In 1868, the German trading house of Carl Woermann established the first German settlement in Kamerun. This settlement was quickly followed by others, as German merchants raced to establish a presence in the territory before competing British and French agents.  On 14 July 1884, German explorer Dr. Gustav Nachtigal officially raised the German flag over Kamerun and declared it to be under German protection.

On 27 February 1910, the Gartenfest, or Garden Festival, was held in Duala.  At that festival, a handstamp was used to privately cancel items being mailed from the site.  These items were then postmarked with the official Duala canceller.  It is unknown whether this marking was sanctioned by the local postal official, Postdirektor Peglow, though it seems likely he was involved due to the need to supervise on-site postal operations at the festival.