Pacific stamp box

One of the discoveries made at Ausipex in Melbourne was the large number of stamp collectors who had moved over to collecting Pacific Island issues. The daunting undertaking of keeping up with every philatelic issue from Australia has been squeezing the collector out of Australia and into the Pacific. The reason for the Pacific receiving the alternative interest is that most Pacific countries have a modest issuing policy, both in numbers of philatelic items issued and their cost. Pacific stamps also hold their value well and designs are usually attractive.

Starting a Pacific collection is not difficult. The boom-price days of the late seventies have gone and Pacific prices are now more realistic and, in fact, bargains are there to be found, with some good investment pieces to be had at reasonable prices.

If country collecting seems too restric ting, try working with themes, such as animals, explorers, transport systems, botanical specimens, culture, and so on. Most attractive and informative collections can be assembled at quite modest cost.

On the other hand it is still possible to collect Pacific stamps with an eye to investment. This is, of course, a long term venture. Buying stamps for invest ment requires holding them for at least five years, and it also requires some careful buying, which means, for a novice, seeking sound advice.

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PACIFICA...During Ausipex the phi latelic representatives of all the Pacific countries were approached for their views on introduction of a ’’Pacifica” stamp series involving all nations of the region. The idea is that from time to time each country which is a member of the Pacifica group would issue a series of stamps carrying a special logo and would enjoy world-wide marketing of those stamps, all-of-a-package. Pacifica issues would have common themes, for example, health, communications, trade and so on. European countries already do this with their Europa stamp issues.

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New Royal Portrait...Many Of

us who collect stamps featuring a portrait of the Queen find the image familiar, but how often do we study it closely? Do we know which way the Queen is facing on a particular stamp or

coin? What is she wearing? Is it a portrait of her in youth, or middle-age?

Like all of us, the Queen has aged and, now, after 15 years of use, the official portrait is to be replaced. This is the second time since her coronation that the image for notes and coinage has been updated. The new one will appear on British and Commonwealth coins from 1985 but there will be a further delay before a change is made on the stamps.

The new portrait is the work of Raphael David Makouf and it replaces the former bas relief by Arnold Machin.

New Issues

Christmas Island put on sale on November 1 a 1984 presentation pack which included stamps featuring the Red Land Crab, Fungi, 25 years of cricket and a Christmas issue. Cook Islands issued three stamps on Septem ber 14 for Aitutaki, to commemorate Ausipex. Two of the stamps feature William Bligh, the first European to see Aitutaki, and the third features Aitutaki stamps from 1920-1979. On Septem ber 20 the Cook Islands also issued four stamps to commemorate Ausipex. They feature Captain Cook.

Nauru, on November 14, issued three Christmas stamps. Two feature churches in Nauru and the third carol singers.

Norfolk Island on October 9 issued five stamps to commemorate the

centenary of the Methodist Church in the island. This is also their 1984 Christmas issue.

Papua New Guinea, on November 6, issued two se-tenant stamps to com memorate the centenary of the proclamation of British and German New Guinea. These attractive stamps are clearly designed. The lOt se-tenant shows a view of Port Moresby in 1884 being lifted back to reveal the Port Moresby of today. The 45t se-tenant shows a view of Rabaul in 1884, also lifted back from modern Rabaul.

Rabaul was the capital of German New Guinea, and Port Moresby the British capital of New Guinea.

Tonga, on September 17, completed its attractive marine life series with two stamps featuring local crabs.

Tuvalu, on September 13, issued four se-tenant stamps featuring motor cars.

Niutao issued six se-tenant stamps featuring locomotives. Both issues are part of their World Leaders series.