Olave, Lady Baden-Powell
Piece details
Identity
- Piece codeStamp code YYYY.ENT.SS-PP — series code plus stamp order (e.g. 1900.CGH.01-02).
1974.TON.01-12- SeriesThe set this stamp belongs to.
- Honouring the Girl Guides
1974.TON.01· piece 12 of 13 - EntityPostal authority that issued the stamps (country, territory, or historical entity).
Tonga (TON)- Year / date
- 1974-09-11
- Face valueDenomination on the stamp; +n is a charity surcharge when present.
- 55 s
- Format
- Stamp
- TypeIssue kind. Charity issue = postage + voluntary surcharge (e.g. 6+4), not an overprint.
- Official airmail
- Colors
- Multicolour
- CollectionIn collection if you have it; Purchased if it is bought but not yet received (do not buy again); Wanted otherwise.
- ◔ Purchased€17.00 for 3 pieces · Postbeeld · 2026-09-06
Production
- Designer
- Maurice Meers
- Printer
- Walsall Security Printers
- Process
- Offset lithography
- PerforationsHole gauge between stamps (e.g. 12, 13½). Higher ≈ finer.
- Die cut (self-adhesive)
- Panes
- 20
- Quantity printed
- 10,000
Catalog numbers
- DomfilDomfil thematic catalog number (scouting).
- 974.53
- ScottScott catalog number (Americas).
- TO CO91
- MichelMichel catalog number (Europe / DE).
- TO D127
- YvertYvert & Tellier catalog number (FR).
- TO SPA88
- Stanley GibbonsStanley Gibbons catalog number (UK / Commonwealth).
- TO O125
Notes
Green teardrop official airmail on rectangular peelable backing. Circular portrait of Olave, Lady Baden-Powell in Guide uniform with service ribbons. Inscribed honouring the girl guides, OLAVE, LADY BADEN-POWELL, tonga, THE FRIENDLY ISLANDS, the value and OFFICIAL AIRMAIL. Value lettering in pale green.
Series history
Tonga issued thirteen self-adhesive die-cut stamps on 11 September 1974 honouring the Girl Guides. Maurice Meers designed them; Walsall Security Printers lithographed them, with the printing on the reverse of the release paper. Each value was issued in panes of twenty, ten thousand of each. Sources give no place of issue.
Five postage stamps are clusters of Girl Guide proficiency badges around TONGA, Honouring the Girl Guides, POSTAGE and the seniti value, the lettering changing colour with the denomination. Five airmails are shield-shaped, each with an oval colour photograph of Tongan Girl Guides among palms, a trefoil, Honouring the Girl Guides, TONGA, AIRMAIL and the value. Three official airmails are green teardrops on rectangular backing, with a portrait of Olave, Lady Baden-Powell, THE FRIENDLY ISLANDS and OFFICIAL AIRMAIL, at 45 seniti, 55 seniti and 1 pa'anga.