Tonga - Niuafo'ou

Tonga - Niuafo'ou stamps

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Niuafo'ou is a tiny island in the Tonga group. It is an active volcano that thrusts steeply out from the ocean floor. There is no safe anchorage for ships. Because of its unusual geography, Niuafo'ou used unconventional means to receive its postal communications known as 'Tin Can Mail'.

When copra traders set up operations on the island near the turn of the century, a method of communications became necessary. At one time passing steamers would seal incoming mail for the island in 40-pound biscuit tins which were then thrown overboard to native swimmers. The swimmers towed the outgoing mail out in tins. The swimmers and ship would exchange mail containers and each would be on their way. From this unique method of mail delivery, the island became known as Tin Can Island and the letters carried thus are called Tin Can Mail. The swimming mail lasted until 1931 when a shark killed a swimmer. From then on, mail was brought in by outrigger canoe.

Following an eruption of the Island's volcano in September 1946, the 1,330 inhabitants were evacuated and eventually resettled at Eua Island, south of Tongatapu. In 1958, more than 200 former residents returned to Niuafo'ou and began rebuilding their homes and villages. By January 1962, the island had been repopulated. In 1983, an airstrip was completed eliminating the need for Tin Can Mail.

Tonga, however, continues to issue special stamps for use on mail originating from Niuafo'ou Island.

Map of Tonga

http://www.mapsouthpacific.com/pacific/index.html

#48 #49

Scott: #48-9O

Issued: 17.9.1984

Ausipex '84

Inside #48: Australia #15O

Inside #49: Tonga-Niuafo'ou #10O

#50

Scott: #50O

Scott: #74-5O

Issued: 22.5.1986

25^th Anniversary, Peace Corps in Tonga

Inside #74-5: Pseudo Stamp

1986

Scott: #75aO

#94 #95

Scott: #94-5O

Issued: 18.5.1988

5^th Anniversary First Niuafo'ou Stamps

Inside #94-5: Tonga-Niuafo'ou #15O

Scott: #96-7O

Issued: 18.5.1988

5^th Anniversary Niuafo'ou Airport

Inside #96-7: Tonga-Niuafo'ou #1O

#125-8Niuafoou125

Scott: #125-8O

Issued: 1.5.1990

150^th Anniversary, Penny Black

#1 LJ Inside #125: G.B. #1

Inside #126: US #2O

Inside #127: Western Australia #1O

Inside #128: Cape of Good Hope #178O

%23156-1 #157-1

Scott: #156-7O

Issued: 3.5.1993

10^th Anniversary, First Stamp

Inside #156: Niuafo'ou #4O

%23117A Inside #156: Niuafo'ou #117AO

Inside #157: Niuafo'ou #7O

#117B-1 Inside #157: Niuafo'ou #117BO

(Thanks to Eli Moallem for the scans)

[International Stamp Exhibition "SINGAPORE '95" - Singapore, Singapore, type HK]

Scott: #181O

Issued: 1.9.1995

Singapore '95

%23117A #117B-1

Inside #181: Like #117AO, 117BO

Scott: #181aO

#223

Scott: #223O

Issued: 22.5.2000

Stamp Show 2000 Exhibition

#1 TC Inside #223 - In margin of sheet (in show logo): G.B # 1

2002

Scott: #248O

Issued: 27.11.2002

Mail Planer

Animals 4v Inside #248 (In margin): Tonga-Niuafo'ou #43O

Thanks to Attilio Papio

Best website related:

http://www.y2net.jp/tonga/main.htm

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Tonga-Niuafo'ou #1

Tonga-Niuafo'ou #4

Tonga-Niuafo'ou #7

Tonga-Niuafo'ou #10

Tonga-Niuafo'ou #15

Animals 4v

Tonga-Niuafo'ou #43

#48 #49

Tonga-Niuafo'ou #48-9

#50

Tonga-Niuafo'ou #50

Tonga-Niuafo'ou #74-5

1986

Tonga-Niuafo'ou #75a

#94 #95

Tonga-Niuafo'ou #94-5

Tonga-Niuafo'ou #96-7

%23117A

Niuaf Tonga-Niuafo'ou #117A

#117B-1

Tonga-Niuafo'ou #117B

#125-8Niuafoou125

Tonga-Niuafo'ou #125-8

%23156-1 #157-1

Tonga-Niuafo'ou #156-7

[International Stamp Exhibition "SINGAPORE '95" - Singapore, Singapore, type HK]

Tonga-Niuafo'ou #181

#223

Tonga-Niuafo'ou #223

2002

Tonga-Niuafo'ou #248