Laos began using its own stamps in 1951. Prior to that they used French
Indochina stamps. Through that time the name on the stamps initially
began with Union Francaise Royaume du Laos and several years
later in 1958 Royaume du Laos had begun appearing on the stamps. Notably,
1976, a year after the establishment of the republic Lao stamps
were issued with the title of Lao People's Democratic Republic
or as it stands now in short form on the stamps, Lao PDR.
Through all
the political changes and events from 1947 through to the 1950s,
Laos (called Kingdom of Laos at the time), eventually produced its
first set of stamps on November 13 1951 featuring images of Lao
scenery, beauty and people.
Some wonderful
things about Lao stamps are the artistry and the fact that all the
stamps reflect occurrences in Laos itself. For example when King
Sisavang Vong died special commeration stamps were produced. Later
on, when another king abdicated and the Pathet Lao took over in
1975, the stamps reflected those events as well - each government
ensured that events were showcased and in some sense preserved for
posterity in the images of the stamps.
In another
example, when there was dreadful flooding in 1966 new sets were
created the following year. Money generated went to relief efforts.
And what was depicted in those stamps? The events of the floods
and the devastation, no less.
