Somalia 1953 –
Aeroplane and constellations
Aeroplane and constellations
“Airplane and constellations” is the Gibbons description of this stamp commemorating the 75th anniversary of
the Universal Postal Union (UPU)*, but which constellations are they supposed
to be? Some clues can be obtained by looking at the UPU symbol in the centre of
the stamp, which bears the compass directions N, S, E, and W. Squashed in on
the northern horizon looks like a flattened representation of the seven stars
of the Plough, while to the south is something that is clearly intended to be
the Southern Cross, although without the all-important fifth star. The V-shaped
pattern to the east may be the face of Taurus, the Bull, including its
brightest star Aldebaran. But the arc or pentagon of stars to the west remains
a puzzle, although I suppose it could be a very poor representation of Arcturus
and the stars of Boötes.
*Note: The name Universal Postal Union was adopted in 1878, although the
organization was formed as the General Postal Union in 1875.
|
SG number
|
Face value
|
Colour
|
|
275
|
1s 20
|
Red and buff
|
|
276
|
1s 50
|
Brown and buff
|
|
277
|
2s
|
Green and blue
|
