Spanish Guinea - Stamp Issuing Entities

Although the history of Spanish colonial stamp issuing entities is probably less confusing than that of the French African colonies, it still involves renaming, consolidation and re-separation of those colonial entities. This small overview of the colonies of Spanish Guinea should prove helpful to stamp collectors interested in the colonies of this area of Spanish Africa.

Spanish colonial stamps were issued under the names of four separate colonies in the area of Spanish Guinea (Guinea Española). Now the independent country of Equatorial Guinea – located on the Gulf of Guinea, on the Atlantic coast of central Africa – the area was colonized by the Spanish starting in the late 18^th century.

Elobey, Annobon & Corisco (Elobey, Annobon y Corisco). These are small islands off the southwest coast of the Equatorial Guinea mainland. Stamps were first issued in 1903 and ended in 1909, when they were replaced by the stamp issues of Spanish Guinea. Of particular interest are the many overprints on both regular issues and revenue stamps. Elobey etc. issued around 75 stamps and some postal stationery.

Fernando Po (Fernando Poo). Now known as Bioko, Fernando Po is a large island northwest of the Equatorial Guinea mainland. Stamps were first issued in 1868 and ended in 1908, after which they were replaced by Spanish Guinea stamps. Fernando Po also had one common design issue in 1929. In 1960, Spanish Guinea stamps for the island were replaced by new Fernando Po issues, which continued until 1968. Late that year, on the independence of Equatorial Guinea, they were replaced by the stamps of the new country. Fernando Po stamp issues total around 300, and include a variety of interesting overprints, some on fiscal stamps.

Spanish Guinea (Guinea Española). Stamps were issued for Spanish Guinea starting in 1901 for the mainland area of the colony (Guinea Continental Española) and then including both the former stamp-issuing areas of Elobey, Annobon & Corisco and Fernando Po from 1909 onwards. To reflect this, the official name became Spanish Territories on the Gulf of Guinea (Territorios Españoles del Golfo de Guinea), which is often reflected on stamps of the period.

Spanish Guinea issues continued to 1959, when they were replaced by separate issues for Fernando Po and Rio Muni. Edifil lists over 400 Spanish Guinea stamps, many with interesting overprints, in addition to beneficencia (charity) stamps, local issues in the 1930s, and some postal stationery.

Rio Muni (Río Muni). The continental portion of Equatorial Guinea, the stamps of Rio Muni replaced those of Spanish Guinea in 1960 and were issued until 1968. At that date, they were replaced (along with those of Fernando Po) by Equatorial Guinea issues. Rio Muni issued 85 stamps during its duration.

The below chart illustrates the relationship of Spanish Guinea and its stamp issuing entities.

Best regards and enjoy your collecting! ~Greg