History Postage stamps and postal history of the Azores

a 25 reis stamp image of king d. carlos, issued in angra (1892)

the first stamps issued in azores had effigy of queen d. maria ii, issued in 1853, designed francisco de borja freire , printed casa da moeda. stamps inspired english stamps issued between 1847 , 1848, presenting bust of queen (similar coin minted in period) , printed one-by-one in sheets of 24 examples, without perforations , arranged irregularly. first 2 stamps (that began circulating on 1 july 1853) had facial cost of 5 , 25 réis. following day, issues of 100 réis, , on 22 july 1853, 50 réis available. process allowed portugal become 45 nation adopt postal stamp.

between 1853 , 1869, primitive stamps stamped circular postmark (referred first reform) included numerical bar registers corresponding locality. azores, referred ilhas adjacentes (adjacent islands) , direcção correio (postal directorate) stamped them as:

48 - angra heroísmo (terceira)
49 - horta (fayal)
50 - ponta delgada (são miguel)

between 1869 , 1878 oval postmarks began being used (the second postal reform), using new postal designators:

42 - angra heroísmo (terceira)
43 - horta (faial)
44 - ponta delgada (são miguel)

nearly of stamps issued in azores portuguese stamps overprinted aÇores , first appearing in 1868, , continued until 1930. after 1930, portuguese stamps issued in azores used unmodified. exceptions stamps issued images of vasco da gama (first issued of 1898), king d. carlos (issued 1906), , king d. manuel (including manuel revolutionary overprints of 1910).

between 1892 , 1906, 3 administrative districts of azores had stamps issued inscribed names: angra, horta , ponta delgada. designs identical of regular portuguese stamps (which inscribed continente distinguish them), colors same, although lighter or darker.

modern

on 2 january 1980, use of separate stamps azores (and madeira) revived. modern stamps inscribed both portugal , aÇores .

personalized , regional stamps began emitted 2008 portuguese postal service. these stamps have no special purpose beyond expression of local pride; sold , valid in portugal. 5-10 issued each year, themes relating azores.