Dahomey – Scott # C36, used

Description

Dahomey — Emerald Cuckoo Airmail Issue 250f (Scott C36)

This vivid used airmail stamp from the Republic of Dahomey, cataloged as Scott C36, features the brilliantly colored emerald cuckoo (Chrysococcyx cupreus), a species admired for its iridescent plumage and striking presence. Issued as part of Dahomey’s nature-themed airmail series, the stamp combines ornithological interest with bold visual design.

The illustration depicts two emerald cuckoos perched amid stylized foliage, rendered in rich greens and yellows that contrast strongly against a soft pink background. The detailed feather patterning and dynamic composition give the stamp a sense of movement and vitality, while the “Poste Aérienne” inscription underscores its intended use for air mail service.

Offered in used condition, the stamp bears a clear period cancellation consistent with genuine postal use. Color remains bright, the bird imagery is well defined, and perforations are intact. This issue is especially appealing to collectors of bird stamps, African airmail issues, and mid-20th-century wildlife philately.

A striking and colorful example of African ornithology on stamp.