Somalia 1953 – 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.