SOLOMON ISLANDS - Republic of Solomon Islands

Solomon Islands is a sovereign state consisting of six major islands and over 900 smaller islands in Oceania lying to the east of Papua New Guinea and northwest of Vanuatu and covering a land area of 28,400 square kilometres (11,000 sq mi).The country has a population of 652,858 and its capital, Honiara, is located on the island of Guadalcanal. The country takes its name from the Solomon Islands archipelago, which is a collection of Melanesian islands that also includes the North Solomon Islands (a part of Papua New Guinea), but excludes outlying islands, such as Rennell and Bellona, and the Santa Cruz Islands.

In 1568, the Spanish navigator Álvaro de Mendaña was the first European to visit them, naming them the Islas Salomón. Britain defined its area of interest in the Solomon Islands archipelago in June 1893, when Captain Gibson R.N., of HMS Curacoa, declared the southern Solomon Islands a British protectorate. During World War II, the Solomon Islands campaign (1942–1945) saw fierce fighting between the United States, Commonwealth forces and the Empire of Japan, such as in the Battle of Guadalcanal.

The official name of the then British administration was changed from the British Solomon Islands Protectorate to the Solomon Islands in 1975, and self-government was achieved the following year. Independence was obtained, and the name changed to just "Solomon Islands" (without the definite article), in 1978. At independence, Solomon Islands became a constitutional monarchy. The Queen of Solomon Islands is Elizabeth II, represented by the Governor-General.

The first mails from the islands are believed to be those sent by the British Resident Commissioner, Charles Woodford, who was appointed in 1896 and established an administrative centre at Tulagi. Letters were sent in a sealed bag to Sydney where New South Wales stamps were affixed. Later, a stock of New South Wales stamps was kept at Tulagi and the stamps were cancelled in Sydney. From April 1906, Woodford used a paid handstamp instead and stamps were again added in Sydney. On 14 February 1907, the first postage stamps were issued in the Solomon Islands, marked British Solomon Islands Protectorate. From 1913, stamps were marked British Solomon Islands. From 1975, leading up to independence in 1978, stamps were marked "Solomon Islands" and all stamps since then have been so marked.

These two beautiful covers sent by Christal from Solomon Islands with their new barcode label with Solomon Islands post corporation logo. The covers posted on June 07, 2016 and I received them on 22, July 2016.

The covers posted on August 26, 2014 and I received on September 30, 2014. On 15th October 2017, My friend Pieter Soer visited Solomon Islands, and he sent few photos of the post office from Honiara and Gizo. 

 The main post office and philatelic bureau in Honiara

 Hoarding shows the board of Solomon Islands Post Corporation.

The staff postmarking the cards. Pieter said the post office staff were very cooperative and they helped in the best way possible. Stamperija, the stamps printing company produces a number of stamps for Solomon Islands, but those stamps will not be available in the post offices or in philatelic bureau. Only definitive stamps are available there, which were issued long back. The stamperia produced stamps are accepted on covers for postmarking, but for registered mails we need to pay extra. 

Post office building from Gizo

The post office staff postmarking the postcards and covers which are prepared by Pieter. He said they are very happy and cooperative to help foreigners and did the best way possible services. There is no large variety of stamps to select, but the available ones are nice to see. Personally I also have a great experience from Solomon Islands philatelic bureau. Thank You Pieter for the rare and great pictures you sent to me.