In 1914, with an official decree effective 1 August 1921, the French postal administration in Morocco issued definitive stamps featuring the overprint “PROTECTORAT FRANÇAIS”. This overprint was applied to various existing definitive issues from 1914 to 1921, including Allegory designs of Blanc, Mouchon, and Merson types.
Historical Context
Following the establishment of the French Protectorate in Morocco in 1912, France took control over the country’s postal system. Before this, Morocco had a fragmented postal infrastructure, consisting of local courier systems, foreign post offices, and private services. The introduction of the overprinted French definitive stamps in 1914 marked a shift towards a standardized postal network under French colonial administration.
The stamps in this series were primarily used in major Moroccan cities such as Casablanca, Fez, and Rabat, facilitating commercial transactions and governmental correspondence. While the Arabic language was commonly used in local administration, French became the dominant language for postal services. Some high-value issues exist without Arabic overprints, making them particularly rare and desirable among collectors.
General Stamp Information:
- Issue Period: 1914 – 1921 (with overprint applied in 1921)
- Overprint Text: “PROTECTORAT FRANÇAIS”
- Printing Method: Typography
- Perforation: Variable, generally 11½ or 14
- Michel Catalogue Reference: MiNr. 25–36 (with additional overprint on MiNr. 1–17)
Stamp Variants & Michel Catalogue Pricing:
1. 1 Centime
- Color: Grey (a) / Black (b)
- Michel Number: 25
- Pricing: 0.50€ (Mint), 0.30€ (Used)
2. 2 Centimes
- Color: Lilac-Brown
- Michel Number: 26
- Pricing: 0.50€ (Mint), 0.30€ (Used)
3. 3 Centimes
- Color: Red-Orange
- Michel Number: 27
- Pricing: 0.80€ (Mint), 0.50€ (Used)
4. 5 Centimes
- Color: Light Green
- Michel Number: 28
- Pricing: 1.00€ (Mint), 0.30€ (Used)
5. 10 Centimes
- Color: Pink
- Michel Number: 29
- Pricing: 0.40€ (Mint), 0.30€ (Used)
6. 15 Centimes (Issued 1917)
- Color: Orange
- Michel Number: 30
- Pricing: 0.40€ (Mint), 0.30€ (Used)
7. 20 Centimes
- Color: Brownish-Lilac
- Michel Number: 31
- Pricing: 3.50€ (Mint), 2.00€ (Used)
8. 25 Centimes
- Color: Blue
- Michel Number: 32
- Pricing: 1.00€ (Mint), 0.30€ (Used)
9. 25 Centimes (1921 Issue)
- Color: Violet
- Michel Number: (b) 32
- Pricing: 1.00€ (Mint), 0.30€ (Used)
10. 30 Centimes
- Color: Light Violet
- Michel Number: 33
- Pricing: 8.50€ (Mint), 1.20€ (Used)
11. 35 Centimes
- Color: Light Violet
- Michel Number: (c) 34
- Pricing: 4.00€ (Mint), 1.20€ (Used)
12. 40 Centimes (1917 Issue)
- Color: Red / Blue
- Michel Number: (b) 34
- Pricing: 10.00€ (Mint), 7.00€ (Used)
13. 45 Centimes (1921 Issue)
- Color: Green / Blue
- Michel Number: (c) 35
- Pricing: 30.00€ (Mint), 35.00€ (Used)
14. 50 Centimes
- Color: Brown / Blue
- Michel Number: 36
- Pricing: 1.00€ (Mint), 0.30€ (Used)
Final Thoughts
This set of overprinted stamps from the French Protectorate era in Morocco remains highly collectible due to its historical significance and the variation in issues between 1914 and 1921. Many of these stamps, especially higher denominations, were primarily used for official and high-value correspondence, making them scarce in used condition. Collectors seeking well-preserved mint examples should expect significant price variations based on centering, gum condition, and perforation quality.
Have you come across any rare variations of these Moroccan overprinted stamps? Share your discoveries in the comments below! And don’t forget to subscribe for more insights into classic colonial-era philately.