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Story: Postage stamps

Tokelau first day cover

This was Tokelau's first stamp issue, which was released in 1948. A first day cover is an envelope with stamps attached and postmarked on the first day that the stamps were issued, and they are popular with stamp collectors. This one was addressed simply to 'F. Grant, Apia'.

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Carl Walrond

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How to cite this page

Carl Walrond, Postage stamps – Different types of stamps, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/zoomify/32077/tokelau-first-day-cover (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Carl Walrond, published 29 September 2011.

Comments

Mrs Ilafehi Nanai
07 March 2012
I would like to know how to get a photo of the Atafu postage stamp of the 1948 release, as it is of my Grandfather Salesa Timoteo taken carving into a log of wood to make a vaka (canoe). My Father Mase Salesa QSM managed to claim a Vaka that was on display in Southland Museum by his Father. My Father remembers when the photo was taken.