NIGER COAST

Covers and stamps / Niger Coast

NIGER COAST TERRITORIES: 1875: Great Britain ½ d. brown postal card, used from Lokoja to Hammersmith, England, dated 19 July 1900, uprated with GB ½ d. vermilion (SG197) and Norther Nigeria 1 d. dull mauve & carmine (SG2) cancelled by the "LOKOJA / POST OFFICE" violet oval handstamp, with a "PADDINGTON" cds dated 17 August 1900 alongside. To the reverse a "FORCADOS RIVER" circular datestamp 27 July 1900. Light crease to left side and some imperfection, which do not detract (H&G 3). À rare and scarce combination; one of two recorded GB postal items used at Lokoja. Ex Peter Horlyck. Note: The overfranked Great Britain stationery postcard was used after the absorption of Lokoja into the Protectorate of Northern Nigeria. From that period a Id stamped envelope of Great Britain is known with a Lokoja oval cancellation. That also bears an additional Northern Nigeria 1d stamp and is cancelled by the Lokoja oval dated 11 May 1900. Reference: The Postal Stationery of Nigeria, by Peter Horlyck, illustrated on pg. 57.