DOIG'S ETHIOPIA STAMP CATALOGUE

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1919-1928 New Value Overprints
Printer: A. Desvages Printing Press, Addis Abeba.
Printing: Typography on sheets of 100 stamps (10 x 10).
New values overprinted on the 1919 Definitive Issue. 

As with other issues, the Ethiopian Postal Administration wasted little, and essays entered the market, some with postal use. Essays are here used with the definition in Scott's Catlogue: An essay is the impression of a design that differs in some way from the issued stamp.

All printings in black except 189 in blue and 192a in red.

The 1919 Definities and all of the Provisionals were demonitized about the end of 1928. Remainders were sold to Thomas Cliffe in 1931. These remainders included primarily 189, 190A (I), 191A, 196A, 196B, 197A, 198B, 201B, 208, 211A, 211C, and 213B.

Actual dates of issue or first use are usually unknown as the postal archives burned during the Italian invasion of Addis Abeba. Dates given in square brackets [] are from Adler, Part II (1968) and the Ethiopian Stamp Catalogue (1972), which were not always in agreement. Adler also reported quantities printed of some issues, which are unconfirmed. The dates of actual known useage from covers were compiled by Roberto Sciaky with a few additions by the author; some issues that were only used for a few years from issue also appear on philatelic covers at the end of the period of valid use in 1928.

Minor varieties have been eliminated from the main listing but are mentioned at the end of each issue. This includes broken type, etc. Varieties occuring on inverts, doubles, etc. are not repeated if found in the main listing.

Plating by the author from original sheets of 100, unless noted otherwise. Other varieties or errors may have occured which were corrected during printing and which have not been recorded by position in the sheet.
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1919
Empress Zauditu was reported to have objected to the 4g stamp which showed Ras Tafari
(Haile Selassie) crowned as king, which he was not at that time.
The 4g was withdrawn and replaced by the overprinted $4 with the Empress' image.
 1919 [October] (Dates: 1 Sept 1919 - 9 Sept 1928)
Rate required for normal letters abroad.
One setting - Plated by Doig.
SC: 135.  SG: 196.  MI: 79.  YV: 137.
189
 
 
 

 

 4g on $4 (blue overprint)
a.  for  (po. 36, 85)
b. , Amharic 4 inverted (po. 10, 60)
c. Double (double also known in pair with normal)
d. Inverted (not confirmed to exist)
(Also: Top bar of Amharic 4 missing - may be inking problem.)
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1921-1922
Overprint in Three Lines
Due to post-war, world-wide inflation, postal rates were increased about the end of June or early July, 1921.
The most commonly required values were overprinted on replaced low denominations and the lesser used $4.
 1921 [1922, July 8] (Dates: 30 Aug 1921 - 21 July 1928)
Required for internal printed matter to 50 grams.
Final single colon (:); top line 12¼-12¾ mm; middle line 10-10¾ mm; ½ guerche 16½-17 mm; lower colon varies from over c to over h.
One setting - Plated by Doig, and plated by John Boksenbom from two different sheets. Same as 191B, 200A, and 201.
SC: 135.  SG: 196.  MI: 79.  YV: 137.
190A
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 ½ g on 1/8 g
a. gnerche (po 77, 99)
b. guerhce (po 31, 41)
c. Flat foot 2 (po 7, 23)
d. 1 2, bar missing (po 5, 14, 74)
e. 1 2, bar missing, flat foot 2 (po 12)
f. 12, bar missing, close (po 6, 60)
g. 12, bar missing, close, flat foot 2
h. 2 inverted,  for  (po 88)
i  missing (po 61)
j. Amharic lines transposed (pos 73)
k.  for  (po 28, 42, 81, 93)
l. 1 2, bar missing and  for  (po 32)
m. 1 straight serif (po 74)
n. Thick 2 (po 96)
o.  small (po 62) [Adler]
p. Double
q. Double, one inverted
(Also: Different font "u"; diagonal 1.)
1921 (ESSAY - Postal use unknown)
No colons (:); Amharic 19¼ mm; ½ guerche 17 mm; spacing 6 mm. 
One setting - Part plated from top block of 15 by Doig and bottom block of 43 by John Boksenbom.
190E
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 ½ g on 1/8 g
a. Small ½ (po 1, 2, 11, 12, 21, 22, 31, 41)
b. gnerche
c. 1 2, bar missing (po 61, 86)
d. Flat foot 2 (15 positions + po 64, 78)
e. 12, bar missing, close (po 63, 91)
f.  for  (po 80, 83)
g.  for 
h. Double, 190A and 190B
1921 [May 27] (Dates: 3 Feb 1928 - 11 Sept 1928)
Required for external printed matter to 50 grams.
Final colon (:).
One setting - Plated by Doig.
SC: 137.  SG: 198.  MI: 81.  YV: 133.
191A
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 1 g on ¼ g
a. gnerche (po 77, 99)
b. guerhce (po 31, 41)
c.  missing (po 16)
d.  missing (po 34)
e.  missing (po 33)
f. Top line inverted (po 37)
g. 1 missing (po 51)
h. 1 diagonal (po 73)
i.  1 straight serif (po 74)
j.  No : row 2, 1 sans serifs (po 93)
k.  for  (po 1, 28, 42, 81)
l.   Inverted
m. Double
n.  Double, one invert
(Also: 1 far from g (po 36, 43, 97), 1 close to g (po 1, 32, 48, 50), short 1 (po 66, 88), colon wide spaced (po 70),  faint (po 13),  broken (po 14), 1 sans serifs, different font u.)
1921, Nov 2 (Dates: 16 Aug 1921 - 23 May 1923)
Final double colon (::).
One setting - Not plated.
191B
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 1 g on ¼ g
a. 1 missing
b. guerche missing
c. 1 guerche missing (reported)
d. Final e of guerche missing (reported)
e. 1 straight serif
f. 1 sans serif
g. 1 guerche with upright bar at end
h.  for  in top line
i.  Double, one invert
1921 (Dates: 21 Mar 1928)
ESSAY - No colons, 1 straight serif.
One setting - Part plated by Doig, top half of sheet.
191E1 1 g on ¼ g
a.  missing (po 2, 7)
b. 1 g on 1/8 g, inverted only on 1/8 g
Date?
ESSAY - Amharic as shown, no rosettes.
191E2 1 g on ¼ g
Date?
ESSAY - Amharic as shown, no rosettes.
191E3 1 g on ¼ g
1922 [Feb 20] (Dates: 20 Feb 1922 - 28 Jan 1928)
Required for internal mail and second weight unit for letters abroad.
On setting - Plated by Doig (no varieties)
SC: 138.  SG: 198c.  MI: None.  YV: 134.
192 2 g on 1 g
a. Red overprint (color trail)
1922 (Dates: 30 Aug 1921 - 1 Jan 1923)
One setting - Not plated.
SC: 139.  SG: 199.  MI: 82.  YV: 134A.
193
 

 

 2 g on $4
a. Large 2
b. Double 2
c. Inverted (occurs in pair with normal)
1921 [April 18] (Dates: 31 Nov 1921 - 14 Sept 1928)
Required for postcards sent abroad.
One setting - Plated by Doig
SC: 140.  SG: 200.  MI: 83.  YV: 135.
194 2½ g on ½ g
a. Flat foot 2 in ½ (po 23, 73)
1921 [1922] (Dates: 13 Aug 1921 - Feb 1928)
Required for letters abroad and registration.
One setting - Plated by Doig (no varieties)
SC: 141.  SG: 201.  MI: 84.  YV: 136.
195 4 g on 2 g
..

1925-1926
No Rosette over Value
Overprinting with needed ½ g and 1 g values from little used values.
 1926 [September 22] (Dates: Sept 1926 - July 1928)
No final colon (:), Amharic 19¾-20 mm, 1 guerche - 16¾-17¼ mm.
50,000 printed, including 196B (Adler).
One Setting - Plated by John Boksenbom.
SC: 144.  SG: 204a.  MI: 85.  YV: 140.
 196A
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 ½ g on $1
a. gnerche (po 82, 84)
b. guerhce (po 40, 50)
c. gu erche (po 41)
d. Flat foot 2 (po 28, 34)
e. 1|2, flat foot 2 or normal 2 (po 19)
f. No middle colon (:) (po 88)
g. 1 straight serif (po 97)
h. 1 sans serif (po 23)
i.  missing (po 14, 21, 27)
j.  for  (po 10, 13, 60)
k. g erche, u missing
l.   Double, one invert
m. Double ½ guerche
(Also: 1 short (po 53, 55), thick 2 (po 85), invert h for u.)
Photo
 FORGERY - Inverted
No final colon, 20 mm Amharic, 19 mm French, wide ½ with 1 raised above 2. Note: The supposed inverted overprint of 196A, of which this is an intended forgery, is actually an invert of 196B, postion 27, with no final colon.
196F ½ g on $1
1928, June 26 (Dates: Sept 1926 - 18 June 1928)
Final colon (:).
One setting - Plated by Doig (may be 2 settings)
196B
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 ½ g on $1
a. Flat foot 2 (po 34, 76, 81, 97)
b. 1 2, bar missing (po 91)
c. 1[2, bracket for bar (po 26)
d. No middle colon (po 12)
e. guerch , no final e,  for  (po 21)
f.  1 /2, 1 wide spaced (po 88)
g. 12, bar missing, close (po 38)
h. 1 straight serif (po 32, 43, 61)
i.  1 sans serif (po 46, 90)
j.  No final colon, pair with normal (po 27)
k.  for  (po 9)
l.  Inverted
m. Double, 196A and 196B
(Also: Small 1 (po 70), 23 mm wide Amharic (po 16), different font u (po 40), 1/2guerche, gnerche ?, 1 inverted ?)
(Reported but not confirmed: guerehe (Adler - po 41), g erche, sloping 2, small 2, gu erche, double, double & one invert.)
1926 [July; October 4] (Dates: July 1926 - 31 May 1928)
No final colon (:).
25,000 printed, including 197B (Adler)
One setting - Plated by Doig and top half of another sheet by Payne.
SC: 143.  SG: 203.  MI: 86.  YV: 139.
197A
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 ½ g on $5
a. gnerche (po 82, 84)
b. guerhce (po 40, 50)
c. gu erche (po 41)
d. Flat foot 2 (po 28, 34)
e. 1|2, flat foot or normal 2 (po 19)
f.  No middle colon (:) (po 80, 88)
g. 1 straight serif (po 97)
h.  missing (po 14, 21, 27)
i.  Small  (po 29)
j.  missing
j.  for  (po 10, 13, 60, 88)
k. Double, one invert
(Also: 1 short (po 53, 55), thick 2 (po 85), b for h (po 85).)
1927 [March 8] (Dates: 29 Aug 1926 - 24 Sept 1927)
Final colon (:).
One or two settings - Positions from Adler, Part II.
197B
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 ½ g on $5
a. gnerche (reported) (po 82)
b. guerehe (reported)
c. gu erche (reported0
d. Flat foot 2 (po 5)
e. 1 straight serif (po 68 79, 97)
f.  guerchs
g. No final colon, pair with normal
h. 1 2, bar missing
i.  Sloping flat foot 2 (reported) (po 14, 48)
j.  for 
k. 1 inverted (reported)
l.  and  missing (reported)
m. No middle colon (reported) (po 78)
n. Double
o. Double, one invert
p. Double, 197A top, 197B bottom
q. Double, 197B top invert, 197A bottom
r.  Double, 197A top invert, 197B bottom
1925 [April 16; Oct 25] (Dates: 15 Apr 1925 - Aug 1926)
17 mm 1 guerche, 1 straight serif.
One setting - Not plated.
SC: 144. SG: 204.  MI: 85.  YV: 140.
198A
 
 
 
 
 

 

 1 g on 6 g
a. gu erche
b. 1 normal serifs
c. , broken 6 for 1
d.  for 
e. Inverted (400 printed - Adler)
f. Double
(Also: Colon wide spaced, Amharic close spaced?.)
1927 [May 5] (Dates: 6 Feb 1926 - Nov 1928)
15 mm 1 guerche, 1 normal serif.
One setting - Plated by Doig.
198B
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 1 g on 6 g
a. gnerche (po 69, 86) [Adler po 71]
b. guerhce (po 2, 12)
c. 1 straight serif (po 23)
d. Inverted (reported)
e. Double (reported)
(Also: Colon wide spaced (po 89), 1 short (po 97), Amharic wide spaced 17 mm (po 3, 111, 16, 21, 40, 52), Amharic close spaced, 1 gureche shifted left.)
1925 [Oct 29] (Dates: - 27 Dec 1927)
One setting - Not plated.
SC: 145. SG: 204a.  MI: A85.  YV: None.
199

 

 1 g on 12 g
a. he of guerche raised
b. Inverted
1926 [May 12; September] (Dates: 12 May 1926 - 14 Nov 1928)
13 mm Amharic, overprint reading up.
One settings - Part plated by Roberto Sciaky.
SC: 146.  SG: 205a.  MI: 89.  YV: 141.
200A
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 1 g on $3
a. guerehe
b. guerch , e missing,  for  (po 21)
c.  for  (po 31)
d. Broken  (po 4, 8)
e.  straight serif (po 32)
f. 1 no serif (po 6)
g. Colon missing (po 69)
h. Inverted (400 printed - Adler)
i.  Double
j.  Double, 200A and 200B
(Also: No space between Amharic 1 and word (po 9), colon wide space, 3 mm (po 70), 1 close to guerche (po 2, 16), 1 short serif (po 4, 11, 43), short right leg of first Amharic letter (po 36), u open at bottom (po 5, 12), deformed second e of guerche. Also recorded as a SPECIMEN.)
1926 [June 13] (Dates: 23 Apr 1926-July 1928)
15 mm Amharic.
One setting - Not plated, positions from Adler.
200B
 
 
 
 
 

 

 1 g on $3
a. gnerche (po 77, 99)
b. guerhce (po 31, 41)
c. guerehe (po 50)
d. 1 and  missing (po 51)
e. Inverted (reported)
f. Double (reported)
(Also: short 1.)
1926 [June 13; September] (Dates: 10 June 1926 - 14 Sept 1928)
14½-15 mm Amharic.
One setting - Plated by Doig (may be 2 settings)
SC: 147.  SG: 206.  MI: 87.  YV: 142.
201
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 1 g on $10
a. gnerche (po 77, 99)
b. guerhce (po 31, 41)
c. 1 and  missing (po 51)
d. 1 straight serif (po 74)
e. geurche,  for 
f. 1 inverted
g. guerch , no final e
h. No final colon
i. 1 missing (reported)
j.  for  (reported)
k. Inverted at top
l. Inverted at bottom
m. Double, at top and bottom
n. Double, both at bottom
o. Double, top invert
p. Double, 14½ mm and 13 mm Amharic
(Also: 1guerche (po 98), 1 short (po 66, 68).)
1926
Middle colon.
One setting - Not plated.
201E 1 g on $10
a. Double, top inverted
..
New settings were made with wider spacing between the Amharic and French. It is probable that some of these were printed in quantity for a new release when the Ethiopian PO became aware that the UPU required the old value to be blocked out. The was tried in small quantities by bars. There appear to be several styles of rosettes also tried. The accepted rosette was overprinted as a second operation to already printed sheets.
.

1926
Bars over Value
Addition of bars to block out old value to comply with UPU regulations.
 1926 (Dates: 12 Dec 1927 - 5 Mar 1928)
ESSAY to comply with UPU regulation to cross out old value.
Bars over values printed seperate. No middle colon, 13 mm spacing between lines, 1 guerche is approximately 15 mm long. [Rare]
One setting - Not plated. Same as 213A with rosettes over old value.
SC: 147A.  SG: 206a.  MI: A87.  YV: None.
207
 

 

 1 g on 12 g
a. Vertical bars at right
b. Final e of guerche inverted
c.  missing (reported by Adler)
FORGERY
Handstamped, not typographed. 12½ mm spacing between lines, 1 guerche is 14 mm long, crude and thicker letters.
207F 1 g on 12 g
.

1926-1927
Narrow space between lines, Rosette over Value
Addition of rosettes to block out old value to comply with UPU regulations.
 1926 (Dates: 11 July 1926 - 9 Nov 1928)
Amharic number spelled out, lines separated 4-5 mm, rosette over value.
One setting - Plated by Doig.
SC: 148.  SG: 208c.  MI: 90.  YV: 143.
208
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

  ½ g on 8 g
a. Final e of guerche inverted (po 24, 84)
b. geurche (po 21)
c. Flat foot 2 (po 4, 36 47, 56, 58, 76, 98)
d.  missing (po 92)
e.  missing (po 52)
f.  gnerche (po 10)
g. 1 straght serif (po 68)
h.  and  missing or faint (po 62)
i.  Small 2 with flat foot (po 91)
j.  for  (po 34, 36, 59)
k. Blob at end of guerche (po 35)
l.  Double, one invert (reported)
1926 (Dates: July 1926 - 19 Nov 1928)
Amharic number spelled out, lines separated 4-6 mm, Amharic 22 mm, French 14-15 mm.
One or two settings - Not plated.
SC: 149.  SG: 209.  MI: 91.  YV: 144.
209
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 1 g on 6 g
a. gnerche
b. he of guerche raised
c. Large 1
d. No final colon (:)
e. 1 straight serif (reported)
f.  Inverted, rosette lower right (600 printed - Adler)
g. Inverted, rosette upper left
h. Double, top invert, two rosettes (300 printed - Adler)
i. Triple, 209 double, 212B invert, two rosettes
j. Quadruple, one invert, two rosettes
1926 (Dates: )
Amharic number spelled out, lines separated approx. 6½ mm, Amharic 22½ mm, French 15 mm. Different style of rosette. [Essay?]
One setting - Not plated.
SC: 150.  SG: 210.  MI: None.  YV: None.
210 1 g on 12 g
a. Double, one rosette (reported)
b. Triple, 3 rosettes (reported)
.

1927
Wide space between lines, Rosette over Value
Addition of rosettes to block out old value to comply with UPU regulations.
 1927 (Dates: 4 Mar 1927 - 1 Sept 1928)
Amharic number spelled out, lines separated 13-14 mm, final colon (:) rosette printed separate. 
One setting - Plated by Doig.
SC: 151.  SG: 207.  MI: 90.  YV: 143.
 211A
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

  ½ g on 8 g
a. gnerche (po 69, 86)
b. guerhce (po 2, 12)
c. Flat foot 2 (po 6, 16 19, 28, 39, 61, 66, 74, 91, 95)
d. Small 2 (po 29, 90)
e.  for  (po 35)
f. No middle colon
g. Small 1, Flat foot 2
h. Inverted
i.  Double, one invert
1927 (Dates: 29 Apr 1927 - 22 Mar 1928)
Amharic number spelled out, lines separated 15½ mm, final colon (:), rosette in same setting.
One setting - Not plated
211B
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 ½ g on 8 g
a.  guerhce
b. 1[2, bracket for bar
c. 1 2, bar missing (reported)
d. Final e of guerche inverted (reported)
e. geurche (reported)
f.  Double (reported)
g. Double, 208 with 211B invert
h. Double, one invert
i.  Trible, one invert
1927 (Dates: )
Amharic number spelled out, lines separated 15½ mm, no final colon (:), rosette in same setting. [may be an Essay]
One setting - Plated by Doig.
211C
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

  ½ g on 8 g
a. gnerche (po 89)
b. guerhce (po 31, 41)
c. 12, bar missing, close (po 30, 78)
d. 1 2, bar missing, flat foot 2 (po 12)
e.  missing (po 61)
f.  Flat foot 2 (po 23, 37)
g. 1 sans serifs (po 93)
h. 1/ 2guerche, 2 close to g (po 87)
i.  No middle colon (po 83)
j.  for  (po 1, 18, 32, 81)
k. Short 1 (po 58)
l.  Inverted
m. Double
n. Double, one invert
1927 (Dates: 7 Dec 1927 - 19 Nov 1928)
Lines separated 13-14 mm, middle colon (:), rosette in same setting.
One or two settings - One plated by Doig.
SC: 152.  SG: 211.  MI: 93.  YV: 145.
212
 
 
 
 
 

 

 1 g on 6 g
a. gnerche
b. No middle colon (po92)
c. 1 straight serif (po 77)
d. Short 1 (po 61)
e. Double, one invert
f. Triple, one invert (reported)
(Also: Amharic wide spaced.)
1928, July 14 (Dates: 5 Apr 1927 - 7 July 1928)
Lines separated 13½ mm, no middle colon (:), rosette in same setting.
One or two settings - Not plated
SC: 153.  SG: 208 or 212a.  MI: 92.  YV: 145A.
213A
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 1 g on 12 g
a. 1 straight serif
b.  for 
c. Final e of guerche inverted
d. Amharic 1 inverted (reported)
e.  missing (reported)
f. 1 guerche & rosette missing (reported)
g. Inverted (rosette normal, 600 printed - Adler)
h. Double, one invert (two rosettes, 300 printed - Adler)
(Also: Amharic close spaced.)
1927 (Dates: 11 Apr 1927 - 26 June 1928)
Lines separated 10½ mm, no middle colon (:), rosette in same setting.
Two settings - Both plated by Doig.
213B
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 1 g on 12 g
a. gnerche (poI 69, 86)
b. guerhce (poI 2, 12)
c. 1 straight serif (poI 23)
d. 1 inverted (poI 100)
e. 1 low (poI 66)
f. rc of guerche low (poI 67)
g. Amharic with extra character YA (poII 11, 12)
h. guer che (po II )
i. Double, one rosette
j. Double, two rosettes
k. Double, one invert
l. Inverted (reported)
m. Triple, on invert (reported)
(Also: Short 1 (poI 97), Amharic wide spaced, small h (poII 89), 1g close (poII 46). A full sheet of setting II is known overprint SPECIMEN in Amharic.)
1927, Dec 14 (Dates: 1 Jan 1928 - 27 Jan 1928)
Lines separated 13 mm, middle colon (:), rosette in same setting.
One setting - Not plated.
213C
 
 

 

 1 g on 12 g
a. Double (reported)
b. Double, one invert
c. Triple, one invert
(Also: Short 1, no bracket under Amharic 1.)
1927
ESSAY - No middle colon, spacing 3 mm, rosette printed separate.
One setting - Not plated. COVER
213E 1 g on 12 g (Double overprint only)
1927 (Dates: )
Lines separated 10½ mm, no middle colon (:), rosette in same setting.
50,000 printed  (Adler).
One setting - not plated.
SC: 154.  SG: 208b.  MI: A92.  YV: None.
215 1 g on $3
Date ?
Lines separated 14 mm, middle colon (:), rosette in same setting. Crude handstamp, not typographed.
215F 1 g on $3

                    Last update: October 21, 2002