THE FORMAT INTERNATIONAL SECURITY PRINTERS LTD. ARCHIVE
Information and Reference of What was Found in the Archive
Reference listings of stamp issues for Tuvalu printed by the Format International Security Printers Ltd. and items found in the Archive
TUVALU
Tuvalu stamps printed by Format International Security Printers Ltd.
Links to pages with information on items found in the archive
1977 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE REIGN OF QUEEN ELIZABETH II Scott #43-5,45a, SG #50-2,MS53
1977 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SOUTH PACIFIC COMMISSION Scott #46-9, SG #54-7
1977 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF SCOUTING IN THE CENTRAL PACIFIC Scott #50-3, SG #73-6
1977 ROYAL SOCIETY EXPEDITIONS, 1896/7 Scott #54-7, SG #77-80
1978 WILD BIRDS OF TUVALU Scott #73-6, SG #81-4
The 40c with inverted impression of the 20c magenta plate on the reverse exists.
1978 SHIPS Scott #77-80, SG #85-8
1978 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CORONATION OF QUEEN ELIZABETH II Scott #81-4,84a, SG #89-92,MS93
Printed in sheetlets of 6 plus 2 labels
Quantities of SPECIMEN overprinted sets exist.
Sheetlets of 6 plus 2 labels
1978 WILD FLOWERS Scott #92-5, SG #101-4
1979 DEFINITIVES, FISH (1st series) Scott #96-113, SG #105-22
Printed in sheetlets of 4 plus 2 labels
Example of a Sheetlet of 4 plus 2 labels.
1979 BICENTENARY OF THE DEATH OF CAPTAIN JAMES COOK Scott #114-17,117a, SG #123-6
Printed se-tenant in horizontal strips of 4 in sheets of 12
Quantities of these issues perforated, imperforate proofs
came onto the market after the liquidation of the Format International Security Printers Ltd. in 1988.
There are some varieties that are legitimately rare. Also full uncut press sheets of some issues
have a rarity factor. More detail will be presented on these in another section of the study.
117a
1979 INAUGURATION OF INTERNAL AIR SERVICE Scott #118-21, SG #127-30
Printed in mini sheets of 4
Mini Sheets of 4
1979 DEATH CENTENARY OF SIR ROWLAND HILL Scott #122-4,124a, SG #131-3,MS134
Printed in mini sheets of 4
1979 INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF THE CHILD Scott #125-8, SG #135-8
Printed in mini sheets of 4
1980 COWRY SHELLS Scott #129-32, SG #139-42
Printed in mini sheets of 4
1980 80TH BIRTHDAY OF THE QUEEN MOTHER Scott #137, SG #148
Issued in sheets of 10 plus 2 labels.
Sheet of 10 Plus 2 Labels.
1980 MOTHS Scott #138-41, SG #149-52
Printed in mini sheets of 4
1980 AVIATION COMMEMORATIONS Scott #142-5, SG #153-6
Printed in mini sheets of 4
1981 THE 1979 DEFINITIVE 50c HAMMERHEAD STAMP SURCHARGED Scott #150, SG #157
Two types of surcharge exist. Scott catalog does not describe this.
1981 SHIPS (1st series) Scott #151-6, SG #162-7
Printed in sheets of 6 plus 2 labels
Sheetlets of 6 plus 2 labels.
1981 THE 1979 DEFINITIVES OVERPRINTED "OFFICIAL" Scott #O1-19, SG #O1-19
Varieties of Litho and Typo overprints exist.
1982 21ST BIRTHDAY OF PRINCESS DIANA Scott #170-2, SG #184-6
1982 21ST BIRTHDAY OF PRINCESS DIANA STAMPS OVERPRINTED "ROYAL BABY" Scott #173-5, SG #189-91
1982 ROYAL VISIT OF QUEEN ELIZABETH II Scott #180-2,182a, SG #196-8,MS199
Large quantities of the SPECIMEN overprinted souvenir sheet exist.
1983 COMMONWEALTH DAY Scott #196-9, SG #213-16
1983 DRAGONFLIES Scott #200-3, SG #217-20
Printed in mini sheets of 4
Large quantities of these issues SPECIMEN overprinted, came onto the market after the liquidation of the Format International Security Printers Ltd. in 1988.
Quantities of perforated proofs also appeared. There are some varieties that are legitimately rare. Also full uncut press sheets of some issues
have a rarity factor. More detail will be presented on these in another section of the study.
1983 CENTENARY OF THE BOY'S BRIGADE Scott #204-6, SG #221-3
1983 BICENTENARY OF MANNED FLIGHT Scott #208-11,211a, SG #225-8,MS229
1984 SHIPS (2nd series) Scott #216-21, SG #235-40
Printed in sheets of 6 plus 2 labels
Sheetlets of 6 plus 2 labels.
1984 LEADERS OF THE WORLD, RAILWAY LOCOMOTIVES (1st series) Scott #222-5, SG #241-8
Quantities of these issues perforated, imperforate proofs
came onto the market after the liquidation of the Format International Security Printers Ltd. in 1988.
There are some varieties that are legitimately rare. Also full uncut press sheets of some issues
have a rarity factor. More detail will be presented on these in another section of the study.
1984 LEADERS OF THE WORLD, RAILWAY LOCOMOTIVES (2nd series) Scott #236,238-40,242-4,246, SG #253-68
Quantities of these issues perforated, imperforate proofs
came onto the market after the liquidation of the Format International Security Printers Ltd. in 1988.
There are some varieties that are legitimately rare. Also full uncut press sheets of some issues
have a rarity factor. More detail will be presented on these in another section of the study.
1984 AUSIPEX INTERNATIONAL STAMP EXHIBITION and 15TH SOUTH PACIFIC FORUM Scott #255-8, SG #269-72
1984 LEADERS OF THE WORLD, RAILWAY LOCOMOTIVES (3rd series) Scott #235,237,241,245, SG #273-80
Quantities of these issues perforated, imperforate proofs
came onto the market after the liquidation of the Format International Security Printers Ltd. in 1988.
There are some varieties that are legitimately rare. Also full uncut press sheets of some issues
have a rarity factor. More detail will be presented on these in another section of the study.
1984 LEADERS OF THE WORLD, CRICKET PLAYERS Scott #259-62, SG #281-8
Another set of 4 pairs exist that were never issued.
Quantities of these issues perforated, imperforate proofs
came onto the market after the liquidation of the Format International Security Printers Ltd. in 1988.
There are some varieties that are legitimately rare. Also full uncut press sheets of some issues
have a rarity factor. More detail will be presented on these in another section of the study.
1984 CHRISTMAS, CHILDREN'S DRAWINGS Scott #267-70, SG #289-92
1984 LEADERS OF THE WORLD, AUTOMOBILES (1st series) Scott #271-4, SG #293-300
Quantities of these issues perforated, imperforate proofs
came onto the market after the liquidation of the Format International Security Printers Ltd. in 1988.
There are some varieties that are legitimately rare. Also full uncut press sheets of some issues
have a rarity factor. More detail will be presented on these in another section of the study.
1985 LEADERS OF THE WORLD, BIRTH BICENTENARY OF JOHN J. AUDUBON (ornithologist) Scott #279-82, SG #301-8
Quantities of these issues perforated, imperforate proofs
came onto the market after the liquidation of the Format International Security Printers Ltd. in 1988.
There are some varieties that are legitimately rare. Also full uncut press sheets of some issues
have a rarity factor. More detail will be presented on these in another section of the study.
1985 BIRDS AND THEIR EGGS Scott #287-90, SG #309-12
1985 LEADERS OF THE WORLD, RAILWAY LOCOMOTIVES (4th series) Scott #291-4, SG #313-20
Quantities of these issues perforated, imperforate proofs
came onto the market after the liquidation of the Format International Security Printers Ltd. in 1988.
There are some varieties that are legitimately rare. Also full uncut press sheets of some issues
have a rarity factor. More detail will be presented on these in another section of the study.
1985 LEADERS OF THE WORLD, AUTOMOBILES (2nd series) Scott #299-302, SG #321-8
Quantities of these issues perforated, imperforate proofs
came onto the market after the liquidation of the Format International Security Printers Ltd. in 1988.
There are some varieties that are legitimately rare. Also full uncut press sheets of some issues
have a rarity factor. More detail will be presented on these in another section of the study.
1985 LEADERS OF THE WORLD, LIFE AND TIMES OF QUEEN ELIZABETH THE QUEEN MOTHER Scott #311-17, SG #334-41,MS342
The $2.00 and $3.00 mini sheets were from a "restricted printing" which Robson Lowe estimated to be between 500 and 1000
copies issued. 350 of each were found in the archive.
Quantities of these issues perforated, imperforate proofs
came onto the market after the liquidation of the Format International Security Printers Ltd. in 1988.
There are some varieties that are legitimately rare. Also full uncut press sheets of some issues
have a rarity factor. More detail will be presented on these in another section of the study.
RESTRICTED PRINTING (500 to 2000 exist)
RESTRICTED PRINTING (500 to 2000 exist)
1985 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE GIRL GUIDE MOVEMENT Scott #328-31,331a, SG #343-6,MS347
Quantities of these issues perforated, imperforate proofs
came onto the market after the liquidation of the Format International Security Printers Ltd. in 1988.
There are some varieties that are legitimately rare. Also full uncut press sheets of some issues
have a rarity factor. More detail will be presented on these in another section of the study.
1985 LEADERS OF THE WORLD, RAILWAY LOCOMOTIVES (5th series) Scott #320-3, SG #348-55
Quantities of these issues perforated, imperforate proofs
came onto the market after the liquidation of the Format International Security Printers Ltd. in 1988.
There are some varieties that are legitimately rare. Also full uncut press sheets of some issues
have a rarity factor. More detail will be presented on these in another section of the study.
1985 LEADERS OF THE WORLD, AUTOMOBILES (3rd series) Scott #332-9, SG #356-71
Quantities of these issues perforated, imperforate proofs
came onto the market after the liquidation of the Format International Security Printers Ltd. in 1988.
There are some varieties that are legitimately rare. Also full uncut press sheets of some issues
have a rarity factor. More detail will be presented on these in another section of the study.
1986 CRABS Scott #348-51, SG #372-5
Quantities of these issues perforated, imperforate proofs
came onto the market after the liquidation of the Format International Security Printers Ltd. in 1988.
There are some varieties that are legitimately rare. Also full uncut press sheets of some issues
have a rarity factor. More detail will be presented on these in another section of the study.
1986 INTERNATIONAL EVENTS Scott #352, SG #MS376
Quantities of this issue with unauthorized overprints, perforated, imperforate proofs
came onto the market after the liquidation of the Format International Security Printers Ltd. in 1988.
There are some varieties that are legitimately rare. Also full uncut press sheets of some issues
have a rarity factor. More detail will be presented on these in another section of the study.
With Decorative Borders.
With Unauthorized CAPEX '87 and Canadian Overprints.
With Unauthorized CAPEX '87 and Australian Overprints.
1986 SHIPS (3rd series) Scott #353-6, SG #377-80
Quantities of these issues perforated, imperforate proofs
came onto the market after the liquidation of the Format International Security Printers Ltd. in 1988.
There are some varieties that are legitimately rare. Also full uncut press sheets of some issues
have a rarity factor. More detail will be presented on these in another section of the study.
1986 60TH BIRTHDAY OF QUEEN ELIZABETH II Scott #357-61, SG #381-4,MS385
Imperf souvenir sheets exist. SPECIMEN overprinted set exist.
1986 WORLD CUP SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP, MEXICO Scott #364-73, SG #388-95,MS396
1986 ROYAL WEDDING (1st issue) Scott #381-3, SG #397-400, MS401
Quantities of these issues perforated, imperforate proofs, errors and intentional errors
came onto the market after the liquidation of the Format International Security Printers Ltd. in 1988.
There are some varieties that are legitimately rare. Also full uncut press sheets of some issues
have a rarity factor. More detail will be presented on these in another section of the study.
1986 15TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SOUTH PACIFIC FORUM Scott #388, SG #407-20
Printed se-tenant as a sheetlet of 14 surrounding a central label
Quantities of these issues perforated, imperforate proofs, errors and intentional errors
came onto the market after the liquidation of the Format International Security Printers Ltd. in 1988.
There are some varieties that are legitimately rare. Also full uncut press sheets of some issues
have a rarity factor. More detail will be presented on these in another section of the study.
1986 LEADERS OF THE WORLD, AUTOMOBILES (4th series) Scott #391-6, SG #421-32
Quantities of these issues perforated, imperforate proofs
came onto the market after the liquidation of the Format International Security Printers Ltd. in 1988.
There are some varieties that are legitimately rare. Also full uncut press sheets of some issues
have a rarity factor. More detail will be presented on these in another section of the study.
1986 ROYAL WEDDING (2nd issue) Scott #389-90, SG #433-6
Quantities of these issues perforated, imperforate proofs, errors and intentional errors
came onto the market after the liquidation of the Format International Security Printers Ltd. in 1988.
There are some varieties that are legitimately rare. Also full uncut press sheets of some issues
have a rarity factor. More detail will be presented on these in another section of the study.
1986 CENTENARY OF THE STATUE OF LIBERTY Scott #401-9, SG #MS441
A set with white borders was produced but never issued.
Unissued set with white borders.
1987 LEADERS OF THE WORLD, AUTOMOBILES (5th series) Scott #414-25,425a, SG #446-69,MS470
Quantities of these issues perforated, imperforate proofs
came onto the market after the liquidation of the Format International Security Printers Ltd. in 1988.
There are some varieties that are legitimately rare. Also full uncut press sheets of some issues
have a rarity factor. More detail will be presented on these in another section of the study.
1987 ROYAL RUBY WEDDING AND 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF QUEEN VICTORIA'S ACCESSION Scott #454-9, SG #484-8,MS489
Quantities of these issues perforated, imperforate proofs
came onto the market after the liquidation of the Format International Security Printers Ltd. in 1988.
There are some varieties that are legitimately rare. Also full uncut press sheets of some issues
have a rarity factor. More detail will be presented on these in another section of the study.
1987 WORLD SCOUT JAMBOREE, AUSTRALIA and BICENTENNIAL OF AUSTRALIAN SETTLEMENT Scott #460-4, SG #493-6,MS497
Quantities of the souvenir sheet perforated, imperforate proofs
came onto the market after the liquidation of the Format International Security Printers Ltd. in 1988.
There are some varieties that are legitimately rare. Also full uncut press sheets of some issues
have a rarity factor. More detail will be presented on these in another section of the study.
1988 CORAL REEF LIFE (2nd series) Scott #465-8, SG #498-501
1988 BIRDS Scott #469-84, SG #502-17
Quantities of these issues missing colors, perforated, imperforate proofs
came onto the market after the liquidation of the Format International Security Printers Ltd. in 1988.
There are some varieties that are legitimately rare. Also full uncut press sheets of some issues
have a rarity factor. More detail will be presented on these in another section of the study.
1988 125TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE INTERNATIONAL RED CROSS Scott #485-9, SG #518-21,MS522
Quantities of these issues missing colors, perforated, imperforate proofs
came onto the market after the liquidation of the Format International Security Printers Ltd. in 1988.
There are some varieties that are legitimately rare. Also full uncut press sheets of some issues
have a rarity factor. More detail will be presented on these in another section of the study.
1988 VOYAGES OF CAPTAIN COOK Scott #490-6, SG #523-8,MS529
Quantities of SPECIMEN overprinted sets exist.
Appears imperforated examples of the 50c and quantities of imperforated souvenir sheets of this issue exist.
1988 FUNGI (1st series) Scott #497-500, SG #530-3
1988 OLYMPIC GAMES, SEOUL Scott #501-6, SG #534-9
These were the last stamps printed by the Format International Security Printers Ltd. for Tuvalu.
The company soon after went into bankruptcy.
References taken from:
Stanley Gibbons Western Pacific
Scott Catalog
Inventory list for the Format Archive by Robson Lowe
