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THE FORMAT INTERNATIONAL SECURITY PRINTERS LTD. ARCHIVE

Information and Reference of What was Found in the Archive

Stamp issues for Upper Volta (Later named Burkina Faso) printed by the Format International Security Printers Ltd. and items found in the Archive

Flag of Upper Volta
Marquee for Golowe's Reference Site on the Format International Security Printers

UPPER VOLTA (Burkina Faso)

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

Noting for Upper Volta that Stanley Gibbons nor any other catalog seems to note who the printers were during the time that Format printed stamps for Upper Volta. 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.

As Noted in Scott Catalog, 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 Questa, De la Rue and other printing companies also had the same orders long before Format ever made stamps for Upper Volta. 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.

Also noting that the earlier sets up through 1975 and then some, are listed in the addendum in Stanley Gibbons catalogs.

1974 CENTENARY OF THE UNIVERSAL POSTAL UNION (1st issue)
Scott #332-4, C189-C192, SG # Addendum

The stamps and the souvenir sheet exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets. Deluxe sheetlet set around 2-3,000 sets.
The deluxe sheetlets exist with two types. White backgrounds and blue backgrounds. The white backgrounds are scarcer whereas the blue are very common as far as availability.

Upper Volta 1974 Centenary of the U.P.U. (1st issue) Stamps
Telstar Satellite
Upper Volta 1974 Centenary of the U.P.U. (1st issue) Souvenir Sheet

Deluxe Sheetlet Set with White Background
Upper Volta 1974 Centenary of the U.P.U. (1st issue) Deluxe Sheetlet Set with White Background

Deluxe Sheetlet Set with Blue Background
Upper Volta 1974 Centenary of the U.P.U. (1st issue) Deluxe Sheetlet Set with Blue Background

1974 WORLD CUP SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP WINNERS
Scott #335-7, C193-C196, SG # Addendum

The stamps and the souvenir sheet exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets. Deluxe sheetlet set around 2-3,000 sets.

Upper Volta 1974 World Cup Soccer Championship Winners Stamps

England Winners in England 1966
Upper Volta 1974 World Cup Soccer Championship Winners Souvenir Sheet

Deluxe Sheetlet Set
Upper Volta 1974 World Cup Soccer Championship Winners Deluxe Sheetlet Set

1974 CENTENARY OF THE UNIVERSAL POSTAL UNION (2nd issue)
Scott #339-41, C197-C200, SG # Addendum

The stamps and the souvenir sheet exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets. Deluxe sheetlet set around 2-3,000 sets.
This set with overprint does not seem to exist with white backgrounds.

Upper Volta 1974 Centenary of the U.P.U. (2nd issue) Stamps
Telstar Satellite Overprinted
Upper Volta 1974 Centenary of the U.P.U. (2nd issue) Souvenir Sheet

Deluxe Sheetlet Set
Upper Volta 1974 Centenary of the U.P.U. (2nd issue) Deluxe Sheetlet Set

1975 BIRTH CENTENARY OF SIR WINSTON CHURCHILL
Scott #346-51, SG # Addendum

The stamps and the souvenir sheet exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets. Deluxe sheetlet set around 1-2,000 sets.
Deluxe sheetlets with white backgrounds exist but appear rare.

Upper Volta 1975 Birth Centenary of Sir Winston Churchill Stamps
Churchill and HMS Resolution
Upper Volta 1975 Birth Centenary of Sir Winston Churchill Souvenir Sheet

Deluxe Sheetlet Set
Upper Volta 1975 Birth Centenary of Sir Winston Churchill Deluxe Sheetlet Set

Deluxe Sheetlet with White Background
Upper Volta 1975 Birth Centenary of Sir Winston Churchill Deluxe Sheetlet with White Background

1975 AMERICAN BICENTENNIAL (1st issue)
Scott #352-8, SG # Addendum

The stamps and the souvenir sheet exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets. Deluxe sheetlet set around 1-2,000 sets.
Deluxe sheetlets with white backgrounds exist but appear rare.

Upper Volta 1975 American Bicentennial (1st issue) Stamps
U.S. Stamps and the Boston Tea Party
Upper Volta 1975 American Bicentennial (1st issue) Souvenir Sheet

Deluxe Sheetlet Set with Pink Background
Upper Volta 1975 American Bicentennial (1st issue) Deluxe Sheetlet Set with Pink Background

Deluxe Sheetlet Set with White Background
Upper Volta 1975 American Bicentennial (1st issue) Deluxe Sheetlet Set with White Background

1975 LOCOMOTIVES
Scott #359-61, C203-C205, SG # Addendum

The stamps and the souvenir sheet do not seem to exist imperforate. Deluxe sheetlet set around 1,000 sets. They are difficult to find.

Upper Volta 1975 Locomotives Stamps

1882 Forquenot
Upper Volta 1975 Locomotives Souvenir Sheet

Deluxe Sheetlet Set
Upper Volta 1975 Locomotives Deluxe Sheetlet Set

1975 FLAGS AND OLD CARS
Scott #362-4, C206-C208, SG # Addendum

The stamps and the souvenir sheet exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets. Deluxe sheetlet set around 1-2,000 sets.
Deluxe sheetlets with white backgrounds exist but appear rare.

Upper Volta 1975 Flags and Old Cars Stamps

Great Britain Flag and 1910 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost
Upper Volta 1975 Flags and Old Cars Souvenir Sheet

Deluxe Sheetlet Set with Pale Lavender Background
Upper Volta 1975 Flags and Old Cars Deluxe Sheetlet Set

Deluxe Sheetlets with White Background
Upper Volta 1975 Flags and Old Cars Deluxe Sheetlets with White Background

1975 AMERICAN BICENTENNIAL (2nd issue)
Scott #365-7, 367a, C209-C210, SG # Addendum

The stamps and the souvenir sheet exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets. Deluxe sheetlet set around 1-2,000 sets.
Deluxe sheetlets with white backgrounds exist but appear rare.

Upper Volta 1975 American Bicentennial (2nd issue) Stamps
George Washington Taking the Oath of Office
Upper Volta 1975 American Bicentennial (2nd issue) Souvenir Sheet

Deluxe Sheetlet Set with Green Background
Upper Volta 1975 American Bicentennial (2nd issue) Deluxe Sheetlet Set with Green Background

Deluxe Sheetlet Set with White Background
Upper Volta 1975 American Bicentennial (2nd issue) Deluxe Sheetlet Set with White Background

1975 BIRTH CENTENARY OF ALBERT SCHWEITZER
Scott #368-9, C212-C215, SG # Addendum

The stamps and the souvenir sheet exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets. Deluxe sheetlet set around 1-2,000 sets.
Deluxe sheetlets with white backgrounds exist but appear rarer.

Upper Volta 1975 Birth Centenary of Albert Schweitzer Stamps

Crested corythornis
Upper Volta 1975 Birth Centenary of Albert Schweitzer Souvenir Sheet

Deluxe Sheetlet Set with Pale Yellow Background
Upper Volta 1975 Birth Centenary of Albert Schweitzer Deluxe Sheetlet Set

Deluxe Sheetlets with White Background
Upper Volta 1975 Birth Centenary of Albert Schweitzer Deluxe Sheetlets with White Background

1975 APOLLO-SOYUZ SPACE TEST PROJECT
Scott #370-1, C216-C219, SG # Addendum

The stamps and the souvenir sheet exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets. Deluxe sheetlet set around 1-2,000 sets.
Deluxe sheetlets with white backgrounds exist.

Upper Volta 1975 Apollo-Soyuz Space Test Project Stamps

Apollo Soyuz Emblem and U.S. and U.S.S.R. Flags
Upper Volta 1975 Apollo-Soyuz Space Test Project Souvenir Sheet

Deluxe Sheetlet Set with Pale Salmon Background
Upper Volta 1975 Apollo-Soyuz Space Test Project Deluxe Sheetlet Set with Pale Salmon Background

Deluxe Sheetlets with White Background
Upper Volta 1975 Apollo-Soyuz Space Test Project Deluxe Sheetlets with White Background

1975 PAINTINGS BY PABLO PICASSO
Scott #372-4, C220-C222, SG # Addendum

The stamps and the souvenir sheet exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets. Deluxe sheetlet set around 1-2,000 sets.
Deluxe sheetlets with white backgrounds exist.

Upper Volta 1975 Paintings by Pablo Picasso Stamps

Science and Charity
Upper Volta 1975 Paintings by Pablo Picasso Souvenir Sheet

Deluxe Sheetlet Set with Pale Pink Background
Upper Volta 1975 Paintings by Pablo Picasso Deluxe Sheetlet Set with Pale Pink Background

Deluxe Sheetlets with White Background
Upper Volta 1975 Paintings by Pablo Picasso Deluxe Sheetlets with White Background

1975 OKINAWA OCEANOGRAPHIC EXPOSITION
Scott #375-8, C223-C224, SG # Addendum

The stamps and the souvenir sheet exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets. Deluxe sheetlet set around 1-2,000 sets.
Deluxe sheetlets with white backgrounds exist. It appears many sets with white backgrounds are broken and being sold individually.

Upper Volta 1975 Okinawa Oceanographic Exposition Stamps

Future Floating City Aquapolis
Upper Volta 1975 Okinawa Oceanographic Exposition Souvenir Sheet

Deluxe Sheetlet Set with Green Background
Upper Volta 1975 Okinawa Oceanographic Exposition Deluxe Sheetlet Set with Green Background

Deluxe Sheetlets with White Background
Upper Volta 1975 Okinawa Oceanographic Exposition Deluxe Sheetlets with White Background

1975 12TH WINTER OLYMPIC GAMES
Scott #384-6, C225-C227, SG # Addendum

The stamps and the souvenir sheet exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets. Deluxe sheetlet set around 1-2,000 sets.
Deluxe sheetlets with white backgrounds exist. It appears these are getting rare.

Upper Volta 1975 12th Winter Olympic Games Stamps

Speed Skating
Upper Volta 1975 12th Winter Olympic Games Souvenir Sheet

Deluxe Sheetlet Set with Pale Tan Background
Upper Volta 1975 12th Winter Olympic Games Deluxe Sheetlet Set with Pale Tan Background

Deluxe Sheetlets with White Background
Upper Volta 1975 12th Winter Olympic Games Deluxe Sheetlets with White Background

1976 21ST OLYMPIC GAMES (1st issue)
Scott #387-9, C228-C230, SG # Addendum

The stamps and the souvenir sheet exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets. Deluxe sheetlet set around 1-2,000 sets.
Deluxe sheetlets with white backgrounds exist. It appears the sheetlets with white background are very difficult to find.
This is the first set where the Format Printers perforated the deluxe sheetlets.

Upper Volta 1976 21st Olympic Games (1st issue) Stamps

Sprint
Upper Volta 1976 21st Olympic Games (1st issue) Souvenir Sheet

Deluxe Sheetlet Set with Light Green Background
Upper Volta 1976 21st Olympic Games (1st issue) Deluxe Sheetlet Set with Light Green Background

Deluxe Sheetlets with White Background
Upper Volta 1976 21st Olympic Games (1st issue) Deluxe Sheetlets with White Background

1976 21ST OLYMPIC GAMES (2nd issue)
Scott #390-2, C231-C233, SG # Addendum

The stamps and the souvenir sheet exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets. Deluxe sheetlet set around 1-2,000 sets.
Deluxe sheetlets with white backgrounds exist. It appears the sheetlets with white background are very difficult to find.

Upper Volta 1976 21st Olympic Games (2nd issue) Stamps

Two Man Sculls
Upper Volta 1976 21st Olympic Games (2nd issue) Souvenir Sheet

Deluxe Sheetlet Set with Light Tan Background
Upper Volta 1976 21st Olympic Games (2nd issue) Deluxe Sheetlet Set with Light Tan Background

Deluxe Sheetlets with White Background
Upper Volta 1976 21st Olympic Games (2nd issue) Deluxe Sheetlets with White Background

1976 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ZEPPELIN
Scott #395-7, C234-C237, SG # Addendum

The stamps and the souvenir sheet exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets. Deluxe sheetlet set around 1-2,000 sets.
Deluxe sheetlets with white backgrounds exist. It appears the sheetlets with white background are slightly rarer.

Upper Volta 1976 75th Anniversary of the Zeppelin Stamps

Zeppelin Over Bodensee
Upper Volta 1976 75th Anniversary of the Zeppelin Souvenir Sheet

Deluxe Sheetlet Set with Pale Green Background
Upper Volta 1976 75th Anniversary of the Zeppelin Deluxe Sheetlet Set with Pale Green Background

Deluxe Sheetlets with White Background
Upper Volta 1976 75th Anniversary of the Zeppelin Deluxe Sheetlets with White Background

1976 VIKING MARS PROJECT
Scott #398-400, C238-C240, SG # Addendum

The stamps and the souvenir sheet exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets. Deluxe sheetlet set around 1-2,000 sets.
Deluxe sheetlets with white backgrounds exist. It appears the sheetlets with white background are rarer.

Upper Volta 1976 Viking Mars Project Stamps

Viking in Mars Orbit
Upper Volta 1976 Viking Mars Project Souvenir Sheet

Deluxe Sheetlet Set with Pink Background
Upper Volta 1976 Viking Mars Project Deluxe Sheetlet Set with Pink Background

Deluxe Sheetlets with White Background
Upper Volta 1976 Viking Mars Project Deluxe Sheetlets with White Background

1976 AMERICAN BICENTENNIAL (3rd issue) INTERPHIL
Scott #403-4, C241-C243, SG #414-18, MS419

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 1-2,000 sets.
Noting Stanley Gibbons began listing sets with numbers again at this point.
Also noting both types of deluxe sheetlets are imperforate and difficult to define with lower quality images because the tan color is so light.

Congo 1976 American Bicentennial (3rd issue) INTERPHIL Stamps
Surrender of the Hessians
Congo 1976 American Bicentennial (3rd issue) INTERPHIL Souvenir Sheet

Deluxe Sheetlet Set with light Tan Background
Congo 1976 American Bicentennial (3rd issue) INTERPHIL Deluxe Sheetlet Set with Light Tan Background

Deluxe Sheetlet Set with White Background
Congo 1976 American Bicentennial (3rd issue) INTERPHIL Deluxe Sheetlet Set with White Background

1977 21ST OLYMPIC GAMES WINNERS
Scott #434-5 SG # Addendum

The stamps and the souvenir sheet with the overprints do not exist imperforate.

Upper Volta 1977 21st Olympic Games Winners Stamps

Two Man Sculls Overprinted
Upper Volta 1977 21st Olympic Games Winners Souvenir Sheet

1977 GENERAL DE GAULLE AND KING BAUDOUIN
Scott #395-7, SG # 446-7

The stamps exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets. Deluxe sheetlet set around 1-2,000 sets.
Deluxe sheetlets with white backgrounds exist. It appears the sheetlets with white background are rarer.
Noting that the deluxe sheetlets were inscribed. In 1980 the King Baudouin sheetlet was inscribed for his 50th birth anniversary. In 1990 the de Gaulle sheetlet was inscribed for his 20th death anniversary. In 1994 the de gaulle stamp and the sheetlet were inscribed and overprinted for the 50th anniversary of the Normandy landings. All are not listed.

Upper Volta 1977 General De Gaulle and King Baudouin Stamps

Deluxe Sheetlet Set with Tan Background
Upper Volta 1977 General De Gaulle and King Baudouin Deluxe Sheetlet Set with Tan Background

Deluxe Sheetlets with White Background
Upper Volta 1977 General De Gaulle and King Baudouin Deluxe Sheetlets with White Background

1977 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE REIGN OF QUEEN ELIZABETH II
Scott #436-8, SG # 448-9, MS450

The stamps and the souvenir sheet exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets. Deluxe sheetlet set around 1-2,000 sets.
Deluxe sheetlets with white backgrounds exist. It appears that they are scarcer than the tan ones.

Upper Volta 1977 25th Anniversary of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth II Stamps

Elizabeth II After Coronation
Upper Volta 1977 25th Anniversary of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth II Souvenir Sheet

Deluxe Sheetlet Set with Tan Background
Upper Volta 1977 25th Anniversary of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth II Deluxe Sheetlet Set with Tan Background

Deluxe Sheetlet Set with White Background
Upper Volta 1977 25th Anniversary of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth II Deluxe Sheetlet Set with White Background

1977 NOBEL PRIZE WINNERS
Scott #440-5, SG # 452-6, MS457

The stamps exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets. Deluxe sheetlet set around 1-2,000 sets.
Deluxe sheetlets with white backgrounds exist. It appears the sheetlets with white background are rarer.

Upper Volta 1977 Nobel Prize Winners Stamps

Albert Schweitzer, Peace
Upper Volta 1977 Nobel Prize Winners Souvenir Sheet

Deluxe Sheetlet Set with Light Green Background
Upper Volta 1977 Nobel Prize Winners Deluxe Sheetlet Set with Light Green Background

Deluxe Sheetlets with White Background
Upper Volta 1977 Nobel Prize Winners Deluxe Sheetlets with White Background

1977 RUBENS PAINTINGS
Scott #446-51, SG #458-63

The stamps exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets. Deluxe sheetlet set around 1-2,000 sets.

Upper Volta 1977 Rubens Paintings Stamps

Deluxe Sheetlet Set with Tan Background
Upper Volta 1977 Rubens Paintings Deluxe Sheetlet Set with Tan Background

Deluxe Sheetlet Set with White Background
Upper Volta 1977 Rubens Paintings Deluxe Sheetlet Set with White Background

1977 11TH WORLD CUP SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP
Scott #456-61, SG #469-73, MS474

The stamps and the souvenir sheet exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets. Deluxe sheetlet set around 1-2,000 sets.

Upper Volta 1977 11th World Cup Soccer Championship Stamps

Stadium and German Stamp
Upper Volta 1977 11th World Cup Soccer Championship Souvenir Sheet

Deluxe Sheetlet Set with Green Background
Upper Volta 1977 11th World Cup Soccer Championship Deluxe Sheetlet Set with Green Background

Deluxe Sheetlet Set with White Background
Upper Volta 1977 11th World Cup Soccer Championship Deluxe Sheetlet Set with White Background

1978 HISTORY OF AVIATION
Scott #462-7, SG #475-9, MS480

The stamps and the souvenir sheet exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets. Deluxe sheetlet set around 1-2,000 sets.

Upper Volta 1978 History of Aviation Stamps

Charles Lindbergh and Spirit of St. Louis
Upper Volta 1978 History of Aviation Souvenir Sheet

Deluxe Sheetlet Set
Upper Volta 1978 History of Aviation Deluxe Sheetlet Set

1978 RUBENS PAINTING
Scott #470, SG souvenir sheet is not listed

The souvenir sheet exists imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 2,500.

Virgin and Child by Rubens
Upper Volta 1978 Rubens Painting Souvenir Sheet
1978 DEATH BICENTENARY OF CAPTAIN JAMES COOK
Scott #474-7, SG #487-90

The stamps exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets. Deluxe sheetlet set around 1-2,000 sets.

Upper Volta 1978 Death Bicentenary of Captain James Cook Stamps
Deluxe Sheetlet Set
Upper Volta 1978 Death Bicentenary of Captain James Cook Deluxe Sheetlet Set

1978 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CORONATION OF QUEEN ELIZABETH II
Scott #478-80, SG #495-6, MS497
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. These too exist on deluxe sheetlets with white background.
Noting there is the variety of metallic red overprint on the stamps and souvenir sheet which is noted in Scott. It has been stated that 2,000 sets exist.

Upper Volta 1978 25th Anniversary of the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II Overprinted Stamps
Elizabeth II After Coronation With Silver Overprint
Upper Volta 1978 25th Anniversary of the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II Silver Overprinted Souvenir Sheet
Deluxe Sheetlet Set with Tan Background
Upper Volta 1978 25th Anniversary of the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II Deluxe Sheetlet Set with Tan Background
Deluxe Sheetlet Set with White Background
Upper Volta 1978 25th Anniversary of the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II Deluxe Sheetlet Set with White Background
1978 PAINTINGS BY DÜRER
Scott #481-4, SG #500-3
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. No deluxe sheetlets found.

Upper Volta 1978 Paintings by Dürer Stamps
Unlisted Deluxe Souvenir Sheet Set
Upper Volta 1978 Paintings by Dürer Unlisted Deluxe Souvenir Sheet Set
1979 11TH WORLD CUP SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP WINNERS
Scott #486-91, SG #addendum
The stamps and the souvenir sheet exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 2,500 sets. Deluxe sheetlet set around 1,000 sets. No deluxe sheetlets with white background exist with the overprints.

Upper Volta 1979 11th World Cup Soccer Championship Winners Stamps
Stadium and German Stamp Souvenir Sheet with Silver Overprint
Upper Volta 1979 11th World Cup Soccer Championship Winners Souvenir Sheet
Deluxe Sheetlet Set
Upper Volta 1979 11th World Cup Soccer Championship Winners Deluxe Sheetlet Set
1979 YEAR OF THE CHILD
Scott #494, SG #516

The stamps exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 3,000 sets. No Deluxe sheetlets found.

Upper Volta 1979 Year of the Child Stamps
1979 DEATH CENTENARY OF SIR ROWLAND HILL, TRAINS, LOCOMOTIVES
Scott #501-5, SG #523-6, MS527

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 several press sheets of the souvenir sheet. All were cut into imperf between pairs and large selvage singles.
Upper Volta 1979 Death Centenary of Sir Rowland Hill Stamps
Rowland Hill, Locomotive and Various Haute Volta Stamps
Upper Volta 1979 Death Centenary of Sir Rowland Hill Souvenir Sheet
Deluxe Sheetlet Set
Upper Volta 1979 Death Centenary of Sir Rowland Hill Deluxe Sheetlet Set

1979 ENDANGERED ANIMALS (WWF)
Scott #506-11, SG #528-33

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.

Upper Volta 1979 Endangered Animals (WWF) Stamps

1980 WINTER OLYMPIC GAME WINNERS, LAKE PLACID
Scott #533-7, SG #555-8, MS559

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 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 several press sheets of the souvenir sheet. All were cut into imperf between pairs and large selvage singles.

Upper Volta 1980 Winter Olympic Games Medal Winners, Lake Placid Stamps

Speed Skating
Upper Volta 1980 Winter Olympic Games Medal Winners, Lake Placid Souvenir Sheet
Deluxe Sheetlet Set
Upper Volta 1980 Winter Olympic Games Medal Winners, Lake Placid Deluxe Sheetlet Set

1980 GOURMANTCHE CHIEF INITIATION, EMPEROR MORO NABA AND PRINCESS GUIMBE QUATTARA
Scott #541-3, SG #568-70

The stamps exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets. Deluxe sheetlet sets seem not to exist.
Errors of missing colors exist.

Upper Volta 1980 Gourmantche Chief Initiation, Emperor Moro Naba and Princess Guimbe Quattara Stamps

1980 22ND SUMMER OLYMPIC GAMES, BICYCLING
Scott #C258-C262, SG #563-6, MS567

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 several press sheets of the souvenir sheet. All were cut into imperf between pairs and large selvage singles.

Upper Volta 1980 Summer Olympic Games, Bicycling Stamps

Bicyclist
Upper Volta 1980 Summer Olympic Games, Bicycling Souvenir Sheet

Deluxe Sheetlet Set
Upper Volta 1980 Summer Olympic Games, Bicycling Deluxe Sheetlet Set

1980 22ND SUMMER OLYMPIC GAMES WINNERS
Scott #C263-C267, SG #addendum?

The stamps and the souvenir sheet exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 3,000 sets. Deluxe sheetlet sets seem not to exist with the overprints.

Upper Volta 1980 Summer Olympic Games Winners Stamps

Bicyclist Souvenir Sheet Overprinted
Upper Volta 1980 Summer Olympic Games Winners Souvenir Sheet

1983 ANNIVERSARIES AND EVENTS
Scott #C273-C277, SG #665-8, MS669

The stamps and the souvenir sheet exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 3,000 sets. Deluxe sheetlet sets seem not to exist.

Upper Volta 1983 Anniversaries and Events Stamps

Prince Charles and Lady Diana
Upper Volta 1983 Anniversaries and Events Souvenir Sheet

These were the last stamps printed by the Format International Security Printers Ltd. for Upper Volta. 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 the House of Questa or De la Rue 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

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UPDATED LAST ON: 25-Jan-2015 09:28 AM