96 G.S.M. March 2012

Ethiopia

The vibrant Ethiopia of today is completely unlike the dramatic images of the country depicted by Bob Geldof and Live Aid in 1985, as GSM correspondent Peter Jennings FRPSL, FRGS, found when he visited the capital Addis Ababa and the headquarters of the Ethiopia Postal Service during January 2012.

Ethiopia – Its Postage Stamps, Post Office, Postal Service and Postal Museum

By Peter Jennings FRPSL, FRGSThe Stanley Gibbons Stamps of the World Catalogue includes very little information about Ethiopia – formerly called Abyssinia. I have always been fascinated by this particular country of about 82 million people since my father Hugh Jennings worked there for a short time on behalf of Dunlop during the 1950s and early 1960s.

Last year my wife, Stella, was invited to join three friends, who were going to Ethiopia on vacation. I did not make a decision to go until 31 December 2011 and then only had about two weeks to make all the necessary preparations and contacts. On Saturday 14 January I flew with Stella on the overnight Ethiopian Airways flight to Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, on what proved to be an extremely busy but interesting adventure. Ethiopia has borders with five countries - Sudan, Eritrea, Djibouti, Somalia, and Kenya.

Addis AbabaAddis Ababa was established in 1887 during the reign of Emperor Menelik. Empress Taitu was the architect of the idea to build Addis Ababa as a capital – in Amharic the word means ‘new flower’. Today the population of this pulsing modern city is more than three million people. It is a meeting place, a cross-roads, for diplomats and people involved in business and commerce. Tourists tend to pass through the city after 24 or 48 hours to other places of great natural beauty in Ethiopia. My first impressions were of the amount of new building and construction work, particularly in the main streets.

The altitude is between 2300 and 2500 metres, about 8000 feet above sea level. I based myself at the Sheraton Addis, without doubt the best hotel in Ethiopia, as I needed

My wife Stella Jennings pictured outside the post office at Muka Turi, about 80 km north of Addis Ababa, on 17 January

fast internet and a good telephone system in order to confirm appointments that had been made on my behalf by the Ethiopian Embassy in London and also to make arrangements to see and entertain people involved in the stamp world and the Catholic Church.

Ethiopia Postal ServiceJust before 9a.m. on Tuesday 17 January 2012, I arrived at the Ethiopia Postal Service where I was warmly welcomed by Mr Ghiday Gebre Yohannes, the General Manager, in his office situated on the third floor of the Postal Headquarters buildings. He was soon joined by two senior colleagues, Mr Mamusha Tsadik, Philately Team Leader, and Mr Belesty Esubalew, Marketing & Business Development Manager.

During an exclusive interview for GSM I learnt that Ethiopia releases up to seven or eight new stamp issues per year and that the average number of stamps per set is between three and four. The values all relate to those required for specific postal services. The actual face value of a stamp is decided by the finance department of the Ethiopian Postal Service. I gather that the decision is made depending on stock levels of particular denominations in post offices throughout the country.

Relevance to the countryEthiopian stamps are not issued specifically for stamp collectors, though an official first day cover, cancelled on the day of issue, is available. The designs on all new issues include something of direct relevance to the life and people of the country. ‘We do honour

One of the three stamps issued by Ethiopia on 30 December 1970 to commemorate the new complex of buildings in Addis Ababa, of the Posts, Telecommunications & General Post Office, inaugurated by Emperor Haile Selassie I on 1 November 1969.

The imposing headquarters

buildings of the Ethiopian Posts,

Telecommunications & General Post

Office, in Addis Ababa. Picture by

Peter Jennings FRPSL, FRGS

This imposing statue of Emperor Menelik II is situated near the City Hall in Addis Ababa. Picture by Peter Jennings FRPSL, FRGS

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Ethiopia

living people on our postage stamps if they have made a significant contribution to the country,’ said Mr Yohannes, who, like every Ethiopian I met both in Addis Ababa and London, is extremely proud of their country.

Two miniature sheetsEthiopia has only issued two miniature sheets since the organisation of the first postal service was entrusted by Emperor Menelik II to Mr Alfred llg, a Swiss engineer, who was responsible for the construction of the railway, telegraph and telephones in the Empire. The first Ethiopian stamps, ‘First Empire Definitives’, were printed in Paris and issued on 24 November 1894.

The first miniature sheet, known as the ‘Province Block’ of four of the 1g. denomination in blue, imperforate, of the first Ethiopian stamp depicting Emperor Menelik II, was issued on 24 November 1894, for presentation to senior Ethiopian officials. It is probably the first souvenir sheet issued in the world. The second miniature sheet issued on 21 July 1967 by the Ethiopian Post Office was to mark the 75th Birthday of His Imperial Majesty, Haile Selassie I, 1892-1967.

Mr Yohannes explained that, ‘The Ethiopian Postal Service is profitable and we make money from the express mail service but not from the sale of stamps to collectors.’

Asked how the subjects for new stamp issues were chosen Mr Yohannes replied, ‘The Philately Team comes up with ideas and different organisations and members of the public give us ideas. I make the final decision about what is included.’

Distinguished stamp designerAt the Postal Headquarters I was introduced to Bogale Belachew, now aged 61, the distinguished Ethiopian artist and stamp designer. In 1972 he won a competition for stamp design and his artwork was adopted for the 1973 set to mark the 50th anniversary

of Interpol. In 1992 Belachew joined the Ethiopian Postal Service to work on a full-time basis and he has so far produced a total of nearly 100 stamp

designs including ‘Musical Instruments of Ethiopia’ issued on 9 September 1966 and most recently an engaging set about the Ethiopian coffee ceremony, issued on 20 December 2011. 

This correspondent pictured with Mr Ghiday Gebre Yohannes, General Manager, Ethiopian Post Office, right, and Mr Belesty Esubalew, Marketing and Business Development Manager, at the Ethiopian Postal Headquarters, and holding, of course, a copy of the February 2011 issue of GSM.

Artwork depicting Emperor Menelik II’s statue, drawn for this correspondent by

the distinguished Ethiopian artist and contemporary stamp designer, Bogale

Belachew, on 17 January 2012. Emperor Menelik

II started the first postal service in Ethiopia

Above: Ingenious stamp designer Bogale Belachew pictured at his desk in the Ethiopian Postal Headquarters building, Addis Ababa, while working on the piece of artwork for this correspondent. Picture by Peter Jennings FRPSL, FRGS

This correspondent pictured with left to right, Mr (Ato in Amharic) Ghiday Gebre Yohannes, the dynamic General Manager, Ethiopian Post Office and Mr Bogale Belachew, stamp designer, outside the Ethiopian Postal Headquarters in Addis Ababa. Picture by Mr Tekelmariam Samuel, Head of Social Communications for the Roman Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Ethiopia.

One of the first Ethiopian postage stamps designed by Ethiopian artist Bogale Belachew - to mark the 50th Anniversary of International Criminal Police Operation (Interpol), issued in 1973.

Two of the five stamps issued to commemorate the centenary of the birth of Emperor Menelik II on 31 December 1944. The stamps depict the statue of the Emperor and his Palace

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Ethiopia

Unfortunately, I did not have the opportunity to attend a traditional Ethiopian coffee-making ceremony but very much enjoyed drinking strong black coffee in the To Mo Ca Coffee House situated in Wavel Street, Addis Ababa.

Ethiopian coffee – five stamps were issued in 1982 depicting: a coffee plantation, a coffee bush, a mature plantation, picking coffee, pouring and drinking coffee (Two shown here)

National Postal MuseumI was then taken to the Ethiopian National Postal Museum, situated on the ground floor of the Postal Headquarters buildings. It is a hidden gem that deserves world-wide recognition, help and advice. The display cases are packed full of wonderful original artwork of Ethiopian stamps and also a complete collection of all the stamps of Ethiopia in pull-out frames, right up to date. The display cases are old and the lighting could be improved but nonetheless it is a magnificent philatelic treasure trove

Positive suggestionsMr Yohannes introduced me to the Curator, Mr Shiferaw Demisse, who spoke enthusiastically about the items on display in the Museum. At the end of the tour I offered a few suggestions that I hope will prove to be helpful in improving the displays. In particular, I emphasised that each piece of artwork would be more appreciated if it were shown on its own in a display case rather than with the artwork for two or three other sets of stamps. I also observed that some typed information in Amharic and English about each stamp issue might be included, together with the name of the stamp designer, the date and purpose of the issue.

Most importantly, I suggested that visitors wanted to see Ethiopian artwork and postage stamps and not the modern issues from other countries world-wide that are on display on album leaves taking up valuable space. I asked, and it was readily agreed, that I might include these few suggestions in this article. It is my hope that experts like David Beech FRPSL, Head of the British Library Philatelic Collections and his assistant Paul Skinner FRPSL, Curator, Philatelic Collections, will now get in contact with the National Postal Museum of Ethiopia and perhaps arrange to visit Addis Ababa and help develop this place of treasures for the benefit of our absorbing hobby and in particular for philatelic

Mr Shiferaw Demisse, Curator of the Ethiopian National Postal Museum situated on the ground floor, in the Postal Headquarters building near to the main post office in Addis Ababa. Picture by Peter Jennings FRPSL, FRGS

Above: Two of the four stamps issued in 1975 to mark the opening of the National Postal Museum of Ethiopia, situated at the Postal Headquarters, Addis Ababa

Left: A stunning selection of original artwork used for Ethiopian postage stamps was on display in the National Postal Museum. Included were the eye-catching designs for the special stamps issued during 1990 to honour the world-renowned Ethiopian Marathon runner Abebe Bikila. Picture by Peter Jennings FRPSL, FRGS

Left: Also on show was the original artwork for the Ethiopia Traditional Agricultural Tools stamps issued in 1995, and also three of the five Ethiopian Pottery set issued on 6 February 1970. One of the set of three distinctive stamps issued to mark the 75th Anniversary of the Ethiopian Postal Service, issued on 10 March 1970, is also partly shown. Picture by Peter Jennings FRPSL, FRGS

Above: One of the three stamps issued to commemorate 75 Years of the Ethiopian Postal Service

research. The quality and interest of Ethiopian stamps well warrant this investment in time and resources.

A visitor’s messageBefore I left, the Curator invited me to write a message in the visitor’s book. I wrote the following in black ink: ‘Many congratulations on your excellent postal service in Ethiopia and your wonderful Postal Museum and postage stamps which I shall enjoy writing about in Gibbons Stamp Monthly, published by Stanley Gibbons, the oldest and best-known stamp firm in the world. I very much hope that my suggestions about the display of your material are helpful and that many more people will visit this museum here in Addis Ababa.’

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Ethiopia

Ethiopian stamp catalogueDuring my visit I was shown and offered a copy (price 100 birr, less than £4) of a superb Ethiopian stamp catalogue, with colour illustrations throughout. The introduction to the Imperial Ethiopian Government Ministry of P T & T Ethiopian Stamp Catalogue includes a lot of useful information about each Ethiopian stamp issue from the first on 24 November 1894 to ‘Ethiopian National Costumes’, issued on 10 December 1968, plus a supplement ending with the UNICEF issue of 15 December 1971.

The introduction reads, ‘The late months of 1894 were not particularly eventful. Yet, one event did occur which was, in its own way, memorable to Ethiopia’s Postal Administration. It was in those months that the Postal Administration of the Imperial Ethiopian Government issued its first stamps and sold them in various parts of the country. Since then, Ethiopia’s Postal Administration has issued a number of sets of stamps. In the main, these issues have commemorated more renowned events in Ethiopia’s long and varied history than that single event which happened in those late months of 1894.

‘While not looming large in world significance, each of its stamp issues expresses its own importance for the Postal Administration in Ethiopia. With the increasing demand and attraction of Ethiopian stamps to a greater number of collectors, the Postal Administration has decided to publish this complete and comprehensive catalogue.

‘This volume catalogues all Ethiopian stamps which have been issued from the Postal Administration’s inception in 1894 up to and including December 1968. Within its pages will be found a mass of informative data, such as: the name, purpose, date, designer, engraver and printer of every issue; a detailed description of each stamp; a statement as to the size of sheets and panes of sheets; exhaustive facts regarding surcharges and overprints; and a various array of other information which may prove useful to the casual as well as the diligent collector. One prominent feature of this catalogue is the reproduction of the stamps. The reproductions are in colour. They reflect an accurate and more stimulating image of each stamp.’

The introduction concluded: ‘The Ministry of P. T. & T. of Ethiopia hopes that this volume will be both helpful and useful to all who, in any degree, pursue philately as a hobby or as a profession. Saleh Hinit, Minister of P T & T Ethiopia.’

Helpful background and insightThe fine Preface gives a brief but helpful background and insight into the Ethiopian postal service. It reads in part: ‘The Ethiopian Postal Administration has always endeavoured to provide an efficient service. One such service is this catalogue. The catalogue represents the Imperial Ethiopian Government, Ministry of Posts, Telegraphs and Telephones’ further effort at assembling all stamps issued by Ethiopia. This effort may generate some passing interest in Ethiopia’s postal history.‘Emperor Menelik II, realising the need for a more efficient method of distributing an

ever growing volume of mail issued on 9 March 1894 an Imperial Edict which created Ethiopia’s formal Postal Administration. A short time thereafter, on 22 April 1899, the Postal Administration introduced Ethiopia to a regular postal distribution; and, on 1 November 1908, in order to facilitate the handling of international correspondence, Ethiopia joined the Universal Postal Union. ‘The Administration developed its service, increased the scope of its activities, and soon provided Ethiopia with a network of postal services which served to shrink distances within the country to the mere posting of a letter.’

Philatelic counterNext I was taken by Mr Mamusha Tsadik and Mr Belesty Esubalew to the nearby General Post Office where I was introduced to the most helpful lady who runs the Philatelic Counter. At present the philatelic department has about 800 subscribers with about 340 of them overseas – 341 now that I have opened an account and requested a mint set of each new Ethiopian stamp issue and a first day cover. I also purchased all the new stamp issues for 2011 – a total of five sets of stamps and first day covers, at a cost of 42.5 birr (about £1.60 at an exchange rate of 26.4 birr to £1).

Ten ‘Air Provisionals’, as they are known, of different denominations, were overprinted by the Post Office and released on 17 August 1929 to commemorate the arrival of the first aeroplane belonging to the Ethiopian Government, which landed in Addis Ababa at 1p.m. the following day, 18 August 1929

Two years later, on 17 June 1931, the General

Post Office issued seven ‘Air Definitive’

stamps of different values to replace the

Air Provisionals of 1929. All the stamps

in the set depict an aeroplane over the map of Ethiopia on the globe. They are

inscribed in Amharic and in French. As I am an aero-philatelist

this is my favourite issue from all the fine Ethiopian stamps I have inspected

Ethiopia: Air definitive, 17 June 1931, 3 thaler imperforate. Special souvenir presentation cards with mint imperforate stamps were issued. Image courtesy the British Library Philatelic Collections, The FitzGerald Collection

Three stamps were issued on 30 December 1955 to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the inauguration of Ethiopian Airlines. The National Airline was proclaimed by Emperor Haile Selassie I on 30 December 1945 and operation of the airline commenced the following year with both domestic and international services

Above: Two Express Letter Stamps were issued on 24 April 1947 for inland and foreign ‘Express’ use. The stamps were originally announced for 18 April 1947 but postponed. The 30c. depicts a Post Office courier on a motorcycle and the 50c. the General Post Office, Addis Ababa

Five stamps of different denominations were issued on 18 April 1947 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Ethiopian Postal Service. The stamps were printed by Bradbury, Wilkinson & Co Ltd, New Malden, Surrey, England

The last Ethiopian postage stamps to depict Emperor Haile Selassie I were

issued during 1974 to mark the 20th anniversary of the Haile Selassie I

Foundation in Addis Ababa

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Registered postcardsAt the counter I bought a few postcards depicting various stamps of Ethiopia. I sent three by registered post – one to Hugh Jefferies, Editor of GSM, addressed to Stanley Gibbons at Ringwood and the other two to myself. The registered postage rate was 22 birr (about 83p) per card; both the stamps used were designed by Mr Bogale Belachew. I was allowed to cancel the stamps myself, Addis Ababa, 17 January 2012. The two cards addressed to myself arrived at my home in Birmingham on Wednesday 25 January. Unfortunately, Royal Mail got into the act with an unlovely red ‘signature required’ handstamp.

The current letter tariffs are as follows: up to 20g., zone 1, Africa, 3.90 Birr; zone 2 Europe, 4.35 Birr; zone 3 USA, 5.50 Birr. The local postage rate is 1.50 Birr.

Abyssinian experienceThe following evening Stella and I were entertained by Mr Yohannes and his colleagues, including stamp designer Mr Bogale Belatchew, to a most enjoyable evening at the Abyssinian Experience restaurant in Addis Ababa.

This attractive display of colourful Ethiopian stamps was situated near to the philatelic counter in the General Post Office, Addis Ababa. Picture by Peter Jennings FRPSL, FRGS

A moment of privilege! This correspondent was allowed to cancel the stamps on the three registered postcards that he sent home to the United Kingdom, including one to Hugh Jefferies, Editor of GSM.

Original sketch by artist and stamp designer Bogale Belachew depicting musicians playing traditional Ethiopian musical instruments in the lively Abyssinia Experience Restaurant, Addis Ababa, on 18 January.

Five stamps depicting traditional musical Instruments were issued by Ethiopia on 9 September 1966. The stamp designs were adapted from photographs and depict: the Kabaro, the Baganna, the Messenko, the Krar and the Wachent.

Left: One of the two registered postcards sent by this correspondent to himself from the General Post Office in Addis Ababa, on Tuesday 17 January.

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The old post officeWhile I was in Addis Ababa I also had the opportunity to visit the old post office situated near the Piazza. I asked and was granted permission to take a few pictures inside. I bought some stamps from counter clerk Mr Mebratu Tekeste who told me that he had worked for the Ethiopian Post Office for nine years. I was delighted to see a notice prominently advertising a new set of four ‘Medicinal Plants’ stamps (illustrated in colour) to be issued during the early part of this year.

The building on the Piazza situated next to Cinema Ethiopia is the post office that was inaugurated during 1928 and burnt down in the days before the Italians invaded in 1936. The building now houses various businesses.

Ethnological MuseumStella and I also spent a most enjoyable morning visiting the Ethnological Museum, located within Emperor Haile Selassie I University, Addis Ababa. Entrance fee 50 birr (about £1.90). It is a most amazing place with a short illustrated history of Ethiopia on display boards in the entrance hall. Upstairs we had an opportunity to see Emperor Haile Selassie’s bedroom. Immediately outside the bedroom is a large display case. It contains a magnificent complete collection of all the stamps issued by Ethiopia and a few spectacular covers, all donated by the noted Swedish philatelist Mr Ivan Adler. The more recent issues have been donated by the Ethiopian Ministry of Posts.

Helpful suggestionsPostscript: My good friend, Dr Giorgio Migliavacca, President of the British Virgin Islands Philatelic Society, kindly introduced me by email to Ulf Lindhal, President of the Ethiopian Philatelic Society, based in the USA, a week or so before I departed for Addis Ababa. Mr Lindhal provided me with a number of most helpful suggestions of people to meet and places to visit.

AcknowledgementsThe successful outcome of my visit to Ethiopia would not have been possible without a significant amount of help from a number of people including: H E Mr Berhanu Kebede, Ambassador of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia in London, and also to Mr Tewolde Mulugeta, Head of Public Diplomacy & Public Relations, Mr Mulugeta Asrate, and Angela Kolongo, Press Assistant, at the Ethiopian Embassy in London.

In Ethiopia I could not have achieved everything without the encouragement of Archbishop Abba Berhaneyesus Souraphiel CM, Metropolitan Archbishop of Addis Ababa and President of the Roman Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Ethiopia. A very special thank you to Mr Tekelmariam Samuel, Head of Social Communications for the Roman Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Ethiopia, for helping to confirm, and accompanying me to, some of my appointments and for his kindness in showing me something of Addis Ababa of which he is very proud; also to our driver.

My mission to Addis Ababa was primarily to write this article about Ethiopia and its postage stamps. I owe a great debt of gratitude to the Ethiopian Postal Service, in particular to General Manager, Mr Ghiday Yohannes and to senior members of his staff.

Ethiopia, a developing country with good economic prospects, is a meeting place of cultures and religions.

Peter Jennings FRPSL, FRGS will conclude his exclusive report from Ethiopia in the April issue of GSM.

While I was in Ethiopia Dr Migliavacca sent me a copy of his recently published booklet with colour illustrations: An Introduction to the Stamps of Ethiopia – From the Queen of Sheba to Ras Tafari, to the Third Millennium. In the Introduction he wrote, ‘Ethiopia is a most fascinating county to collect because of its colourful culture, distinctive history, and the many collecting areas and side-lines that provide a fertile terrain for new research.’

He ended: ‘This booklet has been written with the beginner in mind and its purpose is to give a general background and an overall idea of the possibilities and challenges offered by the philately and postal history of Ethiopia. If this publication succeeds in forming new collectors of Ethiopia it will accomplish its main purpose.’

The outside of the old Post Office situated near the Piazza in Addis Ababa. Picture by Peter Jennings FRPSL, FRGS

Above: The imposing front entrance of the Haile Selassie I University in Addis Ababa – the building was formerly the Royal Palace of Emperor Haile Selassie. Picture by Peter Jennings FRPSL, FRGS

The attractive cover of the Stamps of Ethiopia by Giorgio Migliavacca, published during 2011