Reunion (1852, 1885-1974) Country Guide
Reunion can be found floating in the Indian Ocean east of Madagascar.
Not much is known about Reunion before the Portuguese stumbled on it in 1513 although Arab traders may have known it as “western island”. The French landed there in 1638 when they deposited a dozen mutineers there from Madagascar. Later those convicts were brought back to France and in 1649 France officially settled in and named the island Ile Bourbon after the Royal House of Bourbon, not after the drink.
After the Royal House of Bourbon fell in 1793 it was renamed Ile de la Reunion. It was to have its name changed twice more (Ile Bonaparte in 1801 and back to Bourbon in 1810) until 1848 when the French finally finished where they started and named the island “Ile de la Reunion” once again, or simply Reunion for short.
The island was ruled as a French colony until 1846 when it was re-statused as an overseas department of France.
Piton de la Fournaise is an active volcano on the eastern side of Reunion. The volcano has erupted on more than 100 occasions since 1640.
The first stamps of Reunion appeared in 1852 in denominations, 15 and 30 centimes. As these stamps cost in excess of $20,000 I won’t be seeing any of these in my collection anytime soon.
Stamps of French Colonies Overprinted
In 1885, 1891 (12 stamps) and 1893, overprinted stamps of the French Colonies were issued. Nineteen “Navigation and Commerce” colony stamps were issued between 1892-1905.
Between 1889 and 1892 a five stamp postage due issue was released. Yellowish paper for the 5c, 10c, 20c, and 30c was used in 1889. Bluish white paper for the 5c, 10c. 15c, and 30c was used in 1892.
Between 1907-1930, a thirty-nine stamp issue with three designs was released.
“Map of Reunion”
“Port St. Denis”
“Port St. Pierre”
In 1912, eight stamps from the 1892-1900 issue were surcharged in black or carmine.
Carmine Surcharge
Between 1922-30 and 1924-27 stamps of 1907-30 were surcharged with new value and bars in black or red.
Forty one stamps were released between 1933-40 with new three designs.
Salzie Waterfall is now called something different (yet common with other waterfalls…. see what here.
Between 1915-16, three surcharged stamps were issued as semipostals for the benefit of the Red Cross.
Scott 65 Surcharged in Red
In 1938, a four engraved stamp issue with the illustrated design was produced.
“Airplane & Landscape”
More issues can be seen in the gallery below.
I really like the stamps of Reunion and, although forgeries exist, I hope to add more to my collection one day.
While you are out there why not visit Trou de Fer (the “Iron Hole”), a collapsed crater of an ancient volcano surrounded by six tall waterfalls. Over the years the Iron Hole had been explored by climbers but few made it out. One must rappel down the waterfall and exit underwater. It wasn’t fully explored until 1989. Now, thankfully, there is a path with a viewing station at the end.
You may also want to stay out of the water. This is an excellent article and gives a good overview of the terrain. Beautiful photos.
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/23/travel/reunion-island-hiking.html