Libya (Italian / British)
Chapter overview
Eritrea Inland Revenue stamps overprinted Cyrenaica are listed under Passport.
Later issues for Libya including all revenue stamps denominated in milliemes, mils, pounds, dinars and dirhams are in the listing for Libya (Independent).
Acknowledgments
Currency
- Bill of Exchange / Cambiali (catalogue numbers prefixed B)
- Land fees / Diritti fondiarii (catalogue numbers prefixed L)
- Matches / Fiammiferi (catalogue numbers prefixed F)
- Passport / Passaporto (catalogue numbers prefixed P)
- Revenue / Marca da Bollo (catalogue numbers prefixed R)
- Social Security / INFPS (catalogue numbers prefixed S)
- Weights and Measures / Pesi e Mesuri (catalogue numbers prefixed W)
- Municipal (catalogue numbers prefixed M)
- Stamp paper (catalogue numbers prefixed Z)
Eritrea Inland Revenue stamps overprinted Cyrenaica are listed under Passport.
Later issues for Libya including all revenue stamps denominated in milliemes, mils, pounds, dinars and dirhams are in the listing for Libya (Independent).
Acknowledgments
- Louis S Alfano, Municipal Stamps of the Italian Colonies (privately published, 1983)
- Mohamed Ali Siala, 'Libya: duty/revenue stamps since 1880', London Philatelist, vol 105 (October 1996), pp271-274
- F Balzarelli and P de Magistris (eds), Marche da Bollo Catalogazione e quotazione: Antichi stati, Regno e Repubblica Italiana, Trieste, Fiume, Colonie e Possedimenti italiani, Occupazioni straniere delle Colonie 2016/18 (Unificato, 2016)
- J Barefoot Ltd, British Commonwealth Revenues (10th Ed, privately published, 2019)
- J Barefoot Ltd, Italy Revenues (privately published, 2013)
- Cristiano Bussoli, online catalogue at http://xoomer.virgilio.it/cbussoli/libia.html (retrieved 3rd September 2009)
- Michele Caso & Sergio Luconi, 'Occupazione Britannica delle Colonie Italiane', Fiscali, #3 (March 1987), pp34-36 and #5 (September 1987), pp55-60
- Michele Caso & Sergio Luconi, 'Marche da bollo Occupazione Britannica Colonie Italiane: Seconda Edizione', Fiscali (Estratto), (c1990), pp2-12)
- Gianni Cavazzoni, 'Catalogo Marche da Bollo delle Colonie Italiane in Africa', Fiscali, #16 (1990), pp1-16 and #17 (1991), pp17-32
- P de Magistris, Marche da bollo 2016-2018 (Unificato catalogue)
- Martin Erler, British Occupation of Italian Colonies WWII Revenue Stamps (ORA-Verlag, 1980)
- F Marchetto, Marche da bollo d'Italia (1863-1957) e delle colonie italiane d'Africa (1911-1943) (Vaccari, 2004)
Currency
- (1913-19xx) 100 centisimi = 1 lira
- (19xx-19xx) 100 cents = 1 Military Administration lira (MAL)
Bill of Exchange / Cambiali
B1/16 and B22/34
c1910s. Bill of Exchange stamps of Italy (1915, 1922, 1924 and 1926 issues) overprinted for use in Libya. The 3l and 5l values are surcharged and several values have wavy lines in the corners as indicated in the listing.
a) Overprinted LIBIA
B1. 10c red
B4. 30c deep blue
B6. 1l brown-purple
B7. 2l carmine
B8. 3l on 3l20c violet (wavy lines in corners)
B12. 5l on 5l60c violet (wavy lines in corners)
B13. 10l slate and pale blue
B14. 16l violet and pale rose
B15. 100l greenish black and pale rose
B16. 200l orange-red and pale yellow
b) Overprinted TRIPOLITANIA
B22. 20c ultramarine
B23. 24c brown
B25. 80c blue-green
B29. 3l20c violet (wavy lines in corners)
B30. 4l pale violet (wavy lines in corners)
B31. 4l80c grey (wavy lines in corners)
B34. 16l violet and pale rose (wavy lines in corners)
Notes:
1. Barefoot additionally lists the 60c, 1l60c and 8l values overprinted Tripolitania. His illustrations show this overprint in mixed case, though I am not sure whether his images are digital productions or photographs of actual stamps. Bussoli also illustrates stamps with a mixed-case overprint but in his case these have obviously been produced digitally.
2. Similar stamps but overprinted A.O.I. were used in Italian East Africa. These were later overprinted B.M.A and used in Libya (see below).
a) Overprinted LIBIA
B1. 10c red
B4. 30c deep blue
B6. 1l brown-purple
B7. 2l carmine
B8. 3l on 3l20c violet (wavy lines in corners)
B12. 5l on 5l60c violet (wavy lines in corners)
B13. 10l slate and pale blue
B14. 16l violet and pale rose
B15. 100l greenish black and pale rose
B16. 200l orange-red and pale yellow
b) Overprinted TRIPOLITANIA
B22. 20c ultramarine
B23. 24c brown
B25. 80c blue-green
B29. 3l20c violet (wavy lines in corners)
B30. 4l pale violet (wavy lines in corners)
B31. 4l80c grey (wavy lines in corners)
B34. 16l violet and pale rose (wavy lines in corners)
Notes:
1. Barefoot additionally lists the 60c, 1l60c and 8l values overprinted Tripolitania. His illustrations show this overprint in mixed case, though I am not sure whether his images are digital productions or photographs of actual stamps. Bussoli also illustrates stamps with a mixed-case overprint but in his case these have obviously been produced digitally.
2. Similar stamps but overprinted A.O.I. were used in Italian East Africa. These were later overprinted B.M.A and used in Libya (see below).
c1946. Italian revenues inscribed Tassa di Bollo per Cambiali (= Bill of Exchange Stamp Duty) and overprinted A.O.I. (= Africa Orientale Italiana, Italian East Africa) now further overprinted B.M.A. (= British Military Administration) in bold sans-serif letters for use in Tripolitania.
B1. 10c red
B2. 20c deep brown
B3. 30c deep blue
B4. 50c green
B5. 1l pale violet
B7. 5l on 5,60l lilac (AOI opt in red)
B8. 10l black
B9. 16l violet
B10. 30l red and light blue
B11. 50l brown
B12. 500l claret
Notes:
1. B7, B8, B10 and B11 have an additional overprint consisting of wavy diagonal lines across the corners of the stamp.
2. Erler additionally lists the 4l violet but I have not seen this value.
B1. 10c red
B2. 20c deep brown
B3. 30c deep blue
B4. 50c green
B5. 1l pale violet
B7. 5l on 5,60l lilac (AOI opt in red)
B8. 10l black
B9. 16l violet
B10. 30l red and light blue
B11. 50l brown
B12. 500l claret
Notes:
1. B7, B8, B10 and B11 have an additional overprint consisting of wavy diagonal lines across the corners of the stamp.
2. Erler additionally lists the 4l violet but I have not seen this value.
Land fees / Diritti fondiarii
L1/4
1920s. General revenue issues of 1914-22 and 1923 overprinted Diritti fondiari(i) in seriffed mixed case.
L1. 10c red-orange (1921)
L2. 25c slate-grey (1922)
L3. 50c magenta (undated)
L4. 2l green (1922)
Notes:
1. Barefoot additionally lists two different versions of the 1l value (dated 1920 on 1917 and 1920 on 1919) but I have not seen these.
2. The second word of the overprint is spelt fondiarii on L1 and L4, and fondiari on L2/3.
L1. 10c red-orange (1921)
L2. 25c slate-grey (1922)
L3. 50c magenta (undated)
L4. 2l green (1922)
Notes:
1. Barefoot additionally lists two different versions of the 1l value (dated 1920 on 1917 and 1920 on 1919) but I have not seen these.
2. The second word of the overprint is spelt fondiarii on L1 and L4, and fondiari on L2/3.
Matches / Fiammiferi
1917 (according to Bussoli). x mm. Eagle with Royal Arms of Savoy. Inscribed Monopolio Fiammiferi (= Matches monopoly). Perf x. Wmk x.
F1. 7½c rose
Note: Bussoli additionally lists 15c and 20c values but I have not seen these.
F1. 7½c rose
Note: Bussoli additionally lists 15c and 20c values but I have not seen these.
Passport / Passaporto
P1/4
1920s-30s. Passport stamps of Italy (1920 Vidimazione and 1932-37 Atti Esteri issues) overprinted LIBIA in letters x mm tall.
P1. 2l orange-brown
P2. 10l grey-green
P3. 20l deep brown
P4. 100l deep green
P1. 2l orange-brown
P2. 10l grey-green
P3. 20l deep brown
P4. 100l deep green
P12 (P11 image to be added)
c1930s. New special type for Libya. x mm. Libyan warrior riding under Royal Arms of Savoy. Inscribed Passaporto Libia. Perf x. Wmk Crown.
P11. 1l brown
P12. 5l mauve
Note: Barefoot additionally lists the 5l value surcharged 6l but I have not seen this.
P11. 1l brown
P12. 5l mauve
Note: Barefoot additionally lists the 5l value surcharged 6l but I have not seen this.
1947. Inland Revenue key type of Eritrea surcharged CYRENAICA P.T. 25 in bold sans-serif type, the original value deleted with four bars across the whole stamp.
a) No watermark
C1. 25p on 4c ultramarine
b) Watermark multiple “OTA”
C2. 25p on 4c pale blue
Note: earliest recorded example – 15th January 1947 (C2). Erler gives the date of issue as 1946.
a) No watermark
C1. 25p on 4c ultramarine
b) Watermark multiple “OTA”
C2. 25p on 4c pale blue
Note: earliest recorded example – 15th January 1947 (C2). Erler gives the date of issue as 1946.
Revenue / Marca da Bollo
R1/2 and R11/19
1913-14. General-duty revenue stamps of Italy (1868, 1905, 1906, 1909 and 1911 issues) overprinted for use in Libya. The 1l, 2l and 3l values have wavy lines in the corners.
a) Overprinted LIBIA - 1913 in letters x mm high
R1. 5c lilac
R2. 10c lilac
b) Overprinted LIBIA - 1913 in letters x mm high
R11. 1c blue
R12. 2c green
R13. 5c lilac
R14. 10c blue
R15. 25c brown
R16. 50c dull purple
R17. 1l brown and dull purple
R18. 2l blue and dull purple
R19. 3l slate-green and dull purple
a) Overprinted LIBIA - 1913 in letters x mm high
R1. 5c lilac
R2. 10c lilac
b) Overprinted LIBIA - 1913 in letters x mm high
R11. 1c blue
R12. 2c green
R13. 5c lilac
R14. 10c blue
R15. 25c brown
R16. 50c dull purple
R17. 1l brown and dull purple
R18. 2l blue and dull purple
R19. 3l slate-green and dull purple
R21/29
c) Overprinted LIBIA - 1914 in letters x mm high
R21. 1c blue
R22. 2c green
R23. 5c lilac
R24. 10c blue
R25. 25c brown
R26. 50c dull purple
R27. 1l brown and dull purple
R28. 2l blue and dull purple
R29. 3l slate-green and dull purple
Note: both the 50c values (R16 and R26) are known with forged overprints as illustrated here. The font used for the forgeries is noticeably narrower than the genuine overprint.
R21. 1c blue
R22. 2c green
R23. 5c lilac
R24. 10c blue
R25. 25c brown
R26. 50c dull purple
R27. 1l brown and dull purple
R28. 2l blue and dull purple
R29. 3l slate-green and dull purple
Note: both the 50c values (R16 and R26) are known with forged overprints as illustrated here. The font used for the forgeries is noticeably narrower than the genuine overprint.
R16 plus forgery, R26 plus forgery
R41/49
1914-22. x mm. New revenue key type for Italian Colonies showing portrait of King Victor Emmanuel looking towards right of stamp. Inscribed Colonie Italiane in both Italian and Arabic, with year of validity shown in tablets at foot. Perf x. Wmk Two Crowns (sideways). Note: for stamps showing one set of dates overprinted over another, see R141ff.
a) Dated ANNO 1914
R41. 1c orange-brown
R42. 2c bright blue
R43. 5c mauve
R44. 10c red-orange
R45. 25c slate-grey
R46. 50c magenta
R47. 1l brown
R48. 2l green
R49. 3l olive
a) Dated ANNO 1914
R41. 1c orange-brown
R42. 2c bright blue
R43. 5c mauve
R44. 10c red-orange
R45. 25c slate-grey
R46. 50c magenta
R47. 1l brown
R48. 2l green
R49. 3l olive
R53/59 (illustration reduced)
b) Dated 1915
R53. 5c dull violet
R54. 10c red-orange
R55. 25c slate-grey
R56. 50c magenta
R57. 1l brown
R58. 2l green
R59. 3l olive
R53. 5c dull violet
R54. 10c red-orange
R55. 25c slate-grey
R56. 50c magenta
R57. 1l brown
R58. 2l green
R59. 3l olive
R61/68 (illustration reduced)
c) Dated 1916
R61. 1c orange-brown
R62. 2c bright blue
R63. 5c dull violet
R64. 10c red-orange
R65. 25c slate-grey
R66. 50c magenta
R67. 1l brown
R68. 2l green
R61. 1c orange-brown
R62. 2c bright blue
R63. 5c dull violet
R64. 10c red-orange
R65. 25c slate-grey
R66. 50c magenta
R67. 1l brown
R68. 2l green
R71/79 (illustration reduced)
d) Dated 1917
R71. 1c orange-brown
R72. 2c bright blue
R73. 5c dull violet
R74. 10c red-orange
R75. 25c slate-grey
R76. 50c magenta
R77. 1l brown
R78. 2l green
R79. 3l olive
R71. 1c orange-brown
R72. 2c bright blue
R73. 5c dull violet
R74. 10c red-orange
R75. 25c slate-grey
R76. 50c magenta
R77. 1l brown
R78. 2l green
R79. 3l olive
R81/89 (illustration reduced)
e) Dated 1918
R81. 1c orange-brown
R82. 2c bright blue
R83. 5c dull violet
R84. 10c red-orange
R85. 25c slate-grey
R86. 50c purple
R87. 1l brown
R88. 2l green
R89. 3l olive
R81. 1c orange-brown
R82. 2c bright blue
R83. 5c dull violet
R84. 10c red-orange
R85. 25c slate-grey
R86. 50c purple
R87. 1l brown
R88. 2l green
R89. 3l olive
R91/99 (illustration reduced)
R103/104
f) Dated 1919 (dates printed in black)
R91. 1c orange-brown
R92. 2c bright blue
R93. 5c dull violet
R94. 10c red-orange
R95. 25c slate-grey
R96. 50c purple
R97. 1l brown
R98. 2l green
R99. 3l olive
g) Dated 1920 (dates printed in black in large figures)
R103. 5c dull violet
R104. 10c red-orange
R91. 1c orange-brown
R92. 2c bright blue
R93. 5c dull violet
R94. 10c red-orange
R95. 25c slate-grey
R96. 50c purple
R97. 1l brown
R98. 2l green
R99. 3l olive
g) Dated 1920 (dates printed in black in large figures)
R103. 5c dull violet
R104. 10c red-orange
R111/119 (illustration reduced)
h) Dated 1921
R111. 1c orange-brown
R112. 2c bright blue
R113. 5c dull violet
R114. 10c red-orange
R115. 25c slate-grey
R116. 50c purple
R117. 1l brown
R118. 2l green
R119. 3l olive
R111. 1c orange-brown
R112. 2c bright blue
R113. 5c dull violet
R114. 10c red-orange
R115. 25c slate-grey
R116. 50c purple
R117. 1l brown
R118. 2l green
R119. 3l olive
R121/132
j) Dated 1922 (wavy lines in corners on lire values)
R121. 1c orange-brown
R122. 2c bright blue
R123. 5c dull violet
R124. 10c red-orange
R125. 25c slate-grey
R126. 50c purple
R127. 1l brown
R128. 2l green
R129. 3l olive
R130. 4l red-orange
R131. 5l black
R132. 10l lake
Notes:
1. Although the inscriptions on these issues suggests validity throughout the Italian Colonies, they were used only in Libya. Similar stamps inscribed in Italian only were issued in Italian East Africa.
2. The dates were printed separately from the rest of the design and can sometimes be found misplaced. Examples...
R121. 1c orange-brown
R122. 2c bright blue
R123. 5c dull violet
R124. 10c red-orange
R125. 25c slate-grey
R126. 50c purple
R127. 1l brown
R128. 2l green
R129. 3l olive
R130. 4l red-orange
R131. 5l black
R132. 10l lake
Notes:
1. Although the inscriptions on these issues suggests validity throughout the Italian Colonies, they were used only in Libya. Similar stamps inscribed in Italian only were issued in Italian East Africa.
2. The dates were printed separately from the rest of the design and can sometimes be found misplaced. Examples...
R141/149 (illustration reduced)
1915-21. As previous issue but with new dates overprinted in black over original inscription.
a) 1915 overprint on 1914 issue
R141. 1c orange-brown
R142. 2c bright blue
R144. 10c red-orange
R145. 25c slate-grey
R146. 50c magenta
R147. 1l brown
R148. 2l green
R149. 3l olive
a) 1915 overprint on 1914 issue
R141. 1c orange-brown
R142. 2c bright blue
R144. 10c red-orange
R145. 25c slate-grey
R146. 50c magenta
R147. 1l brown
R148. 2l green
R149. 3l olive
R151/159 (illustration reduced)
b) 1916 overprint on 1914 issue
R151. 1c orange-brown
R152. 2c bright blue
R154. 10c red-orange
R155. 25c slate-grey
R156. 50c magenta
R157. 1l brown
R158. 2l green
R159. 3l olive
R151. 1c orange-brown
R152. 2c bright blue
R154. 10c red-orange
R155. 25c slate-grey
R156. 50c magenta
R157. 1l brown
R158. 2l green
R159. 3l olive
R163/169
c) 1916 overprint on 1915 issue
R163. 5c dull violet
R168. 2l green
R169. 3l olive
Note: Barefoot also lists the 25c similarly overprinted but I have not seen this.
R163. 5c dull violet
R168. 2l green
R169. 3l olive
Note: Barefoot also lists the 25c similarly overprinted but I have not seen this.
R173/179
d) 1917 overprint on 1915 issue
R173. 5c dull violet
R175. 25c slate-grey
R176. 50c magenta
R177. 1l brown
R178. 2l green
R179. 3l olive
R173. 5c dull violet
R175. 25c slate-grey
R176. 50c magenta
R177. 1l brown
R178. 2l green
R179. 3l olive
R183/189 (illustration reduced)
e) 1919 overprint on 1917 issue
R183. 5c dull violet
R184. 10c red-orange
R185. 25c slate-grey
R186. 50c magenta
R187. 1l brown
R188. 2l green
R189. 3l olive
R183. 5c dull violet
R184. 10c red-orange
R185. 25c slate-grey
R186. 50c magenta
R187. 1l brown
R188. 2l green
R189. 3l olive
R196
|
R203/209
|
f) 1920 overprint on 1916 on 1914 issue
R196. 50c magenta
Note: Barefoot additionally lists the 5c 1916 overprinted 1920 but I have not seen this.
g) 1920 overprint on 1917 issue
R203. 5c dull violet
R204. 10c red-orange
R205. 25c slate-grey
R206. 50c magenta
R209. 3l olive
Note: Barefoot additionally lists the 1l similarly overprinted but I have not seen this.
R196. 50c magenta
Note: Barefoot additionally lists the 5c 1916 overprinted 1920 but I have not seen this.
g) 1920 overprint on 1917 issue
R203. 5c dull violet
R204. 10c red-orange
R205. 25c slate-grey
R206. 50c magenta
R209. 3l olive
Note: Barefoot additionally lists the 1l similarly overprinted but I have not seen this.
R213/219 (illustration reduced)
h) 1920 overprint on 1919 issue (1919 printed in black)
R213. 5c dull violet
R214. 10c red-orange
R215. 25c slate-grey
R216. 50c purple
R217. 1l brown
R218. 2l green
R219. 3l olive
R213. 5c dull violet
R214. 10c red-orange
R215. 25c slate-grey
R216. 50c purple
R217. 1l brown
R218. 2l green
R219. 3l olive
R221/229 (illustration reduced)
j) 1920 overprint on 1919 (1919 printed in colour - not issued without overprint)
R221. 1c orange-brown
R222. 2c bright blue
R223. 5c dull violet
R224. 10c red-orange
R225. 25c slate-grey
R226. 50c purple
R227. 1l brown
R228. 2l green
R229. 3l olive
R221. 1c orange-brown
R222. 2c bright blue
R223. 5c dull violet
R224. 10c red-orange
R225. 25c slate-grey
R226. 50c purple
R227. 1l brown
R228. 2l green
R229. 3l olive
R235/239
k) 1921 overprint on 1919 issue (1919 printed in black)
R235. 25c slate-grey
R238. 2l green
R239. 3l olive
R235. 25c slate-grey
R238. 2l green
R239. 3l olive
R241, R251/3
1920-21. Previous issue surcharged.
a) New value in western and Arabic figures without cancelling bar
R241. 10c on 2c bright blue (1921)
b) New value shown as Cent. 5 or Cent. 10 with four bars cancelling original value
R251. 5c on 2c bright blue (1921)
R252. 10c on 1c orange-brown (1920 on 1919 in black)
R253. 10c on 1c orange-brown (1921)
a) New value in western and Arabic figures without cancelling bar
R241. 10c on 2c bright blue (1921)
b) New value shown as Cent. 5 or Cent. 10 with four bars cancelling original value
R251. 5c on 2c bright blue (1921)
R252. 10c on 1c orange-brown (1920 on 1919 in black)
R253. 10c on 1c orange-brown (1921)
R261/272
1923. As 1914-22 issue but with no dates shown in tablets at foot. Inscribed in both Italian and Arabic. Perf x. Wmk Two Crowns (sideways). Note: similar stamps inscribed in Italian only were issued for Italian East Africa.
R261. 5c dull purple
R262. 10c orange-red
R263. 20c bright blue
R264. 25c slate-grey
R265. 50c magenta
R266. 1l brown
R267. 2l green
R268. 3l olive
R269. 4l orange
R270. 5l black
R271. 10l lake
R272. 50l slate and pale rose
Notes:
1. Barefoot omits the 20c but includes a 1c and 2c with this set, which I believe is an error.
2. The 10c, 20c, 50c, 1l, 10l and 50l values are known with sideways-inverted watermark.
R261. 5c dull purple
R262. 10c orange-red
R263. 20c bright blue
R264. 25c slate-grey
R265. 50c magenta
R266. 1l brown
R267. 2l green
R268. 3l olive
R269. 4l orange
R270. 5l black
R271. 10l lake
R272. 50l slate and pale rose
Notes:
1. Barefoot omits the 20c but includes a 1c and 2c with this set, which I believe is an error.
2. The 10c, 20c, 50c, 1l, 10l and 50l values are known with sideways-inverted watermark.
R281/296 including all listed perf varieties
R297
1939. 17½ x 21½ mm. New revenue key type for Italian Colonies showing portrait of King Victor Emmanuel looking towards left of stamp. Inscribed Africa Italiana Marca da Bollo in Italian only, with figures of value shown in western, Ethiopian and Arabic numerals. Printer's imprint Ist. Pol. Stato - Off. Carte Valori at foot. Wmk Crown. Perf 14.
R281. 5c bistre
R282. 10c deep blue
a. Perf 11 x 14
c. Perf 14 x 11
R283. 20c brown-purple
a. Perf 11 x 14
R284. 25c black
R285. 50c carmine-lake
a. Perf 11 x 14
R286. 1l slate
a. Perf 11 x 14
b. Perf 11
c. Perf 14 x 11
R287. 2l orange
b. Perf 11
R288. 3l deep green
R289. 4l greenish grey
b. Perf 11
c. Perf 14 x 11
R290. 5l red-brown
R291. 8l brown
b. Perf 11
R292. 10l claret
a. Perf 11 x 14
R293. 20l deep violet
a. Perf 11 x 14
R294. 30l blue
R295. 40l magenta
a. Perf 11 x 14
R296. 50l blue-green
R297. 60l sepia
Note: this issue was valid for use in all the Italian Colonies in Africa.
R281. 5c bistre
R282. 10c deep blue
a. Perf 11 x 14
c. Perf 14 x 11
R283. 20c brown-purple
a. Perf 11 x 14
R284. 25c black
R285. 50c carmine-lake
a. Perf 11 x 14
R286. 1l slate
a. Perf 11 x 14
b. Perf 11
c. Perf 14 x 11
R287. 2l orange
b. Perf 11
R288. 3l deep green
R289. 4l greenish grey
b. Perf 11
c. Perf 14 x 11
R290. 5l red-brown
R291. 8l brown
b. Perf 11
R292. 10l claret
a. Perf 11 x 14
R293. 20l deep violet
a. Perf 11 x 14
R294. 30l blue
R295. 40l magenta
a. Perf 11 x 14
R296. 50l blue-green
R297. 60l sepia
Note: this issue was valid for use in all the Italian Colonies in Africa.
1940s. British Occupation of Tripolitania. Revenue stamps of Italian Colonies overprinted B.M.A. (= British Military Administration) in seriffed letters 2mm high.
a) Overprinted on Colonie Italiane issues of x and y (1949)
T1. 30l blue and pale rose (king facing to left of stamp)
T2. 40l blue and pale green (king facing to right of stamp)
Notes:
1. T1/2 were not issued in Libya without the BMA overprint but only in Italian East Africa
2. .Recorded usage: November 1949 (T1).
b) Overprinted on Africa Italiana issue of 1939
T3. 50c carmine
T4. 1l slate-grey
T5. 2l red-orange
T6. 4l olive-brown
T7. 10l reddish purple (perf 14)
a. Perf 11 x 14
T8. 30l blue
T9. 40l magenta
Notes:
1. Erler gives an issue date of 1945 for the stamps with seriffed overprint, and 1948 for the bold sans-serif (T11/18 and T21/27 below).
2. T9 is known with inverted watermark.
3. The small format stamps can be found with the letters BMA shaved at top. This has been recorded on the 50c, 2l, 10l and 40l and may exist on all values.
4. Another variety of the overprint is thin letters, which appear not to have the heavy serifs at right. This is known on all values of the set and can be found se-tenant with normal.
5. Recorded usage – Jan 48 (T4, T6, T8), 18th May 1948 (T7), 30th May 1948 (T5), 18th November 1949 (T1). Latest recorded use – 29th January 1951 (T9).
c1948. Small format stamps overprinted B.M.A. in bold sans-serif letters 2mm high, or also surcharged with new value in Military Administration Lire (M.A.L.) in red (60l) or black. (The figures of value appear before M.A.L. on all values.)
T11. 50c carmine
T12. 1l slate-grey
T13. 2l red-orange
T14. 4l olive-brown
T15. 5l on 5c bistre
T16. 10l on 10c blue
T17. 20l on 20c purple
T18. 60l on 25c grey-black (red)
Notes:
1. T18 is known with inverted watermark.
2. Recorded usage – 21st September 1948 (T12), 1948 (T15), March to November 1949.
c1950. Small format stamps overprinted B.Adm.T. (= British Administration Tripolitania) in bold sans-serif letters 2mm high, or also surcharged with new value in MAL. (The figures of value appear after MAL. on the 5l and before MAL. on the 10l and 20l.)
T21. 50c carmine
T22. 1l slate-grey
T23. 2l red-orange
T24. 4l olive-brown
a. No stop after “T”
T25. 5l on 5c bistre
T26. 10l on 10c blue
T27. 20l on 20c purple
Recorded usage - September 1950 to October 1951 (T26). The change of overprint from “B.M.A.” to “B.Adm.T.” shows that this set was issued after the British Military Administration was replaced with a civil British administration in 1950.
c1951. Small format stamps overprinted Tripolitania in bold sans-serif letters 2mm high, or also surcharged with new value in MAL.. (The figures of value appear after MAL. on all values.)
T31. 1l slate-grey
T32. 4l olive-brown
T33. 5l on 5c bistre
T34. 10l on 10c blue
T35. 20l on 20c purple
Notes: no dated examples of this issue have so far been recorded. Erler gives an issue date of 1946, but the fact that the new overprint does not refer to British administration may indicate that this set and the next were issued after Libya became independent in 1951. They are retained at this point in my listing because of their similarity to the preceding issues.
1952. Postage stamps of Cyrenaica (1950 issue, currency in Egyptian millièmes) surcharged Tripolitania REVENUE [value] MAL in Arabic and in English bold sans-serif letters 2mm high. Surcharge in black (10l) or red.
T41. 1l on 1m brown
T42. 3l on 3m orange-yellow
T43. 5l on 5m grey-black
T44. 10l on 3m orange-yellow
Recorded usage: November 1951 to April 1952.
Erler states that the overprint was in red on all four values, though the 10l on 3m with red overprint is not attested anywhere else
1952 (recorded usage January to May). Key type featuring Tajura Mosque, east Tripoli. Inscribed REVENUE in English and Tax Department of Tripolitania at foot in Arabic. 24½ x 30 mm. Perf 11½ (line). No watermark. Currency in MAL (=Military Administration Lire). Figures of value in black.
T51. 1l indigo
T52. 3l brown
T53. 4l deep brown
T54. 5l orange
T55. 6l orange-red
T56. 8l bright purple
T57. 10l carmine-lake
T59. 20l bright green
T60. 25l green
T61. 30l greyish violet
T62. 40l violet
T63. 60l blue
T64. 100l ultramarine
T65. 200l chocolate
Notes:
1. In addition to the values listed above, Erler lists the 12l but I have not seen this.
2. The Military Administration Lira was in use for only a few months after Libyan independence, from 24 December 1951 until early in 1952. This issue therefore probably saw quite brief usage.
3. Recorded usage:
a) Overprinted on Colonie Italiane issues of x and y (1949)
T1. 30l blue and pale rose (king facing to left of stamp)
T2. 40l blue and pale green (king facing to right of stamp)
Notes:
1. T1/2 were not issued in Libya without the BMA overprint but only in Italian East Africa
2. .Recorded usage: November 1949 (T1).
b) Overprinted on Africa Italiana issue of 1939
T3. 50c carmine
T4. 1l slate-grey
T5. 2l red-orange
T6. 4l olive-brown
T7. 10l reddish purple (perf 14)
a. Perf 11 x 14
T8. 30l blue
T9. 40l magenta
Notes:
1. Erler gives an issue date of 1945 for the stamps with seriffed overprint, and 1948 for the bold sans-serif (T11/18 and T21/27 below).
2. T9 is known with inverted watermark.
3. The small format stamps can be found with the letters BMA shaved at top. This has been recorded on the 50c, 2l, 10l and 40l and may exist on all values.
4. Another variety of the overprint is thin letters, which appear not to have the heavy serifs at right. This is known on all values of the set and can be found se-tenant with normal.
5. Recorded usage – Jan 48 (T4, T6, T8), 18th May 1948 (T7), 30th May 1948 (T5), 18th November 1949 (T1). Latest recorded use – 29th January 1951 (T9).
c1948. Small format stamps overprinted B.M.A. in bold sans-serif letters 2mm high, or also surcharged with new value in Military Administration Lire (M.A.L.) in red (60l) or black. (The figures of value appear before M.A.L. on all values.)
T11. 50c carmine
T12. 1l slate-grey
T13. 2l red-orange
T14. 4l olive-brown
T15. 5l on 5c bistre
T16. 10l on 10c blue
T17. 20l on 20c purple
T18. 60l on 25c grey-black (red)
Notes:
1. T18 is known with inverted watermark.
2. Recorded usage – 21st September 1948 (T12), 1948 (T15), March to November 1949.
c1950. Small format stamps overprinted B.Adm.T. (= British Administration Tripolitania) in bold sans-serif letters 2mm high, or also surcharged with new value in MAL. (The figures of value appear after MAL. on the 5l and before MAL. on the 10l and 20l.)
T21. 50c carmine
T22. 1l slate-grey
T23. 2l red-orange
T24. 4l olive-brown
a. No stop after “T”
T25. 5l on 5c bistre
T26. 10l on 10c blue
T27. 20l on 20c purple
Recorded usage - September 1950 to October 1951 (T26). The change of overprint from “B.M.A.” to “B.Adm.T.” shows that this set was issued after the British Military Administration was replaced with a civil British administration in 1950.
c1951. Small format stamps overprinted Tripolitania in bold sans-serif letters 2mm high, or also surcharged with new value in MAL.. (The figures of value appear after MAL. on all values.)
T31. 1l slate-grey
T32. 4l olive-brown
T33. 5l on 5c bistre
T34. 10l on 10c blue
T35. 20l on 20c purple
Notes: no dated examples of this issue have so far been recorded. Erler gives an issue date of 1946, but the fact that the new overprint does not refer to British administration may indicate that this set and the next were issued after Libya became independent in 1951. They are retained at this point in my listing because of their similarity to the preceding issues.
1952. Postage stamps of Cyrenaica (1950 issue, currency in Egyptian millièmes) surcharged Tripolitania REVENUE [value] MAL in Arabic and in English bold sans-serif letters 2mm high. Surcharge in black (10l) or red.
T41. 1l on 1m brown
T42. 3l on 3m orange-yellow
T43. 5l on 5m grey-black
T44. 10l on 3m orange-yellow
Recorded usage: November 1951 to April 1952.
Erler states that the overprint was in red on all four values, though the 10l on 3m with red overprint is not attested anywhere else
1952 (recorded usage January to May). Key type featuring Tajura Mosque, east Tripoli. Inscribed REVENUE in English and Tax Department of Tripolitania at foot in Arabic. 24½ x 30 mm. Perf 11½ (line). No watermark. Currency in MAL (=Military Administration Lire). Figures of value in black.
T51. 1l indigo
T52. 3l brown
T53. 4l deep brown
T54. 5l orange
T55. 6l orange-red
T56. 8l bright purple
T57. 10l carmine-lake
T59. 20l bright green
T60. 25l green
T61. 30l greyish violet
T62. 40l violet
T63. 60l blue
T64. 100l ultramarine
T65. 200l chocolate
Notes:
1. In addition to the values listed above, Erler lists the 12l but I have not seen this.
2. The Military Administration Lira was in use for only a few months after Libyan independence, from 24 December 1951 until early in 1952. This issue therefore probably saw quite brief usage.
3. Recorded usage:
- T54 - 5/3/52
- T55 - 17/5/52
- T57 - 29/1/52
- T59 - 5/3/52
- T60 - 29/1/52 to 3/3/52
- T61 - 2/2/52
Social Security
1946. Social Security stamps of Italy (1935 issue with portrait of Carlo Forlanini, physician), overprinted INPS and new value in Military Administration Lire. 15 x 15 mm. Perf 12. Wmk letters.
S1. 36 MAL on 3.20l lake
S2. 53 MAL on 5.05l orange
1950?. 15 x 15 mm. Oil drilling. Perf 11 No watermark. Value in black.
a) Denominated in MAL (= Military Administration Lire)
S3. 53 MAL orange-red
b) Denominated in MILS
S4. 17m violet
S1. 36 MAL on 3.20l lake
S2. 53 MAL on 5.05l orange
1950?. 15 x 15 mm. Oil drilling. Perf 11 No watermark. Value in black.
a) Denominated in MAL (= Military Administration Lire)
S3. 53 MAL orange-red
b) Denominated in MILS
S4. 17m violet
Weights and Measures / Pesi e Mesuri
Rows 1 & 2 - W1/9, rows 3 & 4 - W12/19, row 5 - W24/29
c1910s. Weights and Measures stamps of Italy (1910 issue, 19 x 22 mm) overprinted for use in Libya. Printed in pairs, showing the value in numerals on the left-hand stamp and the king's head on the right-hand stamp in each pair. Used examples are found only as singles.
a) Overprinted LIBIA
W1. 10c grey-blue and green
W3. 40c blue and orange
W4. 1l blue-green and grey-blue
W6. 3l scarlet and blue-green
W9. 30l violet and orange-yellow
b) Overprinted Cirenaica
W12. 20c violet and rose
W14. 1l blue-green and grey-blue
W15. 2l blue-green and mauve
W17. 5l yellow-orange and brown
W18. 10l violet and brown
W19. 30l violet and orange-yellow
c) Overprinted Tripolitania
W24. 1l blue-green and grey-blue
W26. 3l scarlet and blue-green
W27. 5l yellow-orange and brown
W28. 10l violet and brown
W29. 30l violet and orange-yellow
Note: Barefoot additionally lists a 5l60c value opt Tripolitania but I have not seen this.
a) Overprinted LIBIA
W1. 10c grey-blue and green
W3. 40c blue and orange
W4. 1l blue-green and grey-blue
W6. 3l scarlet and blue-green
W9. 30l violet and orange-yellow
b) Overprinted Cirenaica
W12. 20c violet and rose
W14. 1l blue-green and grey-blue
W15. 2l blue-green and mauve
W17. 5l yellow-orange and brown
W18. 10l violet and brown
W19. 30l violet and orange-yellow
c) Overprinted Tripolitania
W24. 1l blue-green and grey-blue
W26. 3l scarlet and blue-green
W27. 5l yellow-orange and brown
W28. 10l violet and brown
W29. 30l violet and orange-yellow
Note: Barefoot additionally lists a 5l60c value opt Tripolitania but I have not seen this.
Top three rows - W34/44; bottom row W33, W63, W72, W81
c1920s-30s. As previous series but overprinted on the 1925 issue of Italy (22 x 27½ mm).
a) Overprinted LIBIA
W33. 30c blue and green
W34. 35c indigo and chocolate
W37. 2l blue-green and magenta
W38. 4l brick-red and purple
W39. 5l orange and brown
W40. 10l mauve and brown
W41. 20l dull red and deep blue
W42. 30l scarlet and blue
W43. 40l carmine and orange
W44. 50l carmine and brown-purple
b) Overprinted CIRENAICA
W63. 40l carmine and orange
c) Overprinted TRIPOLITANIA
W72. 25c green and brown-purple
W81. 20l dull red and deep blue
Notes:
1. Both Barefoot and Bussoli illustrate stamps similar to my W63 and W81 but with the overprints in mixed case. Bussoli's images are clearly digital creations but Barefoot may be reproducing actual stamps, in which case these need to be added to my listing. I would be grateful to any reader who can supply colour scans of these stamps.
2. Barefoot additionally lists a 40l value with Tripolitania overprint but I have not seen this.
a) Overprinted LIBIA
W33. 30c blue and green
W34. 35c indigo and chocolate
W37. 2l blue-green and magenta
W38. 4l brick-red and purple
W39. 5l orange and brown
W40. 10l mauve and brown
W41. 20l dull red and deep blue
W42. 30l scarlet and blue
W43. 40l carmine and orange
W44. 50l carmine and brown-purple
b) Overprinted CIRENAICA
W63. 40l carmine and orange
c) Overprinted TRIPOLITANIA
W72. 25c green and brown-purple
W81. 20l dull red and deep blue
Notes:
1. Both Barefoot and Bussoli illustrate stamps similar to my W63 and W81 but with the overprints in mixed case. Bussoli's images are clearly digital creations but Barefoot may be reproducing actual stamps, in which case these need to be added to my listing. I would be grateful to any reader who can supply colour scans of these stamps.
2. Barefoot additionally lists a 40l value with Tripolitania overprint but I have not seen this.
Municipal
December 1951 (recorded usage). Pre-war municipal inscribed MUNICIPIO DI TRIPOLI DIRITTI DI SEGRETARIA, surcharged in Military Administration Lire with floral motif cancelling original figures of value.
M1. 3l on 50c blue
December 1945 (recorded usage). Local musicians. 19½ x 28 mm. Inscribed DIRITTI MUNICIPALI, surcharged in black, M.A.L. 2 mm tall with full stops. No watermark. Perf 11½.
M4. 2.50l pale green
M5. 5l carmine
Note: M4/5 are recorded used only in Sugh el Giumaa (Souq al Jum'aa), which is now a district of Tripoli but in the 1940s may have been regarded as a separate municipality.
1944-52 (recorded usage). Zawiya Mosque, Tripoli. 25 x 35 mm. Inscribed MUNICIPIO DI TRIPOLI. No watermark. Perf 11½. Two different types of MAL surcharge.
a) Letter M with slanting legs, surcharged in black or blue, MAL 1½ mm tall without full stops (2.50l, 10l, 20l) or M.A.L. 2½ mm tall with stops (5l, 50l, 100l) (1945-51)
M11. 2.50l green
a. Surcharge in blue
b. Surcharge omitted
M12. 5l red
M13. 10l blue
a. Surcharge in blue
M14. 20l orange
a. Surcharge in blue
M15. 50l violet
M16. 100l red-brown
b) Letter M with straight legs, surcharged in black, M.A.L. 2 mm tall (2½ mm tall on 50l and 100l), with full stops on all values except 2.50l (1948-52)
M21. 2.50l green
a. MAL 2,50 with comma
M22. 5l red
M24. 20l orange
M25. 50l violet
M26. 100l red-brown
M14a in tête-bêche block of 4
Notes:
1. In both a) and b) types of surcharge, the 2.50l, 10l, 20l all have figures of value after MAL and zeroes after the decimal point (MAL 10.00 etc), while the 5l, 50l and 100l have figures of value before MAL and no decimal point or zeroes (5 M.A.L. etc).
2. M13a, M14a, M15 and M21a are all known as tête-bêche pairs or blocks as illustrated below. This suggests that at least some rows in the sheet were printed inverted relative to the others.
3. Recorded usage:
December 1952 (recorded usage). As previous issue but surcharged in new currency (mils) with a thick black bar cancelling previous figures of value.
M31. 6m on 20l orange
M1. 3l on 50c blue
December 1945 (recorded usage). Local musicians. 19½ x 28 mm. Inscribed DIRITTI MUNICIPALI, surcharged in black, M.A.L. 2 mm tall with full stops. No watermark. Perf 11½.
M4. 2.50l pale green
M5. 5l carmine
Note: M4/5 are recorded used only in Sugh el Giumaa (Souq al Jum'aa), which is now a district of Tripoli but in the 1940s may have been regarded as a separate municipality.
1944-52 (recorded usage). Zawiya Mosque, Tripoli. 25 x 35 mm. Inscribed MUNICIPIO DI TRIPOLI. No watermark. Perf 11½. Two different types of MAL surcharge.
a) Letter M with slanting legs, surcharged in black or blue, MAL 1½ mm tall without full stops (2.50l, 10l, 20l) or M.A.L. 2½ mm tall with stops (5l, 50l, 100l) (1945-51)
M11. 2.50l green
a. Surcharge in blue
b. Surcharge omitted
M12. 5l red
M13. 10l blue
a. Surcharge in blue
M14. 20l orange
a. Surcharge in blue
M15. 50l violet
M16. 100l red-brown
b) Letter M with straight legs, surcharged in black, M.A.L. 2 mm tall (2½ mm tall on 50l and 100l), with full stops on all values except 2.50l (1948-52)
M21. 2.50l green
a. MAL 2,50 with comma
M22. 5l red
M24. 20l orange
M25. 50l violet
M26. 100l red-brown
M14a in tête-bêche block of 4
Notes:
1. In both a) and b) types of surcharge, the 2.50l, 10l, 20l all have figures of value after MAL and zeroes after the decimal point (MAL 10.00 etc), while the 5l, 50l and 100l have figures of value before MAL and no decimal point or zeroes (5 M.A.L. etc).
2. M13a, M14a, M15 and M21a are all known as tête-bêche pairs or blocks as illustrated below. This suggests that at least some rows in the sheet were printed inverted relative to the others.
3. Recorded usage:
- M11 - 5/2/45 to 16/2/46
- M11a - 12/7/45
- M13 - 5/44 to 23/1/47
- M14 - 2/2/46 to 9/1/51
- M14a - 18/1/48
- M15 - 18/1/48 to 23/5/50
- M16 - 2/2/46 to 23/1/47
- M21 - 29/1/52 to 5/3/52
- M21a - 18/1/48 to 14/3/51
- M22 - 26/2/48 to 12/12/51
- M24 - 26/2/48 to 8/5/52
- M26 - 21/12/50 to 6/3/52
December 1952 (recorded usage). As previous issue but surcharged in new currency (mils) with a thick black bar cancelling previous figures of value.
M31. 6m on 20l orange
Stamp paper
Z1/6
Z6 shown as complete paper
c1930s. Designs showing features of ancient Roman Libya - statue of Septimius Severus at Leptis Magna (1l), head of Mercury (2l, 4l & 10l), Arms of ancient colony of Oea (3l & 5l).
a) Inscribed LIBIA
Z1. 1l black
Z2. 2l brown
Z3. 3l black
Z4. 4l grey-black
Z5. 5l brown
Z6. 10l brown
a) Inscribed LIBIA
Z1. 1l black
Z2. 2l brown
Z3. 3l black
Z4. 4l grey-black
Z5. 5l brown
Z6. 10l brown
Z12, Z15, Z22/a, Z23, Z25 (Z14 image to be added)
Z22 (top) and Z22a inscriptions enlarged
b) Inscribed CIRENAICA
Z12. 2l brown
Z14. 4l grey-black
Z15. 5l brown
c) Inscribed TRIPOLITANIA
Z22. 2l brown (Arabic inscription Tripolitania)
a. Arabic inscription Province of Tripolitania
Z23. 3l black
Z25. 5l brown
Z12. 2l brown
Z14. 4l grey-black
Z15. 5l brown
c) Inscribed TRIPOLITANIA
Z22. 2l brown (Arabic inscription Tripolitania)
a. Arabic inscription Province of Tripolitania
Z23. 3l black
Z25. 5l brown
Z31, Z41/43 (stamp impressions)
1945-46 (recorded usage). Pre-war stamp paper Z3 surcharged in M.A.L. (= Military Administration Lire) with bars cancelling original figures of value.
Z31. 10l on 3l black (red surcharge)
1946-51 (recorded usage). Similar type but coarser printing and denominated in MAL.
Z41. 10l blue
Z42. 15l red
Z43. 25l red-brown
Recorded usage:
Z31. 10l on 3l black (red surcharge)
1946-51 (recorded usage). Similar type but coarser printing and denominated in MAL.
Z41. 10l blue
Z42. 15l red
Z43. 25l red-brown
Recorded usage:
- Z31 - December 1945 to February 1946
- Z41 - January 1947 to November 1950
- Z42 - August 1951
- Z43 - October 1946
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