French Indochina 1889 Overprint 39 Centimes

French Indochina · 1889 · 39 Centimes

This stamp features an allegorical design of Commerce and Navigation, depicting a female figure with a caduceus, a ship, and agricultural symbols. It is an existing French Colonies general issue overprinted in red with 'INDO-CHINE' and '39' to denote its use and new denomination for the colony.

Issued as one of the first stamps for French Indochina, this overprinted stamp reflects the early postal administration of the French colonial empire. It was a common practice for French colonies to adapt existing general issues for local use by overprinting them with the colony's name and sometimes a new value.