Stamp Interests

“Were Told”

From “PlM’s” Nukualofa Correspoi There was certainly a tub Tonga’s overprint issue—all set now well and truly sold out there can be no suggestion that seas stamp interests were not ad before the release. It was the a sent overseas that resulted in issue being sold out so quickly.

THE Tonga Government Gj Extraordinary of Februar 1962, included a note on the issi the following stamps:

The notice went on to say, above stamps will be placed on p sale in the various post offices o Kingdom from February 7, until supplies are sold out, anc official stamps will be utilised b; various Departments of the Go ment until exhausted.”

On January 31, the Crown A in London, as the Kingdom’s I telic agents in the United King were informed by telegram thal issue would take place. On Febi 1, the Crown Agents were info: of the details of the issue. Ce other philatelic interests were als formed of the details of the issu February 1, 1962.

Large numbers of sets were be locally from the post offices of Kingdom and a great many ordered from overseas.

Nevertheless, within a few ( supplies of complete sets had bee exhausted and there were many appointed would-be purchasers, was taken to make certain tha one person or organisation bo

Regular Series Official Ail Series 33,000 Id. 2,400 23.400 23.400 4d. 5d. 2,400 21,000 6d. 2,100 21,000 8d. 2,100 21,000 18,600 Is. 2s. 2,100 18,600 5s. 900

he postal administrations more ilf the total number of any one [nation issued. :an be seen from the printing only 18,600 sets of the regular (with a face value of 10/-) available, and within a few af the public announcement in azette, orders worth £15,000 ready been received—far more

orders than there were sets available.

Prince Tungi, Prince Regent in the absence of Queen Salote in New Zea land, wrote to Sir John Wilson, Keeper of the Royal Philatelic Col lection at Buckingham Palace, and sent selected corner blocks of four (showing the imprint) from each de nomination.