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World art and culture stamps

This page shows stamps celebrating different cultures world wide, some 'folk' cultures, others of peoples who were already established in areas colonised by Europeans, such as the Canadian Inuit. Non-European cultures are often valued for their 'authenticity' in a world where everything appears to be moving to standardised, commercial models. Big companies too, often see the big buck potential in marketing folk and indigenous art, making money from consumers' desire for something 'real' and timeless, in a soul-less world of constant change. World Music, for example, is a major category for the recorded music industry these days. Many fashion designers, painters and musicians value non-European designs and music, as sources of inspiration for designs and music that blend different influences. This modern cross-cultural fertilisation is really nothing new. Throughout human history, designs for clothing and pottery, and musical styles have travelled from one culture to another, and been adapted to suit the tastes of new devotees. 'Folk art' that may seem to have been unchanged for centuries often has quite recent influences. These stamps represent a little image bank of some of the designs and artefacts found in our different cultures across the world.

The stamps on this page are mainly postally used, except where it's stated that they are mint or CTO (cancelled to order, or postmarked as part of the production process). They have been specially selected for light postmarks, which sometimes means rejecting around four fifths of the stamps available, so that you get the very best. The postmarks will vary from the one in the picture, and you are welcome to a refund if you don't like the postmark. The mint stamps are all unmounted.

If you want to ask about any world art stamps from this period you are especially looking for, you can email me c/o alisonlever@yahoo.co.uk

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Australia European and Aboriginal cultures have been celebrated in Australian stamps, though it is only fairly recently that Aboriginal culture came to be seen as worthy of respect by Australians of European origin. The 35c stamp shows Aboriginal Graveposts, and was issued in 1971. It costs £0.20. The 20c Musicians are part of a Performing Arts set that was issued in 1977, and they also cost £0.20, while the 40c Dancer, from the same set, costs £0.35. Other stamps from these sets are available. would you like to buy a stamp?	,,,,... Click on previews to see enlarged images
Bahamas Handicrafts are an important tradition in the Bahamas, especially objects made from straw. This 3c Straw Market came out in 1971, and costs 15p. would you like to buy a stamp?	Click on previews to see enlarged images
Canada Like Australia, Canada has its own pre-European peoples, in this case, the Inuit. These 17c stamps celebrating Inuit culture all came out in 1979. Summer Tent is a print by Kiakshuk, while The Dance is a print by Kalvak. Eskimos Building an Igloo is a soapstone sculpture by Abraham, and Inuit Drum Dance is a sculpture by Madeleine Isserut and Jean Mapsalak. All these stamps cost £0.25 each. Other stamps from these sets are available. would you like to buy a stamp?	..... .... Click on previews to see enlarged images
Eire The Celtic tradition, with its intricate, interlocking designs, and Christianised Celtic culture are represented in these stamps from Eire (Ireland). The Dog brooch is a medium stamp available in several colours and denominations, as is the Stag. The Winged Ox is a symbol of St Luke, a sort of 'Holy Cow'. Traditional Irish music has become very popular, and is celebrated in this 15p stamp Playing the Ulleann Pipes, which costs £0.25. Also available is the 12p Playing Bodhran and Whistle, at £0.20. The Dog, Stag and Ox designs were first issued in 1968, and were later reissued for decimal currency in 1971. The Piper and Bohran stamps were issued in 1980. I can offer other stamps celebrating Irish culture, just ask. Celtic Dog Brooch Stag Winged Ox Series Description Price Description Price Description Price 1p Blue £0.15 5p Lime Green and Brown £0.15 10p Mauve £0.45 2p Green £0.15 7p Olive £0.25 15p Grey-green £0.25 2.5p Brown £0.15 9p Grey-green £0.15 20p Dark green £0.25 3p Camel £0.15 10p Purple £0.15       3.5p Orange £0.15 12p Green £0.10       4p Blue £0.15             5p Lime Green £0.15             6p Grey £0.25             7p Olive £0.15             8p Brown £0.15             9p Green £0.15             10p Purple £0.10             12p Green £0.25             15p Blue £0.15             The full set of the 1980 Traditional Music and Dance, the 12p Bodhran and Whistle, 15p Piper, and 25p Dancer, is available as mint stamps for 85p. would you like to buy a stamp?	..... Click on previews to see enlarged images
Great Britain This 6.5p Medieval Embroidery stamp showing a Madonna and Child was issued in 1976 as a Christmas stamp, and costs just £0.15. Others from this set are available. would you like to buy a stamp?	Click on previews to see enlarged images
India Medieval Sculpture is shown on this 1r stamp, issued in 1965, while Indian music is celebrated in the 1r stamp showing a Sitar. Both stamps cost 10p each. would you like to buy a stamp?	Click on previews to see enlarged images
Malta Modern stonework is shown in this medium-sized stamp from 1977, showing labourers. It costs just 10p. would you like to buy a stamp?	Click on previews to see enlarged images
Mongolia This attractive large CTO stamp showing Mongolian musicians probably came out in the 1970s, and costs 20p would you like to buy a stamp?	Click on previews to see enlarged images
New Zealand Maori art and artefacts are celebrated in these New Zealand stamp designs. The 20c Tani Wha rock drawing, and Tiki, a Maori deity, first appeared as designs in 1960. The designs were later reused for decimal issues. The 18c Maori Club and 20c Maori Tattoo Pattern both came out in 1970, and the 12c and 14c designs showing Maori Artefacts came out in 1975. Stamps showing other Maori designs available, from these and other sets. Description Price 20c Tani Wha £0.15 1s6d Tiki £0.25 15c Tiki £0.20 18c Club £0.20 20c Tattoo £0.25 12c Artefact £0.10 14c Artefact £0.10 would you like to buy a stamp?	..... ...... ,,,,,, Click on previews to see enlarged images
Papua Papua New Guinea has a rich tradition of tribal arts and crafts and ways of life, celebrated in stamps such as the 1c Wood carver, the 7c Carved Heads, and 10c Hunter, all of which are medium-sized stamps that came out in 1973 and cost £0.10 each. Other Papuan stamps available. would you like to buy a stamp?	..... Click on previews to see enlarged images
Romania Music from Romania has delighted listeners for centuries. This 1967 CTO stamp shows an Alpine Horn Player, and costs just £0.10. Others from this set available, and other stamps showing Romanian folk culture. would you like to buy a stamp?	Click on previews to see enlarged images

 

Other categories: cats, dog breeds A-F, dog breeds G-O, dog breeds P-R, dog breeds S-Z, horses, cattle and sheep,wild animals, birds by country A-L, birds M-Z, fish, shellfish and sea life, butterflies and other insects, botanicals and landscapes, sport and scouts and transport

Would you like to buy some stamps?

Ordering stamps:
Please allow £0.95 pounds (95p) if you come from anywhere in Europe, and £1.50 if orders are to be sent elsewhere. The postage charge is the same however many stamps you buy. This means that it's cheaper to buy more than one stamp, because the cost of packaging and postage is less per stamp. This reflects the time spent ensuring that the stamps are packed so that they arrive to you safely - it takes about the same time for one stamp as for larger orders.

Your stamps will be sent as soon as I receive payment. You can return the stamps and obtain a refund if they are not what you expected. Paypal is preferred, though other forms of payment can be negotiated. Euros are welcome as well as pound sterling.