Wallis and Futuna - Travel/Philately/Numismatics/Memorabilia Profile

Wallis and Futuna, a Polynesian French Island territory in the South Pacific has a total land area of 102 square miles and a population of around 15,300. Wallis and Fatuna are beautiful islands with its own culture and traditions. Fishing and agriculture are the major sectors of its economy, with copra and textiles being the major exports. French government subsidies, import taxes, sale of fishing licenses, and remittances from expatriate workers are the major revenue sources. While pine trees and tropical trees such as coconut palms, mango, and papaya can be found in plenty, only very little of the original forests remain.

Travel Resources:

In spite of its lush jungles, crater lakes, waterfalls, pristine beaches, hiking trails, abundant wildlife, and culture Wallis and Futuna Islands do not project tourism. Advance planning is required to make a trip to these islands a reality.

Resource	ISBN or ASIN	Best Price	Description
Lonely Planet South Pacific	978-1741047868	$19	Wallis and Futuna is covered in twelve pages of this 704-page book.
Universal World Wide Travel Charger Adapter Plug	B001MGUB9Q	$4

Philatelic Profile:

The first stamps of Wallis and Futuna Islands were a set of twenty eight stamps released between 1920 and 1928 that were ‘Iles Wallis et Futuna’ overprints on New Caledonia stamps from 1905 to 1908. The set (Scott #1 to #28) catalogs for around $45 mint or used. A number of surcharge overprints on issues from this first set along with several common design types were the main stamp issues of Wallis and Futuna Islands during the period till 1943. Chief among them were a long set of thirty three stamps released between 1941 and 1943 that were overprints on New Caledonia with the additional ‘France Libre’ overprint. The set (Scott #94 to #126) is sought after and catalogs for around $450 MNH and around the same for used. The first original issues were a set of fourteen stamps released in 1944 showing Ivi Poo – Bone Carving in Tiki Design. The set (Scott #127 to #140) catalogs for around $7 MNH or used.

Other issues of Wallis and Futuna enjoying good philatelic interest include:

1. A set of four stamps released on September 19, 1960 showing traditional scenes. The set (Scott #154 to #157) catalogs for around $9 MNH and a little less for used. The designs show women making tapa cloth, Kava ceremony, dancers, and dancers with paddles.
2. A set of three stamps released on June 18, 1978 showing Warships. The set (Scott #207 to #209) catalogs for around $35 MNH and around $22 for used. The designs show Free French Warships serving the Pacific between 1940 and 1944: Cruiser Triomphant, Destroyers Cap des Palmes and Chevreuil, and Cruiser Savorgnan de Brazza.
3. A set of two stamps released on July 16, 1990 showing Phaeton. The set (Scott #393 to #394) catalogs for around $25 MNH or used. Birds are a common theme on Wallis and Funtuna stamps. They catalog at a premium and form a good collectible theme.
4. A horizontal strip of four stamps released on September 20, 2002 showing Landscapes. The set (Scott #559a-d) catalogs for around $10 MNH or used. The designs show Utua Bay, Liku Bay, Kingfisher at Vele, and Aka’Aka Bay.

Numismatic Profile:

Wallis and Futuna use the New Caledonian Franc as its currency.

Collectible Memorabilia:

Tapas (fabric from breadfuit fibers) decorated with natural substances, shell culptures, and ornaments are undoubtedly the biggest souvenir of Wallis and Fatuna.

Resource	Price Range	Description
Miscellaneous Collectibles	$2 and up	Flags, Lapel Pins etc start around $2.

Last Updated: 12/2015.