Issues of the Central African Empire Overprinted Central African Republic
Several stamp issues inscribed Central African Republic were issued before
these overprinted Central African Empire stamps were released on March 20, 1980.
Formerly a part of French Equatorial Africa known as Oubangui-Shari, the Central African Republic became autonomous on December 1, 1958 and an independent republic on August 13, 1960. On December 4, 1976 President Jean Bedel Bokassa had himself installed as emperor in an elaborate ceremony modeled after Napoleon's coronation. The Central African Republic was restored on September 21, 1979 when former President David Dacko was restored to power with the assistance of the French military.
Bibliography
"Jean-Bédel Bokassa." Wikipedia. 5 Dec. 2009. Wikimeida Foundation, Inc. 27 Dec. 2009 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean-B%C3%A9del_Bokassa.
Kloetzel, James E. ed.
"Central African Republic." Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue. Sidney, Ohio: Scott Publishing, 2008.
