1976.TON.01First participation, Montreal Olympics
Tonga·1976
21st Olympic Games, Montreal 1976
Series details
Identity
- CodeSeries code YYYY.ENT.SS — year, 3-letter issuing entity, sequence (e.g. 1900.CGH.01).
1976.TON.01- EntityPostal authority that issued the stamps (country, territory, or historical entity).
- Tonga (TON)
- Year
- 1976-02-24
- Event
- 21st Olympic Games, Montreal 1976
- TypeIssue kind. Charity issue = postage + voluntary surcharge (e.g. 6+4), not an overprint.
- Airmail
Production
- Printer
- Walsall Security Printers Ltd.
- Process
- Offset lithography
- PerforationsHole gauge between stamps (e.g. 12, 13½). Higher ≈ finer.
- Die cut (self-adhesive)
Catalog numbers
- DomfilDomfil thematic catalog number (scouting).
- 976.6; 976.7; 976.8; 976.9; 976.10
- ScottScott catalog number (Americas).
- TO C189; TO C190; TO C191; TO C192; TO C193
- MichelMichel catalog number (Europe / DE).
- TO 564; TO 565; TO 566; TO 567; TO 568
- YvertYvert & Tellier catalog number (FR).
- TO PA184; TO PA185; TO PA186; TO PA187; TO PA188
- Stanley GibbonsStanley Gibbons catalog number (UK / Commonwealth).
- TO 563; TO 564; TO 565; TO 566; TO 567
History
Tonga issued five self-adhesive airmails on 24 February 1976 for the country's first participation at the Olympic Games in Montreal. Walsall Security Printers lithographed them, die-cut, with the printing on the reverse of the release paper. Sources give no designer for this printing.
Two values reuse the 1974 Girl Guide badge clusters: a red cross, lantern, snake, tent, Baden-Powell B/P badge and star, each ringed GIRL GUIDES. A silver disc adds the Montreal emblem and LOTO 'O POLINISIA. The centre now reads TONGA / OLYMPICS / MONTREAL 1976, with AIRMAIL and a new value — 12 seniti on the former 20 seniti postage stamp, and 38 seniti on the former 40 seniti.
Three shield-shaped airmails carry the red Montreal emblem, FIRST PARTICIPATION OLYMPICS MONTREAL 1976, and four athlete silhouettes, with TONGA and AIRMAIL on a blue tab. The 14 seniti is on a pale green field (surcharged on the 16 seniti airmail), the 16 seniti is gold, and the 75 seniti is silver.
Stamps in this series
5 piecesGirl Guide badges, Olympic overprint
First participation, Montreal
First participation, Montreal
Girl Guide badges, Olympic overprint