Each stamp catalog provides slightly different coverage, and possibly the best metric for this is inclusion (and exclusion) of classic pre-runners and local posts. As case example for the day I have chosen the Moroccan Cherifian Post stamps. How various stamp catalogs list the Cherifian stamps is a very mixed bag. Scott simply footnotes the existence of these stamps, Michel lists six stamps (with varieties) on back-of-book section, Yvert provides 14 major numbers on their BOB section, and Dallay assigns whooping 40 major numbers as pre-runners of French Morocco. So what source is the poor collectors supposed to follow when aiming for completion? To properly understand the differences one really has no other option than to dive into history of the area, and study the reason for differences.

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As I have  been working my way through piles of modern(ish) African stamps, I have not been able to by-pass the thought that many of the stamps I’m now seeing and getting into my possession are likely way more harder to obtain than anything of European origin. Or when was the last time you saw more than single random postally used stamps from likes of  Central African Republic (CAR), Chad, Mali or Mauretenia? For me recent months have been “once in a decade” kind of times treat, and I’ve been more than thrilled when putting all these stamps into my collection.

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This week’s post is pretty short and simple, but hopefully useful to some.  Below are some unlisted perforation variants from Cameroon.  I don’t think any of these are rare, as I’ve found them all simply by going through duplicates. Sadly stamp catalog listings are nothing more than a very rough guide for less popular countries such as Cameroon,  and one can make new discoveries somewhat easily by consistently checking every incoming stamp.

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When I launched SCB on cold January winters night in 2009, my opening words were somewhat plain and simple  “I know first posts always suck, so I’m not going to give any BIG promises or pages of text here.  This blog is about life of a casual stamp collector living in middle of nowhere. It’s about a hobby I love and feel passionate. Welcome, feel free to participate and enjoy.”  Ever since I have written roughly 600 blog entries (with over 300,000 words and thousands of images) on stamps and life of a stamp collector. How can a single casual collector have got so much to say is one of those mysteries I have pondered at times.

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At times I slam my head when I realize I have for years overlooked some information available on a stamp catalogue listing.  Such is the case of 1947 French West Africa (AOF; Afrique Occidentale Francaise) definitive stamps which are likely among the most common and loved postage stamps of French colonial era. Michel very clearly states the perforation of these stamps varies between 12 and 13, but for some reason this had fully escaped my attention for decades (likely because nobody ever talks about this variety).

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Moving further with last weeks topics, it’s time to hit another French (and English) speaking African country: Cameroon.  Like the last time, these stamps originate from the 1960s and are mostly found as CTOs.  As such likely nobody has ever bothered to give a proper look before now.

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If I should describe a nightmare of stamp collecting flyspecker, it would likely include a bunch of common as mud stamps, a happy moment when the joyful collector makes a new discovery from these stamps, and then the heartbreaking cry  upon collector realizing that the pile of similar duplicates he/she once had are no longer to be found. In words of  Alice Cooper I’ll say “Welcome to my nightmare…”

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Since my goal is to keep the operations of SCB  as transparent as possible, below is a financial summary for 2018.  Many philatelic organizations are obliged by their by-laws to release a public financial summary, but most stamp websites and philatelic publishers on the other do no such thing as they are privately owned. As such we collectors are usually struck by lightning when some website or publisher closes down because of financial issues.   I’ve been very open about any kind of financial issues SCB (or me) has faced over the years, and i wish that open financial report like this would open up the complexity and costs of  running a philatelic website like SCB for wider audience.

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At least for the next month or two I’ll be rehousing and adding up to African part of my worldwide stamp collection. As such I’d like to take the opportunity to showcase some of the more interesting pieces from countries that I’m currently working.

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I’d like to wish readers of SCB a merry and peaceful yuletide. Do enjoy this time of year with your family, friends and stamps, and take a small break from daily life – as that is precisely what I’m about to do for the next week or two. Below are some (more or less recent) worldwide Christmas stamps that have landed upon my stamp collection this year. What makes these stamps worthy of public showcasing is that they all bring a smile on my face (mostly because of personal memories), and I hope they would do the same for you.  Merry Christmas folks!

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