Postage stamps and postal history of Tonga
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Postage stamps and postal history of Tonga
The postal history of Tonga can be traced to 1886, with the issuance of postage stamps featuring the image of King George Tupou I.[1]
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Tin Can mail
In the early part of the 20th century, philatelists began seeking out postal cancellations from Niuafo'ou, a volcanic Tongan island. Since Niuafo'ou lacked a deep water harbor to accommodate ships, postal deliveries were received via the so-called "Tin Can Mail" system of having mail thrown overboard in biscuit tins and retrieved by local swimmers.[2]
Self-adhesive stamps
In 1963, Tonga issued the world’s first self-adhesive stamps, an event which was celebrated by numismatics.[3] The stamps were also circular in shape and printed on embossed gilt-foiled paper, thus matching the design of the coins being commemorated.[4] Subsequent philatelic issues employed other off-beat designs – including stamps shaped like hearts, birds and fruit – and Tonga continued to issue self-adhesive stamps printed on paper.[4] Although several of the stamps were too big for placement on conventional first-class mailing envelopes, Tonga’s unusual postage stamps have become popular with philatelists around the world.[5]
Recent developments
In April 2008, the Tongan government announced the Tongan Post Office would be corporatized. However, the Tongan Post Office was not included in the 2008 effort to privatize other agencies and departments run by the government.[6]
References
- ^ Brij V. Lal & Kate Fortune (2000). The Pacific Islands: An Encyclopedia. University of Hawaii Press. p. 392. ISBN 0-8248-2265-X. http://books.google.com/books?id=T5pPpJl8E5wC&pg=PA392&lpg=PA392&dq=tonga+postage+stamps&source=bl&ots=CukMbkIPw0&sig=_NSPuFBqajMM2yCeG37q7pdVgjw&hl=en&ei=8Y7bSZfHB9rqlQed5qSACA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=9.
- ^ "Rhode Island Around the World - International Mail". Rhode Island Historical Society: Postal History Collection. http://thesaltysailor.com/rhodeisland-philatelic/rhodeisland/1901-6.htm. Retrieved 2009-04-08.
- ^ Michael Baadke. "Innovations range from practical to offbeat". Linn's Stamp Monthly. http://www.linns.com/howto/refresher/innovations_20000619/refreshercourse.aspx. Retrieved 2009-04-08.
- ^ a b Rodney A. Perry (July 2006). "Self-adhesive stamps of Tonga". Philatelic Database/Stamp News. http://www.philatelicdatabase.com/postal-history/self-adhesive-stamps-of-tonga/. Retrieved 2009-04-08.
- ^ Earl R. Hinz & Jim Howard (2006). Landfalls of Paradise: Cruising Guide to the Pacific Islands. University of Hawaii Press. p. 157. ISBN 0-8248-3037-7. http://books.google.com/books?id=CjIg5FgUUW8C&pg=PA157&dq=tonga+postage+stamps&lr=&ei=gI_bSfPyFoy0yQSepenzCQ#PPA157,M1.
- ^ "Tonga Post Office to be corporatised". Radio New Zealand International. April 28, 2008. http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=39426. Retrieved 2009-04-08.
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