Pacific stamp box

As space on this page is limited each month, I am not able to show you many of the stamp issues around the Pacific.

So this time I want to show you some of the recent Pacific stamp issues with a Christmas theme. (By the way, did you know that Australia was the first country to issue a stamp with the theme of Christmas?) FIJI: Christmas 1984, October 29, 1984, Bc, 20c, 25c, 40c, $l. Painting by Fijian children on the theme of Christmas.

NAURU: Christmas 1984, Novem ber 14, 30c, 40c, 50c. Candelight service and church buildings.

SAMOA: Christmas 1984, Novem ber 7, 1984, 255, 355, $l. The three virtues by Raphael Faith, Hope and Charity.

VANUATU: Christmas 1984, November 19, 1984, 25vt, 45vt, 75vt.

Nativity scene and Father Christmas handing out gifts.

CHRISTMAS ISLAND: Christmas 1984 and Ausipex 84, 21 September, 1984, Miniature sheet 30c, 55c, 85c.

Father Christmas meeting school chil dren.

TUVALU: Christmas 1984, 14 November, 1984, 15c, 40c, 50c, 60c.

Children’s paintings of the Christmas theme.

TONGA: Christmas 1984, 12 November, 1984, 325, 475, Tsl.oo.

Carols with Tonga scenes.

I would like to particularly thank the Crown Agents for many of the stamps I am able to use each month.

Tip Of The Month

Investment Tip . . . The New Zealand stamp collection, 1984. This is the first official collection of New Zealand stamp issues and is a bargain at A 517.25. The first Australian collection is now double its issue price.

There are many who collect mistakes in stamp designs, wrong issue dates, etc. Here is your chance for a recent issue of an event that did not take place.

French Polynesia on November 20 issued a 150 fr. stamp commemorating the 4th Festival of Pacific Arts which was to have been held in December in Noumea. Unfortunately, the unrest in New Caledonia forced the cancellation of the festival. The stamp made a brief appearance but will quickly disappear. I believe it will be a much sought after Pacific piece.

February 6 Papua New Guinea Scenes lOt, 25t, 40t and 60t. ? Kiribati Reef fish. Four values. ? Christmas Island Crabs, Part One. 13 Australia International Youth Year. 30c. 13 Australia sth Women’s World Bowls Championships pre-stamped envelope. 30c. ? Australia Bicentennial Col lection Series 11. Terra Australis (Part One) Four values and miniature sheet. 20 Niuafo’ou/Tin Can Island Birth Anniversary of Le Maire.

Four values. 27 Tonga Navigators and Ex plorers (Part 2). 295, 325, 47s and $1.50.

March 6 New Zealand Vintage Transport; Trans/Cable Cars.

Six Values. 6 Australia Colonial Military Uniforms. Five 30c stamps se tenant. ? Vanuatu Marine Life. Part One. 13 Australia Centenary of Dis trict Nursing. 30c.

April 10 Tonga Trench and Marine Exploration. 295, 325, 475, $1.50 and souvenir sheet. 24 New Zealand New Defini tives. Native Birds $l.OO and $2.00. ? Australia 75th Anniversary of Guiding pre-stamped en velope. ? Australia Completion of Queensland Culture Centre pre-stamped envelope. ? Australia Queen’s Birth day. One value.

May 22 Niuafo’ou/Tin Can Island Early Shipping. Four values. ? Kiribati Islands Part IV.

Four values. ? Vanuatu International Youth Year. ? Australia 75th Anniversary of Amateur Radio Stations pre stamped envelope.

June 12 New Zealand Bridges. Four values. 16 Tonga 175th Anniversary of the Departure of Will Marin er. Five values. ? Australia Marine Life Series 11. Nine values.

July ? Vanuatu sth Anniversary of Independence. 16 Tonga 50th Anniversary of the film, “Mutiny on the Boun ty”. Five values setenant. 31 New Zealand Healths.

Three values and miniature sheet. Royal Family.

September 18 New Zealand Christmas.

Three values.

October ? Vanuatu 20th Century of Trading Ships.

November 6 New Zealand N.Z. Military History (Royal New Zealand Navy). Four values and minia ture sheet.