The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia is situated near the east coast of Africa, just south of the red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, although it is a landlocked country, with no direct access to the sea. It is the most populous landlocked country in the world with a population in excess of 100 million people divided into 80 ethnolinguistic groups. The capital is Addis Ababa.
Ethiopia’s main claim to fame is as the place of origin of the coffee bean. Another important historical fact is that the earliest known modern human bones were found in S.W. Ethiopia, as well as the skeletal remain of homo sapiens idalto which date to approximately 160 000 years ago.
The earliest known use of stamps developed as part of a railway which included postal services, was in 1896. These stamps were valid only for local mail and for mail to Djibouti. In 1908, the first stamps were used for International mail. From 1935 – 1941 Ethiopia was annexed by Italy who issued 7 colonial stamps inscribed “ETIOPIA”. The first stamps of the independent state of Ethiopia were issued in 1942 with a picture of Heile Selassie, leader of the country from 1942 until 1974. He was regarded as a king by Rastafarians who regarded his reign as the fulfilment of God’s promise to David.
1919
Various Scenes Series
SG # 186
Unused (Hinged)
SG # 187
Unused (Hinged)
SG # 188
Unused (Hinged)
SG # 189
Unused (Hinged)
Various Scenes Series 1919 (Surcharged)
SG # 204
Used (Hinged)
1931
Various Scenes Series
SG # 304
Used (Hinged)
SG # 305
Used (Hinged)
SG # 308
Unused (Hinged)
1936
Various Scenes Series of 1931 (Overprinted with Red Cross)
SG # 313
Unused (Hinged)
SG # 314
Unused (Hinged)
SG # 315
Unused (Hinged)
SG # 316
Unused (Hinged)
SG # 317
Unused (Hinged)
Italian Colony
1936
Annexation of Ethiopia Series
SG # 322b
Used (Hinged)
SG # 322c
Used (Hinged)
Independence Restored
1947
Various Scenes Series featuring Portrait of Haile Selassie
SG # 379
Used (Hinged)
1962
Ethiopian Birds 1st Series
SG # 542
Used (Hinged)
Ethiopian Rulers Series (1st Issue)
SG # 552
Used (Hinged)
SG # 557
Used (Hinged)
1967
Crosses of Lalibela 1st Series
SG # 689
Used (Hinged)
1968
Olympic Games Series (Mexico)
SG # 707
Used (Hinged)
1970
International Education Year Series
SG # 758
Used (Hinged)
2002
Menelik’s Bushbuck (2nd Series)
SG # 1871
Used
SG # 1882
Used