International Postage Meter Stamp Catalog/Lesotho
Lesotho[edit | edit source]
- Meter stamps first appear in the British colony of Basutoland around 1956. In 1966 the colony gained independence and changed its name to Lesotho.
- Meter numbers appear on some stamp types and locally assigned License numbers appear on others. In a few cases, both Meter (M#) and License (L#) numbers are present in the same stamp.
- The stamps are grouped by political inscription:
- A - BASUTOLAND
- B – LESOTHO
- C - KINGDOM OF LESOTHO
GROUP A: Franks containing “BASUTOLAND” and a crown[edit | edit source]
- In use from 1956 to about 1966
A1. Universal “Simplex” (LV-25). [$50]
- Upright frank with simulated perforation border.
- “POSTAGE” and “REVENUE” vertical at left and right of value figures.
- Large crown at bottom center.
- M# with “S” prefix in small boxes in lower corners.
- TM: DC
- Values (£sd): 1d through 1/-
A2. Pitney Bowes “Automax” (MV). [$50]
A3. Neopost "Frankmaster" / "305" (MV). [$50]
- Frank with double straight-line border.
- M# with “NB” prefix in lower corners without boxes.
- TM: DC
- V/F: 0·00=
GROUP B: Franks containing “LESOTHO” without crown[edit | edit source]
- In use from 1966
Sub-group BA: Vertical or square frank with simulated perforation outer border[edit | edit source]
BA1. Pitney Bowes-GB “Simplex” (LV-25). [$20]
- As Type A1 but with new country name and no crown.
- M# with “SB” prefix.
- TM: DC
- Values: ½¢ up
BA2. Pitney Bowes-GB “Automax” (MV). [$10]
- As Type A2 but with new country name and no crown.
- M# with “UA” prefix.
- TM: DC
- V/F: .00= (.00½)
BA3. Pitney Bowes-GB “Automax” (MV). [$10]
- Square frank with simulated perforation border.
- “LESOTHO” in top panel. “POSTAGE” and “REVENUE” vertical in side panels.
- M# with “UB” prefix in small boxes in bottom corners.
- TM: DC
- V/F: 0.00 .00 = 0.oo=
BA3.1. Neopost "205” (MV). [Scarce, value uncertain]
- Frank slightly taller than wide.
- “LESOTHO” in panels at both top and bottom. “POSTAGE” vertical in both side panels.
- Very narrow spacing between TM and frank.
- M# with “LP” prefix.
- TM: DC
- V/F: 0·00
BA3.2. Neopost "205” (MV). [Scarce, value uncertain]
- Frank similar to Type BA3 but “LESOTHO” much smaller.
- Spacing between TM and frank is narrow as with Type BA3.1.
- M# with “NB” prefix.
- TM: DC
- V/F: 0,00
BA4. Neopost “Electronic” (MV).
- Rectangular frank with single-line simulated perforation border.
- “LESOTHO” at both top and bottom.
- “POSTAGE” stacked at both sides.
- M# with “MR” prefix.
- TM: DC
- V/F: ≋0,00
BA5. Neopost “Electronic” (MV).
- Similar to Type BA4 but with “POSTAGE” and “PAID” vertical at sides.
- Frank variable in size from 27-30mm wide and 26-28mm tall.
- A. License number with “L”, "LE", or “LP” prefix
- B. License number without prefix, repeated in both lower corners
- TM: DC
- V/F: ≋0,00
BA6. Neopost “Electronic” (MV).
- Similar to Type BA5B but thick frame line as a series of semi-circles rather than simulated perforations.
- L# 36 seen.
- TM: DC
- V/F: ≋0,00
Sub-group BB: Small, horizontal frank with simulated perforation outer border[edit | edit source]
BB1. Pitney Bowes-GB “5000” series (MV). [$10]
- “LESOTHO” in top panel.
- M# with “UB” prefix in small boxes below “LESOTHO”.
- “POSTAGE” and “REVENUE” vertical at sides.
- Value figures on lower level than date figures.
- TM: DC
BB2. Pitney Bowes-GB “5000” series (MV). [$10]
- Frank with corner ornaments of parallel angle lines.
- TM raised in relation to frank.
- L# with “L” prefix below frank.
- TM: DC
- V/F: ≋0.00
BB3. Pitney Bowes-GB “6300” (MV). [$10]
- Similar to Type BB2 but L# with “LP” prefix in boxes in lower corners with two parallel lines between.
- TM on same level as frank.
- TM: DC
- V/F: 00.00
- Frank with inner straight line border.
- Country name boxed.
- M# with ”TX” prefix breaks bottom frame lines.
- TM: BIC
- V/F: 0.00
BB5. Satas “Baby” (MV).
- As Type BB4 but country name not boxed, and L# with “LP” prefix added at bottom.
- M# with “TX” prefix breaks bottom frame line.
- TM: BIC
- V/F: 0,00
- a. TM inverted, date upright (pictured)
Sub-group BC: Frank with straight outer border[edit | edit source]
BC1. Neopost “105” (LV-6,-8). [$10]
- Frank with single straight-line border and inner box around value figure.
- “POSTAGE” and “REVENUE” vertical at sides.
- L# with “NB” or “SB” prefix.
- TM: BIC
- Values seen: 1, 3, 5¢
BC2. Neopost "Frankmaster" / "305" (MV).
- Vertical frank with double frame line.
- Country name at top, “POSTAGE and “REVENUE” vertical at sides.
- L# with “NB” prefix.
- TM: DC
- V/F: 0·00=
BC3.1. Neopost “405/505” (MV). [$10]
- Horizontal frank with country name boxed at top and repeated in bottom panel.
- Side panels contain stacked “REVENUE” and “POSTAGE”.
- L# with “LP” prefix in lower corners.
- TM: BIC
- V/F: 0,00
BC3.2. Neopost “405/505” (MV). [$20]
- As Type BC3.1 but simpler design without inner panels.
- "POSTAGE PAID" reads up at both sides.
- L# with “LP” prefix at bottom center.
- TM: DC
- V/F: 0,00
BC4. Neopost “405/505” (MV). [$5]
BC5. Neopost “Electronic” (MV).
- Horizontal frank with single frame line.
- Country name at both top and bottom.
- “POSTAGE” and “PAID” vertical at sides.
- L# with “L” prefix in lower corners.
- TM: DC
GROUP C: Franks containing “KINGDOM OF LESOTHO”[edit | edit source]
C1. Postalia "EFS" (MV).
- Large nearly square frank with simulated perforation border.
- “POSTAGE PAID” vertical at both sides.
- "KINGDOM OF LESOTHO" in one line at both top and bottom.
- M# without prefix above bottom inscription.
- TM: SC