Iceland Stamps
Definitives of 1938-1957
The pictorial definitive Iceland stamps of this period finally replaced the portrait-type or single-design-type definitive postage stamps of the past. The new pictorial definitive postage stamps would eventually have variable designs, and they would feature subjects of importance to the Icelandic people, such as their history, their culture, and the beautiful scenery of their island nation.
The eight pictorial definitive Iceland stamps shown above were issued between 1938 and 1947. These stamps are all engraved.
The common design of these stamps features the GEYSIR, with observers standing around its base. This is the famous Icelandic geyser that all the other geysers in the World are named after. (Additional information in column three.)
The catalog attributes, for stamps that are perforated 14, are as follows:
- 15 A. (1938 - Sc. #203) - Deep Rose Violet.
- 20 A. (1938 - Sc. #204) - Rose Red.
- 35 A. (1938 - Sc. #205) - Ultramarine.
- 40 A. (1939 - Sc. #206) - Dark Brown.
- 45 A. (1940 - Sc. #207) - Bright Ultramarine.
- 50 A. (1938 - Sc. #208) - Dark Slate Green.
- 60 A. (1943 - Sc. #208A) - Bright Ultramarine.
- 01 K. (1945 - Sc. #208B) - Indigo.
The catalog attributes, for stamps that are perforated 11 1/2, are as follows:
- 60 A. (1947 - Sc. #208c) - Bright Ultramarine.
- 01 K. (1947 - Sc. #208d) - Indigo.
The eleven pictorial definitive Iceland stamps shown above were issued between 1939 and 1945. These stamps are all engraved.
The two common designs of these fishing-themed definitive stamps feature a Codfish and a school of Herring.
The catalog attributes, for stamps that are perforated 14, are as follows:
- 01 E. (1939 - Sc. #217) - Prussian Blue.
- 03 A. (1939 - Sc. #218) - Dark Violet.
- 05 A. (1939 - Sc. #219) - Dark Brown.
- 07 A. (1939 - Sc. #220) - Dark Green.
- 10 A. (1939 - Sc. #221) - Green.
- 10 A. (1945 - Sc. #222) - Slate Gray.
- 12 A. (1943 - Sc. #223) - Dark Green.
- 25 A. (1940 - Sc. #224) - Bright Red.
- 25 A. (1945 - Sc. #225) - Henna Brown.
- 35 A. (1943 - Sc. #226) - Carmine.
- 50 A. (1943 - Sc. #227) - Dark Blue Green.
The catalog attributes, for stamps that are perforated 14 x 13 1/2, are as follows:
- 01 E. (1939 - Sc. #217a) - Prussian Blue.
- 03 A. (1939 - Sc. #218a) - Dark Violet.
- 05 A. (1939 - Sc. #219c) - Dark Brown.
- 10 A. (1939 - Sc. #221b) - Green.
- 25 A. (1940 - Sc. #224b) - Bright Red.
The pictorial definitive Iceland stamp shown above was issued in 1939, and the design features the Flag of Iceland.
The catalog attributes are as follows:
- 10 A. (1939 - Sc. #228) - Carmine & Blue, Carmine & Ultramarine.
The three high-denomination pictorial definitive stamps shown above were issued between 1939 and 1947. These stamps are engraved.
The common design features a statue of Thorfinn Karlsefni. The original is located in Philadelphia, and a copy is located in Reykjavik.
The catalog attributes, for stamps that are perforated 14, are as follows:
- 02 K. (1939 - Sc. #229) - Dark Gray.
- 05 K. (1943 - Sc. #230) - Dark Brown.
- 10 K. (1945 - Sc. #231) - Brownish Yellow.
The catalog attributes, for stamps that are perforated 11 1/2, are as follows:
- 02 K. (1947 - Sc. #229a) - Dark Gray.
- 05 K. (1947 - Sc. #230a) - Dark Brown.
- 10 K. (1947 - Sc. #231a) - Brownish Yellow.
Thorfinn Karlsefni was the Icelandic explorer that followed Leif Ericsson's route to Vinland in about 1010, in an effort to establish a permanent colony there (presumably in present-day Newfoundland). It is believed that he fathered a child while there, which would be the first child born in the New World.
The twelve pictorial definitive Iceland stamps shown above were issued between 1950 and 1954, and they feature Icelandic Vocations and Scenery.
The four common designs are as follows:
- Vestmannaeyjar Harbor.
- Fishing trawler.
- Tractor plowing.
- Flock of sheep.
The catalog attributes are as follows:
- 05 A. (1954 - Sc. #257) - Dark Brown.
- 10 A. (1950 - Sc. #258) - Gray.
- 20 A. (1950 - Sc. #259) - Brown.
- 25 A. (1954 - Sc. #260) - Carmine.
- 60 A. (1950 - Sc. #261) - Green.
- 75 A. (1952 - Sc. #262) - Red Orange.
- 90 A. (1950 - Sc. #263) - Carmine.
- 01 K. (1950 - Sc. #264) - Chocolate.
- 01.25 K. (1952 - Sc. #265) - Red Violet.
- 01.50 K. (1950 - Sc. #266) - Deep Ultramarine.
- 02 K. (1950 - Sc. #267) - Purple.
- 05 K. (1950 - Sc. #268) - Dark Green.
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The 25 K. denomination pictorial definitive stamp shown above, at the left (Sc. #273), was issued on April 1, 1952. The design features the Parliament Building.
The 25 K. denomination pictorial definitive stamp shown above, at the right (Sc. #305), was issued on August 1, 1957. The design features Bessastadir, the residence of the President of the Republic of Iceland.
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Iceland Stamps - Definitives of 1938-1957
Geysir, or the Great Geysir, is a geyser in the Haukadalur Valley in Southwestern Iceland. Geysir was the first geyser described in a printed source, during the 18th Century, and it was the first geyser known to Europeans.
The English word "geyser", meaning a "periodically spouting hot spring", is derived from the Icelandic word "geysir". The Icelandic word "geysir" is derived from the Old Norse verb "geysa", meaning "to gush".
Geysir and other geysers in the Haukadalur Valley are the most popular destinations for tourists visiting Iceland.