Brief Postal History of Papua New Guinea

Island nation in the southwest Pacific, north of Australia.

Papua New Guinea (PNG) includes the eastern half of the island of New Guinea and many smaller islands. The western half of the island is controlled by Indonesia.

Before becoming a country, different parts of PNG were ruled by Germany, Britain, and later Australia, with each issuing its own stamps. After World War II, the country began moving toward independence, and its first stamps were issued in 1952 for the combined territories of Papua and New Guinea. Papua New Guinea gained full independence in 1975.

Stamps Through the Years

German New Guinea → New Guinea

  • 1888–1914 – Stamps inscribed “Deutsch-Neu-Guinea” issued by the German colonial administration.
  • 1925–1942 – Stamps inscribed “Territory of New Guinea” issued under Australian mandate from the League of Nations.
  • 1942–1945 – Many post offices closed during WWII due to Japanese occupation
  • 1945–1952 – Australian stamps used in New Guinea.

British New Guinea → Papua

  • 1885–1901 – Queensland stamps used in British New Guinea.
  • 1901–1906 – Stamps inscribed “British New Guinea.”
  • 1906 – Territory renamed Papua; existing stamps overprinted “PAPUA.”
  • 1906–1939 – New stamps issued with “PAPUA” inscription, including Lakatoi designs.

Papua New Guinea

  • 1952 – First stamps issued for the combined territory, inscribed “Papua & New Guinea.”
  • 1972 – Name on stamps changed to “Papua New Guinea.”
  • 1975 – Full independence; continued issuing stamps as Papua New Guinea.

Did You Know?

  • In 1914, when Australia overprinted German stamps with "G.R.I." (German Reich Invader), the values were hand-written on some due to a shortage of printing equipment. This overprinting was a result of Australia taking control of German territories in the Pacific during World War I.
  • Some early stamps from Papua were printed on leftover stock from Queensland, which resulted in rare colour variations and printing errors. These variations make the stamps highly collectible and a unique part of Papua’s philatelic history.
  • The first air mail stamps in the country were issued in 1934 for a special flight between Port Moresby and Australia.
  • In 1995, Papua New Guinea released a stamp featuring a shell money design, highlighting traditional currency used by some local communities.
Papua New Guinea

Issued 1932: 10th Anniversary of Australian Administration 1921-1931- 1d (Australian penny), Raggiana Bird of Paradise.

Papua New Guinea

Issued 1932: Papua Definitive Series - ½d, Motuan girl.

Papua New Guinea

Issued 1934: 50th Anniversary of Declaration of British Protectorate - 2d, Scene on the H.M.S. Nelson at Post Moresby.

Papua New Guinea

Issued 1952: Definitive Series - 6½d, Kiriwina Chiefs House.

Papua New Guinea

Issued 1957: Definitive Series - Surcharge - 5d on a ½d, Matschis's Tree Kangaroo

Papua New Guinea

Issued 1961: Definitive Series - 2 shilling, Male Dancer.

Papua New Guinea

Issued 1991: Tribal Headdresses - 80 toea, Sina Sina, Simbu Province.

Papua New Guinea

Issued 1994: Artifacts Definitive Series - 5 kinma, Gogodala dance mask, Western Province.

Papua New Guinea

Issued 1995: 20th Anniversary of Independence - 50 toea.

Papua New Guinea

Issued 1995: 1st Anniversary of the Eruption of Rabaul - 2 kina, Rabaul Volcano

Papua New Guinea

Issued 2002: Centenary of 1st Papuan Stamps - 1.25 kina, Lakatoi (trading canoe) and Hanuabada Village.