Somaliland Protectorate

The Somaliland Protectorate was a country in northeastern Africa between Ethiopia, French Somaliland and Italian Somaliland.

British Somaliland

 * Prior to the British protectorate, there were Egyptian post offices at Barbara (Berbera) and Zeila, 1876-84.
 * British offices at the two towns were opened in 1887, administered by the Indian post office using Indian stamps. This continued up to 1903.
 * In 1903, Indian stamps were overprinted BRITISH SOMALILAND at top or at bottom. There are many varieties and errors of overprint.
 * Beginning in 1903, official stamps were also released with similar overprints, with varieties and errors of overprint.
 * Officials with additional overprint SERVICE were printed but never issued.
 * In 1904, officials overprinted O.H.M.S. were issued.



Somaliland Protectorate

 * Beginning in 1904, stamps inscribed SOMALILAND PROTECTORATE were issued. There were 3 different watermarks used.
 * In 1912, the first George V definitives were released watermarked multiple crown CA. The 1920 set in the same design was watermarked multiple script CA. The Silver Jubilee and Coronation sets followed in 1935 and 1937 respectively.
 * In 1938, a pictorial set with George VI was issued.
 * The protectorate was under Italian occupation from August 1940 to March 1941. When it was retaken in July, Aden stamps were used. This continued until April 1942.
 * In late April 1942, a pictorial set was issued, now with a full-face portrait of George VI.
 * This was followed by the normal run of omnibius issues.
 * In 1951, the previous definitives were surcharged in new currency, cents and shillings.
 * In 1953-58, Elizabeth II pictorial definitives were released, followed by two overprint sets.
 * In late June 1960, Somaliland Protectorate gained independence and on July 1, joining the former Italian Somaliland and became Somalia.



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