French Equatorial Africa

French Equatorial Africa, or Afrique Equatoriale Française (AEF), was a French supercolony or federation in central Africa. It was originally composed of the colonies of:
 * Chad
 * French Congo
 * Gabon (French)
 * Ubangi-Shari (now the Central African Republic)

French Equatorial Africa was established in 1910, but the individual colonies continued to issue their own stamps. Still, those stamps were inscribed "AFRIQUE EQUATORIALE FRANÇAISE" or "AEF". In 1941-44, Vichy issues for the colony were released in France but never sold in the AEF. This was despite Gabon being controlled by a Vichy government. Designs include previous AEF designs but with "RF" removed. In 1940-41, the pictorials were overprinted in various styles: AFRIQUE FRANÇAISE LIBRE, LIBRE, Afrique Française Libre, plus 24 10-40 for the arrival of Free French forces. Also in 1941, their France Libre issue was released featuring a phoenix rising from the flames. 
 * In 1936, French Equatorial Africa ended the issues for the individual colonies. Its first stamps were issues of Gabon and Middle Congo overprinted '''AFRIQUE EQUATORIALE FRANÇAISE.
 * This was followed by omnibus issues like the Paris International Exhibition set (1937), plus a Gabon centennial issue (1938).
 * In 1937, a long photogravure pictorial series was released.
 * In 1946, a few surcharged values were released.
 * In 1946, an engraved pictorial series was issued.
 * Colonial omnibus issues followed along with several commemorative issues.
 * French Equatorial Africa issues ended when the individual colonies gained autonomy in 1958, later becoming independent in 1960.



[[Category:F]]