French West Africa Stamp Appraisal

Ivory Coast French West Africa 'Mosquee de Bobo-Dioulasso' Stamp

This is a rectangular postage stamp from French West Africa (Afrique Occidentale Fran'aise) depicting the Mosquee de Bobo-Dioulasso, located in what is now Burkina Faso, but was historically part of French colonial territories including C$f"d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast). The stamp has a sepia-toned or monochromatic reddish-brown coloration. Its physical characteristics include a perforated edge, typical of postage stamps, suggesting it was once part of a sheet. The image prominently features a mosque with distinctive Sudano-Sahelian architecture, characterized by its earthen construction and protruding wooden support beams (torons). On the left side of the mosque, a tall, spire-like minaret is visible, also adorned with these structural timbers. In the foreground, several figures in traditional attire are depicted, adding a human element to the scene and suggesting daily life around the mosque. A palm tree is also visible on the left side of the background. The stamp's denomination is 45c (45 centimes) located in the upper right corner. Text on the stamp includes "AFRIQUE OCCIDENTALE FRAN'CAISE" across the top, "IR" in the upper left corner (likely signifying "R$publique Fran'aise" or 'French Republic' in an intertwined monogram), "POSTES" on the bottom left and right, and "C$te d'Ivoire" in the bottom center above "MOSQUEE DE BOBO-DIOULASSO." The word "OUVRE" is also visible in the bottom right, possibly referring to the engraver or designer. The overall condition appears to be good with clear details, consistent color, and intact perforations, though without closer inspection, minor wear or toning cannot be definitively ruled out. The style suggests it belongs to a colonial-era philatelic issuance, likely from the early to mid-20th century.