Spanish Study Circle
Fernando Poo
Between 1884 and 1897 a shortage of 50c stamps resulted in surcharges on the current 1c, 2c and 5c stamps. In addition, the surcharge was also applied directly to plain envelopes.
The Edifil specialized catalogue of 2002 says “ The handstamp was also applied directly to envelopes, although none are known complete. Price of a fragment in black or blue €85”.
By the time of the 2007 edition this had changed to “The handstamp was also applied directly to envelopes in black or blue. €105 for a piece and €300 for a cover”
The SG catalogue 2011 says “on plain paper, blue or black, £19 (quoted as mint or used!) In default of stamps this surcharge was also applied direct to envelopes, and thus is known on different coloured papers according to the envelope presented by the sender”
They also give the usage dates on piece as 1893 – 1898. So it is worth looking in more than one catalogue, as the information given may change over time.
Fig 1 shows an 1893 cancel on a plain envelope, obviously a favour cancel
Fig 2 shows actual usage on a cover sent to Leyton, Essex. The date is unclear, both on the Fernando Poo cancel and the Leyton backstamp.
Fig 3 (colour enhanced)
