CONGO DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC #735 THE ZAIRE RIVER EXPEDITION COVER #5 OF ELEVEN - - You are bidding on one cacheted and addressed cover franked with Congo Democratic Republic #735, the 10s Grass Monkeys tied by Kinshasa 31-12-74 Circle Date Cancellation. Flap is unsealed.

This cover represents the friendship and cooperation between Great Britain and the Republic of Zaire. The assistance given by  Zaire in the planning stages which started in 1971 continued into the actual Expedition when they provided 40 members of their Armed Forces and scientific institutions to accompany sections on the river and with scientific and support groups. 

The Royal Engineers were included in the Expedition to produce potable water for the river party as well as placing and recovering insect collecting traps from the tops of 100 foot tall trees in scientific research camps set up in the jungle. One Royal Engineer Sergeant fell 85 feet from one such tree and walked away! They were also responsible for ferrying support vehicles across the Zaire River and also repairing road bridges for use of the Expedition.

The cachet portrays the head of a Royal Engineer with beret and badge representing the Engineer section. The emblem of the Scientific Exploration Society which organized the Expedition is portrayed at the left side on front of the cover.

A sound cover with sound stamp. 

Scans at 1.5X show the complete lot.

U.S. domestic shipping & handling free. Overseas buyers please request cost by email.

Member of American Philatelic Society. Take a look at the other collectibles I have for sale.