Chronology of Postage Stamps

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References are numbered in [brackets], which are listed here. A number after the dot gives the page in the source.

Last updated: 2022 June 28.

1950

January 1
  • The Republic of China issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
January 16
  • The autonomous state of Cyrenaica issues its first and last postage stamps. [707.705] [1135]
January 17
  • The United States of Indonesia issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
January 26
  • The Republic of India issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
March 24
  • Somalia (under Italian trusteeship) issues its first postage stamps. [285.17] [1135]
May 15
  • Comoro Islands issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
(month unknown)
  • Comoro Islands issues its first postage stamps. [707.473]
August 17
  • The Republic of Indonesia issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
November 16
  • United Nations gets US government approval to issue postage stamps. [1]
December 15
  • The People's Republic of Albania issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
December 17
  • The US Treasury Department bans the purchase and import of North Korea stamps. [1135]

1951

  • Cambodia issues its first postage stamps. [707.1]
August 17
  • Vietnam issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
October 21
  • South Vietnam joins the Universal Postal Union. [1135]
October 24
  • United Nations Postal Administration issues its first postage stamps. [1] [700.211] [834.8]
November 13
  • The Kingdom of Laos issues its first postage stamps. [1135]

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November
  • The Kingdom of Cambodia issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
December 21
  • Kampuchea/Cambodia joins the Universal Postal Union. [1135]
December 24
  • The Kingdom of Libya issues its first postage stamps, using overprinted stamps of Cyrenaica. [1135] [1367.501]

1952

January 1
  • Tristan da Cunha issues its first postage stamps, using overprinted stamps of Saint Helena. [1135]
February 1
  • First postage stamps issued for Tristan da Cunha, using stamps of Saint Helena overprinted "Tristan da Cunha". [1166.230]
February 6
  • England replaces King George VI stamp series with Queen Elizabeth II. [1]
April 15
  • Libya issues its first specifically-made postage stamps. [1367.501]
May 20
  • Laos joins the Universal Postal Union. [1135]
June 4
  • Libya joins the Universal Postal Union. [1135]
June 14
  • First joint issue of postage stamps for Saint Christopher, Nevis, and Anguilla. [1135]
October 30
  • Papua and New Guinea issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
November 21
  • First US postage stamp in two colors (rotary process) introduced. [1]

1953

June 2
  • Tristan da Cunha first issues its own postage stamps, 3-penny denomination for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. [1166.230]

1954

February 22
  • Leeward Islands issues its last postage stamps. [1367.446]
July 1
  • First joint issue of postage stamps inscribed "Rhodesia and Nyasaland", for use in Northern Thodesia, Southern Rhodesia, and Nyasaland Protectorate. [1135]
July 20
  • South Vietnam issues its first postage stamps. [1135]

1955

January 1
  • Bhutan issues its first postage stamps. [1]
August 1
  • Last postage stamps of the british Crown Colony of Cyprus. [707.686]
August 16
  • The Republic of Cyprus issues its first postage stamps. [707.686]
September 1
  • Qu'aiti State in Hadhramaut issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
October 12
  • Monaco joins the Universal Postal Union. [1135]
October 28
  • French Southern and Antarctic Territories issues its first postage stamps. [1135]

1956

March 1
  • The Kingdom of Tunisia issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
April 7
  • Spanish Morocco ceases issuance of postage stamps. [1135]
(month unknown)
  • Last stamps of Cameroun under French mandate are issued. [707.29]
July 1
  • Stamps of the Leeward Islands become invalid. [1135]
July 27
  • Sudan joins the Universal Postal Union. [1135]
August 17
  • The Kingdom of Morocco issues its first postage stamps, in French currency. [1135]
August 23
  • The Kingdom of Morocco issues its first postage stamps in Spanish currency. [1135]
October 11
  • Nepal joins the Universal Postal Union. [1135]
October 15
  • Morocco joins the Universal Postal Union. [1135]
November 1
  • Tunisia joins the Universal Postal Union. [1135]
December 14
  • Laos issues its first postage stamps as an independent state. [1135]

1957

January 11
  • Ross Dependency issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
March 6
  • Ghana issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
March 12
  • Last postage stamps of Madagascar (continuing as Malagasy Republic). [1367.651]
March 27
  • The Australian Antarctic Territory issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
April 1
  • Qatar issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
May 5
  • Federation of Malaya issues its first postage stamps. [1135] [1367.693]
June 8
  • The Republic of Togo issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
(month unknown)
  • Australia Antarctic Territory issues its first postage stamps. [700.630]
July 15
  • The Galapagos Islands issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
August 8
  • The Republic of Tunisia issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
October 10
  • Ghana joins the Universal Postal Union. [1135]
November
  • The British post office begins experiments with automatic electronic sorting, facing, and cancelling mail. Vertical graphite lines are applied on the backs under the gum of definitive issues in 1/2- through 4 1/2-penny denominations. The stamp on an envelope can then be detected by use of an electrical charge. [1091.18]
November 19
  • Great Britain introduces postage stamps with graphite lines on backs as part of an automatic mail sorting experiment, in Southampton. [1135]

1958

January 17
  • Malaysia joins the Universal Postal Union. [1135]
February 12
  • The United Arab Republic issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
(month unknown)
  • Independent state of Cameroun issues first postage stamps. [707.29]
August 18
  • Great Britain post office issues first regional postage stamps (Bailiwick of Guernsey, Isle of Man, Jersey, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Principality of Wales). [1] [834.22] [1135]
October 15
  • First postage stamps issued for Christmas Island, using stamps of Australia overprinted with name and value. [707.404] [1135] [1152.1200]
November 3
  • French Polynesia issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
December 10
  • Malagasy Republic issues its first postage stamps. [1135] [1367.651]

1959

January 5
  • Republic of Guinea issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
February 1
  • Britain issues first postage stamps made specifically for use in Kuwait. [1367.348]
May 6
  • People's Republic of Guinea joins the Universal Postal Union. [1135]
June
  • The British post office abandons use of graphite lines on backs of stamps for automatic electronic sorting. [1091.18]
(month unknown)
  • Upper Volta, now a republic, resumes issuing postage stamps. [700.1239]
  • Republic of Chad issues its first postage stamps. [707.185]
  • Republic of Congo issues first postage stamps. [707.497]
July 30
  • Frederick H. Douglas of New Jersey sells at John A. Fox auction a USA 1918 24-cent Jenny invert airmail postage stamp, mint never hinged, for $6100 to Raymond H. Weill, acting as agent for J. A. Graves. [1220.76]
October 1
  • Republic of Ivory Coast issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
November 7
  • Mali Federation issues its first postage stamps. [1135] [1367.769]
November 17
  • Kingdom of Morocco issues its first postage stamps for use throughout kingdom. [1135]
November 18
  • Great Britain issues stamps with phosphor bands as part of automatic sorting procedure. [1135]
November 28
  • Congo Republic issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
December 1
  • Central African Republic issues its first postage stamps. [707.142] [1135]
December 10
  • Republic of Upper Volta issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
December 18
  • Republic of Niger issues its first postage stamps. [1135]

1960

January 1
  • Republic of Cameroon issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
January 4
  • Last postage stamps issued for British colony of Jamaica prior to independence. [1367.3]
January 20
  • Islamic Republic of Mauritania issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
February 16
  • Kuwait joins the Universal Postal Union. [1135]
March 1
  • Republic of Dahomey issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
May 2
  • Belgian Congo issues its last postage stamps. [700.815]
May 21
  • The Federation of Mali issues its last postage stamps. [1367.769]
June 6
  • Congo Democratic Republic issues its first postage stamps, using overprinted stamps of the Belgian Congo. [1135]
June 26
  • Republic of Somalia issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
June 30
  • Congo issues its first postage stamps, using stamps of Belgian Congo overprinted "CONGO". [707.491]
(month unknown)
  • Congo issues its first own postage stamps. [707.492]
July 1
  • Somalia joins the Universal Postal Union. [1135]
  • First postage stamps designed for Bahrain are issued, depicting Sheik Sulman bin Hamed al-Khalifa. [700.740] [1135]
  • Congo Democratic Republic joins the Universal Postal Union. [1135]
July 11
  • Katanga issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
July 26
  • Cameroon joins the Universal Postal Union. [1135]
September 12
  • Katanga issues its first postage stamps, as overprints of Belgian Congo stamps. [1367.145]
October 1
  • First and last postage stamps for Cameroons United Kingdom Trust Territory are issues, using stamps of Nigeria overprinted "CAMEROONS U.K.T.T.". [707.27]

1961

January 7
  • Trucial States (later United Arab Emirates) issue their first postage stamps. [1] [1135]
January 15
  • The Republic of Mali issues its first postage stamps, using overprinted stamps of the Federation of Mali. [1135] [1367.769]
February 14
  • British colonies in southern Africa switch to decimal currency: rand and cents. [1156.50]
March 1
  • Katanga issues its first own postage stamps. [1467.145]
March 18
  • The Republic of Mali issues its own first postage stamps. [1135] [1367.769]
March 23
  • Ivory Coast joins the Universal Postal Union. [1135]
April 21
  • Mali joins the Universal Postal Union. [1135]
April 27
  • Republic of Benin joins the Universal Postal Union. [1135]
  • Sierra Leone issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
June 12
  • Niger joins the Universal Postal Union. [1135]
June 14
  • Senegal joins the Universal Postal Union. [1135]
June
  • Robert A. Siegel of New York sells at auction a US 24-cent airmail Jenny invert for $9750, a record. [958.856]
June 23
  • Chad joins the Universal Postal Union. [1135]
June 28
  • Central African Republic joins the Universal Postal Union. [1135]
July 5
  • People's Republic of Congo joins the Universal Postal Union. [1135]
July 10
  • Nigeria joins the Universal Postal Union. [1135]
July 17
  • Gabon joins the Universal Postal Union. [1135]
November 2
  • Malagasy Republic joins the Universal Postal Union. [1135]
  • Syrian Arab Republic issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
November 23
  • Republic of Cyprus joins the Universal Postal Union. [1135]
December 9
  • Tanganyika issues its first postage stamps. [1135]

1962

January 11
  • Independent Kuwait issues its first postage stamps. [1367.248]
January 26
  • Sierra Leone joins the Universal Postal Union. [1135]
March 21
  • Togo joins the Universal Postal Union. [1135]
April 13
  • Liechtenstein joins the Universal Postal Union. [1135]
April
  • Bhutan issues its first postage stamps. [700.941]
May 16
  • Bhutan issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
July 1
  • First postage stamps for the Kingdom Burundi are issued, using stamps of Ruanda-Urundi overprinted "Royaume du Burundi". [700.1275] [1135]
  • Republic of Rwanda issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
July 2
  • Samoa issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
  • Algeria issues its first postage stamps as independent state. [1135]
August 8
  • Independent state of Jamaica issues its first postage stamps. [1367.3]
August 29
  • Jamaica joins the Universal Postal Union. [1135]
September 27
  • Burundi issues its first postage stamps. [700.1275]
October 1
  • Katanga issues its last postage stamps. [1467.145]
October 9
  • Uganda issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
November 16
  • The US Post Office Department begins sales of intentionally-created error stamps, the two-color 4-cent Dag Hammarskjold stamp with one color inverted, due to existence of two sheets of misprints. [1024.44] [1135]

1963

February 1
  • British Antarctic Territory issues its first postage stamps. [700.1121] [1135]
March 29
  • Tanzania joins the Universal Postal Union. [1135]
  • Upper Volta joins the Universal Postal Union. [1135]
April 6
  • Rwanda joins the Universal Postal Union. [1135]
June 11
  • Cocos Islands issues its first postage stamps. [707.412]
  • Cocos (Keeling) Islands issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
June 15
  • The Sheikdom of Dubai issues its first postage stamps. [994.946] [1135]
June 16
  • Trinidad and Tobago joins the Universal Postal Union. [1135]
June 17
  • Tonga issues the world's first self-adhesive postage stamp. [1135]
July 8
  • The US Treasury Department bans the purchase abroad and import of postage stamps of Cuba. [1135]
July 10
  • Sharjah and Dependencies issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
July 17
  • South Georgia issues its own first postage stamps. [1135]
August 24
  • Mongolia joins the Universal Postal Union. [1135]
August 28
  • Christmas Island issues its own first postage stamps. [707.404]
September 16
  • Malaysia issues its first postage stamps. [1135] [1367.707]
October 20
  • The Quaiti State of Shihrand and Mukalla of Aden issues its last postage stamps. [700.249]
November 25
  • South Arabian Federation issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
December 10
  • Zanzibar issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
  • Northern Rhodesia issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
December 12
  • Kenya issues its first postage stamps. [1135] [1367.156]

1964

February 13
  • Uganda joins the Universal Postal Union. [1135]
February 19
  • Postage stamps inscribed "Rhodesia and Nyasaland" are withdrawn. [1135]
March 30
  • The Sheikdom of Abu Dhabi issues its first postage stamps. [700.246] [994.945] [1135]
May 5
  • The US Treasury Department bans the purchase abroad and import of postage stamps of North Vietnam. [1135]
June 20
  • The Sheikdom of Ajman issues its first postage stamps. [700.292] [1135]
June 29
  • Umm al Qiwain issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
(month unknown)
  • Sierra Leone issues world's first paper self-adhesive postage stamps. [674.39] [1003.700]
July 1
  • The Kathiri State of Seigun of Aden issues its last postage stamps. [700.249]
  • Sabah issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
July 6
  • Malawi issues its first postage stamps. [1135] [1367.683]
July 7
  • Tanzania issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
September 22
  • The Sheikdom of Fujeira issues its first postage stamps. [994.947] [1135]
October
  • In the postage stamp auction of the Burrus collection, a unique cover with Mauritius 1847 1p and 2p sells for 28,000 pounds sterling. [1163.17]
October 21
  • East African Postal Administration issues first postage stamps for use in Uganda, Kenya, and Tanganyike. [1135]
October 24
  • Zambia issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
October 25
  • Qatar issues its first postage stamps as an independent state. [1135]
  • First postage stamps inscribed "Kenya Uganda Tanganyika Zanzibar" are issued; not used in Zanzibar. [1367.167]
October 27
  • Kenya joins the Universal Postal Union. [1135]
December 12
  • Republic of Kenya issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
December 21
  • Ras al Khaimah issues its first postage stamps. [1016.32] [1135]

1965

February 18
  • The Gambia issues its first postage stamps as independent state. [1135]
March 20
  • Khor Fakkan of Sharjah issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
March 31
  • Aden stamps withdrawn, replaced by South Arabian Federation. [1135]
April 2
  • Reginald M. Philips of Brighton donates 50,000 pounds sterling cash and his collection of Great Britain postage stamps valued at 275,000 pounds to the Postmaster General for the purpose of establishing a National Postal Museum. The collection (2500 sheets in 46 volumes) is the most comprehensive collection of 19th century British stamps, having taken about 40 years to assemble. [1165.165]
April 15
  • East African Common Services Organization issues first postage stamps for use in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. [1135] [1367.167]
May 21
  • Malta joins the Universal Postal Union. [1135]
(month unknown)
  • Aden issues its last postage stamps. [700.248]
September 1
  • Maldive Islands issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
September 16
  • Cook Islands issues its first postage stamps under self-government. [1135]
November 16
  • Malaysian state of Malacca issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
December 9
  • United Republic of Tanzania issues its first postage stamps. [1135]

1966

January 8
  • Singapore joins the Universal Postal Union. [1135]
January 21
  • Bahrain issues its first postage stamps as an independent postal administration. [1135]
January 24
  • Basutoland issues its last postage stamps. [700.794]
February 4
  • British Guiana issues its last postage stamps. [700.1130]
February 14
  • Decimalization Day in Australia, as currency is switched from pounds to dollars. Dollar and cent denominated coins and stamps are issued. [1] [501.141] [1166.210] [1135]
April 29
  • Muscat and Oman issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
May 26
  • Guyana issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
June 1
  • Bechuanaland Protectorate issues its last postage stamps. [700.797]
July 5
  • Ajman dependency of Manama issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
September 30
  • Botswana issues its first postage stamps. [700.1023] [1135] 700: 1966 SEP 30 Botswana issues its first postage stamps.
October 4
  • Lesotho issues its first postage stamps. [1135] [1367.447]
October 25
  • Malawi joins the Universal Postal Union. [1135]

1967

March 1
  • Saint Lucia issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
March 12
  • Mahra Sultanate of Qishn and Socotra issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
March 22
  • Guyana joins the Universal Postal Union. [1135]
  • Zambia joins the Universal Postal Union. [1135]
  • Mauritania joins the Universal Postal Union. [1135]
May 25
  • Bahamas adopts decimal currency. [1135]
August 15
  • Maldive Islands joins the Universal Postal Union. [1135]
August 21
  • Afars and Issas issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
  • The French Territory of the Afars and Issas issues its first postage stamps. [700.249]
September 4
  • The first postage stamps for Anguilla are issued, using overprinted stamps of Saint Kitts Nevis. [700.413] [1135]
September 6
  • Lesotho joins the Universal Postal Union. [1135]
November 11
  • Barbados joins the Universal Postal Union. [1135]
November 27
  • Anguilla issues its first postage stamps. [700.413]

1968

January 1
  • Stamps of Zanzibar are withdrawn, replaced by Tanzania. [1135]
January 12
  • Botswana joins the Universal Postal Union. [1135]
January 17
  • First postage stamps for British Indian Ocean Territory are issued, using stamps of Seychelles overprinted "B.I.O.T.". [700.1135] [964.41] [1135]
January 31
  • Republic of Nauru issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
February 5
  • Republic of Biafra of Nigeria issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
March 12
  • Mauritius issues its first postage stamps as independent state. [1135]
April 1
  • People's Republic of Southern Yemen issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
June 28
  • People's Democratic Republic of Yemen joins the Universal Postal Union. [1135]
(month unknown)
  • British Indian Ocean Territory issues its first postage stamps. [700.1135]
July 29
  • US Treasury Department bans purchase abroad and import of Rhodesian stamps. [1135]
September 6
  • Swaziland issues its first postage stamps as independent state. [1135]
October 12
  • Republic of Equatorial Guinea issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
November 19
  • Barbuda issues its own first postage stamps. [700.782] [1135]

1969

January 31
  • Qatar joins the Universal Postal Union. [1135]
March 7
  • Bhutan joins the Universal Postal Union. [1135]
April 10
  • Federal Republic of Cameroon issues its first postage stamps. [707.32]
April 17
  • Nauru joins the Universal Postal Union. [1135]
May 9
  • Burundi joins the Universal Postal Union. [1135]
July 9
  • The United States Postal Service announces a stamp to commemorate the first landing on the Moon. A record 8,743,070 requests are received for first day covers. [270.499]
July 20
  • Astronauts on the Moon hand-cancel a "moon letter" bearing a die proof of a stamp for later release, with a die cancel "Moon Landing USA JUL 20 1969". [270.499] [1135]
August 29
  • Mauritius joins the Universal Postal Union. [1135]
October 1
  • Guernsey and Jersey begin issuing their own postage stamps. [1] [655.6] [1135] [1139.986]
October 4
  • United Nations starts issuing postage stamps at Geneva, Switzerland, headquarters. [1] [700.232]
October 27
  • Saint Vincent issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
November 7
  • Swaziland joins the Universal Postal Union. [1135]

1970

March 24
  • In New York City, Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries Inc. Annual Rarity Sale sells the unique British Guiana 1-cent black on magenta postage stamp of 1856 for US$280,000 to Irwin Weinberg, American stamp dealer, a record for a single stamp. [267.255] [674.86] [1156.8] [1170.58] [1268.7]
April 7
  • Netherlands issues the world's first postage stamps with images created by computer. [268.341]
April 22
  • Somali Democratic Republic issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
July 24
  • Equatorial Guinea joins the Universal Postal Union. [1135]
August 12
  • US President Richard Nixon signs H.R. 17070 Postal Reorganization Act of 1970, creating the US Postal Service, effective July 1, 1971. [1135]
October 10
  • The Dominion of Fiji issues its first postage stamps. [1135]

1971

January 16
  • The Sultanate of Oman issues its first postage stamps, using overprinted stamps of Muscat and Oman. [1135]
February 1
  • The People's Democratic Republic of Yemen issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
June 18
  • Fiji joins the Universal Postal Union. [1135]
July 29
  • First Bangladesh postage stamps are issued. [700.749] [1135]
August 17
  • Sultanate of Oman joins the Universal Postal Union. [1135]
October 24
  • Congo issues its last postage stamps. [707.495]
December 18
  • Republic of Zaire issues its first postage stamps. [1135]

1972

January 26
  • Tonga joins the Universal Postal Union. [1135]
March 1
  • In the United Kingdom, all postage stamps denominated in pence and shillings cease to be valid for postage. [1154.938]
April 20
  • Ryukyu Islands issues its last postage stamps under US control. [700.211]
May 2
  • Ceylon issues its last postage stamps. [707.184]
May 22
  • Republic of Sri Lanka issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
(month unknown)
  • In Hamburg, Germany, Edgar Mohrmann & Company conducts their 137th Spring Sale auction. A Mauritius 2-pence "Post Office" stamp, mint, sells for 287,000 deutschemark (about US$90,000). [1173.164]
August 1
  • The federation of United Arab Emirates forms, and bans further postage stamp production of member states. [994.937] [1377.1,25]
August 9
  • Aitutaki becomes a Port of Entry into the Cook Islands, and resumes issuing postage stamps, last issued in 1924. [1135] [1377]
August
  • United Arab Emirates issues its first postage stamps, using overprinted stamps of Abu Dhabi. [1135]
September 20
  • Harmer, Rooke sells at auction a US 24-cent airmail stamp with inverted center for US$24,000. [774.8]

1973

January 1
  • The United Arab Emirates issues its first postage stamps. [796.28] [994.949] [1016.32]
January 30
  • Bhutan issues world's first scented postage stamps, 150-ch depicting red roses, printed on rose-scented paper. [1230.58]
February 7
  • Bangladesh joins the Universal Postal Union. [1135]
February 28
  • Bangladesh joins the Universal Postal Union. [1141.434]
March 9
  • British Honduras issues its last postage stamps. [700.1134]
March 30
  • The United Arab Emirates is admitted to the Universal Postal Union. [994.937]
  • United Arab Emirates joins the Universal Postal Union. [1135]
March 31
  • Postal validity of United Arab Emirates member states' stamps ends. [994.937]
May 2
  • Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries sells a US 1868 3-cent rose George Washington postage stamp with "B" grill embossing for US$23,000 The stamp is one of four known; this is the first time one is sold at public auction. [302.24]
June 1
  • First stamps for use in Belize, stamps of British Honduras overprinted "BELIZE". [700.896]
June 11
  • Belize issues its first postage stamps, using overprinted stamps of British Honduras. [1135]
July 5
  • The Isle of Man establishes an independent postal administration and begins issuing its own postage stamps. [1] [776.62] [1099.52] [1135]
November 14
  • Belize issues its own first postage stamps. [700.896]
  • Grenadines of Saint Vincent issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
December 29
  • Grenadines of Grenada issues its first postage stamps. [1135]

1974

February 7
  • Grenada issues its first postage stamps as an independent state. [1135]
May 30
  • Harmers of New York auctions a US 24-cent airmail with inverted center for US$47,000. [773.8]
October
  • The Gambia joins the Universal Postal Union. [1135]
October 19
  • Niue issues its first postage stamps as an independent state. [1135]
December 21
  • Angola issues its last postage stamps under Portuguese control. [700.399]

1975

January 30
  • Faroe Islands issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
April 12
  • The Khmer Republic issues its last postage stamps. [707.6]
April 17
  • US Treasury Department bans purchase abroad and import of Cambodia postage stamps. [1135]
April 30
  • US Treasury Department bans purchase abroad and import of South Vietnam postage stamps. [1135]
June 25
  • People's Republic of Mozambique issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
June 27
  • Comoros Islands issues last postage stamps as a French protectorate. [707.475]
(month unknown)
  • Federal and Islamic Republic of the Comoros issues first postage stamps, using Comoros Islands stamps overprinted "ETAT COMORIEN". [707.475]
August 4
  • Solomon Islands (formerly British Solomon Islands) issues its first postage stamps. [285.4]
August 20
  • Last postage stamps of the Kingdom of Laos. [1367.387]
October 1
  • Reunion Island stops printing postage stamps, France takes over production. [1]
November 11
  • Independent Angola issues its first postage stamps. [700.399]
  • Angola issues its first postage stamps as an independent state. [1135]
December 8
  • Benin issues first postage stamps, using old country name of Republic of Dahomey. [700.908]
December 15
  • Comoros issues its first own postage stamps. [707.475]
December 19
  • Cape Verde Islands issues its first postage stamps as an independent state. [1135]
December 31
  • US Postal Service increases first class domestic letter rate from 10 cents to 13. [1135]

1976

January 1
  • Tuvalu issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
January 2
  • Gilbert Islands issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
March 23
  • Last postage stamps of British Indian Ocean Territory are issued. (New issues resume May 3, 1990.) [964.41]
April 30
  • Benin issues first postage stamps under its new country name. [700.908]
June 29
  • Seychelles issues its first postage stamps as an independent state. [1135]
(month unknown)
  • Harmers of New York sells at auction a block of four US 24-cent airmail postage stamps with inverted Jenny aircraft for US$165,000. [655.5]
October 26
  • Transkei issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
December
  • Central African Republic issues its last postage stamps (until November 1979). [707.147]

1977

March
  • Central African Empire issues its first postage stamps. [707.147]
May 5
  • The French Territory of the Afars and Issas issues its last postage stamps. [700.252]
(month unknown)
  • A block of four US 24-cent airmail postage stamps with inverted Jenny aircraft sells at auction for US$220,000. [655.5]
December 2
  • The Lao People's Democratic Republic issues its first postage stamps. [1367.387]
December 6
  • Bophuthatswana issues its first postage stamps. [1135]

1978

January 6
  • First postage stamp copyrighted by US (Carl Sandburg stamp). [1]
January
  • Sotheby, Parke Bernet sells at auction a US 24-cent airmail postage stamp with inverted Jenny aircraft for US$100,000. [655.5]
(month unknown)
  • R.A. Siegel Galleries sells at auction a US 24-cent airmail postage stamp with inverted Jenny aircraft for US$135,000. [655.5]
  • Canal Zone issues its last postage stamps. [700.191]
July 7
  • Solomon Islands issues its first postage stamps as independent state. [285.4] [1135]
July 24
  • The Federal Islamic Republic of the Comoros issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
November 3
  • The Commonwealth of Dominica issues its first postage stamps as an independent state. [1135]

1979

April 30
  • Kuala Lumpur federal district of Malaysia issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
July 12
  • Kiribati issues its first postage stamps. [1135] [1367.170]
August
  • Central African Empire issues its last postage stamps. [707.148]
  • Postage stamps of the British Indian Ocean Territory are withdrawn. [1135]
August 24
  • United Nations' Vienna office begins issuing postage stamps. [1] [700.239]
(month unknown)
  • A block of four US 24-cent airmail postage stamps with inverted Jenny aircraft sells at auction for US$500,000, a world record. [655.5]
  • Stanley Gibbons International buys a collection of 3500 letters and stamps for US$10 million. [655.31]
September 13
  • Venda issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
September 30
  • The Canal Zone Postal Service ceases operations. Over 75 years, it had issued 270 different postage stamps. [1119.115]
October 27
  • Saint Vincent issues its first postage stamps as an independent state. [1135]
November 11
  • Central African Republic resumes issuing postage stamps. [707.149]
November 14
  • The US Treasury Department bans the purchase abroad and import of postage stamps of Iran. [1135]
December 16
  • The US Treasury Department lifts the ban on stamps of Phodesia. [1135]

1980

April 5
  • In New York City, USA, Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries sells at auction a British Guiana 1856 1-cent stamp, error on magenta paper, used, for 437,000 British pounds (US$935,000), to John E. du Pont, a world record for a single postage stamp. [674.86] [798.3] [1017.38] [1156.8] [1135] [1268.7] [1481.4]
April 10
  • Kampuchea issues its first postage stamps. [707.6]
April
  • Zimbabwe joins the Universal Postal Union. [1135]
April 18
  • Zimbabwe issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
May 5
  • Falkland Islands Dependencies issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
June 23
  • Nevis issues its own first postage stamps. [1135]
  • Saint Kitts issues its own first postage stamps. [1135]
July 30
  • Vanuatu issues its first postage stamps. [1135]

1981

February 24
  • The US Treasury Department lifts the ban on import of stamps of Iran. [1135]
May 8
  • David Feldman Ltd auction in Geneva, Switzerland, sells Alexandria, Virginia, postmaster's provisional stamp for $1 million, record for a philatelic item. [1135]
November 1
  • Antigua and Barbuda issues its first postage stamps. [700.433]

1982

February 26
  • Samoa issues its own first postage stamps. [1135]
(month unknown)
  • At the Siegel Rarieties of the world auction, a USA 1918 24-cent Jenny invert airmail postage stamp, mint never hinged, sells for $198,000 to Raymond Weill, acting as agent for "Westport". [1220.76]

1983

March 10
  • Palau issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
May 11
  • Niuafo'ou of Tonga issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
June 14
  • Alderney of Guernsey issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
November 10
  • Palau issues its first postage stamps. [1005.47]

1984

February 22
  • Bequia of Saint Vincent Grenadines issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
March 1
  • Åland Islands province of Finland issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
March 10
  • Vaitupu island of Tuvalu issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
March
  • David Feldman SA in Switzerland sells a Sweden 1855 3-skilling banco stamp, error in yellow, only one known, for 977,500 Swiss francs (US$455,000) in a private transaction. [673.10] [815.3] [1226.7]
March 19
  • Nui island of Tuvalu issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
March 29
  • Union Island of Saint Vincent Grenadines issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
April 9
  • Funafuti island of Tuvalu issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
  • Nanumea island of Tuvalu issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
April 12
  • Nukulaelae island of Tuvalu issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
April 16
  • Niutao island of Tuvalu issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
April 23
  • Nukufetau island of Tuvalu issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
  • Nanumaga island of Tuvalu issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
May 1
  • Great Britain's postal system introduces self-service postage labels as an experimental trial, outside five post offices, for values ranging from 1/2 to 16 pence in 1/2-penny increments. [999.52]
May 2
  • The Republic of the Marshall Islands issues its first postage stamps. [1005.46] [1135]
May 30
  • Cayes of Belize issues first postage stamps. [700.907]
July 12
  • The Fededrated States of Micronesia issues its first postage stamps. [1005.45] [1135]
August 14
  • Upper Volta issues its last postage stamps under that name. [700.1250]
November 21
  • Burkina Faso issues its first postage stamps. [700.1250]

1985

February 28
  • British Post Office discontinues redemption of pre-decimal denominated postage stamps. [1135]
March 16
  • The Heinrich Köhler stamp auction firm of Federal Republic of Germany sells a Baden 1851 9-kreuzer postage stamp, printed on blue-green paper instead of deep rose, postally used on a folder letter, one of four known, for 2.645 million marks (US$833,600). [554.19]
May 6
  • The US Treasury Department prohibits purchase abroad and import into the USA of postage stamps of Nicaragua. [1135]
June 30
  • Burkina Faso withdraws postage stamps inscribed "Upper Volta". [1135]

1986

January 1
  • Aruba issues its first postage stamps. [700.549]
May
  • Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries sells a US 1868 3-cent rose George Washington postage stamp with "B" grill embossing for US$47,500 (US$52,250 with buyer's fee). The stamp is one of four known. [302.24]

1987

March 14
  • The Heinrich Köhler stamp auction firm of Federal Republic of Germany sells a Lübeck 1862 1/2-schilling lilac Arms block on cover for 800,000 marks (US$434,780). [554.21]

1988

October 18
  • Austria issues the first hologram on a postage stamp. [1121.62] [1174.10]
October 29
  • Charles G. Firby Auctions sells an imperforate pair of Canada 12-pence Queen Victoria stamps for US$165,000, a record for a Canadian stamp at auction. [1123.177]
November 12
  • The Heinrich Köhler stamp auction firm of Federal Republic of Germany sells a Wurttemberg 1873 70kr violet Coat of Arms postage stamp on money letter for 1.15 million marks (US$657,140). [554.19]

1989

May 15
  • Kampuchea issues its last postage stamps. [707.11]
(month unknown)
  • Cambodia resumes issuing postage stamps. [707.11]
September 6
  • Burma issues its last postage stamps under that country name. [700.1270]
End of 1950-1989. Next: 1990.

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1653-1899 1900-1949 1950-1989 1990-end


A list of references to all source material is available.

Other web pages of interest:

  • Postage Stamp Design Errors
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  • The Silly World of Postage Stamps
  • Ken P's Coin/Stamp/Bill Novelties
  • Polsson's Garage Sale - Postage Stamps
  • Chronology of World Coins
  • Chronology of World History
  • This Day in History
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