Martinique Stamps
Martinique is a Caribbean island territory located in the Lesser Antilles, part of the French overseas departments and regions. Its postal history is intrinsically linked to France, with stamps initially issued under French colonial administration and later as part of the unified French postal system, often bearing French inscriptions.
- Issued stamps
- 1886–1947
- Region
- Americas, Caribbean
- Currency
- FRF
- Languages
- French
- Issuer type
- Colonial postal administration
- Part of
- France
About Martinique stamps
The territory transitioned to using the Euro following France's adoption of the common European currency. As an integral part of France, Martinique's philatelic output reflects its status as an overseas department, maintaining French language and administrative continuity.
Further reading: Wikipedia
Inscriptions to look for
Words printed on the stamp that point to this issuer. Search any of them in the issuer directory.
- MARTINIQUE
- POSTES
How to identify Martinique stamps
- Look for the inscription 'MARTINIQUE' or 'POSTES' with 'MARTINIQUE' below it.
- Early issues often feature the 'Navigation and Commerce' design or are French colonial stamps overprinted 'MARTINIQUE'.
- Later issues (1920s-1940s) frequently depict local scenes, flora, fauna, or historical figures of Martinique.
- Pay attention to watermarks (often French colonial types) and perforation details.
Popular series
-
Navigation and Commerce
1886-1900s
Early definitive issues featuring allegorical figures representing navigation and commerce, common to many French colonies.
-
Type Blanc
1900s-1920s
Definitive stamps with a standardized design, often overprinted 'MARTINIQUE' on French colonial issues.
-
Local Views and Personalities
1920s-1940s
Pictorial issues depicting local landscapes, historical figures, and cultural scenes specific to Martinique.
Value overview
Typical ranges as orientation, not prices for a particular stamp. Condition, variety and demand decide the value of your copy; for current asking prices, check listings or the app.
- Common stamps
- €0.50–€10
- Scarce stamps
- €50–€500+
Early issues, especially those with rare overprints or in pristine condition, can fetch higher prices. Later definitive sets are generally more affordable. Errors and varieties are highly sought after.
Catalogs. Martinique stamps are listed in the major world catalogs: Scott, Michel and Stanley Gibbons. Catalog numbers and groupings differ between them; the Stamp Identifier app shows the numbers it can find for your stamp.
Questions about Martinique stamps
Martinique stamps are postage stamps issued for the French Caribbean island territory of Martinique. They were initially issued under French colonial administration and later as part of the unified French postal system, reflecting its status as an overseas department. The earliest issues date back to 1886.
The value of Martinique stamps varies significantly. Common definitive issues from the mid-20th century are generally affordable, ranging from €0.50 to €10. However, early issues, especially those with rare overprints, specific cancellations, or in mint condition, can be quite valuable, reaching hundreds or even thousands of euros. Errors and varieties are also highly prized by collectors.
To identify Martinique stamps, look for the clear inscription 'MARTINIQUE' or 'POSTES' with 'MARTINIQUE' below it. Early issues often share designs with other French colonies, distinguished by the specific 'MARTINIQUE' overprint. Later pictorial issues feature local landmarks, people, and culture. For a first lead, photograph the stamp in the Stamp Identifier app, then confirm the catalog number; valuable stamps deserve an expert opinion.
Martinique stamps are comprehensively listed in all major international philatelic catalogs. You can find them in the Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue (often under 'French Colonies' or 'Martinique'), the Michel catalog (specifically Michel Frankreich und Übersee), and the Stanley Gibbons Commonwealth & British Empire Stamps catalogue (though Martinique is French, it's often included in broader colonial listings or French area catalogs).
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