Portugal Colonies postage stamps year 1966 REVOLUTION

Portugal Colonies postage stamps year 1966 REVOLUTION Unused MNH

Portugal’s colonies have a rich philatelic history that reflects their extensive overseas empire, which spanned continents and centuries. The postage stamps issued for these colonies are highly collectible and provide insights into the cultural, historical, and political aspects of the Portuguese Empire.

Key Highlights of Portugal’s Colonial Postage Stamps:

1. Geographic Scope

Portugal issued stamps for its colonies across Africa, Asia, and South America. Some notable colonies included:

• Africa: Angola, Mozambique, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, São Tomé and Príncipe.
• Asia: Goa, Macau, Timor (now East Timor).
• South America: Brazil (until independence in 1822).

2. Early Designs

• Common Colonial Issues (Ceres Series):
  • Introduced in the 1910s and 1920s.
  • Featured the allegorical figure of Ceres, the Roman goddess of agriculture.
  • Used across multiple colonies with the colony’s name inscribed.
• Pictorial Series:
  • Many colonies issued stamps depicting local landmarks, wildlife, cultural motifs, and indigenous people.

3. Overprinted Stamps

• Overprints were a common practice, especially during transitions in governance or political changes. For example:
  • Stamps from Portugal overprinted with the colony’s name.
  • Commemorative overprints marking events like anniversaries or administrative changes.

4. Key Themes

• Colonial Development: Stamps often celebrated infrastructure projects, agriculture, and trade.
• Cultural Identity: Showcased native flora, fauna, traditional clothing, and local customs.
• Portuguese Sovereignty: Highlighted ties to the metropole with images of Portuguese monarchs, explorers (like Vasco da Gama), and national symbols.

5. Transition to Independence

• As colonies gained independence, many issued their own stamps, marking the end of Portuguese rule.
• Pre-independence colonial stamps remain valuable for collectors, particularly those from short-lived or lesser-known territories.

6. Popular Collectible Categories

• Mint Condition Stamps: Unused, with original gum.
• Errors and Variants: Misprints, color variations, or design flaws.
• First Day Covers (FDCs): Stamps canceled on the first day of issue.
• Commemorative Issues: Released to celebrate specific historical events or anniversaries.

Collecting and Value

• Rarity: Early issues and unique designs fetch higher prices.
• Condition: Well-preserved stamps command a premium.
• Cancellations: Stamps with clear and historic cancellations are sought after.

Examples of Noteworthy Issues

• Mozambique Company Stamps: Semi-private postal administration in Mozambique issued stamps in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
• Goa’s Portuguese Stamps: Rare due to Goa’s annexation by India in 1961.
• Cape Verde and Timor: Known for vibrant pictorials and limited issues.