GAMBIA STAMPS

Gambia, a small West African country, has a rich philatelic history dating back to the late 1800s. The first stamps of Gambia were issued by the British colonial authorities in 1869, and they featured the portrait of Queen Victoria. These stamps were mainly used for official correspondence and were not widely available to the public.

In 1880, Gambia issued its first postage stamp series that was specifically designed for public use. The stamps featured the profile of Queen Victoria and were printed in various denominations and colours. Over the next few decades, Gambia issued several stamp series, including the King Edward VII series in 1902 and the King George V series in 1912.

During the early 1920s, Gambia issued a series of stamps featuring local scenes and wildlife, which proved to be very popular among collectors. These stamps featured various images, such as a crocodile, an elephant, and a palm tree. In the 1930s, Gambia continued to issue stamps with local themes, such as the Kinteh Commemorative Issue in 1936, which celebrated the 300th anniversary of the arrival of Kinteh, a Gambian slave, in America.

During World War II, Gambia faced a shortage of stamps due to the disruption of postal services. To address this, the authorities issued a series of provisional stamps in 1942, which featured a design of a palm tree and the words "Postage Paid."

In the post-war era, Gambia continued to issue stamps with a variety of themes, such as sports, politics, and culture. Notable examples include the UNESCO World Heritage Sites series in 1986 and the International Year of Astronomy series in 2009.

Today, Gambia stamps remain highly sought after by collectors due to their unique designs and cultural significance. Whether you are a philatelist or just interested in the history of this small African country, Gambia stamps offer a fascinating glimpse into the country's past and present.

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