.