St. Helena year 1950/80 Ships stamps collection / MNH

The stamps issued by St. Helena featuring ships from the period 1950 to 1980 are a fascinating collection for philatelists. This collection not only highlights the island’s maritime heritage but also showcases the evolution of stamp design over three decades. Here’s an overview of some notable issues from this period:

St. Helena Stamps Featuring Ships (1950-1980)

1961 Definitive Issue

• Date of Issue: 1961
• Description: This definitive series included several stamps featuring ships, each with a different design and denomination. The stamps depicted various vessels significant to St. Helena’s history.
• Designs:
  • ½d: “King George VI”
  • 1d: “HMS Northumberland”
  • 1½d: “East India Company Ship”
  • 2d: “SS Papanui”
  • 3d: “HMS Waterwitch”
  • 6d: “SS Excelsior”
  • 1s: “HMS Challenger”
• Significance: These stamps celebrate the island’s historical and contemporary connections to maritime trade and exploration.

1971 Definitive Issue

• Date of Issue: March 17, 1971
• Description: This series also featured ships and included updated designs and denominations.
• Designs:
  • 1c: “HMS Northumberland”
  • 2c: “HMS Waterwitch”
  • 3c: “SS Papanui”
  • 5c: “East India Company Ship”
  • 6c: “HMS Challenger”
  • 10c: “SS Excelsior”
  • 15c: “King George VI”
• Significance: The stamps from this series continued to emphasize St. Helena’s rich maritime history and the vessels that played crucial roles in its development.

Commemorative Issues

St. Helena also issued various commemorative stamps featuring ships during this period. Here are a few notable examples:

1. 1974 UPU Centenary
   • Date of Issue: 1974
   • Description: A set of stamps celebrating the centenary of the Universal Postal Union, featuring ships and postal history.
   • Designs:
     • Stamps depicted different historical ships relevant to St. Helena’s postal history.
2. 1979 Bicentenary of the Battle of Flamborough Head
   • Date of Issue: September 23, 1979
   • Description: A set commemorating the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Flamborough Head, featuring ships involved in the battle.
   • Designs:
     • 15c: Depicts the “Bonhomme Richard”
     • 25c: Shows the “HMS Serapis”

Collecting and Historical Significance

• Maritime Heritage: St. Helena has a rich maritime history due to its strategic location in the South Atlantic Ocean. Ships played a vital role in its connection to the outside world, from the Age of Sail to modern times.
• Artistic Value: The stamps from this period are known for their detailed and beautiful designs, making them highly sought after by collectors.
• Philatelic Interest: Collectors are particularly interested in these stamps due to their historical significance and the insight they provide into the maritime heritage of St. Helena.

Catalog Listings

• Scott Catalogue: Lists these stamps with detailed descriptions and values, providing an essential resource for collectors.
• Stanley Gibbons Catalogue: Offers comprehensive listings and valuations, especially useful for collectors of British Commonwealth stamps.
• Michel Catalogue: Provides detailed information and valuations, particularly popular among European collectors.

These stamps from St. Helena featuring ships are not just postal artifacts but are also windows into the island’s rich maritime past and its enduring connection to the sea. Collecting these stamps offers a way to appreciate the historical narratives and artistic efforts that went into their creation.