Postage stamps and postal history of Tonga
You can help expand this article with text translated from the corresponding article in Russian. (February 2015) Click [show] for important translation instructions.
|
The beginnings of the
Tin Can mail
In the early part of the 20th century, philatelists began seeking out postal cancellations from
Self-adhesive stamps
In 1963, Tonga issued the world's first self-adhesive stamps, an event which was celebrated by philatelists.[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][6]
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.[7]
Niuafoʻou issues
Tonga has issued stamps for Niuafoʻou since 1983.[8]
References
- ^ The stamps of Tonga. Handbook by A. A. Rosenblum. Orlo-Smith & Co, Melbourne, 1935
- ^ "Rhode Island Around the World - International Mail". Rhode Island Historical Society: Postal History Collection. Retrieved 2009-04-08.
- ^ Michael Baadke. "Innovations range from practical to offbeat". Linn's Stamp Monthly. Archived from the original on 2012-04-06. Retrieved 2009-04-08.
- ^ a b Rodney A. Perry (July 2006). "Self-adhesive stamps of Tonga". Philatelic Database/Stamp News. Retrieved 2009-04-08.
- ISBN 0-8248-3037-7.
- ^ "Tonga". StampWorldHistory.com. Archived from the original on 3 March 2018.
- ^ "Tonga Post Office to be corporatised". Radio New Zealand International. April 28, 2008. Retrieved 2009-04-08.
- ^ "Niuafo'ou – Tin Can Island". StampWorldHistory.com. Archived from the original on 3 March 2018.
Further reading
- Melville, Fred J. Tonga. London: Melville Stamp Books, 1909, 65p.
- Proud, Edward. The Postal history of the British Solomon Islands and Tonga. Heathfield (E.Sussex): Proud-Bailey Co. Ltd, 2006 ISBN 1872465498, 296p.
- Rosenblum, Alec A. The Stamps of Tonga: handbook. Melbourne: Orlo-Smith, 1935, 72p.