The Kingdom of Tonga, consisting of 150 islands situated in the south-western Pacific Ocean, commemorated the 75th anniversary of its postal service on December 1, 1961, by the issue of a set of five stamps, two of which (the 2d. and 5d.) are illustrated. The 2d. stamp shows a whaling vessel with a longboat pulling away, illustrating early mail delivery to the kingdom. I imagine the stamp design is based on a painting, but the Tongan postal authorities were unable to give me any information other than that mentioned. It is unfortunate that the identity of the vessel on this attractive stamp design should be unknown. The 5d. value depicts the regular motorship which brings surface mail to Tonga. She is the Aoniu of the Tonga. Copra Board, managed by the Tonga Shipping Agency of Nukualofa. Completed in Holland in 1958, she replaces the former Aoniu, a ketch built 10 years earlier for the Copra Board. The new vessel is seen arriving at Nukualofa dressed overall for a ceremonial occasion. Sheas built by Gebr. Niestern and Company at Delfzijl.
SG116, 118 Sea Breezes 6/62