Gilbert and Ellice Islands: The 1916 Funafuti Provisionals

BC
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What I collect: Worldwide USED up to the 1960's, later years from countries that came into existence after then, like Anguilla, Tuvalu and Transnistria.

Gilbert and Ellice Islands: The 1916 Funafuti Provisionals Aug 3, 2013 0:17:52 GMT

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Post by BC on Aug 3, 2013 0:17:52 GMT

In 1916, the postmaster of Funafuti in the Gilbert And Ellice Islands created quite a stir when he issued some provisional surcharged stamps, unofficially. Here is the story:

The Funafuti Provisionals: What Really Happened Back Then in 1916

brcstamps.com/catalog/countries/Gilbert_and_Ellice_Islands/geic_funafuti_provisionals_1.html

An example of a Funafuti Provisional used on piece.

Funafuti is now the capital of modern-day Tuvalu.

Last Edit: May 20, 2020 16:21:15 GMT by Ryan: moderator edit to remove image thumbnails

BC in BC
brcstamps.com BNAPS, RPSC, ESG, APS, PISC

If it is hingeable I collect it.

jkjblue
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Posts: 1,200

Gilbert and Ellice Islands: The 1916 Funafuti Provisionals Aug 3, 2013 0:38:10 GMT

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Post by jkjblue on Aug 3, 2013 0:38:10 GMT

What a great piece of research! You did that-right? I had read it before somewhere, but it was fun to be reminded of this piece of philatelic history again.

Both Garrett-Adams and Holmes pointed out that the policy of stamp catalogue editors was inconsistent, in that while they rejected the Funafuti Provisionals, which had seen genuine postal usage and did not appear to have been made for material gain, they listed similar items from other colonies or countries that had far more doubtful origins or legitimacy.

What ends up as accepted rarities in catalogues seems to be, at least in part, because of philatelic politics and lobbying.

BTW, BC, my daughter has been on the Pacific Islands Desk for the State Department the past two years. Among her responsibilities- Tuvalu!

Classical era collecting with the Blues...
bigblue1840-1940.blogspot.com/

BC
Departed

Rest in Peace

Vancouver, BC Canada

Posts: 836

What I collect: Worldwide USED up to the 1960's, later years from countries that came into existence after then, like Anguilla, Tuvalu and Transnistria.

Gilbert and Ellice Islands: The 1916 Funafuti Provisionals Aug 3, 2013 0:52:46 GMT

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Post by BC on Aug 3, 2013 0:52:46 GMT

Jkjblue, the editor of the journal, Michel Forand, did most of the research on that article. At the time I was the Postal History Group Leader of the Tuvalu and Kiribati Philatelic Society. He actually visited London and was able to access some colonial records.

If your daughter gets to handle any mail from Tuvalu I hope she keeps the covers for you. Commercial covers from Tuvalu are quite rare.

BC in BC
brcstamps.com BNAPS, RPSC, ESG, APS, PISC

If it is hingeable I collect it.