Description

— New stock added —

Soay 1965 Europa issue – the first stamps from the island – featuring six rouletted values (1d, 3d, 6d, 1s, 1s6d and 2s6d) depicting birds.

Though the black “Europa 1965” text appears to be an overprint, the stamps were never issued in their original form without the overprint.

U/M / Unmounted Mint / MNH / Mint Never Hinged.

About Soay

Located off the coast of Skye, in Scotland, the name Soay is derived from the Old Norse for "Sheep Island". 

Covering four square miles, this Soay - in the Inner Hebrides - is not to be confused with the much smaller island of the same name that is located within the St Kilda archipelago. 

Almost 50 different Soay stamps were produced between 1965 and 1967, almost all on a "Europa" theme. However, the stamps were reportedly issued without the permission of the island's owner, and seemingly served no postal function, though used examples bearing a Soay handstamp can be found.

They are therefore regarded as fantasy issues rather than genuine local stamps.