New Caledonia

1924 Scott 131 1.25fr on 1fr deep blue, red surcharge, "Ship"

Quick History
New Caledonia, 750 miles east of Australia in the southwest Pacific Ocean, has been a formal possession of France since 1853. But, it was named by the British Captain James Cook in 1774, as the land reminded him of Scotland. The indigenous population was the Kanak society, which is clan and chief based, and had the fearsome reputation of eating their enemies in former years.The French established a penal colony, where some 22,000 prisoners were sent through 1897. Nickel was discovered in 1864, and New Caledonia has today 25% of the known nickel resources in the world.

New Caledonia

New Caledonia has the richest biodiversity in the world per square kilometer. Many birds and plants are unique.

The Capital is Noumea, and the population was 53,000 in 1936. 

Today, New Caledonia is still a dependent territory of France.

Stamps were introduced in 1859 with a portrait of Napoleon III. One will note the stamps often are inscribed "Nouvelle Caledonie et Dependances". The Dependencies are the Loyalty Islands, Isle of Pines, Huon Islands, and Chesterfield Islands.

1901 Scott 62 15c on 75c violet,orange

"Navigation and Commerce"

Into the Deep Blue
The 2011 Scott Classic Specialized catalogue has, for New Caledonia 1859-1940, 266 major stamp descriptions. Of those, 103 are CV <$1-$1+, or 39%. The earlier issues (1859-1893, 35 stamps) are all rather expensive. And some later issues (1903 Jubilee stamps, 1932 Paris-Noumea Flight overprinted issue) are likewise not cheap. But, like many French colonies, the New Caledonia stamp output is blessed with two long pictorial issues (1905-28 issue- 29 stamps; 1928-40 issue, 42 stamps).

A closer look at the stamps and issues
100 Centimes = 1 Franc

1900 Scott 44 5c yellow green

"Navigation and Commerce"

From 1881-1893, some 32 French Colony stamps were surcharged and/or overprinted with "N C E" or "Nlle Caledonie". Some ten are CV $10+-$20+: so perhaps, a representative sample could be accumulated by the WW collector. At the moment, though, I don't have any. ;-)

The well known "Navigation and Commerce" issue-  nineteen stamps- was released for New Caledonia between 1892-1904. Seven are CV $1+-$2+.

Then, between 1900-02, seven of the "Navigation and Commerce" issue was surcharged "N C E". An example is shown at the head of the "Into the Deep Blue" section.

1903 Scott 66 1c black/lilac blue with blue overprint

Jubilee Issue

For the 50th anniversary of French possession, a "Jubilee Issue" was released in 1903. The initial 15 stamp production was overprinted in blue, red, black or gold. An additional surcharge was applied on seven more stamps. Both examples are shown on the blog.

CV ranges from $1+-$4+ for nine stamps.

1905 Scott 90 4c blue/orange "Kagu"

Between 1905-28 a long 29 stamp series was produced with three designs The lower denominations show the "Kagu", an essentially flightless bird only found on New Caledonia.

1924 Scott 127 60c on 75c blue green, red surcharge, "Landscape"

Stamps of 1905 type surcharged in new values

During 1924-27, eleven of the 1905 issue were surcharged with new values and bars.  Here, the "Landscape" design is shown-lovely! The higher denominations show a "Ship" design, which is illustrated at the blog post header.

1928 Scott 143 25c dark green & dark brown

"Bay of Paletuviers Point"

The second major long issue, again with three designs, was released between 1928-40. The lower denominations show this placid scene.

1928 Scott 148 50c violet & brown 

"Landscape with Chief's House"

The middle values show a native Kanak chief hut and landscape. The French do pay attention to their surroundings. 

1928 Scott 172 3fr magenta & brown

"Admiral de Bougainville and Count de La Perouse"

The third design honors two explorers.

 Admiral de Bougainville was a contemporary of James Cook.  He helped first settle the Falkland Islands, "discovered" Tahiti, and had several further voyages into the Pacific Ocean.

Count de La Perouse's ships vanished without a trace in Oceania after visiting New Caledonia and Australia in 1788. This disappearance has been investigated by French sponsored expeditions as recently as 2008. The two ships are now known to have crashed on the coral atoll of Vanikoro, part of the Santa Cruz islands.

1938 Air Post Scott C1 65c deep violet

"Seaplane over Pacific Ocean"

Great illustration of a seaplane-No? Six stamps were produced for the first 1938-40 Air Post issue. CV is <$1-$3+. Of note, during WW II, New Caledonia supported the Free French government. And Noumea was the headquarters of the United States Navy and Army in the South Pacific.

1906 Postage Due Scott J9 5c ultramarine/azure

"Men Poling Boat"

The postage dues for the French colonies are often interesting, and New Caledonia doesn't disappoint.  The 1906 issue consists of eight stamps, and has this intriguing scene.

 1928 Scott J21 5c red orange & blue black

"Malayan Sambar"

The Malayan Sambar is a large deer found in southern Asia, the Malay Peninsula, and parts of Indonesia. I found no evidence it is native to New Caledonia. I wonder if it was introduced? At any rate, the thirteen stamp postage dues of 1928 feature a nice design of this deer. CV ranges from <$1-$3.

Deep Blue

1928-40 Issue in Deep Blue

Deep Blue (Steiner) has eighteen pages for New Caledonia, and a space for all the major Scott numbers.

1903 Scott 83 4c on 5c dark green/greenish

Blue surcharge on red overprinted 1903 Jubilee issue

Big Blue

Big Blue '69, on four pages, has 125 spaces. Coverage is 47%.

• There are only two "expensive" stamps @ $20+.
• For the long 1905-28 issue, BB has 24 spaces for the 29 stamps issued; for the long 1928-40 issue, BB has 37 spaces for the 42 stamps issued. Not bad.
• The '69 editors lopped off a page with 4 semi-postals and 17 postage dues. Pity. I included in the checklist these '41/'43/'47 edition stamps for those that have an interest.

Checklist

1892
12,11 or 13, 40,41,42,43,(45),(47),

1900-02
60,61,44,46,48,64,65,

1903
66,67,(68),(69),81,82,(83),(84),

1905-06
88,89,90,91,93,96,97,103,
104,105,

1912
117,118,119,

1922
123,

1924
127,

1921
92,94,99,101,107,

1925
124,128,129,
95,102,108,111,114,

Next Page

1926
131,

1927
130,132,

1928
109,112,

1928
136,137,138,139,
140,141,142,143,
144,146,147,148,
151,153,156,158,

1928
161,165,169,

1933
145,
152,155,162,167,

Next Page

1933-38
182,183,184,185,
186,187,188,189,
190,191,192,193,
194,195,196,197,
198,199,(200),(201),

1938
149,154,159,168,

1939
215,216,

Next Page

1937
209,208,211,210,
212,213,

1939-40
137B,147A,150,
157,160,163,164,
166,170,171,

Air Post
1938
C1,C2,C4,

End of "69 edition

In '41/'43/'47 editions

Semi-Postal
1915
B1,

1917
B2,B3,

1938
B4,

Postage  Due
1906
J9,J10,(J11),(J12),

1928
J19,J20,J21,J22,J23,J24,
J25,J26,J27,J28,J29,J30,J31,

End

Comments
A) Expensive stamps (Threshold $10):
1891 Scott 12 10c on 30c brown/bister ($20+)
1892 Scott 13 10c on 40c red/straw ($20+)
B) (  ) around a number indicates a blank space choice.

1931 Scott 178 90c red orange

Colonial Exposition Issue

Out of the Blue

My Daughter reminded me that she was in New Caledonia several years ago for a conference on the economic status of the South Pacific island countries. For her, New Caledonia had the best of both worlds: island beauty and languor and efficient French infrastructure. One perhaps can say the same thing about the stamp issues. ;-)

Note: Map appears to be in the public domain.

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