Pacific stamp box

With this month’s stamp news, I wish you all a very happy and holy Christmas time. This time of the year is always a good one to have a breather and catch up on stamp collecting. Most countries have stopped issuing stamps over these couple of months and these are the holidays when one usually spends time relaxing before the hustle and bustle of the new year.

Many countries have issued their annual packs and year albums during November. May I urge you to put aside the Papua New Guinea year album again. Last year’s run of 5,000 sold out quickly. This year 10,000 have been produced (again a low figure).

With the issue of some very attractive stamps this year the Papua New Guinea year album is most attractive and serves as a very useful Christmas present for someone who has everything. The Papua New Guinea Consulate at 100 Clarence St, Sydney is now selling Papua New Guinea stamps.

The Kingdom of Tonga is celebrating its centenary of postage stamps. The first stamps were issued in the capital Nukua ’lofa on August 27, 1886. To mark the centenary Tonga issued a set of four stamps and a miniature sheet on 27 August. The stamp illustrates the various types of stamps issued during the last 100 years. Featured are four monarchs who have reigned during the period (King George I, King George 11, Queen Salote and King Taufa’ Ahau Tupou IV.) The meeting of Pacific Island coun tries which recently gathered to discuss philatelic sales decided in an effort to rehabilitate the industry, to ask the Canadian Government for assistance.

The result was a 101 page manual written by a Canadian Philatelic expert, Frank Flatters.

The manual was examined by Kiriba ti, Tonga, Tuvalu, The Solomons, Vanuatu and Western Samoa. The main thrust of the report was that revitalising of stamp sales depended on a presence in the market with quality products but no overproduction. (One hopes Tuvalu takes the message to heart as their latest thematic issues featuring Football World Cup and Locos amount to 42 stamps issed in one month).

It is good to see Pacific nations working together to not only increase their earnings from stamp sales but to give the collectors the best possible stamps and service.

Well done Australia. The Asiago Award, which is conducted in conjunction with the annual Philatelic Exhibition at Asiago, Italy, has been given to Australia for the world’s most beautiful stamp issue for 1985. The prestigious award was given for Australia’s 1986 conservation set.

Fiji issued a ‘knock out’ set of four stamps in November featuring war clubs. War was indeed a part of Fijian life until early this century. The ritual and ceremony of ancient customs often required war to settle disputes and sacrifices to accompany most major events. War clubs were used in these events. Despite their rather frightening background the clubs were intricately carved. These stamps show the clubs and the beautiful designs they feature.

Fiji, Kiribati (26 August) and Tuvalu (30 July) issued stamps featuring lizards. Those collecting stamps on this theme will be impressed with the attractive designs of all the stamps.

Norfolk Island on 23 September issued its set of Christmas stamps. This

year the theme is outdoor activities showing yachts sailing off the island with the Dove of Peace observing the island from above.

With the International Year of Peace nearly over one hopes the idea of Peace will remain uppermost in the minds of all.

With the America’s Cup yacht race hotting up in Perth, several Pacific countries are issuing stamps for the event. Papua New Guinea next year will commemorate the event with a set of four stamps featuring historic boats in the history of that country.

Mentioned last month was the fact that the Solomon Islands have been granted the world philatelic rights to the America’s Cup. In conjunction with the set of 50 stamps the Solomon Islands have now released a very attractive and informative book called “The Encyc lopedia of the America’s Cup in Stamps”. The 50 stamps can be housed in the book which tells you everything you ever wanted to know about the cup and its contestants.