Girl Guide badges, Olympic overprint
Piece details
Identity
- Piece codeStamp code YYYY.ENT.SS-PP — series code plus stamp order (e.g. 1900.CGH.01-02).
1976.TON.01-01- SeriesThe set this stamp belongs to.
- First participation, Montreal Olympics
1976.TON.01· piece 1 of 5 - EntityPostal authority that issued the stamps (country, territory, or historical entity).
Tonga (TON)- Year / date
- 1976-02-24
- Face valueDenomination on the stamp; +n is a charity surcharge when present.
- 12 s on 20 s
- Format
- Stamp
- TypeIssue kind. Charity issue = postage + voluntary surcharge (e.g. 6+4), not an overprint.
- Airmail
- Colors
- Multicolour
- CollectionIn collection if you have it; Purchased if it is bought but not yet received (do not buy again); Wanted otherwise.
- ○ Wanted
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
- ScottScott catalog number (Americas).
- TO C189
- MichelMichel catalog number (Europe / DE).
- TO 564
- YvertYvert & Tellier catalog number (FR).
- TO PA184
- Stanley GibbonsStanley Gibbons catalog number (UK / Commonwealth).
- TO 563
Notes
Die-cut cluster of Girl Guide proficiency badges on square peelable backing: a red cross, a lantern, a coiled snake, a tent, a Baden-Powell B/P badge and a small star, each ringed GIRL GUIDES. A silver disc at the top carries the Montreal emblem and LOTO 'O POLINISIA. Central panel TONGA / OLYMPICS / MONTREAL 1976 with the new value and AIRMAIL. Value 12s on the 20 seniti postage type.
Series 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.