# Congo, Democratic Republic

(includes Belgium Congo, Katanga, Zaire, Democratic Republic of Congo)
* Meter stamps of the Democratic Republic of Congo can easily be confused with those of the Peoples Republic of Congo which is an entirely separate nation. The Democratic Republic of Congo is a former Belgian colony, and the Peoples Republic of Congo is a former French colony. Franks that contain “Republique du Congo” or “Republique Populaire du Congo” (in full or abbreviated) are from the Peoples Republic of Congo. See CONGO, PEOPLES REPUBLIC for these issues.
* The first meter was installed in 1929. The stamps are grouped according to the country name in the frank:
       A - Issues as a Belgian colony, inscribed CONGO BELGE / BELGISCH CONGO or variation, 1929-1960
       B - Issues of breakaway state of Katanga, inscribed ETAT DU KATANGA, 1960-1963
       C - Issues of the first republic, 1960-1971, inscribed CONGO alone or CONGO/ REPUBLIQUE DEMOCRATIQUE
       D - Issues after name change to ZAIRE, 1971-1997
       E - Issues of the second republic, 1997 to present, inscribed RDC or provisional issues without country name

## GROUP A: Issues of Belgium Congo. (1929 – 1960), inscribed CONGO BELGE / BELGISCH CONGO or variation

    A1. Timbrographe (LV-9), 1929. [Scarce]
    Frank is upright rectangle with straight border.
    Inscribed “CONGO BELGE” above and “BELGISCH CONGO” below value figures.
    M# with “A” prefix at bottom, A1-4 known.
    TM: nil
    Values: 5c, 10c, 20c, 25c, 50c, 60c, 75c, 1Fr, 1F25, 1F50, 1F75, 2Fr, 2F50, 2F75, 3F25, 3F50, 4Fr, 5Fr, 6Fr, 7Fr, 10Fr
    A2. Hasler “F88” (MV), 1948.
    Upright frank with straight-line border except for small scallops in the corners.
    Crown at top above ribbon containing “CONGO BELGE” with “BELGISCH CONGO” in ribbon at bottom.
    M# with “B” prefix below frank.
                                                                   A. Large frank 28 x 32 mm
                                                                   B. Small frank 26 x 30 mm
                                                             TM: DC, SC or nil
                                                             V/F: oo 0oo 00oo
                                                                   a. “7” of meter number “B7” backwards (shown at right) [Scarce]
                                                                   b. M# unengraved block [Scarce]
    A3. Universal “MultiValue” (MV), 1949.
    Frank with simulated perforation outer border and straight line inner border.
    “CONGO” in panel at top with “BELGISCH” and “BELGE” vertical in side panels.
    “FR | CT” below value figures.
    M# with “U” prefix in boxes in lower corners.
                                                       A. “BELGE” at left and “BELGISCH” at right (U1, U2) [Rare]
                                                       B. “BELGISCH” at left and “BELGE” at right
                                                    TM: DC
                                                    V/F: 0oo (A,O) 00oo 000oo
                                                       a. TM unengraved
    A4. Universal “MultiValue” (MV).
    As type A3 but much wider frank, 30 x 29 mm.
    “BELGISCH” at left and “BELGE” at right.
    M# with “U” prefix.
    TM: DC
    V/F: 00oo 000oo 00oo
    A5. Satas “C” (MV), 1950. [Very scarce]
    Narrow, upright frank with simulated perforation border.
    Inscribed “BELGISCH/ CONGO/ BELGE” at top.
    Large solid star at bottom above M# with “N” prefix.
    M#s 150-154 seen.
    TM: SL or nil
    V/F: 0.oo
    A6. Francotyp “Cc” (MV), 1951.
    Upright frank with simulated perforation outer border.
    Inscribed “BELGISCH CONGO BELGE” in arc around sides and top.
    M# with “F” prefix at sides of large star at bottom center.
                                                    A. Both M# and prefix in small boxes
                                                    B. Only prefix boxed, M# unboxed
                                                    C. Both M# and prefix unboxed
    TM: SC, nil
    V/F: 0.00 (O,G) 00.00 (O,G)
    A7. Francotyp “Cc” (MV), 1952. [Scarce]
    Similar to Type A6 but with M# in box at bottom center with lions rampant at each side.
    M# with “F” prefix.
    TM: SC
    V/F: 0.00 (O,G) 00.00 (O,G)
NOTE: The stamp at right is a proof of a Universal "Simplex" stamp. Postally used examples are not known. It is probably an essay.

## GROUP B: Issues of breakaway state of Katanga (July 1960 – January 1963), inscribed “ETAT DU KATANGA”

* Stamps with Katanga franks were used for many months after reintegration with the Congo in 1963.
* Proof impressions of these stamps on unmailed covers are relatively common. Their value is less than examples on postally used covers.
                                                 B1. Universal “MultiValue” (MV). [Rare]
                                                 As Type A2A but inscribed “KATANGA” at top and “ETAT DU” at both sides.
                                                 M# with “U” prefix.
                                                 TM: DC
                                                 V/F: 0oo 000o 000oo
                                                 B2. Francotyp “Cc” (MV). [Rare]
                                                 Horizontal rectangle with straight sides and complete inner box around the value figures.
                                                 “KATANGA” at top and “ETAT DU” at both sides.
                                                 M# with “F” prefix in small boxes at bottom.
                                                 TM: SC
                                                 V/F: 0.00 00.00 (V/F may be thick or thin)
                                                    a. Without TM
B3. Hasler, probably "F22" or "F88" (MV). [Extremely rare]
    Frank is plain square with inner square around value figures.
    "KATANGA" at top, "ETAT DU" reading up at both sides.
    M# "B 25" at bottom.
    One example seen, without TM
    V/F: ✳ 0 0 o o

## GROUP C: Issues of the first Democratic Republic of Congo. (1960 – 1971), inscribed “CONGO” alone or “CONGO/ REPUBLIQUE DEMOCRATIQUE”

    C1. Hasler “F88” (MV). [Very scarce]
    Provisional stamp as Type A2 but with crown obliterated.
    “BELGE” and “BELGISCH” removed from the ribbons at top and bottom.
    M# with “B” prefix below frank.
    M#s B17 and B47 seen.
    TM: DC
    V/F: 00oo
    C2. Universal “MultiValue” (MV). [Very scarce]
    Provisional stamp as Type A3, but with “BELGISCH” and “BELGE” removed from the side panels.
    M#s U20, U32, U52, U60, U62, U63, U64 and U75 seen.
    TM: DC
    V/F: 00oo 000oo
    C3. Satas (MV). [Very scarce]
    As Type A5 but with “BELGISCH” and “BELGE” removed.
    M# with “N” prefix.
    TM: SL
    V/F: 00.oo
    C3.1. Satas (MV). [Rare]
    As Type C3 but with "REPUBLIQUE / DU" added above "CONGO".
    Without meter number.
    TM: SL, nil
    V/F: 00.oo
    C4. Francotyp “Cc” (MV).
    As Type A6A but with “BELGISCH” and “BELGE” removed.
    Two frank widths: 26mm and 27mm.
    M# with “F” prefix in small boxes.
    TM: SC, nil
    V/F: 0.00 00.00 00.00
    C5. Francotyp “Cc” (MV). [Very scarce]
    Similar to Type C4 but with “REPUBLIQUE” and “DEMOCRATIQUE” vertical at sides.
    M# below star breaking bottom frame lines.
    TM: DC
    V/F: 00.00
    C6. Hasler “F88” (MV), around 1963. [Very scarce]
    Upright frank with single straight-line border.
    Inscribed “CONGO” in arc at top with one star above and six stars below.
    “M# with “B” prefix above bottom frame line.
    TM: nil
    V/F: 0oo 00oo
    C7. Hasler “F88” (MV), around 1966. [Very scarce]
    Frank is horizontal rectangle with simulated-perforation outer border and straight-line inner border.
    “CONGO” alone at top. Large star at left.
    M# with “B” prefix below frank.
    TM: nil
    V/F: 0oo
    C8. Hasler “F88” (MV), around 1969. [Scarce]
    Frank is upright rectangle with straight-line border.
    “CONGO” at top, “REPUBLIQUE” and “DEMOCRATIQUE” vertical at the sides.
    Large star at bottom.
    M# with “B” prefix below bottom frame line.
    TM: SC
    V/F: 0oo 00oo 00,oo
    C9. Pitney Bowes-GB “5000” (MV), around 1963. [Very scarce]
    Horizontal frank with straight-line border.
    “CONGO” at top and “REPUBLIQUE” and “DEMOCRATIQUE” at sides.
    Large hollow star under “CONGO” and small solid star left of value figures.
    Bottom frame line does not touch the side lines.
    M# with “U” prefix in lower left corner.
    TM: DC
                                           V/F: ≋00.oo
    C10. Universal “Automax” (MV). [Very scarce]
    Upright frank with simulated-perforation outer border.
    Inscribed “REPUBLIQUE DU” at top and “CONGO” at bottom.
    Two vertical lines at each side.
    M# with “U” prefix in small boxes in lower corners.
    TM: DC
    V/F: =000
    C11. Universal “Automax” (MV).
    Frank slightly wider than tall with single straight-line border.
    “CONGO” at top and “REPUBLIQUE” and “DEMOCRATIQUE” at sides.
    Large star at bottom center. M# with “U” prefix in boxes in lower corners.
    TM: DC
                                     V/F: 000oo =0000 =000= =00.oo
    C12. Camp (MV). [Rare]
    Frank without outer frame line.
    Inscribed “REPUBLIQUE/ DEMOCRATIQUE /DU CONGO” at top.
    Large “K” at bottom center.
    M# with “PR” prefix in lower corners.
    TM: SC with hour figure between TM and frank
                                  V/F: 000
    C13. Satas “P” (MV). [Rare]
    Frank with outer frame line.
    Inscribed “REPUBLIQUE/ DEMOCRATIQUE /DU CONGO” at top.
    Large “K” at bottom center.
    M# with “SP” prefix at lower left.
    TM: SC with hour figure between TM and frank
                                        V/F: 00.o

## GROUP D: Issues of Zaire (1971 – 1997), inscribed “ZAIRE”

    D1. Satas (MV). [Rare]
    Similar to Type A5 but not as tall and with “ZAÏRE” at top.
    M# with “N” prefix.
    TM: SL
    V/F: 00.oo
    D2. Francotyp (MV). [Rare]
    As Type C4 but with “ZAIRE” at top.
    M# with “F” prefix.
    TM: SC
    V/F: 00.00
                                              a. Used with country name (CONGO) obliterated but before "ZAIRE" inserted. This stamp appears identical to Type E1 but is dated in 1976 during the transition to ZAIRE rather than during the later transition from ZAIRE. One example known (F34), printed in black. [Extremely rare]
    D3. Francotyp (MV). [Very scarce]
    Similar to Type D2 but M# unboxed and breaks bottom frame line in center.
    “ZAIRE” fills the top of the frank.
    TM: DC, SC
    V/F: 00.00
    D4. Hasler “F88” (MV).
    As type C7 but with “ZAIRE” at top.
    M# with “B” prefix at bottom.
    Frank variable in height from 27 to 29 mm and in spacing.
    TM: SC
    V/F: 0oo 00,oo 00 K
                                                 a. Printed in black (B107)
    D5. Hasler “Mailmaster” (MV). [Very scarce]
    Similar to D4, but M# with “D” prefix.
    TM: DC
    V/F: 00.000
    D6. Pitney Bowes-GB “5000” (MV). [Scarce]
    Similar to Type C10 but with “ZAIRE” at top and not as wide.
    With double bottom frame line attached to sides.
    M# with “U” prefix in lower corners.
    TM: DC
    V/F: ≋00.oo ≋00.o
    D7. Pitney Bowes “MultiValue” (MV). [Very scarce]
    Horizontal rectangle with straight-line outer border and double-line inner border at sides and bottom.
    “ZAIRE” at top. M# with “U” prefix in lower corners.
    Oval value figures made with lines of variable thickness.
    TM: DC
    V/F: 000oo
    D8. Pitney Bowes “Automax” (MV).
    Very similar to Type D7 but value figures plainer, made with lines of uniform thickness.
    TM: DC
    V/F: 00000 =00.oo =0000
    D9. Frama (MV).
    Very similar to Types D7 and D8 but much smaller.
    M# with “A” prefix. Value figures large and thick.
    TM; DC
    V/F: 00.00 00,00 00000 000,00
    D10. Satas “J” (MV). [Very scarce]
    Small upright frank with simulated-perforation border with breaks in the sides.
    “ZAÏRE” at top, M# at bottom with “SJ” prefix.
    TM: SC with tall date figures
    V/F: 00 .oo
    D11. Satas (MV). [Probably rare]
    As Type D10 but frank is taller and the letters in the country name are both taller and narrower.
    M# at bottom with “N” prefix.
    TM: SC with small date figures
    V/F: 000

## GROUP E: Issues of 2nd Democratic Republic of Congo. (1997 to present), Inscribed "RD CONGO", “RDC” or provisional issues without country designation

    E1. Francotyp “Cc” (MV). [Probably rare]
    As Type C4 but blank at top, without country designation.
    One seen with “LUBUMBASHI” in the TM.
    M# with “F” prefix.
    TM: SC
    V/F: 00.00
NOTE: See Type D2a.
    E2. Hasler “Mailmaster” (MV).
    As Type D5 but with “RDC” at top.
    M# with “D” prefix.
    TM: DC
    V/F: 000.00
    E3. Frama (MV).
    As Type D9 but with “RDC” at top.
    Value figures large and thick.
    M# with “A” prefix.
    TM: DC
    V/F: 000,00
                                                 a. Frank missing leaving only the value figures and town mark
    E4. Hasler “Mailmaster” (MV).
    This appears to be a locally modified frank made from a Type E1 die modified to fit on a Hasler Mailmaster machine.
    The prior (Type E1) inscriptions at top and bottom, including the side frame lines, were cut from the frank and new inscriptions added.
                                                       A. "RD CONGO" at top
                                                       B. "RD" alone at the top, resulting no doubt from breakage of "CONGO"
    M# with "N" (or "A"?) prefix added at bottom.
    One machine identified but others may exist since this one appears to be numbered "N03" or N08".
    TM: SC ("BUKAVU 1")
    V/F: 0000