Tonga Sc 58 on 1937 Tin Can Mail Cover to Sydney, New South Wales

Item Specifics

Country

Tonga

Catalog Number

58

Stamp Type

General Issue

Condition

Cover (Postal History)

Stamp Format

Single

Item Description

Tonga, Scott 58 on 1937 Tin Can Mail Cover. 2½p Queen Salote tied by black NIUAFOOU CDS and BLECHDOSEN POST handstamp, 4 other cachets indicating Tin Can Mail dispatch, to Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Reverse: 11 different handstamps & cachets indicating Tin Can Mail, sealed flat, slit open at top, light vertical fold at left, F-VF. Tonga is an archipelago in in the South Pacific Ocean comprising 176 islands, lying to the Southwest of American Samoa, Since the 3½" mile wide volcanic island of Niuafo'ou with 1,100 inhabitants, also known as Good Hope Island and Tin Can Island, lacked a beach and a harbor, mail was originally transferred from passing ships via tin cans to native swimmers who brought the mail ashore. In the 1930s, a swimmer was killed by a shark after which the mail was collected by outrigger canoe. Postmasters Walter Quesnell and later John Malikamu of Tonga arranged to provide "Tin Can Mail" covers to passing ships and philatelists worldwide. A volcanic eruption brought Malikamu's enterprise to an end on December 21,1946 when the island was completely evacuated. Powered by Hip Turbo Lister The free listing tool. List your items fast and easy and manage your active items. View more great items

Seller Information

Seller

Varisell (4981)

Registered Since

09/20/2007

Feedback

99.9%

Store

Varisell Stamp Boutique

Item Location

California, United States

Ships To

Worldwide

Returns Accepted

Yes

Returns Policy

Money Back - Returns Accepted within 30 Days (Buyer pays Shipping Cost)