Stamps of the Belgian Congo

The Congo Free State was established in May 1885 under the personal rule of King Leopold II of the Belgians. Stamps bearing his portrait were introduced in 1886, but were superseded eight years later by a recess-printed pictorial series. The stamps in denominations from 5c to 5f included scenery, wildlife and native types. The inscription ‘Etat Independent du Congo’ was printed on the stamps of this territory from 1886 to 1909.

After the exposure of corruption and brutality in the Free State the Belgian government annexed the territory and renamed it Belgian Congo. The preceding series was overprinted ‘Congo Belge’ in 1909 and was superseded by similar designs with the new name in June of that year. Bilingual inscriptions were adopted for the pictorial definitive stamps in 1910; in 1915, they were reissued in new colours. The philatelic history of the Belgian Congo curiously parallels that of North Borneo, which also produced attractive pictorials.

Between 1923 and 1927 a lengthy definitive series was gradually released, featuring animals, tribal types and various indigenous occupations. The same themes were explored in the definitive sets of 1931 – 1937 and 1942 – 1943. The Belgian government printing works at Malines produced a photogravure series illustrating national parks of the Congo. Six stamps and a miniature sheet were issued in March 1938 and featured scenery on the Molindi, Suza and Ratshuru rivers and Mount Karisimbi. The vignettes were printed in black or brown, and various colours were used for the frames.

The first post-war definitive series issued by the Belgian Congo took as its theme various native masks and carvings. Similar stamps with revised inscriptions were released simultaneously in Ruanda Urundi.