Ideological Uses of Colonial Stamps

Title

Ideological Uses of Colonial Stamps

Subject

Colonial Stamps of the Spanish Guinea during Francoism

Description

Colonial stamps of Equatorial Guinea, particularly those produced during the Franco dictatorship in Spain (1939-1975), are a significant part of the country’s philatelic history. These stamps, created by the Fábrica Nacional de Moneda y Timbre (National Mint and Stamp Factory) of Spain, offer a visual narrative that reflects the colonial and ethnocentric perspectives of the era, which included representations of the mainland region (Río Muni) and the island region (Fernando Pó).

The designs of these stamps often carried an ethnocentric and colonial message. According to David Moriente and Guillermo Navarro, these stamps portrayed a landscape discourse that depicted Equatorial Guinea as a "vacant paradise" rich in natural resources, ripe for Spanish exploitation and settlement. The stamps featured several recurring themes, which can be summarized as follows:

Natural Landscapes and Riches: These stamps often depicted the lush, wild nature of Equatorial Guinea, highlighting its natural resources and portraying it as an unspoiled land of plenty.

Indigenous Peoples: The activities and physical characteristics of the Bubi and Fang peoples were commonly illustrated. These depictions were framed from a colonial perspective, emphasizing the 'civilizing' influence of Spanish colonizers.

Colonial and Evangelizing Activities: Stamps frequently showcased the various ways in which Guineans engaged in work under colonial rule, often highlighting the impact of Spanish 'civilizing' and evangelizing missions. This included scenes of agricultural work, construction, and religious activities, presenting a narrative of colonial dominance and acculturation.

Binary Opposition: The designs clearly displayed a binary opposition between the Spanish dominators (portrayed as superior and enlightened) and the Guinean dominated (portrayed as inferior and in need of civilization).

Artist include: Teodoro Miciano, Germán Calvo, Emilio Marín, Emiliano Salamanca, Vicente Vila, Vicente D'Urosa.

Creator

Fábrica Nacional de Moneda y Timbre [National Mint and Stamp Factory of Spain]

Source

Moriente, David, and Guillermo Navarro. "La Invención De Guinea Ecuatorial En La España De Franco: Una Visión De La Colonia a Través De Los Sellos De Correos." Bulletin of Spanish Visual Studies, vol. 6, no. 2, 2022, pp. 217-237

F. Núñez de Celis, Paisajes y efigie del General Franco. Bahía de Santa Isabel (1951). Sello postal. Guinea Española.

Vicente D’Urosa, Día del sello. Porteadores (1961). Sello postal. Fernando Poo.

Teodoro Miciano, Conferencia Internacional de Africanistas Occidentales (1951). Sello postal. Guinea Española.

Teodoro Miciano, V Centenario de Isabel la Católica. Espíritu Santo e indígena (1951). Sello postal. Guinea Española.

Teodoro Miciano, Mujer con paloma (1953). Sello postal. Guinea Española

Germán Calvo, Tipos indígenas. Hombre con tam-tam (1953). Sello postal. Guinea Española.

Emilio Marín, Centenario de la Prefectura Apostólica de Fernando Poo, Annobón y Corisco. Bautismo (1955). Sello postal. Guinea Española.

Mariano Salamanca, Pro-infancia. Hombre indígena ante crucifijo (1961). Sello postal. Fernando Poo.

Vicente Vila, Proinfancia. Mujer indígena y bendición (1961). Sello postal. Fernando Poo.

Juan José de Castro, Niño indígena y misionero (1960). Sello postal. Río Muni.

Vicente D’Urosa, Pro-indígenas. Misionero (1958). Sello postal. Guinea Española.

Publisher

Fábrica Nacional de Moneda y Timbre [National Mint and Stamp Factory of Spain]

Museo Casa de la Moneda, Madrid (España)

Moriente, David, and Guillermo Navarro. "La Invención De Guinea Ecuatorial En La España De Franco: Una Visión De La Colonia a Través De Los Sellos De Correos." Bulletin of Spanish Visual Studies, vol. 6, no. 2, 2022, pp. 217-237

Date

1951-1961

Rights

Fábrica Nacional de Moneda y Timbre [National Mint and Stamp Factory of Spain]

Format

Physical Medium

Language

Spanish

Type

Stamp

Coverage

Equatorial Guinea

Original Format

Stamp