WESTERN AFRICA - Stanley Gibbons West Africa Commonwealth 2009

Published by Stanley Gibbons. 157pp. Colour. English

Inc Cameroon, Gambia, Gold Coast,;Ghana, Morocco Agencies, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Togo, miniature sheets, booklets, postage dues, imperforate issues;

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Philatelic Exporter review, courtesy of David Rennie (March 2009):

This long awaited volume includes those Commonwealth countries fronting on the Atlantic from Morocco Agencies in the north, to Cameroon near the Equator. The Anglo-French Occupation of Togo, and the postmarks of the British Post Office in Fernando Poo are also included.

As usual with these volumes the Empire period, QV - GVI, pages are taken directly from the most recent "red book" whilst the Elizabethan issues have been updated and re-priced especially for this volume.

Generally the latest issues listed are early-middle 2008.

The issues for the Cameroons Expeditionary Force in 1915, and the Cameroons Trust Territory for 1960/1 are included, as well as all the issues for Cameroons since it became a member of the Commonwealth in 1995: however these issues stop in 2006, since when no stamps have been issued in that country. The publisher in a note explains that only used stamps have so far been priced, based upon advice given by specialist collector's modern Cameroon.; It is hoped that mint prices can be established and priced in the next edition.

There have been substantial price changes in the Elizabethan issues, especially those post 1970.; In Ghana, the 1988-1990 Surcharge issues and the 1991 to date Definitives have been re-written with new varieties and additions. A complete list of the Ghana Imperforate issues is now included.

The publisher's blurb mentions additions and amendments to Nigeria and Sierra Leone, but neglects to say what these are, and there is nothing in the catalogue to indicate new or altered numbers in these countries.