BASUTOLAND STAMPS

Basutoland was a British protectorate located in southern Africa, which is now known as the Kingdom of Lesotho. The first stamps used in Basutoland were actually British stamps that were overprinted with the word "Basutoland" in 1933. These stamps were in use until 1966 when the country gained independence.

The first set of Basutoland stamps issued specifically for the country was in 1937. The set featured the portrait of King George VI and included denominations ranging from halfpenny to 10 shillings. These stamps were printed by Waterlow & Sons, a British printing company.

Throughout the 1940s and 1950s, Basutoland issued several sets of stamps featuring a variety of themes such as wildlife, landmarks, and national events. The stamps were printed by various printing houses, including Bradbury Wilkinson & Co. and De La Rue.

In 1961, Basutoland issued a set of stamps featuring the country's coat of arms. The set consisted of seven stamps with denominations ranging from halfpenny to 10 shillings. These stamps were printed by De La Rue and were in use until 1966 when the country gained independence and became known as Lesotho.

Today, Basutoland stamps are highly sought after by philatelists and collectors due to their historical significance and unique designs. The stamps offer a glimpse into the country's past and serve as a reminder of its time as a British protectorate.

Philatelic postscript: Prior to the introduction of its own stamps in 1933, Basutoland used stamps of COGH from 1876 and those of South Africa from 1910. In 1966, on attaining independence, the country became known as Lesotho.

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