Stamps of Polynesia - Philately
For a long time, Polynesian stamps have
been ignored by collectors due to a too large number of printed
samples. But thanks to a stricter philatelic policy involving better
techniques and graphism improvements, philately is today recognized
worldwide for the beauty of its stamps.
Stamps
 The
fist prize of the French Art of Philately was attributed in 1955
to one of the first stamps issued by the Etablissements Francais
de l’Océnanie (E.F.O.), stamp featuring a young vahine of Bora
Bora (see photo). In 1957, E.F.O. became French Polynesia. On
November 3, 1958, this new institutional status was expressed throughout
a new serial of stamps (vahine playing guitar or offering seashells).
That date plays an important role in Polynesian philately not
only because the sales of stamps represented extra revenues for
the Post
Office but also for the promotional support it brought to
the country. Apart some rare exceptions, most selected themes
are
related to Polynesian culture and patrimony. For exemple, a stamp
representing the Market of Papeete was launched on August 30, 2002.
Market of Papeete - Ed. 2002
The most expensive stamp (current estimation is 550,000 xpf)
was issued in 1973 to commemorate a special event -
“Deuxièmes journées de la Médecine” - and it carries the
post office stamp. For the little story, because this event was
cancelled, all those stamps were supposed to be destroyed. But
50 of them “survived” and were sold by mistake. Only one had the
stamp on…
The post office located on Papeete waterfront (Tahiti) near the
Bougainville park (2 mn walk from Vaima Shopping Center) offers
a corner specialized in collection stamps and phone cards.
Phone cards
 The
O.P.T. (Post
Office) is selling phone cards since 1996. The first one is dated
July 15, 1996 and it represents a painting of Jacques BOULLAIRE.
This phone card was called “En attendant l’office devant le
temple” (ie : “Awaiting Church service in front of the temple”).
Sources:
- Philatelic Center of Tahiti - www.tahitiphilatelie.com
- The Tahiti Handbook - Te fenua, by Jean Louis SAQUET
- DIXIT, ed. 1999
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