West African Stamps Appraisal

Postage Stamp: Côte d'Ivoire 'Femme Baoulé' (Baoulé Woman)

This item is a single postage stamp, likely from the French colonial era, specifically for Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) within Afrique Occidentale Française (AOF). It features a monochrome design, predominantly in shades of dark blue-grey or black ink on a lighter paper, depicting the profile of a Baoulé woman. The woman is shown facing left, with intricate dreadlocks or braided hair, and appears to be wearing an earring and a beaded necklace. Her clothing, visible on her shoulder and upper chest, features a patterned fabric. The background behind her suggests lush foliage, possibly coffee or cocoa plants, indicated by clustered berries or beans, which were significant agricultural products of the region. The stamp's denomination '2c' (2 centimes) is prominently displayed in the top left corner. The word 'POSTES' is horizontally aligned at the top right, indicating its purpose as a postal item. Vertically aligned on the left side are the letters 'AOF', representing Afrique Occidentale Française. At the bottom, 'R CÔTE D'IVOIRE' is enclosed within a rectangular border, clearly identifying the territory of issuance. Beneath this, in smaller script, is 'FEMME BAOULE', explicitly labeling the subject of the portrait. An artist's or engraver's signature, '00TIVER', is barely legible in the bottom right corner. The stamp exhibits standard perforations along its edges, typically used for easy separation from a sheet. The visible condition suggests it is either unused or lightly handled, with no obvious cancellations or major creases. The paper appears to be clean, and the printing registration seems accurate. The detail in the engraving points to a high level of craftsmanship for a postal issue of its time. The style points to an early to mid-20th-century colonial stamp, likely reflecting indigenous culture and natural resources as themes. The overall aesthetic is illustrative and informative, intended to convey both the value and origin of the stamp.