Most of us probably haven't heard of Norfolk Island. I had not heard about it either until I got hold of these stamps about which I'll be talking in this post.
Norfolk Island is an island in the South Pacific Ocean and an Australian territory for historical reasons even though it is much closer to New Zealand. It is one of the 3 main external territories of Australia; the other two being Christmas Island and the Cocos(Keeling) Islands.
The postage stamps and postal history of Norfolk Island depended on Australia until 1947, when the Island, an Australian territory since 1914, received its own stamps and postal autonomy.
After the transfer of Christmas Island and Cocos (Keeling) Islands' philatelic and postal services to Australia Post, Norfolk was the last Australian territory to be postally independent. Consequently, when Norfolk issued its own stamps, they had no value in Australia, and those of Australia Post could not be used on the Island.
Many stamp issuers issue stamps which predominantly show that country's interests and include heritage, tourism, local fauna and flora and special events. This practice has been followed by Norfolk Island.
The stamps above were issued in January 1986 as part of the marine life series. It features 4 marine creatures; namely(clockwise), Long-spined Sea Urchin, Blue Starfish, Eagle Ray and the Moray Eel.
The coral reefs on Norfolk are believed to be 97% pristine and they pulse with fish life. The fish life is very dense on many sites and includes catfish, butterflyfish, wrasse, parrotfish, anemonefish, sweep, groper, morwong, rock cod, moray eels, lionfish, emperors, damsels, cardinalfish, rock cod and goatfish. Stingrays and turtles also drop by. Sharks are rare except for the occasional Galapagos shark.
The rock walls offer very beautiful and undamaged plate corals, soft corals, sponges and ascidians. Invertebrates moving along the bottom include sea stars, brittle stars, nudibranchs and cowries.
The Long-spined Sea Urchin is one of the primary grazers on Caribbean coral reefs (keeping rocks clear for baby corals to establish and keeping algae from overgrowing established corals).
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| A Blue Starfish chilling on a coral. |
The blue Starfish is a mobile and solitary species, often found anchored to rocks. This species is also nocturnal and can be found hiding in rocks during the day.
Eagle Rays are bottom feeders but frequently swim near the ocean’s surface, occasionally jumping high out of the water in spectacular displays.
The Moray Eel has a fine body reminding us of a snake and their sharp teeth. It is well known and an appreciated aquatic animal. It is not aggressive, contrary to what is said about its aggressive nature.
Due to political changes affecting the island, Norfolk Island Post ceased providing postal service to the islanders from 1 July 2016 and therefore ended its production and sale of postage stamps.
In its place, Australia Post began to release stamps inscribed Norfolk Island Australia.
Norfolk Island became the world's newest dead country (a country or postal authority that no longer issues postage stamps) in July 2016. Norfolk Island stamps are sought after by many within the philatelic world, and the territory has long-established and active participation in the collector market.
Labels: Animal, Nature, Norfolk Island, Stamps
