This is the first post I’ve done that is aimed squarely at philatelists. But I hope non-philatelists will be able to enjoy this bizarre selection of North Korean stamps too. I’ve never been into stamp collecting, but in all honesty, having a look at these little beauties has whet my whistle. I may just have to invest.
I suppose you can tell a lot about a country from its stamps. After all, the designs are sanctioned by the state with the purpose of advertising what the country has achieved, what it aspires to achieve or who it respects. Here are some old stamps from North Korea (DPRK) some of which have some quite surprising content, including Charles and Diana and Henry VIII!
The one at the top was produced to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the decision to provide a free medical service.
These bad boys are 3D(!!!). The pictures aren’t great because they were shot through plexi-glass in a Chinese museum. But how strange is that? I guess in the 80’s DPRK considered England a colonial empire, the like of which they aspired to?
Henry VIII on next page…
Seeing China celebrated on their stamps is less surprising than Charles and Di. They’ve always been mates to a lesser or greater degree.
Chairman Mao looking drunk:
Here’s a celebration of Franz Joseph I, the emperor of Austria from 1848 until his death in 1916…
The Battle of Poch’ŏnbo took place on the 4 July 1937, when a guerrilla unit under the leadership of Kim Il-sung attacked compounds of the Japanese occupation force in Poch’ŏnbo. It’s seen as a heroic battle for DPRK.
All music that’s released (and played) in North Korea is state sanctioned of course. One of their biggest folk/electronic bands is named after the battle. Enjoy the Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble:
More on next page…
North Korea has always been proud of its scientific endeavors and knowledge…
Swimming is a very popular solo sport in North Korea, as it is in China. These two stamps were designed to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Mao’s famous final swim in the Yangtze River at the grand old age 73. According to propagandists Mao managed nearly 15 km in 65 min. That would have been a world record.
Table tennis is North Korea’s favourite one-on-one sport, basketball being their favourite team sport.
These next two commemorate the Afro-Asian Table Tennis Friendship Invitational Tournament in 1971:
So, as I wrote at the start, stamps do give you an odd glimpse at the psychology of a country’s leadership. I am a convert to the way of the stamp.
MORE FROM KOREA:
South Koreans Eating Live Octopus
Kin Jong Un Has Ex Machine Gunned To Death
Mobile Phone Embaressment in North & South Korea
South Koreans Take The Mick Out Of Japanese Milk Commercial
North Korean Propaganda Nails Celebrity Obsession
What’s Going Viral In South Korea Today
South Korean Driving Pupil Flips Car In Seconds
South Korean Hotel That Looks Like Massive Ship
