Worldwide Stamps and Postal History continued...

A very scarce and attractive philatelic piece showing the startling error.

The 'OFFICIA' error occurred only on R10/9 of the setting of 100.

The United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar formed 26 April 1964, was renamed the United Republic of Tanzania on 29 October 1964.

Stanley Gibbons catalogue value: £180+.

Get Market Data for [Tanzania O32b] Visual Pricing Guide Sample Census

A very attractive and fine used block of 10 and very scarce with the startling error.

The United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar formed 26 April 1964, was renamed the United Republic of Tanzania on 29 October 1964.

Stanley Gibbons catalogue value: £180+.

Get Market Data for [Tanzania O32a] Visual Pricing Guide Sample Census

A very scarce fine quality lightly used pair of this spectacular error.

The 'OFFICIA' error occurred only on R10/9 of the setting of 100.

The United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar formed 26 April 1964, was renamed the United Republic of Tanzania on 29 October 1964.

Get Market Data for [Tanzania O32b] Visual Pricing Guide Sample Census

A fine used example of this scarce and spectacular error.

The United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar formed 26 April 1964, was renamed the United Republic of Tanzania on 29 October 1964.

Get Market Data for [Tanzania O37a] Visual Pricing Guide Sample Census

A fine mint block with large part original gum. Characteristic minor blemishes (position 7 with small gum thin), but, overall, fine and fresh appearance.

An extremely scarce philatelic item as only 155 sheets were surcharged, and very rarely seen in this form.

The Stanley Gibbons catalogue value is £290+.

Get Market Data for [Tonga 66/b/c] Visual Pricing Guide Sample Census

A fine quality mint self-adhesive set and particularly desirable as marginal pairs.

Niuafo'ou (meaning: many new coconuts), also known as Tin Can Island, is the most northerly island in the kingdom of Tonga. It is a volcanic rim island of 15 km² and with a population of 650.

The Stanley Gibbons catalogue value is £88+.

A wonderful set of stamps for the bird enthusiast.

Get Market Data for [Tonga 27/41] Visual Pricing Guide Sample Census

A very fine used example neatly cancelled by large part Nuku'alofa circular date stamp, dated '16 DE 66'.

A very scarce error, reasonably priced considering its rarity and the first we have ever handled.

The stamp was issued to commemorate the Centenary of Tupou College and Secondary Education.

Get Market Data for [Tonga O19a] Visual Pricing Guide Sample Census

A fine used positional block with part strikes of Nuku'alofa circular date stamps, dated "12 FE 62".

A fine stamp depicting Queen Salote III who reigned between 1918-1965. She was the only child and heir of King George Tupou II.

An impressive and rare multiple, with only 20 sheets overprinted.

The overprinted Air Mail stamps were issued in celebration of the Centenary of Emancipation. Emancipation Day remains a public holiday in the Kingdom of Tonga to this day celebrating the abolition of the system of serfdom which had been used by the local chiefs for centuries as a means of forced labour. On June 4th 1862, Tonga's first Christian king, George Tupuo I declared the abolition of serfdom in the official emancipation edict as part of his 1862 Code of Laws.

The Stanley Gibbons catalogue value is £240+.

Get Market Data for [Tonga O15] Visual Pricing Guide Sample Census

A fine unmounted mint block with full original gum.

A rare and exquisite quality positional multiple of this key value within the Centenary of the Emancipation Air Mail issue. Only 2,100 issued (= 35 sheets) and most were used.

An attractive stamp featuring the "Mutiny on the Bounty".

The overprinted Air Mail stamps were issued in celebration of the Centenary of Emancipation. Emancipation Day remains a public holiday in the Kingdom of Tonga to this day celebrating the abolition of the system of serfdom which had been used by the local chiefs for centuries as a means of forced labour. On June 4th 1862, Tonga's first Christian king, George Tupuo I declared the abolition of serfdom in the official emancipation edict as part of his 1862 Code of Laws.

The Stanley Gibbons catalogue value is £600+.

Get Market Data for [Tonga O14] Visual Pricing Guide Sample Census

A fine and fresh unmounted set of blocks of four with full original gum. Each block includes constant printing variety "Short lower bar to L of MAIL" (2d and 1s R6/4, 5d R3/5).

Very scarce as multiples, with only 2,400 issued of the 2d and 5d and 2,100 of the 1s, and the great majority of those being used.

The overprinted Air Mail stamps were issued in celebration of the Centenary of Emancipation. Emancipation Day remains a public holiday in the Kingdom of Tonga to this day celebrating the abolition of the system of serfdom which had been used by the local chiefs for centuries as a means of forced labour. On June 4th 1862, Tonga's first Christian king, George Tupuo I declared the abolition of serfdom in the official emancipation edict as part of his 1862 Code of Laws.

The Stanley Gibbons catalogue value is £264++.

Get Market Data for [Tonga O11/13] Visual Pricing Guide Sample Census

A fine mint positional block with original gum. Despite small imperfections (slight gum creasing, second stamp in lower row with small thin at foot), it remains a rare positional multiple of fine appearance and much above average condition for this Official stamp rarely seen without material condition flaws.

Very rare as less than 20 sheets in total were surcharged.

The "G.F.B." overprints represent the Government Printing Office, Wellington. The surcharges were applied by two-unit hand stamps to each vertical pair.

A spectacular and rare set of printer's plate proofs.

The "G.F.B." overprints represent the Government Printing Office, Wellington.

Get Market Data for [Tonga O1/5] Visual Pricing Guide Sample Census

A superb unmounted mint strip with full original gum.

R3/2 is from the withdrawn first printing, of which just 50 sheets are stated to have been issued. A remarkable and rare item.

Get Market Data for [Tonga 969/a] Visual Pricing Guide Sample Census

A very fine unmounted mint example with full original gum.

R3/3 (position 13) from the one sheet of 60 discovered, which was acquired by Stanley Gibbons Ltd and exhibited at Stampex in March 1962.

An attractive stamp featuring the "Mutiny on the Bounty".

The overprinted stamps were issued in celebration of the Centenary of Emancipation. Emancipation Day remains a public holiday in the Kingdom of Tonga to this day celebrating the abolition of the system of serfdom which had been used by the local chiefs for centuries as a means of forced labour. On June 4th 1862, Tonga's first Christian king, George Tupuo I declared the abolition of serfdom in the official emancipation edict as part of his 1862 Code of Laws.

Accompanied with a Stanley Gibbons certificate of authenticity (1962).

Get Market Data for [Tonga 127a] Visual Pricing Guide Sample Census

A fine used example of this great rarity with part circular date stamp. In superb condition, other than a trivial surface mark.

A key British Commonwealth rarity, being one of 28 examples used on first day covers at Vavau (from a half-sheet of 30 issued).

The overprinted stamps were issued in celebration of the Centenary of Emancipation. Emancipation Day remains a public holiday in the Kingdom of Tonga to this day celebrating the abolition of the system of serfdom which had been used by the local chiefs for centuries as a means of forced labour. On June 4th 1862, Tonga's first Christian king, George Tupuo I declared the abolition of serfdom in the official emancipation edict as part of his 1862 Code of Laws.

The Stanley Gibbons catalogue value is £200, which appears undervalued in the context of this stamp's rarity.

Get Market Data for [Tonga 125a] Visual Pricing Guide Sample Census

A very fine quality mint set with original gum, with the lower value stamps in vertical pairs unmounted mint.

Very scarce as multiples. The 5s is a left marginal example with centre guide and showing marked rightward misplacement of perfin on upper stamp.

A wonderful set of stamps encapsulating the attractive high quality designs produced by Tonga.

Get Market Data for [Tonga 74s/82s] Visual Pricing Guide Sample Census

A fine and fresh mint example with large part original gum. Rarely seen in such fresh condition.

Plated as position 49 on sheet, with frame-plate retouch at North East corner.

A scarce stamp with the variety and in such fine condition. Only 103 sheets were surcharged in total.

An attractive stamp featuring George Tupou II (Siasi Tupou II), who was King from age 18 until his death (1893-1918). He was the great-grandson of George Tupou I.

NB. Tonga stamps from 1897 to 1949 all use "TOGA" although the pronunciation is "TONGA" with a silent "n".

Get Market Data for [Tonga 67var] Visual Pricing Guide Sample Census

A fine and fresh mint pair with part original gum, (some backing adhesion as nearly always seen for this issue). The variety is in fine condition other than one pulled perforation, which is fairly inconsequential as significantly above average quality for this rare variety.

A very scarce variety, particularly in this se-tenant form. Only maximum 103 possible examples (both watermarks) and most were used.

The Stanley Gibbons catalogue value is £450+.

Get Market Data for [Tonga 67a] Visual Pricing Guide Sample Census

A fine mint positional block with large part original gum. A few minor gum tones and traces of back adhesion, which barely detract in any way. Very fine and fresh appearance.

An impressive positional multiple of this scarce stamp. Only 103 sheets were surcharged in total.

An attractive stamp featuring George Tupou II (Siasi Tupou II), who was King from age 18 until his death (1893-1918). He was the great-grandson of George Tupou I.

NB. Tonga stamps from 1897 to 1949 all use "TOGA" although the pronunciation is "TONGA" with a silent "n".

Stanley Gibbons catalogue value: £900+.

Get Market Data for [Tonga 67] Visual Pricing Guide Sample Census

A fresh mint example with large part original gum. Some gum wrinkles, which are immaterial, as far better quality than normally found for this issue.

An attractive stamp featuring George Tupou II (Siasi Tupou II), who was King from age 18 until his death (1893-1918). He was the great-grandson of George Tupou I.

The Stanley Gibbons catalogue value is £75.

NB. Tonga stamps from 1897 to 1949 all use "TOGA" although the pronunciation is "TONGA" with a silent "n".

Get Market Data for [Tonga 67] Visual Pricing Guide Sample Census

A fine mint block with large part original gum. Characteristic trivial blemishes but fresh and really fine for this issue.

Only 155 sheets were surcharged, and very scarce in this form.

Stanley Gibbons catalogue value: £290+.

Get Market Data for [Tonga 66/b/c] Visual Pricing Guide Sample Census

A very fine imperforate horizontal pair, affixed to piece of brown card from a sample book.

A rarity in a multiple, and most attractive.

The engraved stamps issued between 1920-35 depicted Queen Salote III who reigned between 1918-1965. She was the only child and heir of King George Tupou II.

She is remembered fondly in Great Britain mainly because she attended the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. When it started raining, hoods were placed over the carriages during the procession. However, Queen Salote refused the hood, as Tongan custom does not allow one to imitate the actions of the person one is honouring.

Get Market Data for [Tonga 63] Visual Pricing Guide Sample Census

A fine and attractive pictorial set and rare printer's samples.

The stamp designs depict the following:

½d - Coat of Arms; 6d - Coral Formations; 2s6d - Red Shining Parrot; 5s - View of Vavau Harbour

Get Market Data for [Tonga 38, 47, 52/3] Visual Pricing Guide Sample Census

A fine mint example with part original gum. Minor traces of gum toning but fine appearance and very rare with this combination of perforation and plate variety. Few can have existed.

Stanley Gibbons catalogue value: £800+.

Tonga became a constitutional monarchy under King George Tupou I (named after King George III), in 1875. Stamps were first issued with a King George I visage in 1886. Tonga became a British Protectorate in 1900 under a Treaty of Friendship. Tonga, however, maintained its sovereignty, and the Tongan monarchy continues to this day.

Get Market Data for [Tonga 37Bp] Visual Pricing Guide Sample Census

A fine mint example with part original gum and with fresh colour. Trivial thin spot, but fine appearance.

A rare and startling printing variety.

Accompanied with a clear Brandon certificate of authenticity (2003).

Stanley Gibbons catalogue value: £1,100.

Tonga became a constitutional monarchy under King George Tupou I (named after King George III), in 1875. Stamps were first issued with a King George I visage in 1886. Tonga became a British Protectorate in 1900 under a Treaty of Friendship. Tonga, however, maintained its sovereignty, and the Tongan monarchy continues to this day.

Get Market Data for [Tonga 37Bd] Visual Pricing Guide Sample Census