FEPA News

FEPA NEWS 45 64 The World of Research The philatelic question The postcard shown front and reverse was posted on 6th December 1904 at Benin City in West Africa to a trading agent at Benin River. Benin City is today in Nigeria and is not to be confused with the modern nation of Benin (formerly known as Dahomey). The card raises an interesting question. It was postmarked on the reverse on 8th December 1904 when it reached Sapele and again at Benin. The last cancellation gives the impression that it was returned to Benin City, but it was actually delivered to the addressee. How did this come about? To understand how this happened we need to look first at contemporary events in that region. Historical Background Benin was an ancient kingdom ruled by an Oba (King), which had grown rich on trade with the Portuguese as early as the 16th century and traded slaves with the rest of Southern Nigeria. The capital, Benin City, is about 20 miles inland from the Benin River, through thick tropical forest. When Britain set up a trading station on the Benin River in about 1890 the Oba, Overami, would not allow traders and administrators any closer to Benin City. He wanted to keep all Europeans at arms-length to preserve his power and to continue with the practices of slave-trading and human sacrifice. Consequently, between July and October 1892 the British customs post at Koko used an oval datestamp that read BENIN to cancel mail (next page). Benin in Nigeria, one place or two? Rob May is a member of the West Africa Study Circle and has researched the British incursion into Benin at the end of the 19th Century. He kindly accepted an invitation to provide a report on his research and its results for FEPA NEWS. (Left) A modern map of the area.