Comoro Islands, 50 Different Stamps

Indian Ocean Islands, World-Ranging Stamps
50 Different Stamps from the Comoro Islands

The Comoro Islands are a small volcanic archipelago in the Indian Ocean between Madagascar and the African coast, and their philatelic story is compressed but eventful. French colonial stamps gave way to independent issues in 1975, when the islands declared independence as "Etat Comorien." A coup in 1978 brought a new Islamic republic and a new stamp inscription — "République Fédérale Islamique des Comores" — and you'll find both names in this collection, each marking a distinct chapter in the country's turbulent early independence.

Like many small island nations, Comoros issued stamps on international themes well beyond its own shores — Olympics, aviation, communications, and sports — making it a destination for topical collectors worldwide.

Selections will vary, but here are some stamps you may find in your packet:

• Graham Bell Telephone Centenary (Etat Comorien) — marking 100 years since Bell's invention, with his portrait alongside a telephone operator. Printed with the vivid color and detail typical of Comoros issues from this era.
• Calgary Winter Olympics 1988 — Figure skating (75F) — a female skater in red mid-performance, from Comoros's Calgary Winter Games series. Olympic stamps from small island nations are widely collected.
• Concorde and Rotary International anniversary — the supersonic Concorde arching over a world map with the Rotary gear-wheel emblem, combining two international milestones on one stamp.
• Coupe du Monde de Football — USA 94 (150F) — a footballer in action from the 1994 World Cup series, one of many international sports issues in the Comoros catalog.
• Satellites and space (200F Poste Aérienne — Etat Comorien) — Earth with orbiting satellites, from the early years of the Comorian state, reflecting the excitement of the space communications age.

Every packet is different — order today and see what you get.