Pacific Stamp box
p. 47 · Read in the full issue
I must say I was very disappointed on reading in the Stamp Monthly that the magazine was discontinuing its Pacific Calendar. The Pacific Calen dar was a month by month listing of new issues in the Pacific. Dates and details of the issues were given for three to six months ahead.
The reason for this action was that most of the administrations of the Pacific now give much shorter notice of planned releases and requests made to them for details by Stamp Monthly remained unanswered.
I have written numerous times on the fact that the golden days of stamp sales were over (if such days ever existed).
No longer will stamp agencies find people chasing after them for stamps.
Stamp collecting will only survive and grow with active promotion. Why can’t the majority of Pacific countries see that active promotion is vital?
Here is a case in point where authorities can’t be bothered to circu late a year’s stamp issuing program. By issuing and promoting a program stamp collectors know what is happening and when. If countries won’t do this the collector is left in the dark and will take the easy way out by not collecting stamps from those countries.
As I keep saying, Pacific countries must concentrate on quality with less quantity and full scale promotion of the stamps. Let me then give you the stamp program for three authorities that in fact have excellent promotion material, quality stamps and keep collectors up to date. New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and the Solomons Islands.
New Zealand
14 January Tourism (6 stamps); 2 February Blue Water Classics (4 stamps); 15 April Military History (4 stamps and miniature); 17 June Scenic issue (4 stamps and miniature); 29 July Health issue (3 stamps and miniature); 16 September Christmas issue (3 stamps); 4 November Visual Arts (4 stamps).
Papua New Guinea;
4 February Ships (4 stamps); 15 April Anemonefish (4 stamps); 15 June Ships (4 stamps); 19 August Flowers (4 stamps); 11 November Aeroplanes (4 stamps).
Solomon Islands:
11 February Corals; 12 May Flowers; 15 July King Fisher; 23 September Orchids; 25 November Butterflies.
Pacific countries are beginning to issue stamps commemorating the
America’s Cup race. So far Australia, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Kiribati and New Zealand will be issuing.
I reported previously on Norfolk Island’s Bicentenary Issues. I now have details of the set of six issues associated with the event. Issues are 16 December 1986 Pre-European occupation; 14 October 1986 Governor Philps Commission; 13 May 1987 First Fleet Leaving Spithead; 8 December 1987 Le Perouse Visits; 25 January 1988 First Fleet Arrives; 7 March 1988 Foundation of Norfolk Island.
A Log Book to accommodate and provide background information on the issues is also available. Altogether a very nice set and good investment.
Ships are the theme of Pitcairn
Island’s new issue of 20 January. A set °f f° ur stamps were issued featuring stamps associated with the islands, Vanuatu has issued an attractive set of f° ur stamps featuring motor vehicles at reached the Pacific. Depicted on stamp are a Model A Ford 1927, Datsun 2402 1969, Unic 2 ton truck 1924 and Citroen DSI9 1955.
The specialised national air mail exhibition Aeropex ’B7 has now be come Aeropex ’BB due to a difficulty with th« venue. The Aeropex ’BB will be h e ld 9-10 April 1988 at the Adelaide Town Hall. It will be held under the patronage of the Australian Philatelic Federation and FISA, the world aerophilatelic federation based in Europe. Already enquiries are being received from USA, Canada, Germany and the UK.