![[The first stamp issued in Angola.]](images/crown.jpg)
Angolan Stamps
Information on the Postage Stamps of Angola
Given the difficulty of obtaining Philatelic information on the stamp issues of Angola, this site seeks to provide some basic information for an English speaking collector developing an Angolan stamp collection. The information provided is gathered from collectors with far greater knowledge than me and I do thank them for their diligence. A large amount of these research notes come from articles produced by members of the International Society of Portuguese Philately, USA - inactive at the moment.
The Classic Era Notes are formatted to American Quarto / Letter to interleave stamp albums using Hagner Stamp Stock Sheets, and/or formatted album pages, if so required. Remember, when printing downloaded interleaving or album pages, always use acid free paper to protect stamps from foxing.
Independence Era Notes are formatted to A4 for the purpose of economy of paper and binders. Only some examples are provided. The general issue of postage stamps for the franking of mail ended in 1995 with the Ceramic definitives, replaced over the next few years by mechanical franking labels. Most of the issued stamps that followed were not used to frank mail.
Angola has a rich philatelic history, but the civil war that raged from independence was only finally resolved in 2002. This meant that much of the nation's energy was expended in war, resulting in the impoverishment of a large segment of society. For most Angolans, stamp collecting is an unnecessary luxury.
Angolan stamp issues since independence have been plagued by stamp agencies with little interest other than generating funds for themselves. Too much rubbish was produced in the years 1997-2000, and 2018-19, although thankfully, not as much rubbish as some African countries. The plains, trains automobiles, Princess Dianna, Queen Mother and every animal in existence, are easily isolated from the more relevant postal issues.
Since the year 2000, fake stamps of Angola have flooded the market. These are easily identified, and are best avoided like the plague - See Angola Illegal Stamps 1999.
For those intending to build an Angolan collection, it is best to purchase an incomplete collection at a philatelic auction, and use this as a base upon which to build your own. Starting out from scratch would involve paying out for the large number of Angolan stamps of little value.
Sources for Angolan Stamps are as follows:
eBay
On-line collection building:
Colnect.com
Open Auctions:
Nucleo Filatelico do Ateneu Comercial do Porto
Catalogues in English:
Stanley Gibbons Portugal and Colonies - pre-independence Angola;
Simplified: Gibbons Stamps of the World, Vol.2;
Scott, Vol.1.
Simplified Economy: Stamp Books printable downloadable catalogue.
Postal Stationary: Higgins and Gage, copies sold on eBay.
Stamp Duty / Fiscal stamps: http//www.jbarefoot.co.uk
Formatted Angolan albums in English:
Economy, download printable PDF album pages by Scott, eg., Filcom; Stamp Books
Printed, regular or hingeless, eg. Palo Albums
English speaking Clubs:
Portuguese Philatelic Society (UK)
Information:
The last word of Angolan postmarks Paulosequeira
Modern Angolan Philately: Reinhard Kuchler,
< reinhardkuechler@yahoo.de >.
Extra information, as well as corrections, on Angolan issues, pre and post Independence, is welcomed. Information on the postal conditions in Angola today would be greatly appreciated.
email Fino, Bryan Findlayson, Sydney, Australia.
Additional information:
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