Papua New Guinea — Stamps & Postal Service

Postal Service Overview

Post PNG Limited is Papua New Guinea’s national postal operator. PNG’s philatelic history is among Oceania’s richest and most complex: German New Guinea stamps (1888–1914), British New Guinea stamps (1901–1906), Territory of Papua stamps (Australian administration, 1906–1942), Territory of New Guinea stamps (League of Nations mandate under Australia, 1914–1942), combined Papua and New Guinea stamps (1952–1975), and independent PNG stamps from independence in September 1975. Each period reflects different colonial administrations over one of the world’s most culturally diverse nations (over 800 languages spoken).

Notable Stamp Issues

German New Guinea stamps (1888–1914) are classic early Pacific colonial material — the Kaiser’s Yacht design and the distinctive New Guinea Company stamps are sought by specialists. Papua (British New Guinea) stamps featuring Lakatoi trading canoes are classically beautiful. Territory of New Guinea’s 1932 Goldfields series is striking. Post-independence PNG stamps are world-famous for their Bird of Paradise designs — the Raggiana Bird of Paradise (national bird) appears on many stunning stamps. Tribal masks, sing-sing costumes, and highland culture appear on extraordinary ethnographic stamps.

Collecting Tips

Stanley Gibbons Commonwealth catalogue covers all PNG entities. German New Guinea stamps are covered in Michel. The New Guinea Company stamps (1888–1895) are distinctive early Pacific colonial issues. PNG’s Birds of Paradise stamps are among the Pacific’s most sought thematic stamps — the dozen or more species appear on beautifully executed designs. PNG’s tribal art stamps are outstanding ethnographic thematic items. Japanese occupation stamps from WWII (1942–1945) are a specialist Pacific WWII area. PNG’s butterfly stamps are exceptional — the Queen Alexandra’s Birdwing (world’s largest butterfly) appears on some issues.

Part of the Oceania Postal Directory.