Solomon Islands — Stamps & Postal Service

Postal Service Overview

Solomon Islands Post is the Pacific island nation’s postal operator. The Solomon Islands — an archipelago of nearly 1,000 islands in the southwestern Pacific — were a British Protectorate (stamps from 1907) before independence in July 1978. The Solomon Islands occupy one of WWII’s most historically significant theatres: the Guadalcanal Campaign (1942–1943) was a pivotal battle of the Pacific War, with Ironbottom Sound off Guadalcanal still containing dozens of sunken warships. This history features on many Solomons stamps. The islands’ extraordinary marine biodiversity also dominates the stamp programme.

Notable Stamp Issues

The British Solomon Islands Protectorate’s first stamps in 1907 depicted the Arms of the Protectorate — standard British colonial designs. The 1939–1951 pictorial definitives featuring Roviana war canoes are particularly attractive. WWII Guadalcanal battle commemoratives — issued by both the Solomon Islands and several other nations including the US — are historically significant Pacific philatelic items. Post-independence stamps from 1978 feature the dugong (Solomon Islands’ national symbol), magnificent frigate bird, hawksbill sea turtle, and traditional canoe building.

Collecting Tips

Stanley Gibbons Commonwealth catalogue covers all Solomon Islands stamps. British Solomon Islands stamps (1907–1978) are standard Pacific British colonial material. WWII Guadalcanal commemorative stamps are historically significant and popular with military history collectors. Dugong stamps are popular with marine mammal collectors. The Pacific campaign WWII postal history — including covers from the famous Henderson Field — are specialist items. Solomon Islands’ coral reef fish stamps are outstanding marine thematic material. The islands’ traditional bonito fishing canoe culture appears on stamps.

Part of the Oceania Postal Directory.