HILARY
ROOTS (or Cleo) 
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PHILATELY.
Stamp
collecting is the stuff of dreams, travels, history and
geography lessons. And New Caledonian stamps are no exception.
Indeed the small country of only 216,000 inhabitants has
a reputation for extraordinary stamps, known not only
for their size, but also for their quality and variety.
There are about 15 new issues every year.
Isle of Pines features as a subject from time to time.
One recent issue concerns a French Navy corvette that
charted the island’s waters in the mid-19th century,
before subsequently being shipwrecked on New Zealand shores.
The vessel’s name, Alcmene, is the official name
of a beautiful small island 7-km from Kuto, more commonly
known as Brush Island.
Another series issued in June this year, features the
locally-produced New Caledonian coffee.
Three stamps represent the different phases of production:
the flowers and berries of the Le Roy bush, the roasting
process, then finally – a steaming cup of freshly
brewed, fragrant smelling coffee. Yes, surprising as it
may seem, the stamps actually give off a strong coffee
aroma!
To find out more about New Caledonia’s Philately
Service and the possibility of subscribing to new issues,
see www.opt.nc
or contact e-mail: philatelie@opt.nc
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Version
f rançaise
