2h ago
Key Fact
Description
This stamp features a finely detailed lithographic illustration of a cheetah in a savanna landscape. The animal is depicted in profile, alert and poised, with its characteristic spotted coat rendered in shades of brown and tan. The background shows dry grasses and distant hills under a pale sky. The denomination '0'40' is visible in the upper left corner, and 'COTE FRANCAISE DES SOMALIS' along the bottom edge, indicating its origin and value.
History
Issued in 1947 by French Somaliland, this stamp is part of a series dedicated to the region's fauna. The 'RF' mark signifies 'République Française,' indicating its connection to France during the period. The artist, F.A. Rabelais, was known for his detailed animal illustrations, capturing the essence of wildlife native to French colonial territories. These stamps served as a visual representation of the natural heritage of Somaliland.
Facts
The cheetah is the fastest land animal, capable of reaching speeds up to 120 km/h. This stamp highlights the species' presence in the African savanna, an environment that has faced significant habitat loss. The detailed depiction aims to educate and promote awareness of these magnificent creatures. Its inclusion in the 'Fauna' series makes it appealing to zoological and natural history collectors.
Value Fact
Stamps from French Somaliland, especially those depicting prominent wildlife and from early issuance periods, generally hold steady collector interest. This particular 1947 issue, noted for its artistic merit and the depiction of a cheetah, can range in value based on condition and rarity. Comparable stamps from the same series and year might fetch prices between $2 to $10, with exceptionally well-preserved examples potentially exceeding this range due to demand.

In the galleries
Item Details
Official Details
Variation Details
Cho Bear Deuce Details
Collectibles.com is operated by Collectbase Inc., a Delaware corporation. Collectible valuations, price estimates, and AI-assisted identifications are provided for informational and reference purposes only and do not constitute professional appraisals, financial advice, or guarantees of market value. Trademarks, card images, and intellectual property belonging to third-party rights holders are displayed solely for identification, valuation reference, and collection management purposes; Collectbase Inc. is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by any such rights holders. User-generated content reflects the views of individual community members and not those of Collectbase Inc. This platform may earn affiliate commissions on qualifying purchases made through third-party links. The platform is provided "as is" without warranties of any kind, and Collectbase Inc. shall not be liable for any damages arising from use of this platform or reliance on its content. For full details governing your use of this platform and our privacy practices, see our Terms of Service and PrivacyPolicy.
© 2026 Collectbase Inc. All rights reserved.
This site and associated apps contain copyrighted material including card images, trademarks, and text belonging to The Pokémon Company International, Nintendo, GAME FREAK inc., Wizards of the Coast, Major League Baseball Properties, Inc., NBA Properties, Inc., NFL Properties LLC, NHL Enterprises, L.P., Topps, Panini America, Inc., Upper Deck, and all other respective rights holders. Such material is displayed solely for the purposes of identification, pricing reference, collection management, and to facilitate the buying, selling, and trading of physical collectibles by collectors. Collectbase Inc. is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by any of the foregoing entities, and no challenge to their intellectual property rights or ownership is intended or implied.