DOIG'S ETHIOPIA STAMP CATALOGUE

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1942-1959 Issues
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First Restoration Definitives
1942, March 23
Centimes in lower case with value tables in black. Design from a photograph of Haile Selassie I in coronation robes. The stamps were printed by lithography by Nasik Security Printing in India, and the value tablets typographed by McCorquidale & Co., Khartoum, Sudan. The sheets were 72 stamps (9 x 8) with the values printed on one-third sheet (3 x 8) in three runs.
Scott: 247-249 Gibbons: 323-325 Michel: 204-206 Yvert: 227-229
333 4c Emerald Green
a. Amharic TA for TI (po 23, 26, 29)
b. Amharic PI for TI (po 2, 5, 8)
c. First Day Cover (333-335)
100,479
334 10c Carmine Rose
a. Amharic TA for TI (po 23, 26, 29)
b. Amharic PI for TI (po 2, 5, 8)
101,199
335 20c Ultramarine
a. Amharic TA for TI (po 23, 26, 29)
b. Amharic PI for TI (po 2, 5, 8)
99,039
Notes:
1. Essays exist of the 3 values with Amharic under the French, reported at 24 copies.
2. A proof exists of a 5c value.
3. Sold at double face value in East African cents, the recognized currency at that time. This note applies to all issues of 1943 and 1944.
4. The 4c was for printed matter, 10c for postcards and internal mail, and 20c for foreign mail.
5. Value tablet registrations vary in position. There are minor broken-type varieties.
6. Most first day covers of this and the following issues were prepared by the Addis Abeba stamp dealer, F. L. Aga. Commercial mail was limited.
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Second Restoration Definitives
1942, June 22 (4c to 20c) and 1943, April 1 (25c to 60c)
Centimes in capital letters with centers and value tablets in black. Design from a photograph of Haile Selassie I in coronation robes. Printed by lithography by Nasik Security Printing Press in India. Sheets were 160 stamps (16 x 10) except the 25c was 160 stamps (20 x 8) and the 50c was 200 stamps (20 x 10). Perforated 14 x 13½.
Scott: 250-257 Gibbons: 326-333 Michel: 196-203 Yvert: 219-226
336 4c Emerald green
a. First day cover (336-340)
b. First day cover (336-343) [Backdated] 
330,730
337 8c Orange
331,040
338 10c Carmine Rose
322,740
339 12c Red violet
320, 640
340 20c Ultramarine
327, 200
341 25c Gray green
a. First day cover (341-343)
b. Value tablet omitted
408, 480
342 50c Brown
403, 200
343 60c Lilac
410,080
Notes:
1. All 8 values appear on one First Day Cover with the cancellation on the three high values backdated to June 22, 1942.
2. The value tablets of 8,000 sets (4c to 20c) were typographed in Khartoum in gray black.
3. The quantities of issue are the original amount. Small quantities of most values were overprinted.
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Obelisk Handstamped Overprint
1943, November 3
Trial impression for the Obelisk Typographed Overprint. Printed by the Ethiopian Post Office with four separate rubber handstamps on ¼ sheet of 40 stamps.
Scott: Unlisted Gibbons: Unlisted Michel: Unlisted Yvert: 229A-229E
344T 5c on 4c  handstamped on #336
a. First Day Presentation (344T-348T)
40
345T 5c on 8c handstamped on #337
40
346T 5c on 10c handstamped on #338
40
347T 5c on 12c handstamped on #339
40
348T 5c on 20c handstamped on #340
40
Notes:
1. Ten sets were placed in first day folder for V.I.P. presentations. Fifteen sets were sold at the main Post Office with some cancelled and/or mailed. Fifteen sets were placed in the Postal Archives; these may have been illegally made available to collectors.
2. One set is known with double impressions.
3. These 40 sets are the missing 40 to make 5,000 sets of the typographed overprint.
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Obelisk Typographed Overprint
1943, November 3
Issued to commemorate the dedication of the Obelisk monument in Miazia 27 Square. Typographed by Merhe Tibeb Printing Press, Addis Abeba, in sheets of 80 stamps (½ sheet of 10 x 8).
Scott: 258-262 Gibbons: 334-338 Michel: 207-211 Yvert: 230-234
344 5c on 4c typographed on #336
a. First Day Cover (344-348)
b. First Day Presentation Card (344-348)
c. Invert 5 (po 35)
d. Large 5 (po 49)
4,960
345 10c on 8c typographed on #337
a. Large O (po 9)
b. 10 wide spread (po 50)
c. Bars & Amharic 10 shifted to left (po 78)
d. Red overprint
4,960
 
 

80
346 15c on 10c (5 over 0) typographed on #338
a. Vertical bar omitted (po 3, 29, 37)
b. Large 5 (po 49)
c. 19 43, date widespread (po 28)
d. Red overprint
e. Double overprint (sheet of 80 unbroken)
4,960
 
 
 

80
347 20c on 12c typographed on #339
4,960
348 30c on 20c (3 over 2) typographed on #340
a. Black overprint
b. Double overprint (sheet of 80 reported but not confirmed.)
4,960

80
Constant varieties on all values:
f. Final K, serifs (total 56 positions)
g. Final K, sans serifs (po 1-11, 13, 21, 43, 66)
h. Final K, no serif top right (po 17, 47, 50, 69, 79)
i. Final K, forward serifs only on legs (po 22, 31, 32, 57)
j. Small 3 in 1943 (po 10, 33, 63)
k. Tilted 3 in 1943 (po 35)
l. Period (.) close to 1 of 1943 (po 67)
m. Amharic colon (:) missing (po 23, 43)
n. Period (.) for Amharic colon (:) (po 19, 45)
o. S of OBELISK missing (po 34)
p. O of Nov. missing (po 52, 54)
q. Small 9 in 1943 (po 55)
r. O of OBELISK with breaks at bottom (po 58)
t. Amharic A for O in Obelisk (po 32 ?)
u. Small 3 in 3 Nov. (po 14)
Notes:
1. The First Day Presentation Cards are folders printed on yellow, orange, violet or blue card stock.
2. Non-philatelic postal use was extremely rare.

FORGERY ALERT - Obelisk stamps have appeared on eBay which may be faked. Legitimate offers of this issue are typically as a complete set in mint condition with original gum or all cancelled by the same Addis Abeba canceller from a first day cover or philatelic cover. The typographed stamps typically show the impression of the overprint on the back of the stamp. Note: The extent of the forgery appears to be limited. In an e-mail dated 8 Nov 2008 the forger admitted to having sold only 2 sets on eBay plus 3 or 4 stamps sold to another collector who bought them for his forgery collection. There are no more.
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Menelik II Centenary
1944, December 31
To commemorate the centenary of the birth of Menelik II on August 18, 1844. Designed by Ernst Koch and lithographed by Berhanena Selam Printing Press, Addis Abeba. The 5c and 50c were printed in sheets of 24 stamps (4 x 6), perforated 10 x 10½-11; the 10c, 20c, and 65c were printed in sheets of 30 stamps (5 x 6), perforated 10½-11 x 11½. The set was issued without gum. Various color shades.
Scott: 263-267 Gibbons: 339-343 Michel: 212-216 Yvert: 235-239
349 5c Green
a. First Day Cover
b. Left margin imperforate
c. Broken line in the right roof (po 3)
d. Pearl in the right corner design (po 4)
e. Broken tail to the 5 in the value (po 16)
39,000
350 10c Carmine red
a. Deep pink
39,000
351 20c Blue
a. Pair, imperforate vertically
b. Defective foot to P of ETHIOPIE (po 6)
c. "Moon" over horse’s head (po 8)
d. Broken line in statue’s shoulder (po 10)
e. Long stick touching horse’s tail (po 11, 12, 13)
39,000
352 50c Dull violet
a. Broken ornament in top left corner (po 4)
b. Large stone protruding from the left corner of the building and broken I in ADDIS reading i. (po 14)
c. Dot above figure of value 50. (po 19)
d. Left side imperforate with margin
39,000
353 65c Yellow brown
a. Broken frame by value 65. (po 6)
b. Right frame touching figure of value 65. (po 9)
c. Bottom right corner of stamp is much weaker that rest of design. (po 10, 15, 20)
39,000
Notes:
1. Issued on the last day of 1944 on a Sunday to be in the centenary year of Menelik II’s birth. This accounts for the lack of gum and rarity of first day covers.
2. Issue also reported at 24,000 sets.
3. Proofs – imperforate on very thin cardboard.
4. Color trial die proofs:
a. Imperforate on normal paper in shades of orange, green, black, brown-red, and blue.
b. Printed all values on 1 sheet.
c. 4 per sheet of each value.
d. 16 per sheet (5c and 50c), and 20 per sheet (10c, 20c, and 65c).
e. 10c printed on one sheet in the 6 different colors.
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Victory Overprint
1845, August 7
To commemorate the Allied Victory in Europe for World War II. The two Amharic letters translate DIL, or VICTORY. Typographed by Ernst Koch, Addis Abeba in sheets of 50 stamps (10 x 10). Overprint in red on the unissued Croix Rouge stamps by the Berhanena Printing Press, Addis Abeba.

GENUINE: Each overprint varies slightly in size and impression. Approximately 13mm across bottom of Amharic DIL. The 5c also occurs at approx. 14¼mm. Amharic DI – Right projection connected to loop; thin connecting lines to bottom projections. Amharic L – Top projection usually squared off or slightly rounded; bottom loop well separated from right leg.
Scott: 268-272 Gibbons: 344-348 Michel: 217-221 Yvert: 240-244

354 5c Green
a. First Day Cover (354-358) [private] 
b. Inverted
c. Double
d. Double, one inverted
e. Black overprint
f. Blue overprint
g. Green overprint
h. Printed on wrong side
30,000
355 10c Red
b. Inverted
c. Double
d. Double, one inverted
e. Black overprint
f. Blue overprint
g. Green overprint
30,000
356 25c Blue
c. Double
d. Double, one inverted
e. Black overprint
f. Blue overprint
g. Green overprint
h. Pair, one no overprint
30,000
357 50c Brown
a. Shifted "V" on top
30,000
358 1t Violet
c. Double
30,000
Notes:
1. Overprints in black, blue, and green on the 5c, 10c, and 25c are color trials.
2. The 10c inverted overprint was first reported in Australian Stamp New. In 1954 an Australian stamp dealer purchased 600 sets from an English dealer. These were sold in packets, including 36 inverts out of a sheet of 50.
3. Due to a limited number of Vs the printer made a hand setting of 5 and this printed in black on white paper. The printed pages were formed to make a sheet of 50. A cliché was made from zinc and line engraved. Overprinting was done on a small platen press of 35 x 50 cm.
4. Color variations are due to red ink being purchased from several different companies.
FORGERY A: Approximately 14¾mm across bottom of DIL. DI – Bump on top right of loop; right projection connected to loop; thick connecting lines to bottom projections. L – Top projection squared and long; right leg more open; L tips left.
All values known. No reported varieties. Not known cancelled.
FORGERY B: Approximately 14½mm across bottom of DIL. DI – Right projection not connected to loop; thin connecting lines to bottom projections. L – Top projection rounded or comes to a point; longer, thinner bottom loop almost touches right leg; light to heavy impressions with rough edges often showing.
On 5c, 10c, and 25c only. Varieties – 5c: Double, one inverted; 10c: Inverted, double; 25c: Inverted, double, and double, one inverted. Other varieties probably exist. Not known cancelled.
FORGERY C: Small "V" without Amharic letters. Size 10mm high x 8mm wide x 2mm thick. There is the possibility that this is a genuine trial impression.
On the 25c, 50c, and 1t. No reported varieties. Not known cancelled.
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Reprise Aerienne
1947, March 20
To commemorate the resumption of airmail service on December 29, 1946. Overprint in black on the Second Restoration Definitives. Typographed by the Berhanena Selam Printing Press, Addis Abeba on quarter sheets in panes of 40 stamps. The 12c on 4c was likely 8 across x 5 down, and the high values in 10 across x 4 down. Varieties may have occurred during printing and "corrected" at that time.
Scott: C18-C20 Gibbons: 349-351 Michel: 222-224 Yvert: PA 18-20
359 12c on 4c typographed on #336
a. First Day Cover
b. For One Day Only Cover, March 24, 1947
c. Souvenir card in pink, dated 20 Dec 1946
d. 3 bars for 2 by Amharic number
e. Vertical bars missing
f. Extra dash to right of date
g. Carmine overprint (proof)
5,000
 
 
 
 
 

40
360 50c on 25c typographed on #342
a. Invert 9 in date
b. Invert 4 in date
c. Double, red and black
5,000
361 $2 on 60c typographed on #343
a. Invert 9 in date
 b. Invert 4 in date
5,000
Notes:
1. Covers cached "For One Day Only" with reproductions of the overprints were ordered by U.S. stamp dealer H. E. Harris from Derenz, and import-export firm in Addis Abeba. Covers intended for first day were prepared but did not get to the post office until 4 days after the issue. Approximately 1,000 covers were sent to Harris plus a large number of mint.
2. The 12c on 4c is reported with invert 4 in date, but not confirmed to exist.
3. Minor varieties include a small or narrow 9, invert 1, and broken type.
4. Non-philatelic postal use was extremely rare.
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50th Postal Anniversary
1947, Apr 18
To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the found of the Ethiopian Postal System. Designed by Ernst Koch. Recess printed by Bradbury, Wilkinson & Co., Ltd., Surrey, England in sheets of 100 stamps (10 x 10). Perforated 13½.
Scott: 273-277 Gibbons: 352-356 Michel: 225-229 Yvert: 245-249
362 10c Yellow orange
a. First Day Cover (362-366)
50,000
363 20c Dark blue
50,000
364 30c Orange brown
50,000
365 50c Gray green
50,000
366 70c Red violet
50,000
Note:
1. Use care in soaking used copies of the 70c as the color is fugitive.
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Express
1947, Apr 24 (unwatermarked); 1954, Aug 24 (50c – watermarked); 1962, December 1 (30c – watermarked).
Special delivery stamps for inland (30c) and foreign (50c) useage. The 30c was designed by Ernst Koch and the 50c by A. A. Kuenzler. Recess printed by Bradbury, Wilkinson & Co., Ltd., Surrey, England in sheets of 100 (10 x 10). Perforated 13½.
Scott: E1-E4 Gibbons: E357-E358
E449-E450		 Michel: 238x-239x
238-239		 Yvert: Exp 1-4
367 30c Orange brown – Unwatermarked
a. First Day Cover, backdated April 18, 1947 (367-368)
200,000
368 50c Blue – Unwatermarked
200,000
367A 30c Orange brown – Watermarked
a. First Day Cover
200,000
369 50c Blue – Watermarked
a. First Day Cover
200,000
Note:
1. 200,000 original issue; some were reissued in larger quantities.
2. Imperforate die proofs exist of the 30c in orange brown and 50c in grey.
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Sahle Selassie Dynasty
1947, May 1
To commemorate the 150th birthday of Sahle Selassie. Designed by Ernst Koch from drawings in an 1846 book drawn by E. M. Lasalle. Recess printed by Bradbury, Wilkinson & Co., Ltd., Surrey, England in sheets of 100 (10 x 10). Perforated 13½.
Scott: 281-283 Gibbons: 357-359 Michel: 235-237 Yvert: 253-255
370 20c Dark blue
a. First Day Cover (370-372)
50,000
371 30c Dark purple
50,000
372 $1 Green
50,000
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Roosevelt Memorial Issue
1947, May 23
To commemorate the second anniversary of the death of US President Roosevelt. Designed by Michele Bruni. Printed by Wright Bank Note Co., Philadelphia, USA in sheets of 12 stamps (3 x 4 or 4 x 3). Perforated 12½.
Scott: 278-80,C21-2 Gibbons: 360-364 Michel: 230-234 Yvert:250-2,PA21-2
373 12c Carmine and green
a. First Day Cover (373-377)
b. Official First Day Cover - 2,000 envelopes printed 
c. Presentation Card with imperforate stamps
50,004
 

100
374 25c Blue and rose
50,004
375 65c Black, red, and blue
50,004
376 $1 Violet and brown
a. "Pimple" on face
20,004
377 $2 Black, scarlet, and blue
20,004
Notes:
1. Quantities reported delivered to Ethiopia are 5,004 of the low values and 2,004 of the high values. The printer sold most of the issue directly to the philatelic market. Postally used stamps and covers command a premium.
2. This set was demonetized in late 1947 due to the heavy speculation.
3. Each sheet is like a souvenir sheet with inscriptions around the margins.
4. Varieties:
A. Color proofs of the 12c.
B. Die sunk cards with or without SPECIMEN in red or green.
C. Artist’s drawings.
D. Maximum cards of original submitted drawings with stamps cancelled first day.
E. Progressive proofs other than issued color.
F. Die proofs on India paper.
G. U.S. Government booklet with large presentation insert for VIPs at inauguration of President Truman.
H. Red Cross Semipostal Essay. Overprint red cross in circle and added value in magenta and then overprinted SPECIMEN in red. The essays were rejected.
I. $2 essay showing Haile Selassie at speaker’s dais. Overprinted SPECIMEN in green. 200 copies printed.
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12 Centimes Provisional
1947, July 14
Issued to meet a shortage of 12c stamps needed for inland mail. Typographed by Artistic Printing Press, Addis Abeba on ¼ sheets of 40 stamps (10 x 4). Overprint in orange on #341.
Scott: 284 Gibbons: 365 Michel: 240 Yvert: 256
378 12c on 25c Green and black
a. First Day Cover
12,000
Note:
1. Probably less than 1,000 stamps were postally used, most in Dire Daoua. Commercially used covers command a premium.
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1947 Definitives
1947, August 23 (except 15c and 60c); 1951, February 10 – 60c; 1951, February 20 – 2c unwatermarked; 1953, May 25 – 15c.
Designs are 1c from an aerial photo, 2c by Ernest Koch, and other values from photos by Photocelere Coloniale, Asmara. Recess printed by Bradbury, Wilkinson & Co., Ltd., Surrey, England in sheets of 100 (10 x 10). Perforated 13½. Watermarked.
Scott: 285-296 Gibbons: 366-377 Michel: 241-252,327 Yvert:257-68,289,324
379 1c Rose violet
a. First Day Cover (Set - August 20, 1947)
1,200,000
380 2c Blue violet
950,000
380A 2c Blue violet – unwatermarked
a. First Day Cover (February 20, 1951)
200,000
381 4c Green
600,000
382 5c Dark green
1,500,000
383 8c Deep orange
500,000
384 12c Red
650,000
385 15c Olive black
a. First Day Cover (May 25, 1953)
200,000
386 20c Blue
a. Unwatermarked
900,000
387 30c Orange brown
450,000
388 60c Red
a. First Day Cover (February 10, 1951)
350,000
389 70c Rose lilac
400,000
390 $1 Carmine rose
300,000
391 $3 Bright blue
300,000
392 $5 Olive 
300,000
Note:
1. Quantities of issue are through June 1956. More of the 1c, 2c, 4c, 5c, 8c, 12c, 15c, 20c, 30c, 60c, and $1 were printed between 1957 and 1962.
2. Color shades vary with different printings.
3. Some low values were rarely used for postage due.
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1947 Air Definitives
1947, August 23 (except 25c, 35c, and 65c); 1951, April 2 – 65c; 1952, April 11 – 25c; 1955, March 15 – 35c.
Designs by E. Koch from photographs. Recess printed by Bradbury, Wilkinson & Co., Ltd., Surrey, England in sheets of 100 (10 x 10). Perforated 13½. Watermarked.
Scott: C23-C33 Gibbons: 378-385 Michel: 253-260,
292, 310, 333		 Yvert: PA 23-30
393 8c Purple brown
a. First Day Cover (Set - August 23, 1947)
200,000
394 10c Bright green
200,000
395 25c Dull purple
a. First Day Cover (April 11, 1952)
200,000
396 30c Orange yellow
200,000
397 35c Blue
a. First Day Cover (March 15, 1955)
200,000
398 65c Purple
a. First Day Cover (April 2, 1951)
200,000
399 70c Red
200,000
400 $1 Deep blue
200,000
401 $3 Rose lilac
200,000
402 $5 Red brown
200,000
403 $10 Rose violet
200,000
Notes:
1. 200,000 original issue with values through $1 reissued in large quantity.
2. Color shades vary with different printings.
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Liberation
1949, May 5
To commemorate the 8th anniversary of liberation from the Italians. Designs from photographs. Recess printed by Bradbury, Wilkinson & Co., Ltd., Surrey, England in sheets of 100 (10 x 10). Perforated 13½. Watermarked.
Scott: 297-301 Gibbons: 386-390 Michel: 261-265 Yvert: 269-273
404 20c Blue
a. First Day Cover
b. Presentation Card cancelled first day (1,000 printed)
350,000
405 30c Yellow Orange
250,000
406 50c Violet
190,000
407 80c Green
180,000
408 $1 Vermilion
100,000
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1949 Exposition Overprint
1949, June 13
To advertise the National Industrial and Agricultural Exposition in Addis Abeba. Typographed by Artistic Printing Press, Addis Abeba in ¼ sheets of 25 stamps (5 x 5) in two operations. Overprint on 1947 Definitive stamps.
Scott: B6-B10 Gibbons: 391-395 Michel: 266-270 Yvert: 274-278
409 8c + 8c Brown Orange
a. First Day Cover
5,000
410 12c + 5c Red
5,000
411 30c + 15c Orange brown
5,000
412 70c + 70c Magenta
5,000
413 $1 + 80c Carmine
a. 80c+ for +80c (po 15)
b. +80c under EXPOSITION 
10,000

50
Notes:
1. 15,000 sets overprintd with most sets unsold. Remainders of this issue were overprint for the 1951 Exposition Issue, including 10,00 each of the low values and about 5,000 of the high value.
2. All values occur with the left arm of the plus (+) sign shorter, and other minor varieties.
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Universal Postal Union
1950, April 3
To commemorate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the U.P.U. Design from the U.P.U. Monument at Berne, Switzerland. Recess printed by Wright Bank Note Co., Philadelphia, PA in sheets of 25 stamps (5 x 5). Perforated 12½. Unwatermarked.
Scott: C34-C37 Gibbons: 396-399 Michel: 371-374 Yvert: PA 31-34
414 5c Green and red
a. First Day Cover
b. Official First Day Cover (2,000 envelopes printed)
c. Imperforate
d. No periods in UPU, green and red
e. No periods in UPU, green blue & carmine
f. No periods in UPU, orange yellow & green
g. No periods in UPU, carmine & ultramarine
30,000
415 15c Greenish blue and carmine
a. Imperforate
30,000
416 25c Orange yellow and green
a. Imperforate
30,000
417 50c Carmine and ultramarine
a. Imperforate
30,000
Notes:
1. The original order from the Ethiopian PO was for 25,000 sets with less than that amount delivered. Most used stamps are on first day covers or cancelled to order. Commercially used stamps and covers command a premium.
2. The set was rapidly withdrawn for postal use due to the printer producing unauthorized additional sets, imperforates, and the no periods in UPU variety. These were sold directly to the philatelic market by the printer who may have produced quantities beyond the 30,000 reported.
3. Authorized proofs include:
A. 5c large die proof (rejected design)
B. Black trial proofs – 4 frames and center.
C. Imperforate deluxe presentation sheet overprinted SPECIMEN.
.
Red Cross Fund Overprint
1950, May 8; 1951, May 8 – reissue.
To raise funds for the Ethiopian Red Cross. Typographed by Artistic Printing Press, Addis Abeba on sheets of 25 stamps (5 x 5) in two operations. Overprint on unissued Croix Rouge issue.
Scott: B11-B15 Gibbons: 399a-399e Michel: 275-279 Yvert: 279-283
1950 – Overprint in red. Bottom bar of cross shorter than top. Dots over top and bottom + signs.
418A 5c + 10c Green
a. First Day Cover
b. Official First Day Cover (2,000 envelopes printed)
8,000
419A 10c +10c Red
8,000
420A 25c + 10c Blue
a. Inverted
8,000
25
421A 50c + 10c Brown
8,000
422A 1t + 10c Violet
8,000
1951 – Overprint in dark carmine. Cross correctly formed. Cross bar usually shows separation lines from the vertical bars. Dots over top and bottom + signs.
418B 5c + 10c Green
a. First Day Cover
b. Official First Day Cover (1,000 envelopes printed)
7,000
419B 10c +10c Red
7,000
420B 25c + 10c Blue
7,000
421B 50c + 10c Brown
7,000
422B 1t + 10c Violet
7,000
Notes:
1. The 1950 printing was declared not valid for postage after June 30, 1950. The balance were sold with the 1951 printing and are still valid for postage.
2. Some of the 1950 issue were used on 1951 first day covers. Most of the invert 420Aa are found on first day covers.
3. Minor varieties on all values:
c. 1950 – Short leg on top of cross (po 1)
d. 1951 – Bottom of 0 open in 10 (po 3)
e. 1951 – Broken bottom left serif of 1 (po 25)
FORGERY - Overprint in red. Cross correctly formed but thinner with uneven edges. Top serif of "1" slants more downward than originals. The "t" is taller. NO dots over + signs.
418F 5c + 10c Green
a. Double, one inverted		  
419F 10c +10c Red
a. Double, one inverted		  
420F 25c + 10c Blue
a. Double		  
421F 50c + 10c Brown  
422F 1t + 10c Violet  
.
20th Coronation Anniversary
1950, November 2
To commemorate the 20th anniversary of the coronation of Haile Selassie I and Empress Menen. Design by the Post Office. Recess printed by Bradbury, Wilkinson & Co., Ltd., Surrey, England in sheets of 100 (10 x 10). Perforated 13½. Watermarked.
Scott: 302-306 Gibbons: 400-404 Michel: 280-284 Yvert: 285-288
423 5c Purple
a. First Day Cover
b. Official First Day Cover (2,000 envelopes)          
150,000
424 10c Magenta
70,000
425 20c Carmine
70,000
426 30c Green
70,000
427 50c Deep blue
70,000
.
Abbaye Bridge
1951, January 1
To commemorate the opening of the Abbaye Bridge across the Blue Nile River. Design from a photograph. Recess printed by Thomas De La Rue & Co., London, England in sheets of 50 (5 x 10). Perforated 14. Unwatermarked.
Scott: 308-313 Gibbons: 405-410 Michel: 285-290 Yvert: 290-295
428 5c Green and brown
a. First Day Cover
b. Official First Day Cover (2,000 envelopes printed)
67,200
429 10c Orange and black
75,850
430 15c Blue and orange brown
76,300
431 30c Olive and magenta
68,050
432 60c Brown and blue
61,000
433 80c Violet and green
58,550
.
55th Anniversary of Battle of Adua
1951, March 2
To commemorate the 55th anniversary of the Battle of Adua in which the Ethiopians defeated the Italians. Design from a photograph of the tomb of Ras Makonnen in Harar. Ras Makonnen was a hero at Adua and father of Haile Selassie I. Recess printed by Thomas De La Rue & Co., London, England in sheets of 50 (5 x 10). Perforated 14. Unwatermarked.
Scott: 314-319 Gibbons: 411-416 Michel: 293-298 Yvert: 296-301
434 5c Green and black
a. First Day Cover
b. Official First Day Cover (2,000 envelopes printed)
73, 600
435 10c Ultramarine and black
73,600
436 15c Blue and black
70,300
437 30c Claret and black
60,300
438 80c Carmine and black
61,650
439 $1 Red brown and black
63,300
.
Postage Due
1951, April 2
Designed by Harry C. Shore. Lithographed by Bradbury, Wilkinson & Co., Ltd., Surrey, England in sheets of 100 (10 x 10). Perforated 11½. Unwatermarked.
Scott: J57-J62 Gibbons: D417-422 Michel: P 37-42 Yvert: T 44-49
440 1c Emerald
a. First Day Cover
225,000
441 5c Carmine
265,000
442 10c Violet
265,000
443 20c Yellow brown
265,000
444 50c Ultramarine
55,000
445 $1 Rose purple
45,000
Note:
1. Although the postage due stamps were available in the major post offices they were seldom used. The practice continued of writing a T or T in triangle and noting the amount due.
..
1951 Exposition
1951, November 17
To advertise the National Industrial and Agricultural Exposition in Addis Abeba. Typographed by the Artistic Printing Press, Addis Abeba on ¼ sheets of 25 stamps (5 x 5) in three operations. Overprint in blue on 1947 Definitives with date in black.
Scott: B16-B20 Gibbons: 417-421 Michel: 299-303 Yvert: 307A-307E
446 8c + 8c Brown red 
a. First Day Cover
b. Official First Day Cover (2,000 envelopes printed)
10,000
447 12c + 5c Red
10,000
448 30c + 15c Orange Brown
10,000
449 70c + 70c Magenta
10,000
450 $1 + 80c Carmine
a. 80c+ for +80c
10,000
Notes:
1. Remainders of the 1949 Exposition Overprint were used. There was insufficient quanitites of the $1 + 80c so a second printing in blue is distinguished by the 9 of 1949 often lower, and with smears, dots, and lines.
.
Anti-Tuberculosis I
1951, November 25
To raise money for the Anti-tuberculosis campaign. Design by Dr. Fride B. Hylander. Recess printed with red panels lithographed by Bradbury, Wilkinson & Co., Ltd., Surrey, England in sheets of 100 (10 x 10). Perforated 13½. Watermarked.
Scott: B21-B26 Gibbons: 422-427 Michel: 304-309 Yvert: 302-307
451 5c + 2c Blue green and red
a. First Day Cover
b. Official First Day Cover (2,000 envelopes printed)
287,500
452 10c + 3c Orange and red
300,000
453 15c + 3c Dark blue and red
300,000
454 30c + 5c Vermilion and red
250,000
455 50c + 7c Red brown and red
250,000
456 $1 + 10c Purple and red
120,000
Note:
1. Original issue of 100,000 sets with a second printing of 50,000 on November 24, 1955 (except $1) and third printing on December 1, 1958 for the balance.
.,***
60th Birthday of Hailie Selassie

1952, July 23
 
Scott: 320-326 Gibbons: 428-434 Michel: 311-317 Yvert: 308-314

457 5c Dark green
a. First Day Cover
 350,000
458 10c Red orange
 350,000
459 15c Black
 350,000
460 25c Ultramarine
 300,000
461 30c Violet
 300,000
462 50c Rose red
 300,000
463 65c Chocolate
300,000
Note:
1. 
.
Eritrea Federation

1952, September 11
 
Scott: 327-335 Gibbons: 435-443 Michel: 318-326 Yvert: 315-323

464 15c 
a. First Day Cover		  
465 25c   
466 30c   
467 50c   
468 65c   
469 80c 
470 $1 
471 $2 
472 $3 
Note:
1. 
.
1st Anniversary of Eritrea Federation

1953, October 4
 
Scott: 337-341 Gibbons: 444-448 Michel: 328-332 Yvert: 325-329

473 10c 
a. First Day Cover		  
474 15c   
475 25c   
476 30c   
477 50c   
Note:
1. 
.
20th Anniversary of Ethiopian Red Cross

1955, July 8
 
Scott: 342-244 Gibbons: 449-451 Michel: 334-336 Yvert: 330-332

478 15c Princess Tsahai at Sickbed, chocolate and ultramarine
a. First Day Cover		  
479 20c Princess Tsahai at Sickbed, green and orange  
480 30c Princess Tsahai at Sickbed, ultramarine and green  
Note:
1. For overprints see 523-525.
.
Silver Jubilee of Coronation of Haile Selassie and Waizero Menen

1955, November 3
 
Scott: 345-350 Gibbons: 452-457 Michel: 337-342 Yvert: 333-338

481 5c 
a. First Day Cover		  
482 20c  
483 25c  
484 35c  
485 50c   
486 65c   
Note:
1. 
.
Silver Jubilee Fair

1955, November 5
 
Scott: 351-354 Gibbons: 458-461 Michel: 343-346 Yvert: 339-342

487 5c 
a. First Day Cover		  
488 10c   
489 15c   
490 50c   
Note:
1. 
.
10th Anniversary of Ethiopian Airlines

1955, December 30
 
Scott: C38-C40 Gibbons: 462-464 Michel: 347-349 Yvert: PA 35-37

491 10c 
a. First Day Cover		  
492 15c   
493 20c   
Note:
1. 
.
25th Anniversary of the Constitution

1956, July 16
 
Scott: C41-C45 Gibbons: 465-469 Michel: 350-354 Yvert: PA 38-42

494 10c 
a. First Day Cover		  
495 15c   
496 20c   
497 25c   
498 30c   
Note:
1. 
.
Ancient Capitals

1957, February 7
 
Scott: C46-C50 Gibbons: 470-474 Michel: 361-365 Yvert: PA 49-53

499 5c 
a. First Day Cover		  
500 10c   
501 15c   
502 20c   
503 25c   
Note:
1. 
.,
70th Anniversary of Addis Abeba

1957, February 14
 
Scott: C51-C56 Gibbons: 475-480 Michel: 355-360 Yvert: PA 41-48

504 5c 
a. First Day Cover		  
505 10c   
506 15c   
507 20c   
508 25c   
509 30c   
Note:
1. 
.,
Conference of Independent African States - Accra, Ghana

1958, April 15
 
Scott: C57-C59 Gibbons: 481-483 Michel: 366-368 Yvert: PA 54-56

510 10c 
a. First Day Cover		  
511 20c   
512 30c   
Note:
1. 
..
Anti-Tuberculosis II

1958, December 1
 
Scott: B27-B32 Gibbons: 483a-483f Michel: 369-374 Yvert: 343-348

513 20c + 3c 
a. First Day Cover		  
514 25c + 4c   
515 35c + 5c   
516 60c + 7c   
517 65c + 7c   
518 80c + 9c   
Note:
1. 
.
UN Economic Conference - Addis Abeba

1958, December 29
 
Scott: C60-C63 Gibbons: 484-487 Michel: 375-378 Yvert: PA 57-60

519 5c 
a. First Day Cover		  
520 20c   
521 25c   
522 50c   
Note:
1. 
.
Red Cross Centenary
1959, May 30
To Commemorate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the International Red Cross. Designed by Harry C. Shore. The first overprint typographed by Bradbury, Wilkinson & Co., Surrey, England in sheets of 100 (10 x 10) in one operation. The second overprint and value typographed by Ethiopia Printing Press, Addis Abeba in two operations. Overprint in black on the 1955 Red Cross Issue. 
Scott: B33-B35 Gibbons: 488-490 Michel: 379-381 Yvert: 349-351
523 15c + 2c Olive brown and red rose
a. First Day Cover
b. Inverted
c. Double
d. 15c + 2c over 5c (po 44)
50,000
524 20c + 3c Violet and emerald
a. No horizontal bar in + (po 99)
50,000
525 30c + 5c Carmine and turquoise blue
a. Inverted Amharic and +5c
50,000
Notes:
1. The printer had insufficient + signs, and they had to be made in two settings. Variations occur in the positions of the bars.
..
30th Airmail Anniversary
1959, August 16
To commemorate the 30th anniversary of Ethiopian airmail service. Typographed by Ethiopia Printing Press, Addis Abeba in sheets of 100 (10 x 10) in one operation. Overprint in black on the 1947 Air Definitives.
Scott: C64-C70 Gibbons: 491-497 Michel: 382-388 Yvert: PA 61-67
526 8c Purple brown
a. First Day Cover
50,000
527 10c Bright green
50,000
528 25c Dull purple
50,000
529 30c Orange yellow
50,000
530 35c Blue
a. Inverted
50,000
531 65c Purple
50,000
532 70c Scarlet
a. Misplaced
50,000
Last update: June 21, 2011
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