Additions and corrections for March 2002

A World-Wide List of Turtles and Tortoises on Stamps

by Donald N. Riemer


A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z


-- A --
ABKHAZIA REPUBLIC
AUSTRALIA

-- B --
BEQUIA
BERMUDA
BRAZIL

-- C --
CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC
CHINA, PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF
COMORO ISLANDS

-- D --
DENMARK

-- E --
EAST TIMOR (PARA TIMOR)
EVENKIA (EVENKI, EVENKYA)

-- F --

-- G --
GABON
GREAT BRITAIN
GUINEA

-- H --

-- I --
INDIA

-- J --
JAPAN

-- K --
KOREA, SOUTH
KUWAIT

-- L --

-- M --
MALDIVES

-- N --
NEW CALEDONIA

-- O --

-- P --
PALAU
PANAMA
PARA TIMOR
POLAND

-- Q --

-- R --

-- S --
SINGAPORE
SOUTH AFRICA
ST. THOMAS AND PRINCE ISLANDS
ST. VINCENT (BEQUIA)

-- T --
TANZANIA
TOGO

-- U --

-- V --
VANUATU

-- W --

-- X --

-- Y --

-- Z --
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE


ABKHAZIA REPUBLIC

Abkhazia is a breakaway republic from Georgia. It is in a mountainous area on the Black Sea and has existed since June of 1992.


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
1.50 Three Species of Turtles Se-tenant sheet of nine stamps (five copies of one stamp and two copies each of two others). Sheet I of a set of three sheets. Turtles are Trachemys scripta elegans (5), Chelus fimbriatus (2), and Testudo graeca (2).
1.50 Five Species of Turtles Se-tenant sheet of five stamps and four labels. Sheet II of three sets of sheets. Turtles are Chelus fimbratus, Testudo graeca, Trachemys scripta elegans, Chrysemys picta, and Clemmys caspica.
1.50 Three Species of Turtles Se-tenant sheet of nine stamps (five copies of one stamp and two copies each of two others). Sheet III of a set of three sheets. Turtles are Chelus fimbriatus (5), Chrysemys picta (2) and Clemmys caspica (2).
1.50 Chelus fimbriatus This stamp appears on sheets I, II, and III of a set of three sheets of nine stamps each.
1.50 Trachemys scripta elegans This stamp appears on sheets I and II of a set of three sheets of nine stamps each.
1.50 Testudo graeca This stamp appears on sheets I and II of a set of three sheets of nine stamps each.
1.50 Clemmys caspica This stamp appears on sheets II and III of a set of three sheets of nine stamps each.
1.50 Chrysemys picta This stamp appears on sheets II and III of a set of three sheets of nine stamps each.
Various 1995 Unidentified Sea Turtle Sheet of six se-tenant stamps showing life beneath and above the sea. Dolphins, fish, turtle, sea snake, and birds. Cinderella issue. Turtle overlaps two stamps.
225 1995 Unidentified Sea Turtle One of the two stamps (w/ posterior half of turtle) from 1995 sheet of six. Cinderella issue.
1800 1995 Unidentified Sea Turtle One of the two stamps (w/ anterior half of turtle) from 1995 sheet of six. Cinderella issue.


AUSTRALIA


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
SC 2008 b 45c 02 Oct 01 Cartoon Turtles S/S w/ three 45c stamps. Depicts a birthday party in a tree for baby animals. Inscribed "Wild Babies". Two small turtles in selvedge; none on stamps.
SC 2011 b 45c 02 Oct 01 Cartoon Turtles S/S w/ three 45c stamps. Depicts animals frolicing at base of tree. Inscribed "Wild Babies". Turtle holding camera in lower selvedge, w/ small turtles sliding down her back. Tiny turtle parachuting in upper right selvedge.


BEQUIA


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
See "ST. VINCENT (BEQUIA)"


BERMUDA


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
SC 814 55c 09 Aug 01 Geochelone elephantopus Photo of child feeding giant tortoise. 75th Anniv. of Bermuda Aquarium Museum and Zoo.
SC 817 95c 09 Aug 01 Chelonia mydas Photo of human hands holding turtle. 75th Anniv. of Bermuda Aquarium Museum and Zoo.


BRAZIL


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
SC 2523 Various 01 Dec 94 Cartoon Turtle Christmas block of four w/ turtle on one.
SC 2523 c 12c 01 Dec 94 Cartoon Turtle Man and animals singing. One turtle plus an armadillo that can be mistaken for a turtle. From Scott Brazil 2523.
SC 2523 e Various 01 Dec 94 Cartoon Turtle Booklet pane consisting of one #2523 plus four labels. Turtle on one stamp only.


CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

Also referred to as CENTRAL AFRICA.


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
350f 12 Jul 01 Chelydra serpentina Pane 1 of two panes of six 350f stamps issued this date. All depict reptiles or amphibians. Turtle on one stamp only.
350f 12 Jul 01 Chelydra serpentina Single stamp w/ turtle from Pane 1.


CHINA, PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
SC 2586 500f 20 Jul 95 Turtle Rock & Lighthouse S/S showing Taihu Lake in Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces. A large rock known as "Turtle Rock" or "Turtle Island" is depicted and "Turtle Head Island Lighthouse" appears in the lower right corner. Information regarding the name of the island comes from a German description of the stamp on the internet.


COMORO ISLANDS


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
Various 11 Dec 00 Eretmochelys imbricata? Sheet of nine stamps w/ turtle in selvedge as well as on stamp in "b" position. Inscribed "Ocean Life". Sheet has been declared illegal by Comoro Islands postal officials. Date from CTO cancel.
150fc 11 Dec 00 Eretmochelys imbricata? Close-up, head-on view of turtle's head. From sheet of nine. Has been declared illegal by Comoro Islands postal officials.
100f Chelonia mydas? Stamp is repotedly inscribed "Tortue Ghetonia mydas". This is probably supposed to be "Chelonia mydas". From set of nine. Set has been declared illegal by Comoro Islands postal authorities.


DENMARK


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
4kr 16 Jan 02 Cartoon Turtle Cartoon teddy bear, penguin, pelican, turtle, and seal in boat. From comic strip "Rasmus Klump" by Vilhelm Hansen.
4kr 16 Jan 02 Cartoon Turtle Booklet containing ten identical stamps w/ cartoon turtle. From comic strip "Rasmus Klump" by Vilhelm Hansen.
Various 16 Jan 02 Cartoon Turtle S/S containig four different stamps depicting Danish comics and cartoons. Turtle on one stamp only.


EAST TIMOR (PARA TIMOR)

A region on the island of Timor in S.E. Asia. Under U.N. administration pending complete independence.


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
Various 25 Dec 00 Six Species of Tortoises Block of six stamps w/ a different tortoise on each. A Cinderella item. Date is from CTO cancel.
250 25 Dec 00 Malacochersus tornieri From "a" position in block of six. A Cinderella stamp. Date is from CTO cancel.
500 25 Dec 00 Testudo graeca From "b" position in block of six. Image is identical to image on 3000 denom. stamp that appears on the s/s. A Cinderella stamp. Date is from CTO cancel.
1000 25 Dec 00 Chersina angulata From "c" position in block of six. A Cinderella stamp. Date is from CTO cancel.
1500 25 Dec 00 Kinixys erosa From "d" position in block of six. A Cinderella stamp. Date is from CTO cancel.
2000 25 Dec 00 Geochelone pardalis From "e" position in block of six. A Cinderella stamp. Date is from CTO cancel.
2500 25 Dec 00 Gopherus polyphemus From "f" position in block of six. A Cinderella stamp. Date is from CTO cancel.
3000 25 Dec 00 See Description S/S w/ an unidentified giant tortoise in the selvedge and Testudo graeca on the stamp. The image on the stamp is identical to that on the 500 denom. stamp on the block of six. Only the denom. varies. A Cinderella item. It is unusual in that the entire selvedge is perforated, right to the edge of the paper. Date is from CTO cancel.


EVENKIA (EVENKI, EVENKYA)

Evenkia is an autonomous Oblast in Siberia.


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
800 Stylized Softshell Strip of five stamps o/p'd in black on old Soviet Union definitives. Each new stamp covers four of the old Soviet stamps. O/P'd designs include 3 lizards, 1 snake and one softshell turtle. WWF emblem on each stamp. Five different strips exist, all w/ the same o/p's, but printed on five different Russian definitives as follows: Scott Russia #4517, 4520, 5727, 5733, and 5984.


GABON


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
SC 842 100f 25 Dec 96 Stylized Sea Turtle Map of world w/ tiny sea turtle in Atlantic Ocean.


GREAT BRITAIN


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
*** 15 Jan 02 Cartoon Tortoise Booklet of ten different non-denominated stamps illustrating Rudyard Kipling's "Just So Stories". Tortoise on one stamp illustrating "The Beginning of the Armadillos". *** Non-denominated but pays for first class postage.
*** 15 Jan 02 Cartoon Tortoise Single stamp from booklet of ten, showing a leopard pouncing on a hedgehog and a tortoise. *** Non-denominated, but pays for first class postage.


GUINEA


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
200f Eretmochelys imbricata Sheet of six 200f stamps. All stamps depict fish but a large turtle appears in lower left selvedge. Sheet inscribed "Bleu Profond des Mers".


INDIA


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
SC 1923 4.00r 17 Oct 01 Cartoon Turtle Se-tenant pair of two different size stamps illustrating the Panchatantra Fable, "The Tortoise and the Geese". Turtles on both stamps.
SC 1923 a 4.00r 17 Oct 01 Cartoon Turtle Two geese looking at turtle in pond. Horiz. From Panchatantra Fable "The Tortoise and the Geese".
SC 1923 b 4.00r 17 Oct 01 Cartoon Turtle Two geese carrying turtle aloft on a stick. Vert. From Panchatantra Fable, "The Tortoise and the Geese".


JAPAN

See End Note #11 for information about Japanese postal cards w/ turtles.


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
SC 2686 l Various 1999 Cartoon Turtles Small sheet of two stamps (80y and 50y) w/ two small cartoon tortoises in lower left selvedge of sheet. Sheet inscribed "Letter Writing Day" in English.
SC Z 113 62y 23 Oct 91 Cartoon Tortoise From Tortoise and Hare fable. This stamp was formerly listed by Scott as Japan # 1953 until they changed their numbering system for Prefecture issues.
SC Z 113 a 62y 23 Oct 91 Cartoon Tortoise This is a booklet of 10 stamps w/ the tortoise on the cover as well as on the stamps inside. This booklet was formerly listed by Scott as Japan # 1953a until they changed their numbering system for Prefecture issues.


KOREA, SOUTH


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
20h 11 Nov 55 Tortoise Ship Presentation sheet containing one Scott Korea #225. NOTE: It is assumed that the date of this sheet is the same as Scott Korea #225.


KUWAIT


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
150 2001 Unidentified Sea Turtle Design consists of a large numeral "10" w/ a sea turtle in the center of the zero. Inscribed "1991-2001".


MALDIVES


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
Various 1998? Eretmochelys imbricata Se-tenant strip of three stamps, each w/ a different painting of E. imbricata. Each stamp inscribed "Save the Turtles" in lower margin.
1Rf 1998? Eretmochelys imbricata Head of turtle facing left. Inscribed "Save the Turtles".
7Rf 1998? Eretmochelys imbricata Ventral view of posterior half of turtle. Inscribed "Save the Turtles".
18Rf 1998? Eretmochelys imbricata Two turtles swimming underwater. One swimming to right, the other swimming directly toward viewer. Inscribed "Save the Turtles".


NEW CALEDONIA


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
135 09 Oct 01 Unidentified Sea Turtle Various sea animals, including a turtle, around a transparent submersible vessel. Date also reported as 11 Nov 01.


PALAU


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
34c 11 Jan 02 Unidentified Sea Turtle Sheet of thirty 34c stamps w/ turtle in lower right selvedge. No turtle on stamps. Sheet inscribed "Palau-Japan Friendship Bridge".


PANAMA


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
0.20 2000? Unidentified Sea Turtle Childs's painting w/ sun, macaw, toucan, and sea turtle. Inscribed "Sonando con el Futuro".


PARA TIMOR


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
See EAST TIMOR


POLAND


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
SC 3592 2zi 10 Jul 01 Unidentified Tortoise S/S of 1 stamp w/ many animals in selvedge. Tortoise in foreground at bottom center. Map of world on stamp. Inscribed "CITES". No turtle on stamp, only in selvedge.


SINGAPORE


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
SC 980 Various 26 Jul 01 Stylized Tortoise Block of ten se-tenant stamps. Six are non-denominated and inscribed "For Local Addresses Only", plus two 50c and two $1 stamps. All stamps depict pets. Issued for Singpex 01.
SC 980 d *** 26 Jul 01 Stylized Tortoise Single stamp w/ tortoise from Scott Singapore #980. *** Non-denominated. Inscribed "For Local Addresses Only".
SC 982 a *** 26 Jul 01 Stylized Tortoise Sheet of ten non-denominated stamps. "Frames" only, w/ no designs. Inscribed "For Local Addresses Only" and "Affix Your Favorite Pet Sticker Here". Sheet also contains sixteen stickers that are not valid for postage, three of which depict tortoises. The stamp is intended to be affixed to a cover and one of the stickers (of the sender's choice) is then applied to the stamp to provide the design. *** Non-denominated. Each stamp inscribed "For Local Addresses Only".


SOUTH AFRICA


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
1.40r 02 Nov 01 Caretta caretta Se-tenant sheet of ten 1.40r stamps forming a unified undersea scene. Turtle on one stamp only.
1.40r 02 Nov 01 Caretta caretta Single stamp w/ turtle from sheet of ten.


ST. THOMAS AND PRINCE ISLANDS


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
3500db 2001 Lepidochelys olivacea Sheet of four identical turtle stamps plus large sea turtle in selvedge surrounding stamps. WWF logo in margin of sheet. Stamps show adult swimming right.
3500db 2001 Lepidochelys olivacea Single stamp from sheet of four. Adult swimming right.
5000db 2001 Lepidochelys olivacea Sheet of four identical turtle stamps plus large sea turtle in selvedge surrounding stamps. WWF logo in margin of sheet. Stamps show adult emerging from surf.
5000db 2001 Lepidochelys olivacea Single stamp from sheet of four. Adult emerging from surf.
6000db 2001 Lepidochelys olivacea Sheet of four identical turtle stamps plus large sea turtles in selvedge surrounding stamps. WWF logo in margin of sheet. Stamps show three adults on beach.
6000db 2001 Lepidochelys olivacea Single stamp from sheet of four. Three adults on beach.
7500db 2001 Lepidochelys olivacea Sheet of four identical turtle stamps plus large sea turtle in selvedge surrounding stamps. WWF logo in sheet margin. Stamps show hatchlings emerging from nest.
7500db 2001 Lepidochelys olivacea Single stamp from sheet of four. Hatchlings emerging from nest.


ST. VINCENT (BEQUIA)


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
$1.40 10 Dec 01 Dermochelys coriacea Adult swimming underwater. WWF issue.
$1.40 10 Dec 01 Dermochelys coriacea Adult emerging from surf. WWF issue.
$1.40 10 Dec 01 Dermochelys coriacea Female nesting on beach. WWF issue.
$1.40 10 Dec 01 Dermochelys coriacea Three hatchlings entering surf. WWF issue.


TANZANIA


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
50/ 15 Feb 98 Chelodina parkeri On land, facing toward camera, w/ neck bent to viewer's right.


TOGO


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
250f 17 Dec 01 Eretmochelys imbricata Sheet of twelve se-tenant stamps w/ two turtles on one. Inscribed "La Vie Marine".
250f 17 Dec 01 Eretmochelys imbricata Single stamp w/ two turtles from sheet of twelve.


VANUATU


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
Various 28 Nov 01 Unidentified Sea Turtle Strip of four stamps plus one label. All stamps depict sand drawings. Sand drawing of sea turtle on one.
110v 28 Nov 01 Unidentified Sea Turtle Single stamp w/ turtle from strip of four.
110v 28 Nov 01 Unidentified Sea Turtle Single stamp from sheet of identical stamps. Depicts sand drawing of sea turtle.
Various 30 Jan 02 Unidentified Sea Turtles Sheet of five stamps (three horiz. & two vert.) w/ boy feeding young turtles in lower right selvedge. No turtles on stamps. Inscribed "Eco-Tourism Vanuatu". U.N. Year of Eco-Tourism emblem in upper left selvedge.


ZAMBIA


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
SC 906 b 1400k 10 Nov 00 Unidentified Tortoises Single stamp w/ tortoises from Scott Zambia #906. Identical to Scott Zambia #905 except that this stamp has a dark brown selvedge and #905 has a white selvedge. Represents an African legend: "Why the Stones Do Not Die". This stamp is in the "b" or middle position in the strip of three, but it is the high denomination, which would normally be in the "c" position.


ZIMBABWE


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
$28 24 Jul 01 Cartoon Tortoise Single stamp depicting turtle from Scott Zimbabwe #890a. Scene from African Folklore: "The Tortoise Who Collected Wisdom". Not yet listed by Scott but set of six is listed.
SC 890 a $28 24 Jul 01 Cartoon Tortoise S/S of six stamps. One depicts a scene from African Folklore: "The Tortoise Who Collected Wisdom".


http://www.personal.psu.edu/crr2/turtstmp/ Last updated:   Mar 7, 2002