Greenland, known as Kalaallit Nunaat in the Inuit language of Kalaallisut, has a very interesting stamp history. It began in 1905 and has always been linked with Denmark, in whose kingdom Greenland lies as an autonomous country. Greenland stamps are equally interesting to collect, featuring some rare examples and beautiful designs to appeal to different philatelists for different reasons.
“Pakke Porto” Stamps, 1905 and 1937
Greenland’s first stamps were not in fact true postage stamps, but parcel post stamps. Issued in 1905, these first Greenland stamps are inscribed PAKKE PORTO, the Danish phrase for “parcel post”. The pieces are not explicitly identified as Greenlandic (or even Danish) so they can be hard to categorize by sellers as Greenlandic stamps. A collector often must be familiar with these stamps to properly spot them in online sales listings.
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There were nine different values and colors of Greenland PAKKE PORTO stamps issued in 1905. The design was briefly revived in 1937 on a pair of lithographed stamps.
Greenland Stamps, 1938 – now
The first Greenland postage stamps were issued in 1938 and many Greenland stamp collectors begin their searches here. The first examples were inscribed GRØNLAND and also bore the phrase KGL POST, an abbreviation of “Kongeligt Post” or Royal Post of Denmark. The stamps, as do all Greenlandic stamps, used the Danish currency system of 1 krone = 100 øre.
Kalâtdlit Nunât Stamps, 1964
Greenland stamps featured both Danish and Greenlandic subjects – kings, polar bears, explorers, sea ice, and the like. For several years, every stamp used the Danish name “Grønland”. But finally in 1964, for the first time, the local name was used, using the spelling KALÂTDLIT NUNÂT. Of course, this immediately opened up an exciting new area of Greenland stamp collecting.
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At first the phrase was rendered in a smaller typeface than the Danish term, but from 1969 onward the two names shared equal prominence on Greenland stamps. (The subjects of the stamps themselves still favored Denmark however.)
Kalaallit Nunaat Stamps, 1978
In 1978, a new spelling of the Kalaallisut name of Greenland was first used: KALAALLIT NUNAAT. (“Grønland” was retained, as always.) In 1984, the first stamp with only the Inuit name was issued (honoring Danish Prince Henrik’s fiftieth birthday, ironically enough). The general rule, however, would remain to always use both.
Local Subject Matter on Greenland Stamps, 1980s
The 1980s saw a noticeable change in the subject matter of Greenland stamps, making them more local and thus more interesting to some modern-day collectors. Local scenes were shown more often, as the strictly Danish subject matter was gradually reduced. Birds, bears, boats, and natural Arctic scenes began appearing more often on Greenland stamps, whose designs also increased in elegance and effectiveness. Collectors’ pieces like maximum cards and souvenir sheets also became popular issues. Over the years, several collectible semi-postal stamps, sometimes surcharged overprints, were issued.
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Greenland stamps today are still issued by Denmark. They still use both names of the gigantic island and are still valued in krone and øre. Collectibles of many different types are available and you have your choice of how to collect them. One stamp from every possible year? Complete sets from the first year a new country name appeared? Certain subjects or denominations? The possibilities are as big and endless as the vast white hills of Greenland!
