THE FORMAT INTERNATIONAL SECURITY PRINTERS LTD. ARCHIVE

Information and Reference of What was Found in the Archive

Stamp issues for Congo (People's Republic) printed by the Format International Security Printers Ltd. and items found in the Archive

CONGO (People's Republic)

Congo stamps printed by Format International Security Printers Ltd.
Links to pages with information on items found in the archive

Noting for Congo that Stanley Gibbons nor any other catalog seems to note who the printers were during the time that Format printed stamps for the Congo. By scanning thousands of images looking for clues like the color guides and logo's and analyzing archival material I am able to present this page.

Scott Catalog Notes that from 1959 onward the majority of sets were produced in limited numbers as imperforates, on deluxe sheetlets etc. Not only did Format have orders to produce them but Cartor printing also apparently had the same orders long before Format ever made stamps for the Congo. The evidence is the stamps themselves. Again I state that many other printing companies of the time were producing imperforates, deluxe sheetlets, specimen's, color proofs etc. in limited quantities exactly as the Format printers were. The quantities they produced were just never exposed because they were never put on trial. Therefore valuation of these varieties should be equal no matter who printed them.

1976 AMERICAN BICENTENNIAL
Scott #390-5, SG #546-50, Souvenir Sheet not listed

The stamps and the souvenir sheet exist imperforate. It appears that mint normal sets are getting scarcer. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets. Deluxe sheetlet set around 1,000 sets.


Battle of Lexington


Deluxe Sheetlet Set


1977 HISTORY OF THE ZEPPELIN
Scott #408-12,C236, SG #567-71, Souvenir Sheet not listed

The stamps and the souvenir sheet exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets. Deluxe sheetlet set around 1,000 sets.


LZ127 Over U.S. Capital


Deluxe Sheetlet Set


1977 HISTORY OF AVIATION
Scott #421-6, SG #583-7, Souvenir Sheet not listed

The stamps and the souvenir sheet exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets. Deluxe sheetlet set around 1,000 sets.


Lindbergh and Spirit of St. Louis over Ship in Atlantic


Deluxe Sheetlet Set


1977 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE REIGN OF QUEEN ELIZABETH II
Scott #427-8, C244, SG #591-2, Souvenir Sheet not listed

The stamps and the souvenir sheet exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets. Deluxe sheetlet set around 1,000 sets.


Royal Family on Balcony


Deluxe Sheetlet Set


1977 KING BAUDOUIN OF BELGIUM AND CHARLES DE GAULLE PRESIDENT OF FRANCE
Scott #429-30, SG #589-90

The stamps exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets. Deluxe sheetlet set around 1,000 sets.


Deluxe Sheetlet Set


1978 RUBENS PAINTINGS
Scott #433-7, SG #596-9, Souvenir Sheet not listed

The stamps and the souvenir sheet exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets. Deluxe sheetlet set around 1,000 sets.
There exists the set of unlisted souvenir sheets which were planned but never issued. Estimated quantity is around 3-5,000 sets. A couple of the uncut press sheets were found in the archive of these.



Farm at Laeken


Deluxe Sheetlet Set


Unlisted Deluxe Souvenir Sheet Set


1978 11TH WORLD CUP SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP
Scott #441-6, SG #604-8, Souvenir Sheet not listed

The stamps and the souvenir sheet exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets. Deluxe sheetlet set around 1,000 sets.



Franz Beckenbauer


Deluxe Sheetlet Set


1978 NOBEL PRIZE WINNERS
Scott #447-52, SG #610-14, Souvenir Sheet not listed

Imperforates are not on the market for this set at the time I created this page. Many CTO sets exist. Deluxe sheetlet set around 1,000 sets were produced. A couple of the uncut press sheets were found in the archive of these.



Henri Dunant and Red Cross Station


Deluxe Sheetlet Set


1978 ENDANGERED ANIMALS (WWF)
Scott #453-8, SG #620-5

The stamps exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets. Deluxe sheetlet set around 1,000 sets.


Deluxe Sheetlet Set


1978 THE SEVEN ANCIENT WONDERS OF THE WORLD
Scott #460-7, SG #627-34
The stamps exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets. Deluxe sheetlet sets appear to not exist. It is interesting to note that Robson Lowe wrote an article on the essays for this set in the Philatelist. They were found in the archive along with several press sheets.


Unofficial Authenticated Imperforate Set
These cards were made up by a dealer. The claimed quantity is wrong as the general standard print run was 5,000 sets, not 1300 sets. Official proof sets are on Format Presentation cards. Any cards like these are to be questioned. There are a number of sets which this dealer created these cards for. All have the wrong quantities that exist. Should this dealer wish to contend the fact then let them show proof to the contrary.


1978 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CORONATION OF QUEEN ELIZABETH II
Scott #468-9, C244, SG #635-6, Airmail Souvenir Sheet not listed
The stamps and the souvenir sheet exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets. Deluxe sheetlet set around 1,000 sets.
Noting there is the variety of red overprint on the souvenir sheet which is not listed. It has been stated that 2,000 sets exist.


Royal Family on Balcony With Silver Overprint

Royal Family on Balcony With Red Overprint

Enlarged View of Royal Family on Balcony With Red Overprint

Deluxe Sheetlet Set

1978 PAINTINGS BY DÜRER
Scott #474-7, SG #647-50
The stamps exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets. The deluxe souvenir sheet set was planned but never issued. Around 3-5,000 sets exist.
A number of uncut press sheets were found in the archive for this set. Intact pieces from them as in cross gutters, gutters and large selvage pieces are very rare.


Unlisted Deluxe Souvenir Sheet Set

1978 11TH WORLD CUP SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP WINNERS
Scott #481-6, SG #652-6, Souvenir Sheet not listed
The stamps and the souvenir sheet exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets. Deluxe sheetlet set around 1,000 sets.
Noting there is the variety of red overprint on both the stamps and the souvenir sheet which is not listed. It has been stated 2,000 sets exist.


Franz Beckenbauer Souvenir Sheet with Silver Overprint

Comparison of the Silver and Red Overprints

Deluxe Sheetlet Set

1979 DEATH BICENTENARY OF CAPTAIN JAMES COOK
Scott #489-92, SG #660-3

The stamps exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets. Deluxe sheetlet set around 1,000 sets.
A number of uncut press sheets were found in the archive for this set. Intact pieces from them as in cross gutters, gutters and large selvage pieces are very rare.


Deluxe Sheetlet Set


1979 PRE-OLYMPIC YEAR (1st Issue)
Scott #C256-C260, SG #697-701

The stamps exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets. Deluxe sheetlet set around 1,000 sets.
A number of uncut press sheets were found in the archive for this set. Intact pieces from them as in cross gutters, gutters and large selvage pieces are very rare.


Deluxe Sheetlet Set


1979 13TH WINTER OLYMPIC GAMES, LAKE PLACID SKIING
Scott #C261-C265, SG #704-8

The stamps exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets. Deluxe sheetlet set around 1,000 sets.
A number of uncut press sheets were found in the archive for this set. Intact pieces from them as in cross gutters, gutters and large selvage pieces are very rare.


Deluxe Sheetlet Set


1979 YEAR OF THE CHILD
Scott #495-496A, SG #666-7, Souvenir Sheet not listed

The stamps and souvenir sheet exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets. Deluxe sheetlet set around 1,000 sets.
A number of uncut press sheets were found in the archive for this set. Intact pieces from them as in cross gutters, gutters and large selvage pieces are very rare. There were around 3-4 press sheets of the souvenir sheet. All were cut into imperf between pairs and large selvage singles.


Souvenir Sheet

Deluxe Sheetlet Set


1979 DEATH CENTENARY OF SIR ROWLAND HILL, TRAINS, LOCOMOTIVES
Scott #499-503, SG #670-3, Souvenir Sheet not listed

The stamps and souvenir sheet exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets. Deluxe sheetlet set around 2,000 sets. A popular stamp on stamp set.
A small number of uncut press sheets were found in the archive for this set. Intact pieces from them as in cross gutters, gutters and large selvage pieces are very rare. There were around 3-4 press sheets of the souvenir sheet. All were cut into imperf between pairs and large selvage singles.
An interesting note is that four press sheets were found imperforate and CTO! Two are still intact!


Electric Train, Concorde and Middle Congo Stamp

Deluxe Sheetlet Set


1979 JOHANN BACH AND ALBERT EINSTEIN
Scott #511-12, SG #686-7

The stamps exist imperforate. The imperforates appear to be fairly scarce. At the time I created this page no deluxe sheetlet sets seem to exist.



1980 WINTER OLYMPIC GAME WINNERS, LAKE PLACID
Scott #C266-C270, SG #711-15

The stamps exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets. At the time I created this page no deluxe sheetlet sets seem to exist.
A small number of uncut press sheets were found in the archive for this set. Intact pieces from them as in cross gutters, gutters and large selvage pieces are very rare.



1980 SUMMER OLYMPIC GAMES, MOSCOW
Scott #C271-C275, SG #716-19, Souvenir Sheet not listed

The stamps and the souvenir sheet exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets. Deluxe sheetlet set around 2,000 sets.
A small number of uncut press sheets were found in the archive for this set. Intact pieces from them as in cross gutters, gutters and large selvage pieces are very rare. There were around 3-4 press sheets of the souvenir sheet. All were cut into imperf between pairs and large selvage singles.



Long Jump


Deluxe Sheetlet Set


1980 WORLD CUP SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP, SPAIN (1982)
Scott #C276-C281, SG #726-30, Souvenir Sheet not listed

The stamps and the souvenir sheet exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets. There are two types of Deluxe sheetlet sets. Around 2,000 sets of each type were produced.
A small number of uncut press sheets were found in the archive for this set. Intact pieces from them as in cross gutters, gutters and large selvage pieces are very rare. There were around 3-4 press sheets of the souvenir sheet. All were cut into imperf between pairs and large selvage singles.



Barcelona


Deluxe Sheetlet Set with Decorative Background


Deluxe Sheetlet Set with Plain White Background


1980 SUMMER OLYMPIC GAMES WINNERS, MOSCOW
Scott #C292-C296, SG #777-80, Souvenir Sheet not listed

The stamps and the souvenir sheet exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets. No deluxe sheetlets with the overprint known



Long Jump With Overprint


1981 CONQUEST OF SPACE
Scott #580-4, SG #796-9, Souvenir Sheet not listed

The stamps and the souvenir sheet exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets. Deluxe sheetlet set around 2,000 sets.
A small number of uncut press sheets were found in the archive for this set. Intact pieces from them as in cross gutters, gutters and large selvage pieces are very rare. There were around 3-4 press sheets of the souvenir sheet. All were cut into imperf between pairs and large selvage singles.



Columbia Space Shuttle 1981


Deluxe Sheetlet Set


1981 ROYAL WEDDING OF PRINCE CHARLES AND LADY DIANA
Scott #604-7, SG #823-5, Souvenir Sheet not listed

The stamps and the souvenir sheet exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets. Deluxe sheetlet set around 3,000 sets.
A number of uncut press sheets were found in the archive for this set. Intact pieces from them as in cross gutters, gutters and large selvage pieces are very rare. There were around 5 press sheets of the souvenir sheet mint and 5 more CTO. All were cut into imperf between pairs and large selvage singles all being in the very rare category.



The Royal Couple


Deluxe Sheetlet Set


1982 21ST BIRTHDAY OF PRINCESS DIANA
Scott #639-41, SG #858-9, Souvenir Sheet not listed

The stamps and the souvenir sheet exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets. Deluxe sheetlet set do not seem to exist.
A number of uncut press sheets were found in the archive for this set. Intact pieces from them as in cross gutters, gutters and large selvage pieces are very rare. There were around 5 press sheets of the souvenir sheet mint and 5 more CTO. All were cut into imperf between pairs and large selvage singles all being in the very rare category.



Diana


1982 BIRTH OF PRINCE WILLIAM OF WALES
Scott #647-50, SG #869-71, Souvenir Sheet not listed

The stamps and the souvenir sheet exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets. Deluxe sheetlet set do not seem to exist with the overprint.



The Royal Couple with Overprint


1982 WORLD CUP SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP FINALISTS, SPAIN (1982)
Scott #C298-C303, SG #874-8, Souvenir Sheet not listed

The stamps and the souvenir sheet exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets. Deluxe sheetlet set do not seem to exist with the overprint.



Barcelona with Finalist Overprint


These were the last stamps printed by the Format International Security Printers Ltd. for Congo. The company went into bankruptcy in 1989.

As you can see every set has imperforates that were made as do most sets made by other printers during the same time era. This is proof that the printers were under contracts that allowed them to be made for promotional reasons and for sale to collectors. Therefore any discrepancy with pricing them for less because they were made by the Format Printers and more because they were made by Cartor should be disregarded because the quantities that exist are equal no matter who made the stamps.

References taken from:
Scott Catalog
Inventory list for the Format Archive by Robson Lowe
Internet research

All Content Copyright © 2014 Golowe's Collector Stamps, All Rights Reserved

Return to Format International Security Printers Reference Homepage Here.