A selection collected by my parents, grandfather and me.
One way for a child to learn about plants and places…and a bit of botanical latin too.

There’s just one from my grandfather’s collection: Cattleya skinneri, an orchid. Stamps of his era hadn’t tapped into the profitable collectors’ market. There are more from my father’s collection which he started in 1931. These two collections span the peak and close of the colonial era, useful for understanding politics and nationalism. There are also some beautiful first day issues sent to me by my mother, something that she has done all my life.

The selection includes exotic fruit, important vegetables and popular garden flowers. There’s various agricultural operations, such as spraying pineapples, world cultural events, like International Rice Year (1966) and unusual plants, such as rare ferns of the Channel Islands and seaweeds of the Falkland Islands.

In my teens I started seeking out stamps illustrated by botanical artists, such as Dick Findlay’s works on native plants and landscapes of South Africa and Namibia. I also collected botanical oddities, such as Wormskioldia longipedunculata (Turneraceae).

Two stamp design companies, Courvoisier of Switzerland (click on this link for Swiss stamp makers and scroll down), and Harrison & Sons of Hayes, (English stamp makers) were commissioned to produce stamps for many countries for a long time – many of their stamps are included.

Lastly, there’s some of my favourite wild flowers, including Kangaroo Paw, Persian Cyclamen and Tea Rose, stamps which simply give me pleasure each time I look at them.

Enjoy.

Jerry Coleby-Williams

2 1/2d Gilbert & Ellice Islands – now Kiribati & Tuvalu

Uganda – Acacia drepanolobium, Whistling thorn

Australia – Acacia species, wattle. Probably Acacia pycnantha, our national flower

Uganda – Acanthus arboreus

Canada – sugar maple, Acer saccharum

South Africa – African Baobab, Adansonia digitata

Venda – Adansonia digitata, African Baobab

Belize – Adiantum tetraphyllum

Algeria – Ajuga iva, 1992

Algeria – Artemisia herba-alba, 1982

Algeria – Lavandula stoechas, 1982

Algeria – Sea Buckthorn, Rhamnus alaternus, 1992

Algeria – Castor oil plant, Ricinus communis, 1982

Algeria – Milk thistle, Silybum marianum, 1982

Algeria, Tetraclinis articulata (syn. Callitris articulata), 1982. An endangered species. A specimen grows in Sydney Botanic Gardens

Algeria – Thymus fontanesii, 1982

Algeria – date, Phoenix dactylifera, 1950

Algeria – date, fig, apple, 1987

Algeria – farming, 1987

Algeria – farming, 1987

Algeria – farming, 1987

Algeria – Citrus: oranges & citrons, 1950

Algeria – raisin grape, 1950

Guyana – Allamanda cathartica, Allamanda

South Africa – Aloe species

Cuba – cashew, Anacardium occidentale

Costa Rica – Pineapple, Ananas comosus

Ciskei – Ananas comosus – despatching pineapples

Ciskei – Ananas comosus – harvesting pineapples

Ciskei – Ananas comosus – packing pineapples

Ciskei – Ananas comosus – spraying pineapples

Belize – Angelonia ciliaris, Granny’s Bonnet

Australia – Anigozanthos manglesii, Mangel’s Kangaroo Paw

Cuba – Cherimoya, Annona cherimona

Cameroon – Soursop, Annona muricata

Rhodesia – Ansellia species

Bulgaria – Aquilegia aurea

Norfolk Island – Araucaria heterophylla, Norfolk Island pine, their floral emblem

Poland – Arnica montana

Cameroon – Artocarpus altilis

Ascension Island – endemic flora – Dryopteris ascensionis

Ascension Island – endemic flora – Marattia purpurea. A representative of a truly ancient plant line

Ascension Island – endemic flora – Sporobolus durus

Ascension Island – endemic flora – Sporolobus caespitosus

Ascension Island – endemic flora – Anagramma ascensionis

Ascension Island – endemic flora – Xiphopteris ascensione

Guernsey – Asplenium x sarniense

Australia, Farming, 2012

Australia: National Gallery of Victoria, Flowers, first day cover, 2011

Australia, Food security: Produce more food campaign, 1953

Australia, Food security: Produce more food campaign, 1953

Australia, wildflowers, first day cover, 2007

Azerbaijan – Quince, Cydonia oblonga, 2000

Azerbaijan – fig, Ficus carica, 2000

Azerbaijan – fruit, 2000

Azerbaijan – peach, Prunus persica, 2000

Azerbaijan – pomegranate, Punica granatum, 2000

Bangladesh floral stamp – species unknown

Bangladesh stamp – ploughing with oxen

Bangladesh stamp – Tea, Camellia sinensis

Bangladesh stamp – pawpaw, Carica papaya; jackfruit, Artocarpus heterophyllus; star fruit, Averrhoa carambola

Bangladesh stamps – squash, Cucurbita maxima; bitter melon, Momordica charantia; edible fern, Diplazium esculentum; potol or pointed gourd, Trichosanthes dioica; gourd, Lagenaria siceraria; brinjal or eggplant, Solanum melongena

Bangladesh stamps – Mango, Mangifera indica; guava, Psidium guajava; watermelon, Citrullus vulgaris

UK – English lawn daisy, Bellis perennis, and buttercup, Ranunculus repens

Bellis perennis & Ranunculus repens – Version 2

Australia – Blandfordia species

Barbados – Bletia patula

Bophuthatswana, Acacia erioloba, 1992

Bophuthatswana, Acacia karroo, 1992

Bophuthatswana, Acacia mellifera, 1992

Bophuthatswana, Acacia tortilis, 1992

Bophuthatswana, Bequaertiodendron magalismontanum artist: Dick Findlay, 1980

Bophuthatswana, Landolphia capensis, artist: Dick Findlay, 1980

Bophuthatswana, Native grasses, First day cover, artist: Dick Findlay, 1984

Bophuthatswana, Sclerocarya caffra, artist: Dick Findlay, 1980

Bophuthatswana, Vangueria infausta, artist: Dick Findlay, 1980

Congo – Brillantaisia vogeliana

British Antarctic Territory – fossil plants, a species similar to Cladophlebis oblonga

British Antarctic Territory – fossil plants, Aculea acicularis

British Antarctic Territory – fossil plants, Lophosora cupulatus

British Antarctic Territory – fossil plants, Pachypteris indica

Australia – Callistemon teretifolius, bottlebrush

Falkland Islands – Callophyllis species, seaweed

South West Africa – Caralluma lugardii

Cameroon – Carica papaya, pawpaw

Poland – Carlina acaulis, Dwarf Thistle

Hungary – Cattleia warzewiczii

Honduras – Cattleya bowringiana

Barbados – Cattleya gaskelliana var. alba

Columbia – Guarianthe skinneri, (syn. Cattleya skinneri), Guaria morada, the Columbian national flower

Ceylon, International Rice Year 1966

Ceylon, International Rice Year 1966

Christmas Island – ferns, Asplenium listeri

Christmas Island – ferns, Bolbitis heteroclita

Christmas Island – ferns, Pteris tripartita

Christmas Island – ferns, Tectaria divexa

Cuba – Chrysophyllum cainito, cainito

Ciskei, Edible Mushrooms, Boletus edulis, 1987

Ciskei, Edible Mushrooms, Macrolepiota zeyheri, 1987

Ciskei, Edible Mushrooms, Russula capensis, 1987

Ciskei, Edible Mushrooms, Termitomyceas spp., 1987

Ciskei, Poisonous mushrooms, Amanita muscaria, 1988

Ciskei, Poisonous mushrooms, Amanita pantherita, 1988

Ciskei, Poisonous mushrooms, Amanita phalloides, 1988

Ciskei, Poisonous mushrooms, Chlorophyllum molybdites, 1988

Ciskei, conventional pineapple growing, first day cover, 1982

Haiti- Citrullus lanatus, watermelon

Montserrat – Citrus x limonia, the Rangpur or lemandarin, a bitter hybrid between lemon and mandarin

Gabon – Citrus paradisi, grapefruit

Gabon – Citrus reticulata, madarin

Clematis integrifolia

Uganda, Clerodendrum myricoides ‘Ugandense’

Pakistan, Cocos nucifera, coconut

Rwanda-Urundi – Cocos nucifera, coconut. Now Rwanda and Burundi

Cameroon – Cocos nucifera

Columbia, orchids, Masdevallia chimaera, 1949

Columbia, orchids, Cattleya labiata trianae, 1949

Columbia, orchids, Masdevallia nycterina, 1949

Columbia, orchids, Miltonia vexillaria, 1949

Columbia, orchids, Odontoglossum crispum, 1949

Columbia, orchids, Cattleya dowiana aurea, 1949

Columbia, sesquicentenary of universal postal service, Central Post Office 1949

Australia – alpine flower, Cremnothamnus thomsonii

Poland – Cyclamen persicum, Persian Cyclamen

UK – Cypripedium calceolus, Lady’s Slipper orchid

West Germany – Cypripedium species, probably C. calceolus

Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe, banana, Musa x sapientum, mini-sheet, 1981

Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe, banana, Musa x sapientum, 1981

Thailand – Dendrobium scabrilingue

Cayman Islands – Dendrophylax fawcettii, orchid

‘Dig for Victory’ – USA campaign, Second World War – printed envelope

Falkland Islands – Durvillea species, seaweed

East Germany – flowers – Epiphyllum hybrid

East Germany – flowers – Hamatocactus setispinus

East Germany – flowers – Selenicereus grandiflorus

East Germany – flowers – Astrophytum myriostigma

East Germany – flowers – Crambe maritima, Sea Kale

East Germany – flowers – Dactylorchis latifolia

East Germany – flowers – Echinocereus salm-dyckianus

East Germany – flowers – Eryngium maritimum

East Germany – flowers – Gentiana ciliata

East Germany, fossil ferns, Lebachia speciosa

East Germany, fossil ferns – Sphenopteris hollandica

East Germany, fossil ferns – Pterodactylus kochi

East Germany, fossil ferns – Botryopteris sp.

East Germany, fossil ferns – Archaeopteryx lithographica

Bangladesh stamp: former East Pakistan Agricultural University, now Bangladesh Agricultural University

Rwanda – Echinopsis amplexicaulis & E. bequaertii

USA – Endangered flora

Bophuthatswana – Eragrostis capensis, Heart Seed Love Grass

South Africa – Erica blenna

Uganda – Erythrina abyssinica, Abyssinian Coral tree

Australia – Eucalyptus globulus, Blue Gum, the floral emblem of Tasmania

Venda – Euphorbia ingens, Candelabra tree

Faeroe Islands, native hardy ferns, 2008

Venda – Ficus ingens, Red-leaved Rock Fig

Fiji, ferns, Bird’s Nest fern, Asplenium australasicum

Fiji, ferns, Cyathea lunulata

Fiji, ferns, Diplazium proliferum

Fiji, ferns, Nephrolepis biserrata

Finland, Crab apple, Malus domestic, 2005

Finland, flora, Anemone hepatica, 1958

Finland, flora, Trifolium pratense, 1958

Finland, national flower, Lily of the Valley, Convallaria majalis – 1958

Canadian stamps – Flora of Canada

France, sesquicentenary of the National Horticultural Society, 1827 – 1977

France: Food Security, sowing, 1940

France: Food Security, dairying 1940

France: Food Security, viticulture (grape growing), 1940

France: Food Security, harvesting, 1940

Gabon – Avocado, mandarin

Gabon – mango, pineapple

Gabon, Aframomum polyanthum, 1969

Gabon, Chlamydocola chlamydantha (syn. Sterculia chlamydantha), 1969

Gabon, Cola rostrata, 1969

Gabon, Costus dinklagei, 1969

Gabon, Dischistocalyx grandifolius, 1969

Thailand – Garcinia mangostana, mangosteen

Cook Islands – Gardenia taitensis, Tiare

UK – Gentiana acaulis

1/2d stamp, Gilbert & Ellice Islands – now Kiribati & Tuvalu

1d stamp, Gilbert & Ellice Islands – now Kiribati & Tuvalu

2d stamp, Gilbert & Ellice Islands – now Kiribati & Tuvalu

Russia – Glaucium flavum, Yellow Horned poppy

Indonesia – Gloriosa superba

Grenada & the Grenadine – Guaiacum officinale, Lignum Vitae

Belize – Heliconia aurantiaca, Heliconia

Jamaica – Hibiscus elatus, Blue Mahoe – National Tree

Norfolk Island – Hibiscus, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis

Indonesia – Hibiscus tiliaceus

Hungary: Waldsteinia geoides & Bromeliaceae

Cyclamen hederifolium

Iceland, Calendula officinalis, 2001

Iceland, an ice plant, Dorotheanthus bellidiformis, 2001

Iceland: national flower, Dryas octopetala, 2006

Indonesia – Impatiens balsamina

India, Arisaema wallachianum, 1982

India, Inula grandiflora, 1982

India, Meconopsis aculeata, 1982

India, Saussurea obvallata, 1982

India, orchids, Cymbidium aloifolium, 1991

India, orchids, Paphiopedilum venustum, 1991

India, orchids, Aerides crispum, 1991

India, orchids, Cymbidium bicolor, 1991

India, orchids, Vanda spathulata, 1991

Sri Lanka – Ipsea speciosa

Falkland Islands – Iridaea species, seaweed

Guernsey – Isoetes histrix

Japan, flowers, Camellia japonica

Japan, flowers, Camellia reticulata

Japan, flowers, Campanula

Japan, flowers, Cherry

Japan, flowers, Cherry

Japan, flowers, Chrysanthemum

Japan, flowers, Gentian

Japan, flowers, Japanese iris

Japan, flowers, Jonquil

Japan, flowers, Lilium

Japan, flowers, Morning glory

Japan, flowers, Tree paeony

UK, Keble Martin, botanical illustrator

UK, Keble Martin, botanical illustrator

Uganda – Kigelia africana, Sausage tree

Indonesia – Lagerstroemia indica

Falkland Islands – Lessonia species, Kelp

Seychelles – Lodoica maldavica, Double coconut

UK – Lonicera species, Honeysuckle

Montserrat – Lycopersicon esculentum

Belize – Lygodium polymorphum

Macedonia, threatened species: Crocus scardicus, Viola kosaninii, first day cover, 1999

Macedonia, threatened species: Astragalus mayeri, Campanula formanekiana, first day cover, 1999

Macedonia- Astragalus mayeri, Campanula formanekiana, 1999

Falkland Islands – Macrocystis pyrifera, Kelp

USA – Magnolia grandiflora, Bull Bay magnolia

Bophuthatswana – Monocymbium ceresiiforme – grass

Uganda – Monodora myristica, Calabash Nutmeg

Montenegro, flora, Edraianthus wettsteinii, 2008

Montenegro, flora, Dianthus nitidus, 2008

Montenegro, flora, Draba bertiscea, 2008

Montenegro, flora, Protoedriantus tarae, 2008

Morocco, flora, Jasione montana, 2000. Morocco does not have a national flower

Morocco, flora, Pistorica breviflora, 2000. Morocco does not have a national flower.

Cameroon – Musa acuminata

Namibia: Fish River Canyon, 1990

Namibia: Tree Aloes, 1990. Probably Aloe bainesii

Namibia: Tsarisberge, 1990

Namibia: Vratteveld, 1990

Barbuda – Nerium oleander

Niger

Barbados – Oncidium ampliatum

Guernsey – Ophioglossum lusitanicum

British Guyana – Oryza sativa, rice

Sri Lanka – Oryza sativa, rice

Sri Lanka – Oryza sativa, rice

PDR North Korea, Pentactina rupicola, 1993

PDR North Korea, protected plants, mini-sheet, 1993

Romania – Paeonia peregrina var. romanica

Gilbert & Ellice Islands – Pandanus tectorius, Screw pine. Now Tuvalu & Kiribati

Papua New Guinea stamps – flowers of PNG: hibiscus; frangipani, New Guinea Creeper, Mucuna bennettii & white frangipani

Papua New Guinea, orchids, first day cover, 1966

Papua New Guinea, orchids, first day cover, 1966

Grenada & the Grenadines – Passiflora quadrangularis, Granadilla

Bermuda – Passiflora species, Passionfruit

South Africa – Pelargonium inquinans

Gabon – Persea americanum, avocado

Bermuda – Plumbago capensis, Plumbago

Montserrat, Plumeria obtusa

Noway – Potentilla neumanniana ‘Nana’, Spring Cinquefoil

Falkland Islands – Primula decipiens

UK – Primula vulgaris, Primrose

South Africa – Protea cynaroides, King Protea

South Africa – Protea longifolia

South Africa – Protea neriifolia, Bearded Sugarbush

South Africa – Protea punctata, Water Sugarbush

South Africa – Protea repens, Common Sugarbush

South Africa – Protea species

Romania – Prunus avium var. silvestris

Venda – Pterocarpus angolensis, Wild Teak

Noway – Pulsatilla vernalis

Spain – Quercus ilex, Holm oak

Hungary – Rebutia calliantha

Reunion, 1943

Reunion, 1943

Reunion, 1943

Reunion, 1943

Reunion, 1943

Reunion, 1943

Reunion, 1943

Bophuthatswana – Rhynchelytrum repens, Natal grass

UK – Rosa, Imp

UK – Rosa Elizabeth of Glamis

UK – Rosa Grandpa Dickson

UK – Rosa Mundi

Algeria – Rosa odorata

UK – Rosa rubiginosa

Poland – Rossioglossum grande, Tiger orchid

Romania – Rubus armeniacus

Belize – Russelia sarmentosa

Russia, ferns 1987

Russia, ferns 1987

Russia, ferns 1987

Russia, ferns 1987

Russia, ferns 1987

Russian stamps – Orchis maculata, Arnica montana; Roemeria refracta (syn. Papaver refracta, Papaveraceae)

Argentina – Schinopsis balansae

Barbados – Schomburgkia humboltii

New Zealand, Kowhai, Sophora microphylla

South Africa, Anacampseros albissima, 1990

South Africa, Cheiridopsis peculiaris, 1988

South Africa, Conophytum mundum, 1988

South Africa, Crassula columnaris, 1988

South Africa, Didymaeotus lapidiformis, 1988

South Africa, Dinteranthus wilmotianus, 1988

South Africa, Dioscorea elephantipes (syn. Testudinaria elephantipes), 1988

South Africa, Euphorbia symmetrica, 1988

South Africa, Faucaria tigrina, 1988

South Africa, Frithia pulchra, 1988

South Africa, Gasteria armstrongii, 1990

South Africa, Gibbaeum nebrownii, 1988

South Africa, Huernia zebrina, 1988

South Africa, Lapidaria margaretae, 1988

South Africa, Lithops dorotheae, 1988

South Africa, Tavaresia barklyi, 1988

South Africa, Trichocaulon cactiforme, 1988

South Africa, Vanheerdia divergens, 1988

Spain – Dracaena draco, 1973

Spain, Myrica faya, Ilex canariensis, Dracaena draco, first day cover, 1973

Spanish Guinea, flora, Strophanthus kombe, 1956

Spanish Guinea, flora, Strophanthus kombe, 1956

Spanish Guinea, flora, orchid, 1956

Spanish Guinea, flora, orchid, 1956

Spanish Sahara, flora, Sesuvium portulacastrum, 1956

Spanish Sahara, flora, Antirrhinum ramosissimum, 1956

Spanish Sahara, flora, Antirrhinum ramosissimum, 1956

Spanish Sahara, flora, Sesuvium portulacastrum, 1956

Ghana – Tulip tree, Spathodea campanulata

St Vincent & the Grenadines, orchids, Bletia purpurea

St Vincent & the Grenadines, orchids, Brassavola nervosa

St Vincent & Grenadines, orchids, Brassavola cucullata

Nicaragua – Stanhopea ecornuta

South Africa – Bird of Paradise, Strelitzia reginae

Philippines – Strongylodon macrobotrys, Jade vine

Sudan, 1966

Australia, Sturt’s desert pea, Swainsona formosa

Sweden, Podophyllum peltatum, Musa x paradisiaca, 2007

Sweden: Podophyllum peltatum, Musa x paradisiaca. Linnaeus: 300 year jubliee, first day cover, 2007

Anguilla- mahogany, Swietenia macrophylla

Syria, International Flower Day, 2003

Syria, Tree Day, 1988

Syria, Tree Day, 1990

Syria, Tree Day, 1993

Syria, Tree Day, 2000

Syria, Tree Day, 2001

Syria, Tree Day, 2010

Syria, Tree Day, Apricot, 2009

Syria, Tree Day, Fig, 1998

Syria, Tree Day International Year for Desertification, 2006

Syria, Tree Day, Juniperus excelsa, 2007

Syria, Tree Day, Olive, 1995

Australia – Telopea speciosissima

Anguilla – Terminalia catappa, Sea Almond

Belize – Thelypteris obliterata

Bophuthatswana – Themeda triandra – Kangaroo grass

Transkei, native Aloes, first day cover, 1986

Canada – Trillium grandiflorum

Trinidad & Tobago – ferns, Blechnum occidentale

Trinidad & Tobago – ferns, Gleichenia bifida

Trinidad & Tobago – ferns, Lygodium volubile

Trinidad & Tobago – ferns, Polypodium lycopodioides

New Caledonia – Tristaniopsis guillainii

Tuvalu, Fork fern, Psilotum nudum

Romania – Vaccinium myrtifolius

Poland – Vanda ‘Miss Joaquim’

Vanda denisoniana

Poland – Vanda sanderiana

Lebanon – grape, Vitis vinifera

Lebanon – grape, Vitis vinifera

Lebanon – grape, Vitis vinifera

West Germany, Aquilegia

West Germany, Cypripedium. Probably Cypripedium calceolus

West Germany, Eryngium

West Germany, Fritillaria meleagris

Wormia triquetra (Dilleniaceae)

Wormskioldia longipedunculata (Turneraceae)

Polish stamp: strawberry, Adam & Eve & apple tree: XIXth International Horticultural Congress, Warsaw, 11-18 September 1974

Zantedeschia aethiopica, calla or arum lily

Zea mays

Trinidad & Tobago – Cocoa, Theobroma cacao

Bangladesh stamp – jackfruit, Artocarpus heterophyllus

Guernsey – x Asplenophyllitis microdon

British Indian Ocean Territory, Aldabra snail, Rachis aldabrae, 1971

Australia, Christmas Island flora, June 2013 Abutilon listeri, Colubrina pedunculata, Indigofera hisuta, Urena lobata var. sinuata

Algeria, probably Wisteria sinensis, 2011

Algeria, Cestrum nocturnum, the Galant de Nuit or night-scented cestrum, 2011

Algeria, Bougainvillea, 2011

Algeria, Acacia dealbata, 2011