International Postage Meter Stamp Catalog/Congo, Democratic Republic

Congo, Democratic Republic 3 (includes Belgian Congo, Katanga, Zaire, Democratic Republic of Congo) Meter stamps of the Democratic Republic of Congo can easily be confused with those of the Peoples Republic of Congo which is an entirely separate nation. The Democratic Republic of Congo is a former Belgian colony, and the Peoples Republic of Congo is a former French colony. Franks that contain “Republique du Congo” or “Republique Populaire du Congo” (in full or abbreviated) are from the Peoples Republic of Congo. See CONGO, PEOPLES REPUBLIC for these issues. The first meter was installed in 1929. The stamps are grouped according to the country name in the frank: A - Issues as a Belgian colony, inscribed CONGO BELGE / BELGISCH CONGO or variation, 1929-1960 B - Issues of breakaway state of Katanga, inscribed ETAT DU KATANGA, 1960-1963 C - Issues of the first republic, 1960-1971, inscribed CONGO alone or CONGO/ REPUBLIQUE DEMOCRATIQUE D - Issues after name change to ZAIRE, 1971-1997 E - Issues of the second republic, 1997 to present, inscribed RDC or provisional issues without country name GROUP A: Issues of Belgian Congo. (1929 – 1960), inscribed CONGO BELGE / BELGISCH CONGO or variation left|415px A1. Timbrographe (LV-9), 1929. 4 [Scarce] Frank is upright rectangle with straight border. Inscribed “CONGO BELGE” above and “BELGISCH CONGO” below value figures. M# with “A” prefix at bottom, A1-4 known. TM: nil Values: 4 5c, 10c, 20c, 25c, 50c, 60c, 75c, 1Fr, 1F25, 1F50, 1F75, 2Fr, 2F50, 2F75, 3F25, 3F50, 4Fr, 5Fr, 6Fr, 7Fr, 10Fr left|450px A2. Hasler “F88” (MV), 1948. Upright frank with straight-line border except for small scallops in the corners. Crown at top above ribbon containing “CONGO BELGE” with “BELGISCH CONGO” in ribbon at bottom. M# with “B” prefix below frank. A. Large frank 28 x 32 mm B. Small frank 26 x 30 mm TM: DC, SC or nil V/F: 4 12pxoo 4 12px0oo 4 12px00oo right|141px a. “7” of meter number “B7” backwards (shown at right) 4 [Scarce] b. M# unengraved block 4 [Scarce] left|325px A3. Universal “MultiValue” (MV), 1949. Frank with simulated perforation outer border and straight line inner border. “CONGO” in panel at top with “BELGISCH” and “BELGE” vertical in side panels. “FR | CT” below value figures. M# with “U” prefix in boxes in lower corners. A. “BELGE” at left and “BELGISCH” at right (U1, U2) 4 [Rare] B. “BELGISCH” at left and “BELGE” at right TM: DC V/F: 4 12px0oo (A,O) 4 00oo 4 000oo a. TM unengraved left|331px A4. Universal “MultiValue” (MV). As type A3 but much wider frank, 30 x 29 mm. “BELGISCH” at left and “BELGE” at right. M# with “U” prefix. TM: DC V/F: 4 00oo 4 000oo 4 12px00oo left|468px A5. Satas “C” (MV), 1950. 4 [Very scarce] Narrow, upright frank with simulated perforation border. Inscribed “BELGISCH/ CONGO/ BELGE” at top. Large solid star at bottom above M# with “N” prefix. M#s 150-154 seen. TM: SL or nil V/F: 4 12px0.oo left|312px right|352px left|312px A6. Francotyp “Cc” (MV), 1951. Upright frank with simulated perforation outer border. Inscribed “BELGISCH CONGO BELGE” in arc around sides and top. M# with “F” prefix at sides of large star at bottom center. A. Both M# and prefix in small boxes B. Only prefix boxed, M# unboxed C. Both M# and prefix unboxed TM: SC, nil V/F: 4 12px0.00 (O,G) 4 12px00.00 (O,G) left|322px A7. Francotyp “Cc” (MV), 1952. 4 [Scarce] Similar to Type A6 but with M# in box at bottom center with lions rampant at each side. M# with “F” prefix. TM: SC V/F: 4 12px0.00 (O,G) 4 12px00.00 (O,G) right|366px NOTE: The stamp at right is a proof of a Universal "Simplex" stamp. Postally used examples are not known. It is probably an essay. GROUP B: Issues of breakaway state of Katanga (July 1960 – January 1963), inscribed “ETAT DU KATANGA” 3 blue Stamps with Katanga franks were used for many months after reintegration with the Congo in 1963. Proof impressions of these stamps on unmailed covers are relatively common. Their value is less than examples on postally used covers. left|323px B1. Universal “MultiValue” (MV). 4 [Rare] As Type A2A but inscribed “KATANGA” at top and “ETAT DU” at both sides. M# with “U” prefix. TM: DC V/F: 4 12px0oo 4 000o 4 000oo 311px|left left|323px B2. Francotyp “Cc” (MV). 4 [Rare] Horizontal rectangle with straight sides and complete inner box around the value figures. “KATANGA” at top and “ETAT DU” at both sides. M# with “F” prefix in small boxes at bottom. TM: SC V/F: 4 12px0.00 4 12px00.00 4 (V/F may be thick or thin) a. Without TM left|600px B3. Hasler, probably "F22" or "F88" (MV). 4 [Extremely rare] Frank is plain square with inner square around value figures. "KATANGA" at top, "ETAT DU" reading up at both sides. M# "B 25" at bottom. One example seen, without TM V/F: 4 ✳ 0 0 o o GROUP C: Issues of the first Democratic Republic of Congo. (1960 – 1971), inscribed “CONGO” alone or “CONGO/ REPUBLIQUE DEMOCRATIQUE” left|319px C1. Hasler “F88” (MV). 4 [Very scarce] Provisional stamp as Type A2 but with crown obliterated. “BELGE” and “BELGISCH” removed from the ribbons at top and bottom. M# with “B” prefix below frank. M#s B17 and B47 seen. TM: DC V/F: 4 12px00oo left|325px C2. Universal “MultiValue” (MV). 4 [Very scarce] Provisional stamp as Type A3, but with “BELGISCH” and “BELGE” removed from the side panels. M#s U20, U32, U52, U60, U62, U63, U64 and U75 seen. TM: DC V/F: 4 00oo 4 000oo left|476px C3. Satas (MV). 4 [Very scarce] As Type A5 but with “BELGISCH” and “BELGE” removed. M# with “N” prefix. TM: SL V/F: 4 12px00.oo left|476px C3.1. Satas (MV). 4 [Rare] As Type C3 but with "REPUBLIQUE / DU" added above "CONGO". Without meter number. TM: SL, nil V/F: 4 00.oo left|332px C4. Francotyp “Cc” (MV). As Type A6A but with “BELGISCH” and “BELGE” removed. Two frank widths: 26mm and 27mm. M# with “F” prefix in small boxes. TM: SC, nil V/F: 4 12px0.00 4 12px00.00 12px00.00 left|313px C5. Francotyp “Cc” (MV). 4 [Very scarce] Similar to Type C4 but with “REPUBLIQUE” and “DEMOCRATIQUE” vertical at sides. M# below star breaking bottom frame lines. TM: DC V/F: 4 12px00.00 left|160px C6. Hasler “F88” (MV), around 1963. 4 [Very scarce] Upright frank with single straight-line border. Inscribed “CONGO” in arc at top with one star above and six stars below. “M# with “B” prefix above bottom frame line. TM: nil V/F: 4 12px0oo 4 12px00oo left|180px C7. Hasler “F88” (MV), around 1966. 4 [Very scarce] Frank is horizontal rectangle with simulated-perforation outer border and straight-line inner border. “CONGO” alone at top. Large star at left. M# with “B” prefix below frank. TM: nil V/F: 4 12px0oo left|332px C8. Hasler “F88” (MV), around 1969. 4 [Scarce] Frank is upright rectangle with straight-line border. “CONGO” at top, “REPUBLIQUE” and “DEMOCRATIQUE” vertical at the sides. Large star at bottom. M# with “B” prefix below bottom frame line. TM: SC V/F: 4 12px0oo 4 12px00oo 4 12px00,oo left|310px C9. Pitney Bowes-GB “5000” (MV), around 1963. 4 [Very scarce] Horizontal frank with straight-line border. “CONGO” at top and “REPUBLIQUE” and “DEMOCRATIQUE” at sides. Large hollow star under “CONGO” and small solid star left of value figures. Bottom frame line does not touch the side lines. M# with “U” prefix in lower left corner. TM: DC V/F: 4 ≋00.oo left|309px C10. Universal “Automax” (MV). 4 [Very scarce] Upright frank with simulated-perforation outer border. Inscribed “REPUBLIQUE DU” at top and “CONGO” at bottom. Two vertical lines at each side. M# with “U” prefix in small boxes in lower corners. TM: DC V/F: 4 =000 left|332px C11. Universal “Automax” (MV). Frank slightly wider than tall with single straight-line border. “CONGO” at top and “REPUBLIQUE” and “DEMOCRATIQUE” at sides. Large star at bottom center. M# with “U” prefix in boxes in lower corners. TM: DC V/F: 4 000oo 4 12px=0000 4 12px=000= 4 12px=00.oo left|243px C12. Camp (MV). 4 [Rare] Frank without outer frame line. Inscribed “REPUBLIQUE/ DEMOCRATIQUE /DU CONGO” at top. Large “K” at bottom center. M# with “PR” prefix in lower corners. TM: SC with hour figure between TM and frank V/F: 4 12px000 left|285px C13. Satas “P” (MV). 4 [Rare] Frank with outer frame line. Inscribed “REPUBLIQUE/ DEMOCRATIQUE /DU CONGO” at top. Large “K” at bottom center. M# with “SP” prefix at lower left. TM: SC with hour figure between TM and frank V/F: 4 12px00.o GROUP D: Issues of Zaire (1971 – 1997), inscribed “ZAIRE” left|480px D1. Satas (MV). 4 [Rare] Similar to Type A5 but not as tall and with “ZAÏRE” at top. M# with “N” prefix. TM: SL V/F: 4 12px00.oo left|300px right|325px D2. Francotyp (MV). 4 [Rare] As Type C4 but with “ZAIRE” at top. M# with “F” prefix. TM: SC V/F: 4 12px00.00 a. Used with country name (CONGO) obliterated but before "ZAIRE" inserted. This stamp appears identical to Type E1 but is dated in 1976 during the transition to ZAIRE rather than during the later transition from ZAIRE. One example known (F34), printed in black. 4 [Extremely rare] left|318px D3. Francotyp (MV). 4 [Very scarce] Similar to Type D2 but M# unboxed and breaks bottom frame line in center. “ZAIRE” fills the top of the frank. TM: DC, SC V/F: 4 12px00.00 left|325px D4. Hasler “F88” (MV). As type C7 but with “ZAIRE” at top. M# with “B” prefix at bottom. Frank variable in height from 27 to 29 mm and in spacing. TM: SC V/F: 4 12px0oo 4 12px00,oo 4 12px00 K a. Printed in black (B107) left|309px D5. Hasler “Mailmaster” (MV). 4 [Very scarce] Similar to D4, but M# with “D” prefix. TM: DC V/F: 4 00.000 left|300px D6. Pitney Bowes-GB “5000” (MV). 4 [Scarce] Similar to Type C10 but with “ZAIRE” at top and not as wide. With double bottom frame line attached to sides. M# with “U” prefix in lower corners. TM: DC V/F: 4 ≋00.oo 4 ≋00.o 10px left|320px D7. Pitney Bowes “MultiValue” (MV). 4 [Very scarce] Horizontal rectangle with straight-line outer border and double-line inner border at sides and bottom. “ZAIRE” at top. M# with “U” prefix in lower corners. Oval value figures made with lines of variable thickness. TM: DC V/F: 4 000oo left|319px D8. Pitney Bowes “Automax” (MV). Very similar to Type D7 but value figures plainer, made with lines of uniform thickness. TM: DC V/F: 4 00000 4 =00.oo 4 =0000 left|314px D9. Frama (MV). Very similar to Types D7 and D8 but much smaller. M# with “A” prefix. Value figures large and thick. TM; DC V/F: 4 00.00 4 00,00 4 00000 4 000,00 left|310px D10. Satas “J” (MV). 4 [Very scarce] Small upright frank with simulated-perforation border with breaks in the sides. “ZAÏRE” at top, M# at bottom with “SJ” prefix. TM: SC with tall date figures V/F: 4 12px00 .oo left|310px D11. Satas (MV). 4 [Probably rare] As Type D10 but frank is taller and the letters in the country name are both taller and narrower. M# at bottom with “N” prefix. TM: SC with small date figures V/F: 4 12px000 GROUP E: Issues of 2nd Democratic Republic of Congo. (1997 to present), Inscribed "RD CONGO", “RDC” or provisional issues without country designation left|310px E1. Francotyp “Cc” (MV). 4 [Probably rare] As Type C4 but blank at top, without country designation. One seen with “LUBUMBASHI” in the TM. M# with “F” prefix. TM: SC V/F: 4 12px00.00 NOTE: See Type D2a. left|319px E2. Hasler “Mailmaster” (MV). As Type D5 but with “RDC” at top. M# with “D” prefix. TM: DC V/F: 4 000.00 left|314px right|335px E3. Frama (MV). As Type D9 but with “RDC” at top. Value figures large and thick. M# with “A” prefix. TM: DC V/F: 4 000,00 a. Frank missing leaving only the value figures and town mark left|355px left|355px E4. Hasler “Mailmaster” (MV). This appears to be a locally modified frank made from a Type E1 die modified to fit on a Hasler Mailmaster machine. The prior (Type E1) inscriptions at top and bottom, including the side frame lines, were cut from the frank and new inscriptions added. A. "RD CONGO" at top B. "RD" alone at the top, resulting no doubt from breakage of "CONGO" M# with "N" (or "A"?) prefix added at bottom. One machine identified but others may exist since this one appears to be numbered "N03" or N08". TM: SC ("BUKAVU 1") V/F: 4 0000 Return to main catalog ⇒ ../ Return to top ⇒ .org/wiki/International_Postage_Meter_Stamp_Catalog/Congo,_Democratic_Republic Congo,_Democratic_Republic