Scouts On Stamps
World of Scouting Museum
Valley Forge, PA
In the United Kingdom, the Scout Association authorizes individual Scout troops to set up what is known as a local Christmas post scheme. This allows scouting groups to sell special postage stamps to residents in their area to be affixed to their Christmas cards. In turn, the local Scouts act as postmen and deliver the cards throughout the town or district. The proceeds of the stamp sales go to the local Scout troop. In many instances, the troop will donate a portion of the revenue to a local charity.
Stamp collecting is a wonderful hobby that allows you to travel the world without ever leaving your home. Among stamp collectors, there are those who specialize in postage stamps that feature Scouts or highlight the theme of Scouting. Many of these collectors belong to Scouts On Stamps International or SOSSI. Founded in 1951, this non-profit organization promotes the collection and study of stamps and postal items which commemorate the Boy Scout and Girl Scout (Guide) movements around the globe.
The World of Scouting Museum has many examples of Scouts on Stamps in its collection. Please enjoy some examples here and may your virtual international exploration inspire you to begin a stamp collection of your own.
Local Scout Post, 1984
Hampton Scouts
Hampton, Middlesex, England
Gift of Jennie Tis in memory of William Dungan
2010.30.353
Local Scout Posts 2010.30.353, 2010.30.308, 2010.30.218, 2010.30.387
Gift of Jennie Tis In Memory Of William Dungan
Local Scout Posts, 1982
Reseau Baden Powell
Thorey-Lyautey, France
Gift of Jennie Tis in memory of William Dungan
2010.30.242
The Reseau Baden Powell (Network Baden-Powell) was founded in 1979 to preserve the history of the Scouting movement in France. The RBP operates the Musée National du Scoutisme (National Scouting Museum) within the Chateau Thorey-Lyautey, Thorey-Lyautey, France. It also publishes a quarterly newsletter called Kim.
Stamp, 1971
Republic of Maldives
Gift of Carl B. Falcon
2008.12.2
The Republic of Maldives is an island nation in the Indian Ocean consisting of a double chain of twenty-six atolls, in the Laccadive Sea, about 430 miles south-west of Sri Lanka and 250 miles south-west of India.
Independent for most of its history, the Maldives were briefly ruled by the Portuguese and the Dutch before becoming a British protectorate in 1887. The islands gained independence from the British Empire in 1965 and became a republic in 1968.
Stamps 2008.12.2 - 2008.12.5
Gift of Carl B. Falcon
The series of stamps below were issued to commemorate the 13th World Jamboree, held in Asagiri Heights, Japan in 1971.
Stamp, 1970
Republic of Maldives
Gift of Carol B. Falcon
2008.12.6
In 1970, a series of stamps were issued by the Republic of Maldives to mark the First World Conference of Boy Scouts in Africa. Two examples are seen here.
Stamps 2008.12.6 - 2008.12.7
Gift of Carl B. Falcon
Stamp, 1971
Republic of Liberia
Gift of Carl B. Falcon
2008.12.8
Stamps 2008.12.8 - 2008.12.11
Gift of Carl B. Falcon
As early as 1820, black people from the United States, most of whom were freed slaves, began settling in a region of western Africa. These immigrants, with support from the American Colonization Society, established the new nation of the Republic of Liberia in 1847. The capital city Monrovia was named in honor of President James Monroe, an ardent supporter of the colonization.
The 13th World Jamboree was held in Asagiri Heights, Fujinomiya, Japan, August 2-10, 1971. Typhoon Olive interrupted the event causing the 16,000 participating Scouts to be evacuated to shelters in the countryside for two days. The Republic of Liberia issued a commemorative stamp series featuring Scouts from around the world. These four examples include American, West German, Australian and British scouts.
Stamp, 1977
Antigua
Gift of Carl B. Falcon
2008.12.12
Stamps 2008.12.12 - 2008.12.14
Gift of Carl B. Falcon
Jamaica served as host for the 6th Caribbean Boy Scout Jamboree in 1977. Their fellow Commonwealth country of Antigua marked the occasion by issuing these stamps.
Stamp, 1972
Grenada
Gift of Carl B. Falcon
2008.12.17
Grenada is one of sixteen Commonwealth realms who together form the Commonwealth of Nations. These sovereign states are loyal to Queen Elizabeth II, their reigning constitutional monarch, who is pictured at the top right corner in the stamps.
Stamps 2008.12.17 - 2008.12.18
Gift of Carl B. Falcon
Stamp, 1975
Grenada
Gift of Carl B. Falcon
2008.12.15
Grenada issued a stamp series to commemorate the 14th World Jamboree (Nordjamb '75) which was held in Lillehammer, Norway. The event's blue and white logo can be seen on the stamps.
Stamps 2008.12.15 - 2008.12.16
Gift of Carl B. Falcon
Stamp, 1977
Grenada
Gift of Carl B. Falcon
2008.12.19
Grenada also celebrated the 6th Caribbean Jamboree with two stamp series.
Stamps 2008.12.19 - 2008.12.23
Gift of Carl B. Falcon
Stamp, 1960
United States of America
Gift of Carl B. Falcon
2008.12.24
The U.S. Postal Service issued this stamp on February 8, 1960 on the 50th anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America. The stamp was also used on cachets such as for the National Jamboree held later that year in Colorado Spring, Colorado.
Norman Rockwell, illustrator for sixty-five years for the BSA, designed this stamp. As was his practice, a local Stockbridge, MA boy was chosen as his model. Though Thornton Percival became the face of Scouting for many BSA publications, including the 6th edition of the Handbook For Boys, he himself was never a Boy Scout.
