Solomon Islands
Dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals, their fossils as well as
Charles Darwin on stamps and postmarks of the Solomon Islands
Contents:
Solomon Islands, is a sovereign country consisting of six major islands and over 900
smaller islands in Oceania lying to the east of
Papua New Guinea and northwest of
Vanuatu with population of 640,000 about and covering a
land area of 28,400 square kilometres.
The country's capital, Honiara, is located on the island of Guadalcanal.
The country takes its name from the Solomon Islands archipelago, which is a collection of
Melanesian islands that also includes the North Solomon Islands (part of Papua New Guinea),
but excludes outlying islands, such as Rennell and Bellona, and the Santa Cruz Islands.
The islands have been inhabited for thousands of years.
In 1568, the Spanish navigator Álvaro de Mendaña was the first European to visit them, naming them the
Islas Salomón.
Britain defined its area of interest in the Solomon Islands archipelago in June 1893,
when Captain Gibson R.N., of HMS Curacoa, declared the southern Solomon Islands as a British protectorate.
During World War II, the Solomon Islands campaign (1942–1945) saw fierce
fighting between the
United States and the Empire of
Japan,
such as in the Battle of Guadalcanal.
The official name of the then British overseas territory was changed from "the British Solomon
Islands Protectorate" to "Solomon Islands" in 1975.
Self-government was achieved in 1976; independence was obtained two years later.
Today, Solomon Islands is a constitutional monarchy with the Queen of Solomon
Islands, currently Queen Elizabeth II, as its head of state.
[R1]
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Registered letter sent from Solomon Islands to Germany in 2020 with
stamp "Water Dinosaur"[3]
from 2013
MiNr.: 2237-2241, Scott: 1475, 1493
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The first stamps of the Solomon Islands were marked
British Solomon Islands Protectorate and were issued on 14 February 1907.
From 1913, stamps were inscribed with British Solomon Islands.
The first stamp after Independent issued on July 7, 1978 and inscribed just Solomon Islands.
[R2]
In the early years, the Solomon Islands issued no more than 30 stamps per year.
Since the early 2000’s, the annual number of stamps issued has grown. In 2006, 60 stamps were issued.
In 2012, the country became a client of Stamperija.
Stamperija produced hundreds of stamps every year on behalf of the Solomon Islands – on every popular
topic or subject conceivable, including dinosaurs and prehistoric animals.
Almost 750 (!) stamps were issued by Stamperija for the Solomon Islands in 2013 and another 640 (!) in 2014.
The Solomon Islands ended their contract with Stamperija in 2017.
Many of of these stamps are still on sale in the post offices of the island country.
Official stamps of Solomon Islands related to Paleontology: fossils and reconstructions of dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals, Charles Darwin
30.04.2006 "Anniversaries" [1] |
14.08.2006 "Dinosaurs" [2] |
05.06.2012 "Dinosaurs" |
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10.05. 2013 "Extinct mammals"
10.05. 2013 "Kangaroos"
22.11. 2013 "Fossils and Dinosaurs"
29.11. 2013 "Water Dinosaurs" [3]
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25.08. 2014 "World Dinosaurs"
28.11. 2014 "Dinosaurs"
20.12. 2014 "Fossils"
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03.09.2015 "Dinosaurs"
30.11.2015 "Dinosaurs" |
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01.09.2016 "Dinosaurs"
01.12.2016 "Dinosaurs" |
12.04. 2017 "Dinosaurs"
21.08. 2017 "Dinosaurs"
21.08. 2017 "Stamps on stamps"
04.09. 2017 "Prehistoric water animals"
12.12. 2017 "135 th memorial anniversary of Charles Darwin"
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Notes:
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Joint issue of dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals on stamps of Kiribati, Nauru and Solomon Islads 2006.
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[1] Charles Darwin shown on one of the stamps.
[2] In
2006 three island country:
Solomon Islands,
Nauru and
Kiribati
In 2006, three island countries – the Solomon Islands,
Nauru and
Kiribati
issued some stamps of similar design showing prehistoric animals.
These stamps were most likely designed by the same artist or agency.
These stamps are a bit unusual, as they are a puzzle set.
Each set builds a picture if the stamps are placed in two rows in order of increasing face value.
[3] "Water Dinosaurs" is an incorrect name.
Dinosaurs per definition are terrestrial animals only.
Correct name of the set should be "Prehistoric marine reptiles" or "Prehistoric marine animals".
Commemorative postmarks of Solomon Islands related to Paleontology: dinosaurs
Legend is here
14.08.2006 "Dinosaurs" [FDC] |
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References:
- [R1] Solomon Islands:
Wikipedia,
WikiTravel,
Flag Counter
- [R2] Postal History and Philately of Solomon Islands:
Wikipedia,
Links to official website of the Post Authority, stamp catalog and a list of new stamps of Solomon Islands are here.
Acknowledgements:
Many thanks to
Dr.
Peter Voice from Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences, Western Michigan University,
for reviewing the draft page and his very valuable comments.