Stamps of Spanish Morocco

[dcstamps]

I have been working through my Tangier Stamps - and I began to realize just how complicated the stamp issuing entities of Morocco are.  To help me understand better,  I am in the process of making a Transition Chart for the region --  if you want to see my other Transition Charts check them out here.    It is still a work in progress, but I have found that constructing them have helped me immensely in understanding the changes of countries within a region.   Stay tuned.

Until then, I created this thread so that I (and you) can share and discuss the stamps of Spanish Morocco.  -- The different entities included are:

Spanish offices in the Sultanate of Morocco  (1903 - 1912)
Spanish offices in Teutan (1908 - 1912)
Spanish Morocco (1912 - 1956)
Spanish Offices in Tangier (1926 - 1956)


I have left out Infi and Cabo Juby, which also became part of Morocco in 1956, primarily because they were part of the southern zone, and were administered separately. 

To start with - Here are some of my favorites from the Spanish Offices in the International Zone of Tangier -- 

SCOTT #'s - L12-L25, LE1  - Issued 1948-1951

[dcstamps]

Here is a beautiful Air Post set, also from the Spanish Post office in Tangier

SCOTT #s - LC1-LC6 -- issued 1949 - 1950

[greaden]

As the Sultanate became what would now be called a failed state, the European consulates stepped in to provide basic governance - and their postal services were only part of that. The French and Spanish consulates ended up gobbling up the whole country in 1912. For local postal services, there were the mostly Jewish merchants who ran routes between cities - each one sponsored by a European power, including Portugal and Italy on top of the usual France, Spain, Britain, and Germany. Most intriguing is that the Sultan himself tried to establish his own rival postal service - stamps were directly printed on the cover in a range of mineral and vegetable- based colors, in Arabic calligraphy assuring the protection of Allah for each particular route.

I trust the transition chart will include those.

[greaden]

The route from Tanger to El Ksar (Tangiers/Alcazar) was one sponsored by Spain:



Here are some cachets from the Sultan's route from Tanger:

[dcstamps]

greaden

Currently the Transition Chart will include The Morocco and Western Sahara region. Of course it will include the Sultanate. However, I don't normally include local posts, which for Morocco is a lot. The charts are designed to help understand the change of nations, and these local posts were primarily businesses who managed the mail. (I will probably mention them however).

However, breaking the above rule, I do normally include foreign offices, which are shaded in a different color. Therefore the British, French, German and Spanish Offices in Morocco are included.

Also, I normally include important entities which didn't issue stamps or banknotes. They are an important part of understanding the history and the changes within a region. In the case of Spanish Sahara that would include Saguia el-Hamra and in Morocco the Rif Republic (which didn't issue stamps, but did have banknotes).


When I have a good draft that I am happy with, I will post it here and welcome any comments.

Michael.

[greaden]

Maury has a thorough listing of each of the services.

Here is a cover from Rabat to Fez, addressed to a rather colorful Scotsman who was put in charge of the Sultan's army, and so far the only cover I've found in a European language, and sent by a "Moorish courier" who, unlike my neighborhood postman, ran barefoot through the desert heat, through the mountains, to deliver the mail:

[dcstamps]

Apr 23, 2018 21:42:58 GMT -5 greaden said:

The route from Tanger to El Ksar (Tangiers/Alcazar) was one sponsored by Spain:



Here are some cachets from the Sultan's route from Tanger:

WOW - These are great.  I have heard of them, but never seen them

[greaden]

Given the disintegration of Morocco, the offices and the locals are much more interesting and significant than elsewhere.

As for the Rif republic banknotes: wow, I did not realize that it was so organized. Raisuli, the notorious leader of its precursor, kidnapped and held for ransom the recipient (Kaid Harry Aubrey de Vere MacClean) of the cover above.

[greaden]

According to Maury:
Line A: Mazagan to Marrakesh
Line B: Tanger to Fez
Line C: Mogador to Marrakesh
Line D: Mazagan to Marrakesh
Line E: Mogador to Marrakesh (German)
Line F: Fez to Sefro (French)
Line G: Tanger to Arzila (Spanish)
Line H: Alcazar to Ouazzan (French)
Line I: Tetouan to Chechouan (French)
Line J: Tanger to Tetouan (Portuguese)
Line K: Alcazar to Wazan (Spanish)
Line L: Fez to Meknes
Line M: Tetouan to ElKasr (French and Portuguese)
Line N: Mazagan to Marrakesh (Italian/British)
Line O: Tetouan to Chechouan (Spanish)
Line P: Mazagan-Azemour-Marrakesh (Spanish)
Line Q: Tangier to Larache (British)
Line R: Saffi to Marrakesh
Line S: Tanger to ElKasr (Spanish)
Line T: Mogador to Agadir (Spanish)
Line U: Demnat to Marrakesh

The Sultan's service later printed stamps and became the nucleus for the postal service of the Protectorate. The cachets originate from Larrache, Meknes, El Ksar, Tanger, Mazagan, Rabat, Fez (the most common), Azemmour, Casablanca, Mogador, Saffi, Tetouan. Those in black are from burnt wool; Red: poppies; Yellow: saffron; Blue: cobalt. It remains a mystery as to whether the colors had any significance.

[dcstamps]

greaden

Thanks, very interesting. Maybe I ought to check out the Maury catalogue. (I think I can get a pdf or Kindle version fairly inexpensively)

Also, here is a quick article on the Banknotes of the Rif Republic.

One more point, regarding the Sultanate of Morocco - I am not sure I would quite call it a failed state, they had lots of "help" in their failure.  While the sultanate had their issues, no more than any African state forced into colonization, Morocco suffered from the constant interventions of European powers to "protect their investments."  Unlike the other areas colonized during the Scramble for Africa, Morocco remained disputed due to its strategic location.  The Spanish and French constantly intervened and destabilized the area, while Britain didn't want any European power to control the land across from Gibraltar.  When they finally did agree how they would split the country for colonization, the Germans, who were angry because they weren't involved in the negotiations, intervened in 1906, and even called for Moroccan independence.  (The first Moroccan Crisis)

Finally, the Great Powers agreed in 1912, (except for Germany and nominally Austria) on how Morocco would be divided up between Spain and France  (Tangier would remain an international region).  France and Spain sent in troops and forced the Sultanate to be divided and become "protectorates" of Spain and France. Morocco was the last African country to be colonized. 

Many historians believe the whole Moroccan affair caused such animosity between Germany and France, that it helped set the stage for World War I.  

Such interesting history!!

[nigelc]

I was very lucky in January to see a fantastic display by Maurice Hadida in London of his collection of Morocco postal history.

This included examples on cover of the Cachets Maghzen in all six colours of both the round and octagonal cachets from each of the thirteen towns, i.e. all 156 combinations of town, colour and format.

This remarkable display also included covers from all the local postal services and a huge amount of material from the foreign post offices.

[dcstamps]

OK, back to some stamps.  

Before the creation of the Protectorate of Spanish Morocco, the region was generally ruled by a Sultanate, although since the late 15th century, European powers began exerting more and more control over the region.  In fact Spain had direct control in parts of northern Morocco (such as Melilla and Ceuta) for more than 400 years before the protectorate.  Also, in 1860, there was a war between Spain and the Sultanate which furthered Spanish control in northern Morocco. 

As discussed in earlier posts, in addition to the post of the Sultanate and the myriads of local posts, Britain, France, Germany and Spain also maintained post offices in various cities in Morocco.

For Spain, consulates began opening post offices in 1863 in various cities controlled by the Sultanate.  From what I could find, Spain had post offices in Tangier, Casablanca, Mazagan, Mogador, and Tetuan.  

Until 1903, Spanish stamps were used with a Moroccan postmark.  However, from 1903 to 1912,  Spain began overprinting stamps for use in these post offices.  Here are a few examples:

SCOTT:  Spanish Offices in Morocco #s 1, 2 and 3.  (Issued 1903-1909)   




SCOTT: Spanish Offices in Morocco #s 15, 17 and 21. (Issued 1909-1910)

[Gordon Lee]

Greetings Mr. dcstamps, Mr.greaden, and Mr. nigelc,
.
I am shocked that during this discussion that there is no mention of the infamous Fennec Mail Service. My memory tis a bit fuzzy about which group started it, but it came about because of the unreliability of the "Moorish courier(s) who, unlike my neighborhood postman, ran barefoot through the desert heat, through the mountains, to deliver the mail". Instead of human couriers, they started training those sly little fleet-footed desert foxes with the long ears to transport written correspondence. These tiny desert critters ran much faster than their human counterparts and cost less to hire for these arduous journeys. These postal authorities were so positive of the success of their Fennec Mail Service that they produced special Fennec Mail stamps. Alas, no known stamps have survived. It seems fennecs have a strong inherited propensity for the taste of glue used on the stamps.
.
Respectfully,

Gordon Lee

PS. Thus noted with tongue firmly in cheek. Please remember, no fennecs were harmed in the making of this post.

[dcstamps]

Here is some more from Spanish Morocco (pre protectorate).

Tetuan (Tétouan) is a city in northern Morocco which lies just east of Tangier.  The city has a long and notorious history including a safe harbor for Barbary pirates, a refuge for those fleeing from the Spanish reconquista, and a base for attacking Spanish interests in Morocco.  In 1860 it was  taken by the Spanish in their war with Morocco, but two years later the Spanish left.  Eventually, Tetuan became the capital city of the Spanish Morocco Protectorate in 1913.  

Today, Tetuan is a UNESCO World Heritage site.  I visited the town about 3 or 4 years ago, and the city is very Spanish and Moroccan at the same time. The narrow and winding streets and souk is fascinating. 

In 1908-1910, Spain overprinted stamps for use in their post office in Tetuan.  Here are a couple.  

SCOTT:  Spanish Morocco, Tetuan # 9 and 4  (Issued in 1908)
As with many overprinted stamps, there are many counterfeit overprints.  I don't know how to tell the difference. 




If anyone else have any Tetuan stamps, I would LOVE to see them...

 

[nigelc]

Apr 24, 2018 13:33:31 GMT -5 Gordon Lee said:

Greetings Mr. dcstamps , Mr.greaden , and Mr. nigelc ,
.
I am shocked that during this discussion that there is no mention of the infamous Fennec Mail Service. My memory tis a bit fuzzy about which group started it, but it came about because of the unreliability of the "Moorish courier(s) who, unlike my neighborhood postman, ran barefoot through the desert heat, through the mountains, to deliver the mail". Instead of human couriers, they started training those sly little fleet-footed desert foxes with the long ears to transport written correspondence. These tiny desert critters ran much faster than their human counterparts and cost less to hire for these arduous journeys. These postal authorities were so positive of the success of their Fennec Mail Service that they produced special Fennec Mail stamps. Alas, no known stamps have survived. It seems fennecs have a strong inherited propensity for the taste of glue used on the stamps.
.
Respectfully,

Gordon Lee

PS. Thus noted with tongue firmly in cheek. Please remember, no fennecs were harmed in the making of this post.

Reporting for duty!

[khj]

Apr 24, 2018 12:05:43 GMT -5 nigelc said:

I was very lucky in January to see a fantastic display by Maurice Hadida in London of his collection of Morocco postal history.

This included examples on cover of the Cachets Maghzen in all six colours of both the round and octagonal cachets from each of the thirteen towns, i.e. all 156 combinations of town, colour and format.

This remarkable display also included covers from all the local postal services and a huge amount of material from the foreign post offices.

I don't include articles/exhibits in my lists in the Philatelic Library thread. If anyone is interested in seeing his frames in page format, feel free to PM me.

[youpiao]

Apr 26, 2018 18:00:37 GMT -5 nigelc said:

Apr 24, 2018 13:33:31 GMT -5 Gordon Lee said:

Greetings Mr. dcstamps , Mr.greaden , and Mr. nigelc ,
.
I am shocked that during this discussion that there is no mention of the infamous Fennec Mail Service. My memory tis a bit fuzzy about which group started it, but it came about because of the unreliability of the "Moorish courier(s) who, unlike my neighborhood postman, ran barefoot through the desert heat, through the mountains, to deliver the mail". Instead of human couriers, they started training those sly little fleet-footed desert foxes with the long ears to transport written correspondence. These tiny desert critters ran much faster than their human counterparts and cost less to hire for these arduous journeys. These postal authorities were so positive of the success of their Fennec Mail Service that they produced special Fennec Mail stamps. Alas, no known stamps have survived. It seems fennecs have a strong inherited propensity for the taste of glue used on the stamps.
.
Respectfully,

Gordon Lee

PS. Thus noted with tongue firmly in cheek. Please remember, no fennecs were harmed in the making of this post.

Reporting for duty!

Gordon Lee As can be seen by the inscription in the bottom margin, the official formal name was Fennec National Mail Transport