Upper Senegal and Niger

Upper Senegal and Niger (Fr. Haute Senegal et Niger) was a colony in French West Africa created in 1904 from Senegambia and Niger. Niger became a separate military district in 1911 and independent in 1922, Upper Volta was split off in 1919, and the remainder reorganized as French Sudan in 1920. The capital was Bamako.

The colony is perhaps only remembered by philatelists, since it issued a number of postage stamps during its short existence. The first issue was part of the 1906 omnibus issue of the French West Africa, consisting of 17 stamps in three designs: portraits of Louis Faidherbe, Eugene Ballay, and an oil palm, with values ranging from 1 centime to 5 francs. Another series of 17 followed in 1914, all of same design - a camel with its rider - but each printed in a different pair of colors.

In addition, in 1915 the 10c stamp of 1914 was surcharged an additional 5c and sold as a semi-postal stamp. Sets of postage due stamps were also issued in 1906 and 1914. Stamps of French Sudan superseded all of these in 1921.

Most types are commonly available today, with only the franc denominations of the 1906 stamps costing collectors over 10 US$.