Eminent Personalities

The Mauritius Post released on 11 December 2013 a set of two commemorative stamps on the theme 'Eminent Personalities' and portraying Hervé Masson (Rs9) and Professor Alexander de Smith (Rs26).

Official FDC with 11.12.13-14 datestamp from Mesnil Post Office.

Rs9 - Hervé Masson (1919-1990), painter and writer

Hervé Masson was born in Rose Hill, Mauritius in 1919 in a family hailing ancestry from Lorraine, France and which settled in the then Isle de France in 1753.

He was initiated to painting as a child and his brother Loys Masson, later on a writer of international repute, was a great source of inspiration to him.

As a young man he rubbed shoulders with famous contemporary poets, writers and journalists like Raymonde de K/Vern, Malcolm de Chazal, Marcel Cabon and France de la Peyre. He was an omnivorous reader and writer and showed keen interest in esoteric literature.

His debut as a painter met with mitigated success and he left for France in 1949. In France he strived hard to improve his art and had to work as journalist to make both ends meet, but never gave up painting. By 1957, his paintings won appreciation in art galleries both in Paris and in New York.

In the wake of the independence of Mauritius, he thought that he could serve his country in politics. Masson served as advisor in the field of Arts and Culture for the Government of Mauritius.

He afterwards returned to France where resumed his former activities and passed away in 1990.

Rs26 - Alexander de Smith (1922-1974), Professor of Constitutional Law

Stanley Alexander de Smith was an eminent professor of constitutional Law and was commissioned to draft the Mauritius Constitution in the mid-sixties; he is considered as the father of the Constitution of Mauritius.

Born in 1922 in London, de Smith received his Doctorate at the University of London in 1959 where he later on taught constitutional Law in various capacity.

He also served as consultant to various Commonwealth countries in the wake of their independence, namely in Nigeria, Ghana and Malaysia.

Professor de Smith paid several visits to Mauritius as part time constitutional Commissioner and his imprint on our constitutional Law is significant.

He passed away during his stay in Mauritius in 1974 and was buried at Le Réduit Cemetery where Governors and other personalities lie for eternity.

A commemorative plate has also been sealed to his memory at the Pamplemousses Botanical Garden.

Unofficial FDC registered at Phoenix Post Office.

Official FDC signed by Anna and Jane de Smith, Prof. Alexander de Smith's daughters, on 6 July 2016 during their visit to Mauritius.

Source: FDC insert

Technical Details

Date of issue: 11 December 2013

Illustrations:

 Rs9 - Hervé Masson 

 Rs26 - Prof. Alexander de Smith

Graphic works: Neshvin Ramsawmy

Size:  29.94 x 44.45 mm

Printer: BDT International Printing Ltd., Dublin, Ireland

Process: Lithography

Number per sheet: 50 stamps set in two panes of 25 separated by a gutter

Perforation: 14 x 2 cm

Watermark: w18 - CASCO

Courtesy: Brigitte Masson for photo of Hervé Masson

10th Anniversary of the Mauritius Post Ltd. (2003-2013)

The Mauritius released on 9 October 2013 a Special Commemorative Cover to mark the 10th anniversary of the privatisation of postal services in Mauritius.

The reforms of the postal sector in the early 21st century as part of the government initiative, aimed at increasing efficiency and competitiveness to face the challenges in the sectors concerned, especially the postal service with the electronic substitutions and liberalisation concept gaining ground.

This has lead to the creation of the Mauritius Post Ltd., a private company incorporated on 11 October 2001 with the Government as the majority shareholder. However actual operations started in 2003. Appropriate legislations were enacted, the main ones being the Postal Services Act 2002 and the Post Office Transfer of Undertaking Act 2002.

The mission of the Mauritius Post was identical to that of its predecessor, the Mauritius Postal Services, and was "to provide access to an array of services across the country including postal, electronic, financial and government-related services through a wide network of branches".

The global trend of dwindling mail volumes due to the increasing use of electronic means of communication triggered the rethinking of the way postal services were delivered.

One of the main outcomes of this rethinking was the diversification into the provision of non-postal services.

After some three and a half tough years at the start, the Mauritius Post was turned around and became viable (applicable as at October 2013).

In 2013, the Mauritius Post had a network of 114 Post Offices in Mauritius, Rodrigues and Agaléga and two Mobile Post Offices.

World Post Day 2013 special cachet available
at the Philatelic Bureau, Port Louis on 9 October 2013 only.

Technical Details

Release date: 9 October 2013

Stamp: Rs50 - 24th UPU Congress, Kenya 2008

            From the eponymous issue of 9 October 2007

Fauna & Flora 2013

The Mauritius Post Ltd. released on 30 August 2013 a set of three commemorative stamps on the theme 'Fauna & Flora'. The Rs3 stamp depicts the rarest palm in the world, Hyophorbe amaricaulis, and the Rs10 and Rs18 stamps a species of orchid (Oeoniella polystachys) and one of bird (Phedina borbonica) that can be found in the Bras D'Eau National Park.

Rs3 - Hurricane Palm (Hyophorbe amaricaulis)

Unique to the island of Mauritius, Hyophorbe amaricaulis, commonly know as Hurricane Palm or the Loneliest Palm is classified as 'Critically Endangered' on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species.

It was first collected by Philibert Commerson around 1770. It is today the rarest palm in the world, known from a single specimen that survived the transformation of a patch of native forest into a botanical garden in Curepipe.

Little hope of discovering other individuals exists as most of the original wet forest habitat of this conspicuous species has been destroyed.

The lonely plant cannot reproduce naturally since it produces female and male flowers at different times. In vitro propagation was tried in Mauritius (late 1990's/ early 2000's), which did not pass the stage of callus.

Attempts in Ireland (1980's) and in England (2008) produced a handful of plantlets, which died after transplantation. Therefore, the only hope to save the species from extinction seems to reside in cloning.

Rs10 - Orchid (Oeoniella polystachys)

In Mauritius, this species was initially considered to be synonymous with Oeoniella aphrodite, but its inflorescence and flower structure are different from the latter.

Oeoniella polystachys is endemic to the south western Indian Ocean islands of Mauritius, Réunion, Madagascar, Comoros and Seychelles, bearing white flowers of about 2-3 cm across, blooming for about a month from late July to late November.

It is a common species in Madagascar, occurring mostly on the east coast. In Réunion, it is found in the northern dry forests, where its population is declining.

In Mauritius, the best population is found on Ile aux Aigrettes, and in Bras D'eau.  Scattered plants exist at Mountain Chat, La Nicolière and Bambous Mountain Range and Ferney (between Mountain Camizard to Mountain Lion)

Rs18 - Mascarene Swallow (Phedina borbonica)

The Mascarene Swallow, also known as the Mascarene Martin and the 'grosse hirondelle' in French, is a rare bird with a total population of less than 500 pairs in Mauritius.

The Mascarene Swallow nests singly or in small loose colonies of up to 20 nests in cavities which provide a flat ledge, or behind a tuft of vegetation.

The Mascarene Swallow is a stoutly built, brown bird with fast, powerful, swooping flight interspersed with fluttering.

The upper parts are earth-brown; under parts are much paler, with dark streaks. It is commonly confused with the Mascarene Cave Swiftlet (Aerodramus francicus) which is smaller, has longer and narrower wings, is blackish-brown rather than earth-brown upper parts and has a paler rump-patch.

In Mauritius, the Mascarene Swallow is found from sea level to the highest point, but is unevenly distributed with known colonies in the the west and south, and is occasionally recorded in the east of the island. The bird feeds over built-up areas, lakes, reservoirs, around cliffs, filao (Casuarina species) belts, and shorelines.

It is often seen perching on electric wires, trees, ground or shoreline sand and rocks.

The Mascarene Swallow catches insects such as beetles, bugs, flies, wasps and ants in flight.

Nests may be built on sheltered ledges of buildings and bridges, or in cliffs, caves or banks, often above water, and has been recorded breeding on boats moored in the Black River Bay.

The nest is an open platform or saucer resting on a flat base, and is made out of plant fibres such as Casuarina needles, rough grass, small twigs, dead steams or algae, lined with feathers or fine plant material. Two white and lightly spotted brown eggs are laid between September and December.

The Mascarene Swallow population might be increasing, but it is still considered rare.

Unofficial FDC sent by express delivery from Monneron Hill Post Office.

The Bras D'Eau National Park 

The Bras D'Eau National Park was proclaimed on 25 October 2011 under section 11(1) of the Wildlife adn National Parks Act 1993.

It is of an area of 497.2 ha and is mainly under Mahogany, Araucaria, Tecoma and Eucalyptus plantations. It also harbours patches of native vegetation.

It is one of the last remnants of the coastal lowland dry dwarf forest. It is the habitat for 10 species of butterfly and is well-known for its population of birds.

The Bras D'Eau National Park also has a thriving mangrove forest.


Source: FDC insert.

Technical details:

Date of issue: 30 August 2013

Illustration: 

 Rs3 - Hurricane Palm (Hyophorbe amaricaulis)

 Rs10 - Orchid (Oeoniella polystachys)

 Rs18 - Mascarene Swallow (Phedina borbonica)

Graphic works: Neshvin Ramsawmy

Size:  29.94 x 44.45 mm

Printer: BDT International Security Printing Ltd., Dublin

Process: Lithography

Number per sheet: 50 stamps set in two panes of 25 separated by gutter

Watermark: w18 - CASCO

Perforation: 14 x 2 cm

Courtesy:

 Mauritius Herbarium

 Mauritian Wildlife Foundation

 BirdLife International

63rd FIFA Congress Mauritius 2013

The Mauritius Post released on 30 May 2013 a new stamp on the occasion of the 63rd FIFA Congress held in Mauritius on 30 and 31 May 2013.

Some 1000 delegates from 209 member associations and journalists from international newspapers and magazines attended this international congress presided by Joseph Blatter, the President of the "Fédération Internationale de Football" (FIFA).

FIFA was founded in 1904 and is based in Zurich; it has 209 member associations, employs some 400 people from over 40 nations and is composed of a Congress (legislative body), an Executive Committee (executive body) and General Secretariat (administrative body). The FIFA World Cup provides the finances and momentum to sustain FIFA's wider mission to 'develop the game, touch the world and build a better future'.

In Mauritius, the governing body of football is the Mauritius Football Association (MFA), founded in 1952 and affiliated to FIFA in 1962. It is currently the largest sports federation in Mauritius with 11,000 registered footballers.

Source: FDC insert

Technical details:

Date of issue: 30 May 2013

Illustration: Rs18 - Logo of the 63rd Congress

Design: FIFA

Graphic works (stamps & FDC): Neshvin Ramsawmy

Size:  29.94  44.45 mm

Printer: BDT International Security Printing Ltd., Dublin

Process: Litography

Number per sheet: 50 stamps set in two panes of 25 separated by a gutter

Watermark: w18 - CASCO

Perforation: 14 x 2 cm

Courtesy: The Mauritius Football Association and FIFA

Maurice Ile Durable & 150th Anniversary of Red Cross

The Mauritius Post released on 30 May 2013 two stamps on the theme "Maurice Ile Durable" and one stamp to mark the 150th anniversary of the Red Cross.

Maurice Ile Durable (MID, Mauritius a Sustainable Island)

MID is a societal project which aims to deliver sustainable growth. Announced in 2008, the roots of MID lie in the then Government's response to the global energy crisis of 2007.

However MID now aims to facilitate economic growth that respects the limitations of natural resources; a growth that is delivered by an empowered population, able to grasp the new opportunities of a green economy; and that also distributes wealth equitably.

The Goals of MID

The objective of MID is to achieve sustainable development. Specific goals have been set for the five 'Es':

Energy: to ensure that the Republic of Mauritius is an efficient user of energy, with its economy decoupled from fossil fuel.

Environment: to ensure sound environmental management and sustainability of our ecosystem services.

Employment/ Economy: to green the economy with decent jobs, offering long term career prospects.

Education: to have an education system that promotes the holistic development of all citizens.

Equity: to ensure that all citizens are able to contribute in the Republic's continuing growth and share its combined wealth.

150 Years of Humanitarian Action by the Red Cross and the Royal Crescent

In 1863, the Red Cross Society was founded in Geneva by Henri Dunant. 150 years later, the Red Cross and the Red Crescent Movements have 188 national societies with approximately 97 million volunteers to protect human life and health, to ensure respect for all human beings, and to prevent and alleviate human suffering.

The movement, imbued with solidarity and cooperation, is the largest humanitarian network in the world. It consists of several distinct organisations that are legally independent from each  other, but are united within the movement through basic Fundamental Principles, objectives, symbols, statutes and governing organisations.

Each entity works in its home country according to the principles of international humanitarian law and the statutes of the international movement.

The Mauritius Red Cross Society (MRCS), established in 1973 by an Act of Parliament; celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2013.

With over 500 volunteers from six branches around Mauritius including Rodrigues, the MRCS is reinforcing its unique status as 'auxiliary organisation to the State',

The mission of the MRCS is based on the Geneva Conventions, the International Humanitarian Law and the seven Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross and the Red Crescent movement: humanity, independence, impartiality, neutrality, unity, universality, and volunteering.

N.B.: The text above is adapted from the insert.

Unofficial FDC registered at Waterfront Post Office.
Rs18 63rd FIFA Congress stamp released on the same day.

Technical details:

Date of issue: 30 May 2013

Illustration: 

 Rs2 - Solar Energy (MID)

 Rs6 - Wind Energy (MID)

 Rs3 - Red Cross & Portrait of Henri Dunant

Graphic works: Neshvin Ramsawmy

Size:  29.94 x 44.45 mm

Printer: BDT International Security Printing Ltd., Dublin

Process: Lithography

Number per sheet: 50 stamps set in two panes of 25 separated by gutter

Watermark: w18 - CASCO

Perforation: 14 x 2 cm

Courtesy:

 MID Commission (text and photos)

 Mauritius Red Cross Society (text)

Sites & Monuments

The Mauritius Post released on 18 April 2013 a set of four commemorative stamps on the theme 'Sites & Monuments'.

Rs5 - Prison de Belle Mare

The Belle Mare Prison, situated on the premises of Constance La Gaieté Sugar Estates was founded in 1783. It is one of the rare preserved structures reminding us of the treatment meted out to slaves during the 18th and the 19th centuries in Mauritius.

Most sugar plantations had slaves and the Letter Patents enacted under the Code Noir in 1723 provided various forms of punishment for offences committed by slaves.

During the early British occupation until the abolition of slavery in Mauritius in 1835, the conditions of slaves fared no better.

The Belle Mare Prison is made of basalt stone and lime mortar. The building is divided into three blocks; the longest block about 6.38 metres in length was used to keep slaves under restraint in fetters. Several cells are present and the original door openings are quite low.

The original structure of the building has undoubtedly been altered and it was at one time even used by the sugar estate for tobacco curing.

The Belle Mare Prison was proclaimed a National Heritage site in 1951.

Rs9 - Château de Bel Ombre

The Domaine de Bel Ombre was created in 1765 and in the early 19th century, the estate at Bel Ombre was planted with sugar cane on the coastal plains and produced sugar.

Charles Telfair, from 1816 to 1833, developed this estate to a great extent by improving the sugar cane culture both field and milling operations and produced wood from the forests on hill slopes.

The estate had various owners in the 19th century. It is believed that the present plantation house, the  Château de Bel Ombre (Bel Ombre Mansion), was built by a rich Indian owner, Mr. Hajee Jackaria Hajee Ahmed who never came to Mauritius.

It was designed by the architect who built the Treasury building, now the Prime Minister's Office.

Rs10 - IBL Building, Bowen Square, Port Louis

In the early 19th century, Mauritius experienced a fast expanding economy due to a soaring sugar industry and a rapid development of trading activities.

The Thomas Blyth, Sons & Co. and the Hunter, Ireland & Co. were established in 1830 and 1850 respectively.

Hunter, Ireland & Co., renamed Ireland Fraser & Co. on 1 July 1860, built impressive colonial style buildings in Port Louis in 1879 to House Ireland, Fraser & Co., General Merchants and Commission Agents; the Bowen Square was created.

The company was also known as Blyth Brothers and was involved in trade, especially in the export of sugar, in shipping and in insurance.

At the time, this stone building was in stark contrast with the other existing commercial ones of Port Louis. In November 1979, it became the registered office of Ireland Blyth Ltd. Since 2007, it is the registered office of Afrasia Bank Ltd.

Bowen Square is named after Sir George Ferguson Bowen, Governor of Mauritius from 1879 to 1882.

Rs18 - Le Batelage, Souillac

The Port of Souillac was an important strategic point during the French occupation but it was not before 1787 that it was provided with the necessary infrastructure and wharfs to facilitate access to coasters and other vessels of low tonnage.

Souillac was then a busy port area and the docks constructed within its precincts and which have of late been renovated as a tourist site, served as store for bales of sugar and goods before being shipped to Port Louis.

The Rs18 stamp is the only reproduction of a painting - by Y. Gunnoo - and the only stamp not to bear the location - Souillac - of the depicted place.

Unofficial registered FDC sent by express delivery with Advice of Delivery (AR)
from Port Louis GPO.

The above text is adapted from the insert.

Technical Details

Date of issue: 18 April 2013

Illustrations:

 Rs5 - Belle Mare Prison

 Rs9 - Bel Ombre Mansion

 Rs10 - IBL Building, Bowen Square, Port Louis

 Rs18 - Le Batelage, Souillac

 FDC - Bowen Square, Port Louis

Graphic works: Neshvin Ramsawmy

Size:  44.45 x 29.94 mm

Printer: BDT International Printing Ltd., Dublin, Ireland

Process: Lithography

Number per sheet: 50 stamps set in two panes of 25 separated by a gutter

Perforation: 14 x 2 cm

Watermark: w18 - CASCO

Courtesy:

  Constance La Gaieté

  Compagnie Sucrière de Bel Ombre

  Ireland Blyth Ltd.

  Mr. Yeshen Gunnoo, artist

  Mr. Benjamin Moutou, historian

150th Birth Anniversary of Baron Pierre de Coubertin (1863-2013)

The Mauritius Post released on 31 January 2013 a Special Commemorative Cover to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Baron Pierre de Coubertin, the father of modern Olympic Games.

Born on 1 January 1863 in Paris, France in a family of Italian origin, Pierre Fredy de Coubertin studied at a Jesuit school and then at the "Ecole de Sciences politiques" (School of Political Science).

He spent part of his youth in the familial home, the Mirville mansion in Haute-Normandie, northern France, and in Paris, at 20, Oudinot Street, where the seat of the International Olympic Committee was initially located.

Pierre de Coubertin founded the first International Olympic Committee (IOC) on 23 June 1894 in Sorbonne, Paris; the first Games were awarded to Greece, the cradle of Ancient Olympic Games.

De Coubertin only became the President of the IOC in 1896 until his resignation in 1925. He was passionate about history, sports, pedagogy, sociology, cultural heritage, art and politics and was a keen writer and sportsman.

The Olympic rings (five inter-locking rings coloured blue, yellow, black, green and red on a white background, mistakenly reproduced on the SCC) combine the colours of the flags of all participating countries at that time. 

Baron Pierre de Coubertin passed away on 2 September 1937 at the age of 74.

N.B.: Part of the above text was translated from French from the insert.

Technical Details:

Release date: 31 January 2013

Stamp: Rs25 - Kite Flying

            From the 'Traditional Games' issue of 7 December 2006.