For many stamp collectors the name of Sierra Leone brings up plenty of negative associations. This somewhat tiny (about the size of South Carolina state) West African nation issued the worlds first self-adhesive stamps in the 1964. Sierra Leone was also one of the first countries to adapt shape cut postage stamps. And if Sierra Leone’s reputation with serious minded philatelists was not already destroyed by the above, then the flood of topical wallpaper since mid 1980s has been the final nail for many. But despite all this, Sierra Leone has been IMHO a brave trend setter in stamps world.

The history of Sierra Leone’s self-adhesive die-cut stamps began on February 10th 1964. The “Map and Lion” stamps were printed by Walsall Lithographic Co Ltd, and the seven values featured cutout map of Sierra Leone in different colors. Similar map design was used multiple times on upcoming die cut Sierra Leone stamps – like the below JFK memorial postage stamp.

Another well known stamp design are coin stamps, or “beer mats” as some collectors call them, introduced in 1966. Their design mimics the hugely popular coin stamps of Tonga (issued first time in 1963). One very special feature of the Sierra Leone coin stamps (and many other stamps of the same era) is the use of backing as advertising space. For example the below stamp features an printed ad by Harry Winston, one of the world’s largest and most prestigious jewelry empires located in Manhattan, US.

Many of the about 300 different Sierra Leone die cut stamps are wild and wicked by their design. And that’s the way I and many other collectors like them:

Though the experiment with self-adhesive diecut stamps was dropped in 1971, it was a sign of things to become for stamp design. What begun as an a curiosity deemed by serious minded philatelists and stamp collectors, has now turned into a global trend. By the end of 1990s self-adhesive postage stamps had overrun traditional lick-and-stick stamps, and these days more and more countries (such as Canada and Finland) produce die cut stamps in growing rate.

PS. If anyone wonders whether or not I cut the stamps backing paper to shape of stamps…No,it wasn’t me. This is the way I have received these stamps. Personally I would prefer a solid square cutout with full cancel.

PS.2. Here’s a small non-philatelic tidbit for the road… Sierra Leone is Portuguese, and means Lion mountain.

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