Azores
Status: Autonomous Region of Portugal
Location: Archipelago in Atlantic Ocean
Area: 906 square miles
Population: 246,746 (2011)
Currency: 1 Euro = 100 cents. 1€ = $1.35 (2014)
Overprint on Portugal
stamp, 1871–75, Azores
Scott 25; overprint type B.
(Courtesy Mercer Bristow,
APS Reference Collection.)
The Azores is an archipelago of nine volcanic islands about
850 miles west of Lisbon in the North Atlantic. Located near
the juncture of three major tectonic plates, the Azores form
part of a chain of undersea mountains that runs from Iceland
to St. Helena and beyond. Most of the islands experience frequent seismic activity. The Azores fall into three distinct groupings, Eastern (São Miguel and Santa Maria Islands), Central
(Terceira, Gracioso, São Jorge, Pico, and Faial), and Western
(Flores and Corvo).
While it is not clear who discovered the islands or when,
seven of the islands appear on a European atlas from 1351. But
it was the great “Age of Discovery” that brought the first reKing Carlos of Portugal
corded landfall in 1427 and, a decade later, Henry the NavigaVasco da Gama issue, 1898, Azores
issue with overprint, 1906,
Scott 95. (Courtesy Mercer Bristow,
tor ordered them settled. The islands played an important role
Azores Scott 103. (Courtesy
APS Reference Collection.)
Mercer Bristow, APS
in protecting and supporting the vital sea lanes from Portugal
Reference Collection.)
to the Cape and the Indies as well as Brazil and the Americas.
To the Portuguese, the Azores are a part of Portugal rather
than a colony. In the postal reform of October 27,
1852 — which led to the adoption of postage stamps — three
of Portugal’s 216 post offices were in the Azores, in the administrative centers of Angra do Heroismo, Horta, and Ponta
Delgado. Portuguese stamps were introduced July 1, 1853.
On January 1, 1868, because of a 25 percent differential in the
value of the currency, Portuguese stamps were overprinted
specifically for the Azores.
On June 1, 1892, Portugal replaced the general Azores issues with stamps inscribed for the three local administrative districts of Angra (for use in Gracioso, São
Jorge, and Terceira), Horta (for Corvo, Faial, Flores,
Pico) and Ponta Delgado (for São Miquel and Santa
Europa: Man in Envelope Rowboat, 2008,
Maria). Although Azores stamps were discontinued
Azores Scott 511. (Courtesy Mercer Bristow, APS
under the new arrangement, extended commemoraReference Collection.)
tive sets inscribed Azores were issued in 1894, 1895,
and 1898. Most of the commemorative stamps actually were sold in
Portugal for the philatelic market.
On July 19, 1905 the Portuguese
Portugal Newspaper stamp
government authorized a return
with overprint, 1876, Azores
of general Azores issues, and the
Scott P1. (Courtesy Mercer
following year Azores stamps reBristow, APS Reference
placed those of the three adminCollection.)
King Carlos with overprint,
1897, Ponta Delgada Scott
24.
King Carlos with overprint,
1897, Angra Scott 27.
King Carlos with overprint,
1892, Horta Scott 2.
Right: Portugal Scott 516
on cover mailed in Horta.
Ceres issue of Portugal
with overprint 1913,
Azores Scott 168.
istrative districts. In mid-1931
Azores stamps were in turn superseded by those
of Portugal, although all Azores issues after 1912
remained valid for postage until October 1, 1945.
On July 1, 1976, the islands became an autonomous region of Portugal, and in 1980 Azores
stamps issues resumed. Since then the stamps of
Portugal and Azores, as well as those of Madeira, have been sold in all three jurisdictions and
are valid interchangeably for postage. However,
postal clerks seem to favor Portuguese stamps in
all three jurisdictions.
Europa: Stories and Legends Type of Portugal,
1997. Azores Scott 446: Man on ship from
“Legend of the Island of Seven Cities.”
World Tourism Conference, Manila, 1980, Azores
Scott 320: Map of Azores.
Tiles used in Religious Architecture booklet, 1994, Azores Scott 425b.
Postal tax stamp
with “ASSISTENCIA”
overprint, 1911–13.
Azores Scott R2.