the place where Paleontology and Paleoanthropology meets Philately
Sao Tome and Principe
Dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals, Charles Darwin,
contributors to Paleontology on stamps and postmarks of Sao Tome and Principe
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Contents:
- Country overview
- Philately of São Tomé and Príncipe
- Official stamps of São Tomé and Príncipe related to Paleontology
- Other stamps of São Tomé and Príncipe to consider
- Commemorative postmarks of São Tomé and Príncipe related to Paleontology
- References
- Acknowledgements
Sao Tome and Principe, officially the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe, is a Portuguese-speaking island nation in the Gulf of Guinea, off the western equatorial coast of Central Africa.
It consists of two archipelagos around the two main islands: São Tomé and Príncipe, located about 140 kilometers apart and about 250 and 225 kilometers, respectively, off the northwestern coast of Gabon.
The islands were uninhabited until their discovery by Portuguese explorers in the 15th century. Gradually colonized and settled by Portugal throughout the 16th century, they collectively served as a vital commercial and trade center for the Atlantic slave trade.
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| Regular letter from Sao Tome and Principe, with dinosaur stamps from 2013, sent to Germany in 2021. |
São Tomé and Príncipe has since remained one of Africa's most stable and democratic countries. With a population of about 200,000, São Tomé and Príncipe is the second-smallest African country after Seychelles, as well as the smallest Portuguese-speaking country. [R1]
The first stamps were issued in São Tomé & Príncipe in 1869. From the first issue, until the end of the colonial period, the issues are of the common designs for the Portuguese colonies.
Since independence, São Tomé & Príncipe has issued many stamps aimed at the thematic collectors market. After gaining independence, this country issued up to 20 stamps per year. But since the 1970’s, the number of stamps issued per year has grown rapidly.
Philatelic agency Stamperija Ltd. – the authorized representative of São Tomé and Príncipe post administration (the issues of 2003-2004, 2006-now), prints hundreds of stamps a year on every popular theme, most of them totally unrelated to the country, on behalf of the country. [R2]
Official stamps of São Tomé and Príncipe related to Paleontology: dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals
| 30.11.1982 "100 years since of death of Charles Darwin" [1] | 21.07.1993 "Dinosaurs" | |
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| 10.01.2004 "Dinosaurs" | 25.05.2006 "Dinosaurs and Minerals" | |
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| 04.02.2008 "Great Naturalists" [3] | ||
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| 12.09.2016 "Dinosaurs" | ||
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Notes:
[1] "100 years since death of Charles Darwin" - even though Darwin's theory of evolution is the foundation of Paleontological Science, only a few dinosaur species had been described during his lifetime.
These stamps were designed by German master taxidermist, book illustrator and animal painter Wolfgang Hartwig, who designed many animal stamps for German Post.
[2] Charles Darwin depicted on one of the stamps.
[3] Niels Stensen who is also known as Nicholas Steno (1638 - 1686), Denmark was a Danish pioneer in both anatomy and geology.
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| Niels Stensen on stamp of São Tomé and Príncipe 2008 |
[4] Charles Darwin and Carl Linnei are depicting on some stamps of the set.
[5] Alfred Russel Wallace (1823-1913) was a British naturalist, explorer, geographer, anthropologist and biologist. He is best known for independently proposing a theory of evolution due to natural selection that prompted Charles Darwin to publish his own theory. [R4]
[6] Dinosaurs per definition are errestrial animals. "Flying Dinosaurs" is incorrect, instead these animals are flying reptiles classified as Pterosaurs.
[7] Haroun Tazieff (1914-1998) was a French Volcanologist and Geologist and has nothing to do with dinosaurs. [R5]
[8] One of the stamps from the “Fossils of Nepal” set (2013) is shown on the margin of the “Stamps on Stamps” block.
[9] Ursus spelaeus (Cave bear) on third stamp of Mini-Sheet of 4.
Other stamps of São Tomé and Príncipe to consider: contributors to Paleontology, stamps on stamps
| 13.03.2018 "Famous persons" | 18.09.2018 "Stamps on stamps" | |
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Notes:
[A1] Charles Darwin on famous person stamps of Sao Tome and Principe 2018 - stamp of the Block.
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| Homo neanderthalensis on stamp of Sao Tome and Principe 2018. | Homo neanderthalensis on original stamp of Burundi 2003. |
[A2] On September 18th, 2018 Stamperija on behalf Sao Tome and Principe issued two stamp sets "Stamps on stamps". Both sets have the same design but different face values. Burundi's stamps from 2013 with "Homo neanderthalensis", also issued by Stamperija, shown on stamp of the Blocks.
Commemorative postmarks of São Tomé and Príncipe related to Paleontology: dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals
Legend is here| 30.11.1982 "100 years since death of Charles Darwin" [FDC] | 21.07.1993 "Dinosaurs" [FDC] | 10.05.2013 "Dinosaurs" [FDC] |
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References:
- [R1] São Tomé & Príncipe:
Wikipedia,
WikiTravel,
Flag Counter
- [R2] Postal History and Philately of São Tomé & Príncipe:
Links to official website of the Post Authority, stamp catalog and a list of new stamps of Russia are here. - [R3] Niels Stensen/Nicolas Steno: Wikipedia.
- [R4] Alfred Russel Wallace: Wikipedia.
- [R5] Haroun Tazieff: Wikipedia.
- [R6] Wolfgang Hartwig: Zoologisches Forschungsmuseum Alexander Koenig, researchgate, MICHEL.
Acknowledgement:
Many thanks to Dr. Peter Voice from Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences, Western Michigan University, for reviewing the draft page and his valuable comments.
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