Pacific Stamp Box

Edited by John Hunter

SINCE I complained about the Sol omon Islands issue of the gold stamp $5, others in the philatelic world have joined the barrage of com plaints. The latest comes from Stamp News with the headline The Shame of the Sol omon Islands and the comment “the Sol omon Islands has just ceased to exist as far as the stamp world is concerned.” It will take the Solomon Islands many years of promotion and conservative stamp issues for it to win back its once-large band of supporters.

THE Australian public has voted for the stamp considered the best for 1986. The Christmas issue was the most popular re lease. Next were, in order; Native orchids, Australian wildlife. Click Go The Shears, and America’s Cup. The least popular was the Australian Children’s Classics and the Queen’s Birthday.

FIFTY years ago Amelia Earhart made her last flight. She was attempting to be the first woman to fly around the world. On July 2, 1937, she took off from Lae Airport in PNG in a Lockheed aircraft, bound for Honolulu. The plane was never seen again.

Before arriving in PNG Miss Earhart visited Darwin on June 28. Darwin Post Office has issued a special commemora tive postmark to commemorate the jubi lee of the flight, while PNG issued a postmark on August 1, to commemorate its place in the history of the flight.

PITCAIRN Island issued two se-ten ant stamps featuring trees of the island on August 10. One features a painting of the tree while its neighbour features trees, flowers and fruit.

THE Federated States of Micronesia issued a set of five stamps on June 12 com memorating events of 1987. Those fea tured are Tear of Shelter, 200th anniversary of Dollar Currency, 25th anniversary of first American to orbit the Earth, Bicentennial of the US Constitu tion and Capex ’B7.

FIJI has joined the list of countries commemorating the Year of Shelter for the Homeless. On July 2 two stamps were is sued showing two aspects of help for the homeless one the contribution by the people in self-help and informal housing and the other the contribution by the government home-purchase plan housing.

ON July 15 Vanuatu issued a definitive set of 15 stamps featuring fish. This fol lows the fish issue of PNG and reminds me of my thoughts on having these issues in the Pacific. Approaches have been made to Pacific countries to have several stamp sets each year with a common theme and issued together as part of a Pacific pro motion. Unfortunately the idea has never been supported. I feel this is wasting a golden opportunity to increase interest and sales of Pacific stamps.

ON July 1 French Polynesia issued a set of three stamps featuring traditional mus ical instruments.

NORFOLK Island issued Part 111 of its definitive issue on July 27, with four stamps showing a selection of pictureque scenes of the island. A folder is planned to house the series. The island’s authorities are also reportedly excited with the invi tation extended by the World Wildlife Fund, which would like to see a set of stamps released featuring the endangered Green Parrot. On September 16 a se-ten ant set of four stamps will be released, fea turing the bird.

APOLOGIES for giving the incorrect values and stamps for the Papua New Guinea Ship issue. At the time of writing these stamps were to be issued as shown.

However, PNG, jealous of its high quality printing reputation, destroyed the stamp as the printing was not good enough. A new set was printed adding a further stamp and changing values. This set was issued on June 15. Actually here lies a great invest ment. As part of the promotion for the ship stamp, advance copies of the poorly printed stamp were distributed. These stamps were never issued and thus are part of Papua New Guinea philatelic history. I don’t know how many advance copies of the stamps were issued, but there certainly were not many. If you are lucky enough to get your hands on a set, hold on to it. □