Queen Victoria Seychelles Vintage Postage Stamps
Brief History of Seychelles
Queen Victoria (1819-1901)
Issued on: 1893
Series: Revenue
Face Value: 25 Seychellois Cents
Emission: Revenue
Watermark: CA over Crown [Up]
Description: Internal Revenue Stamp of Mauritius overprinted “SEYCHELLES”
Seychelles, officially the Republic of Seychelles, is an island country and archipelagic state in the Indian Ocean that comprises 115 islands. Although some sailors and explorers did come across the islands over time, Seychelles is believed to have remained uninhabited before the French took over. The first recorded landing by Europeans was in 1609 by a group of sailors, but they did not settle on the island until the mid-18th century.
In 1756, the French claimed Seychelles when Captain Corneille Nicholas Morphey landed on the islands and took formal possession in the name of King Louis XV. Seychelles remained under French control until 1810 when the British gained control of the islands during the Napoleonic Wars. Under British rule, Seychelles became a separate crown colony in 1903. The British introduced plantation agriculture, bringing in indentured laborers from India and Africa, including Chinese immigrants from Canton who came to Seychelles for commercial trade. Seychelles gained independence from Britain on June 29, 1976, becoming a republic within the Commonwealth.
Issues of 1890-1900
Issues of 1890-1900
Issued on: 1890-04-05
Series: Queen Victoria
Face Value: 2 Seychellois Cents
Emission: Definitive
Watermark: CA under Crown [Up]
Description: Type II – No line near diamond
Issues of 1819-1901
Issued on: 1893-11
Series: Queen Victoria
Face Value: 3 Seychellois Cents
Emission: Definitive
Watermark: CA under Crown [Up]
Issues of 1890-1900
Issued on: 1890-04-05
Series: Queen Victoria
Face Value: 4 Seychellois Cents
Emission: Definitive
Watermark: CA under Crown [Up]
Description: Type II – No line near diamond
Issues of 1890-1900
Issued on: 1900
Series: Queen Victoria
Face Value: 6 Seychellois Cents
Emission: Definitive
Watermark: CA under Crown [Up]
Issues of 1890-1900
Issued on: 1890-04-05
Series: Queen Victoria
Face Value: 8 Seychellois Cents
Emission: Definitive
Watermark: CA under Crown [Up]
Description: Type II – Without shading strokes behind the diamond in the diadem
Queen Victoria (1819-1901)
Issued on: 1894
Series: Revenue
Face Value: 4 Seychellois Cents
Emission: Revenue
Watermark: CA under Crown [Up]
Description: Surchaged of “REVENUE 4 CENTS” in black, reading up on 8 cent postage stamp of 1890
King Edward VII Seychelles Vintage Postage Stamps
Issued on: 1903-06
Series: King Edward VII 1903
Face Value: 2 Seychellois Cents
Emission: Definitive
Watermark: CA under Crown [Up]
Issued on: 1903
Series: King Edward VII 1903
Face Value: 3 Seychellois Cents
Emission: Definitive
Watermark: CA under Crown [Up]
Issued on: 1903
Series: King Edward VII 1903
Face Value: 6 Seychellois Cents
Emission: Definitive
Watermark: CA under Crown [Up]
Issued on: 1903-05-26
Series: King Edward VII 1903
Face Value: 15 Seychellois Cents
Emission: Definitive
Watermark: CA under Crown [Up]
King George V Seychelles Vintage Postage Stamps
Issued on: 1912
Series: King George V (1912-1916)
Face Value: 2 Seychellois Cents
Emission: Definitive
Watermark: Crown over Block CA Multiple [Up]
King George V – Die II
Issued on: 1912
Series: King George V (1921-1932)
Face Value: 3 Seychellois Cents
Emission: Definitive
Watermark: Crown over Script CA Multiple [Up]
King George V – Die I
Issued on: 1917
Series: King George V (1917-1922)
Face Value: 6 Seychellois Cents
Emission: Definitive
Watermark: Crown over Block CA Multiple [Up]
King George V – Die I
Issued on: 1921
Series: King George V (1921-1932)
Face Value: 12 Seychellois Cents
Emission: Definitive
Watermark: Crown over Script CA Multiple [Up]
Issued on: 1922
Series: King George V (1921-1932)
Face Value: 20 Seychellois Cents
Emission: Definitive
Watermark: Crown over Script CA Multiple [Up]
King George VI Seychelles Vintage Postage Stamps
Fishing Canoe
Issued on: 1941-08-08
Series: King George VI Definitives
Face Value: 6 Seychellois Cents
Emission: Definitive
Watermark: Crown over Script CA Multiple [Up]
Issued on: 1938-01-01
Series: King George VI Definitives
Face Value: 6 Seychellois Cents
Emission: Definitive
Watermark: Crown over Script CA Multiple [Up]
Upon examining these two stamps, we can observe an image featuring three fishermen aboard a fishing boat labeled as a ‘fishing pirogue,’ which means a fishing canoe. This depiction highlights a crucial aspect of Seychelles, where fishing forms a significant part of the island’s culture and economy. Until the 1980s, small-scale fishing was conducted using wooden fishing canoes crafted from local trees such as takamaka timbers. Nowadays, boats are predominantly constructed using fiberglass; however, some fishermen still opt for traditional canoes.
Coco-de-Mer Palm
Issued on: 1942-11-18
Series: King George VI Definitives
Face Value: 9 Seychellois Cents
Emission: Definitive
Watermark: Crown over Script CA Multiple [Up]
Issued on: 1941-08-08
Series: King George VI Definitives
Face Value: 18 Seychellois Cents
Emission: Definitive
Watermark: Crown over Script CA Multiple [Up]
The coco de mer palm, also known as Lodoicea maldivica, is an iconic and enigmatic species native to the Seychelles islands. Its history is intertwined with both legend and science, making it a fascinating subject. The coco de mer palm was first discovered by Arab sailors and traders in ancient times. Due to its rarity and peculiar shape resembling a woman’s pelvis and buttocks, it sparked various myths and legends. These tales often attributed mystical and aphrodisiac properties to the nuts of the tree. During the colonial era, the coco de mer palm became highly coveted, with European explorers and traders seeking it out. Its rarity and unique appearance made it a valuable curiosity among collectors.
As the demand for coco de mer nuts grew, the trees faced threats from exploitation and habitat destruction. Recognizing the importance of preserving this unique species, conservation efforts were initiated. The Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve on Praslin Island was established in 1966 to protect the coco de mer palm and its habitat. The coco de mer palm is now legally protected and strictly regulated.
Aldabra Giant Tortoise (Aldabrachelys gigantea)
Issued on: 1938-01-01
Series: King George VI Definitives
Face Value: 12 Seychellois Cents
Emission: Definitive
Watermark: Crown over Script CA Multiple [Up]
The giant tortoises of Seychelles have a fascinating history connected with the islands’ ecological evolution and human settlement. These tortoises, of the species Aldabrachelys gigantea, are native to the Aldabra Atoll, part of the Seychelles archipelago. However, they were also historically found on other islands in the region, including Seychelles’ main islands of Mahe, Praslin, and La Digue. Around the year 1840, it was speculated that the Seychelles giant tortoise, alongside Arnold’s giant tortoise, went extinct due to hunting by a vast number of European sailors. However, it was rediscovered that a little more than a hundred giant tortoises still inhabited the islands.
Tortoises played a crucial role in shaping the ecology of the islands. Recognizing the ecological importance of the tortoises and the need to preserve them, conservation efforts were initiated. Some tortoises were relocated from Aldabra to several islands in the Seychelles, including Curieuse, Cousine, and Aride, to establish new populations. Over time, conservation efforts intensified, with the establishment of protected areas and breeding programs. Today, giant tortoises are a symbol of Seychelles’ commitment to conservation and ecotourism. Visitors to the islands can observe these magnificent creatures in their natural habitats, contributing to the local economy while raising awareness about the importance of biodiversity conservation.
Queen Elizabeth II - Seychelles Postage Stamp
Aldabra Giant Tortoise (Aldabrachelys gigantea)
Issued on: 1954-02-01
Series: Queen Elizabeth II
Face Value: 3 Seychellois Cents
Emission: Definitive
Watermark: Crown over Script CA Multiple [Up]
Seychelles Postcard - 1895 - Tortoise
Face Value: 6 Seychellois Cents
Description: Surcharged of Six Cents in black on 8 Cents
Face Value: 8 Seychellois Cents
Face Value: 6 Seychellois Cents
Description: Surcharged of Six Cents in black on 8 Cents