“Curaçao” postage stamps may refer to two different types of stamps from two different eras:
(1) The group of islands once collectively known as Curaçao and Dependencies, for whom stamps inscribed CURAÇAO were issued from 1877 to 1950 (and which were called Netherlands Antilles after 1950); and
(2) The modern island of Curaçao, now separate from the Netherlands Antilles, which has issued its own stamps since 2010, also inscribed CURAÇAO.
(There are also collectible covers from Curaçao during the “Netherlands Antilles” years of 1950-2010.)
Curaçao and Dependencies / Netherlands Antilles
“Curaçao and Dependencies” was a group of six islands (not all near each other) administrated together under Dutch control. One of the islands was Curaçao, and the collection of six islands was a single colony called Curaçao and Dependencies (in Dutch, Curaçao en onderhorigheden). Stamps, first issued in 1877, read simply CURAÇAO and would continue to do so until 1950.
More: Antigua and Barbuda Stamps: Cool Caribbean Collecting
Stamps were regularly issued, but the program was fairly light for Curaçao and Dependencies; collectors can easily work towards complete sets and even complete collections from this era, which included several overprint stamps and other special issues.
In 1950, the colony of Curaçao and Dependencies had its name changed, to the Netherlands Antilles (Nederlandse Antillen), and stamps used the new name from that point.
New Curaçao stamps, 2010
In 2010, the Netherlands Antilles was dissolved, and Curaçao became a “constituent country” of the Netherlands. Curaçao began issuing its own stamps that year — making it one of the newest stamp-issuing entities in the world.
Our Curaçao stamps for sale section may include stamps from both eras of the use of that name, and interesting covers from any era involving the island of Curaçao. Check back often for daily updates.
