Description
Can a collectible stamp tell a story? These 2018 FSAT Wildlife Protection Souvenir Sheets can start a journey.
With a combined land area roughly equivalent to that of the State of California, the French Southern and Antarctic Territories has surprisingly few residents. In fact, the FSAT (or TAAF) has Zero permanent residents according to the Official TAAF Web site. There are fewer than 1,000 people on any of the locations within the sprawling territory at any given time. So, that explains why the FSAT philatelic themes overwhelmingly favor flora and fauna throughout its rich yet relatively short postal history.
But with so few people to send mail, why does the FSAT have a postal history at all? Most of the human inhabitants of the FSAT are scientists, researchers, military, and Government officials on regular rotations. So, they likely send and receive mail like any overseas workers would. But according to the TAAF site, the sale of collectible stamps is among their regular sources of revenue outside of taxes and fishing related fees.
While not officially so, one could almost consider the Wildlife Protection Souvenir Sheets as semi-postal stamps. Not only do they promote a worthy cause. But the income they generate also supports the entire region. How cool is that?
The 2018 FSAT Wildlife Protection Souvenir Sheet includes the following postage stamps:
- TAAF .85 Euro Stamp – Albatross of Amsterdam
- TAAF .85 Euro Stamp – Emperor Penguin from Adélie Island
- TAAF 1.70 Euro Stamp – Elephant Seal of Crozet
- TAAF 1.70 Euro Stamp – Kerguelen Sea Lion
Learn more about the French Southern & Antarctic Territories
