Niger

Niger was a landlocked French colony in West Africa, and is now an independent country. It's pronounced "Nee-zhay" and not what you think. Just saying. Don't confuse it with Nigeria just south of it, either. Just don't.

French colony
Niger was separated from Upper Senegal and Niger in 1922 to become a separate colony. It still remained a part of the French West Africa federation. 
 * In 1922(?)-26, Upper Senegal and Niger camel and rider definitives were overprinted TERRITOIRE / DU NIGER.
 * These were followed by surcharged values.
 * In 1926-40, new pictorial definitive designs were issued.
 * In 1931, the Colonial Exposition omnibus set was issued, followed in later years by more French colonial omnibus issues.
 * In 1941, sets were produced by the Vichy government in France. They were never used in the colony even though it was under Vichy control up to November 1942.
 * Beginning in 1943, stamps of French West Africa were used. See: French West Africa.



Postage due

 * In 1922(?), Upper Senegal and Niger numeral postage dues were overprinted TERRITOIRE / DU NIGER like the definitives.
 * In 1927, pictorial dues were issued.

Republic
In July 1960, Niger became an independent country. 
 * In 1959-60, the country issued its first definitives, pictorials showing animals and inscribed REPUBLIQUE DU NIGER.
 * About 1996, Niger joined the gang of countries issuing a bunch of sheetlets and souvenir sheets in every topic imaginable. Not long after, fakers joined the fun and began printing bogus issues, too.



Official

 * In 1962-71, a woman carrying a jar design was issued.
 * Beginning in 1988, the design was changed so the woman is no longer smiling.



Postage due

 * In 1960, diamond-shaped postage dues were issued.
 * In 1993, the design was reissued in new colors and values. The margin imprint in in black.

