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Nauru
 
The island of Nauru is located in the Pacific Ocean to the west of the Gilbert Islands, and is another phosphate heavy island in the pacific region, the island was discovered by John Fearn, Captain of the Hunter in 1898, it was originally named Pleasant Island and was known by this name until annexed by Germany in 1888, in 1914 during WWI the island was occupied by Australian forces, then in 1920 it fell under a League of Nations mandate held by Great Britain, Australia & New Zealand.  In 1942 during WWII, the island was occupied by the Japanese, then three years later Australian forces re-occupied the island, in 1947 it was placed under United Nations trusteeship under the same three countries but administered by Australia, the island achieved full independence as a republic on 1 January, 1968.
German stamps were used in Nauru until 1897, then the stamps of the Marshall Islands until 1914, overprinted stamps were used, both British overprinted with the word Nauru & captured Marshall-Inselin (Marshall Island) overprinted G. R. I. & the value (G.R.I. is an abbreviation for George Rex Imperator or King George V), this last type was also used in New Guinea from 1914, also used from 1914 to 1916 were British stamps overprinted N.W. Pacific Islands, so for the purpose of this catalogue I will start listings from 1916.
 
Stamps of Great Britain
Overprinted 'Nauru'
Part 1
First Issued in G.B. in 1912, Watermark: Royal Cypher
These stamps were the normal issue in Great Britain from 1912, the background is lined, here the majority of these issues were overprinted 'Nauru,' and issued, the dedicated 'Nauru' stamps were not produced and released until 1924, these stamps also had a great many colour variations and overprint variations or errors.
Issued 2 September, 1916 with perforation 15 x 14
 
1-1-1N ½ᵈ Light Green, King George V;
1-2-1N 1ᵈ Red, King George V;
1-3-1N 1½ᵈ Brown, King George V;
1-4-1N 2ᵈ Orange, King George V (Die I);
1-5-1N 2½ᵈ Blue, King George V;
1-6-1N 3ᵈ Violet, King George V;
1-7-1N 4ᵈ Green, King George V;
1-8-1N 5ᵈ Brown, King George V;
1-9-1N 6ᵈ Purple, King George V;
1-10-1N 9ᵈ Black, King George V;
1-11-1N 1/- or 1s Brown, King George V

2-1-1N 2/6 or 2s 6ᵈ Light Brown, King George V;
2-1-2N 2/6 0r 2s 6ᵈ Brown, King George V,
2-2-1N 5/- or 5s Red, King George V;
2-3-1N 10/- or 10s Blue, King George V
 
Stamps of Great Britain
Overprinted 'Nauru'
Part 2
First Issued in G.B. in 1912, Watermark: Royal Cypher
These stamps were the normal issue in Great Britain from 1912, the background is lined, here the majority of these issues were overprinted 'Nauru,' and issued, the dedicated 'Nauru' stamps were not produced and released until 1924, these stamps also had a great many colour variations and overprint variations or errors.
Issued during 1919 with perforation 15 x 14
 
2-1-1N 2/6 or 2s 6ᵈ Dark Brown, King George V;
2-2-1N 2/6 or 2s 6ᵈ Pale Brown, King George V

Stamps of Great Britain
Overprinted 'Nauru'
Part 3
First Issued in G.B. in 1912, Watermark: Royal Cypher
These stamps were the normal issue in Great Britain from 1912, the background is lined, here the majority of these issues were overprinted 'Nauru,' and issued, the dedicated 'Nauru' stamps were not produced and released until 1924, these stamps also had a great many colour variations and overprint variations or errors.
Issued during 1923 with perforation 15 x 14
 
1-1-1N ½ᵈ Green, King George V;
1-2-1N 1ᵈ Bright Red, King George V;
1-3-1N 1½ᵈ Red Brown, King George V;
1-4-1N 2ᵈ Orange, King George V (Die II)

S.S. Century
Definitive Series
Part 1
Designer: R. A. Harrison - Engraver: T.S. Harrison - Printer: Recess Note Printing Branch of the Treasury Melbourne
This is the first dedicated Nauru issue, the ½ᵈ stamp was released with 11 and 14 perforation, all the remainder were released with 11 perforation, the image depicts the S.S. Century.  This issue was on rough grey tinted paper.
Issued between 1924 with perforation 11
 
3-1-1N ½ᵈ Brown, S.S. Century;
3-2-1N 1ᵈ Green, S.S. Century;
3-3-1N 1½ᵈ Red, S.S. Century;
3-4-1N 2ᵈ Orange, S.S. Century;
3-5-1N 2½ᵈ Blue, S.S. Century;
3-6-1N 3ᵈ Blue, S.S. Century;
3-7-1N 4ᵈ Green, S.S. Century;
3-8-1N 5ᵈ Brown, S.S. Century;
3-9-1N 6ᵈ Violet, S.S. Century;
3-10-1N 9ᵈ Brown, S.S. Century;
3-11-1N 1/- Red, S.S. Century;
3-12-1N 2/6 Green, S.S. Century;
3-13-1N 5/- Claret, S.S. Century;
3-14-1N 10/- Yellow, S.S. Century
 
S.S. Century
Definitive Series
Part 2
Designer: R. A. Harrison - Engraver: T.S. Harrison - Printer: the Commonwealth Bank of Australia
This is the second Nauru issue, only the 2½ᵈ stamp was in this issue, the image depicts the S.S. Century.  This issue was on rough grey tinted paper.
Issued between 1934 with perforation 11
 
3-5-2N 2½ᵈ Green Blue, S.S. Century
 
25th Anniversary of the Reign of King George V
Designer: R. A. Harrison - Engraver: T.S. Harrison - Printer: the Commonwealth Bank of Australia
This issue of three stamps have been taken from the above issue and overprinted 'His Majesty's Jubilee 1910 - 1935.'
Issued 12 July, 1935 with perforation 11
 
3-3-2N 1½ᵈ Red, S.S. Century, overprinted 'His Majesty's Jubilee 1910 - 1935.';
3-4-2N 2ᵈ Orange, S.S. Century, overprinted 'His Majesty's Jubilee 1910 - 1935.';
3-5-3N 2½ᵈ Blue, S.S. Century, overprinted 'His Majesty's Jubilee 1910 - 1935.';
3-11-2N 1/- Red, S.S. Century, overprinted 'His Majesty's Jubilee 1910 - 1935.'
 
S.S. Century
Definitive Series
Part 3
Designer: R. A. Harrison - Engraver: T.S. Harrison - Printer: the Commonwealth Bank of Australia
This is the first dedicated Nauru issue, the ½ᵈ stamp was released with 11 and 14 perforation, all the remainder were released with 11 perforation, the image depicts the S.S. Century.  This issue was on bright surfaced white paper.
Issued between 1937 with perforation 11
 
3-1-2N ½ᵈ Brown, S.S. Century;
3-2-2N 1ᵈ Green, S.S. Century;
3-3-3N 1½ᵈ Red, S.S. Century;
3-4-3N 2ᵈ Orange, S.S. Century;
3-7-2N 4ᵈ Green, S.S. Century;
3-8-2N 5ᵈ Brown, S.S. Century;
3-9-2N 6ᵈ Violet, S.S. Century;
3-10-2N 9ᵈ Brown, S.S. Century;
3-11-3N 1/- Red, S.S. Century;
3-12-2N 2/6 Green, S.S. Century;
3-13-2N 5/- Claret, S.S. Century;
3-14-2N 10/- Yellow, S.S. Century
 
Coronation of King George VI
Printer: Recess John Ash
This stamp commemorates the coronation of his majesty King George VI.
Issued 10 May, 1937 with perforation 11
 
4-1-1 1½ᵈ Red King George VI;
4-2-1 2ᵈ Orange, King George VI;
4-3-1 2½ᵈ Blue, King George VI;
4-4-1 1/- Purple, King George VI
 
On the 26 August, 1942 Japanese forces invaded Nauru, almost all inhabitants were removed to Truk in the Caroline islands, the Australian army took back Nauru on 13 September, 1945.  After a period without any stamps, Australian issues were then made available during October, 1945, those deported did not return until 1946.
 
S.S. Century
Definitive Series
Part 4
Designer: R. A. Harrison - Engraver: T.S. Harrison - Printer: the Commonwealth Bank of Australia
This is the first dedicated Nauru issue, the ½ᵈ stamp below was released with 14 perforation, all the 3ᵈ stamp were released with 11 perforation, the image depicts the S.S. Century.  This issue was on bright surfaced white paper.
Issued between 1947 with perforation as below
 
3-1-3N ½ᵈ Brown, S.S. Century, perforation 14;
3-6-2N 3ᵈ Blue, S.S. Century, perforation 11

S.S. Century
Definitive Series
Part 5
Designer: R. A. Harrison - Engraver: T.S. Harrison - Printer: the Commonwealth Bank of Australia
This is the first dedicated Nauru issue, the ½ᵈ stamp was released with 11 and 14 perforation, all the remainder were released with 11 perforation, the image depicts the S.S. Century.  This issue was on bright surfaced white paper.
Issued between 1948 with perforation 11
 
3-4-4N 2ᵈ Dull Blue, S.S. Century
 
Pictorial Definitive Series
Part 1
I have no details as to designer or engraver - Printing: Recess Note Printing Branch, Melbourne
This series is very diverse, ½ᵈ Violet, Nauruan Net Fishing; 1d Green, Anibare Bay; 3½ᵈ Red, Loading Phosphate aboard the freighter Trienza, built in 1938, owned by the British Phosphate Co.; 4ᵈ Light Blue, Frigate Bird,; 6ᵈ Orange Nauruan Canoe; 9ᵈ Claret, Domaneab or Meeting House; 1/- Purple Palm Trees; 2/6 Green, Buada Lagoon; 5/- Magenta, Map of Nauru.
Issued 6 February, 1954 with perforation as below
 
5-1-1N ½ᵈ Dark Violet, Nauruan Net Fishing, perforation 14½ x 13½;
6-1-1N 1ᵈ Green, Anibare Bay, perforation 13½ x 14½;
7-1-1N 3½ᵈ Red, Loading Phosphate, perforation 14½ x 13½;
8-1-1N 4ᵈ Light Blue, Frigate Bird, perforation 14½ x 13½;
9-1-1N 6ᵈ Orange, Nauruan Canoe, perforation 14½ x 13½
 
10-1-1N 9ᵈ Claret, Domaneab (Meeting House), perforation 14½ x 13½;
11-1-1N 1/- Purple, Palm Trees, perforation 13½ x 14½;
12-1-1N 2/6 Green, Buada Lagoon, perforation 14½ x 13½;
13-1-1N 5/- Magenta, Map of Nauru, perforation 13½ x 14½
 
Pictorial Definitive Series
Part 2
I have no details as to designer or engraver - Printing: Recess Note Printing Branch, Melbourne
This series is very diverse, this part only features two stamps from the series, the 3½ᵈ Vermilion, Loading Phosphate aboard the freighter Trienza, built in 1938, owned by the British Phosphate Co.; and the 4ᵈ Blue, Frigate Bird.
Issued during 1958 with perforation 14½ x 13½
 
7-1-2N 3½ᵈ Vermilion, Loading Phosphate;
8-1-2N 4ᵈ Blue, Frigate Bird
 
Pictorial Definitive Series
Part 3
I have no details as to designer or engraver - Printing: Recess Note Printing Branch, Melbourne
This series is very diverse, this part once again only features two stamps from the series, the ½ᵈ Violet, Nauruan Net Fishing, and the 1ᵈ Emerald Green, Anibare Bay.
Issued 8 May 1961 with perforation as below
 
5-1-2N ½ᵈ Violet, Nauruan Net Fishing, perforation 14½ x 13½
6-1-2N 1ᵈ Emerald Green, Anibare Bay, perforation 13½ x 14½
 
Pre-Decimal Definitive Series
Part 1
I have no details as to designer, engraver or printer
This series comprises eight stamps, released in four parts, of note are the poison Nut Flower (Cerbera Maghas), it is native to Polynesia, New Guinea and Indonesia, and is known as Rewa in Fiji; and the Iyo (Calophyllum), this large evergreen tree has many names, Tamanu, Mastwood, Beach Calophyllum, Beautyleaf or Sinhala to name just a few; but looking at these two stamps and at the flower of each listed online, they have been confused I think, with each being labelled wrongly as the other.
Issued 22 April, 1963 with perforation 13½ x 13
 
14-1-1N 5ᵈ "Iyo" (Calophyllum)
 
Pre-Decimal Definitive Series
Part 2
I have no details as to designer, engraver or printer
This series comprises eight stamps, the Black Lizard is a member of the Skink family.
Issued 1 July, 1963 with perforation 13 x 13½
 
15-1-1N 8ᵈ Black Lizard
 
Pre-Decimal Definitive Series
Part 3
I have no details as to designer, engraver or printer
This series comprises eight stamps , of note are the poison Nut Flower (Cerbera Maghas), it is native to Polynesia, New Guinea and Indonesia, and is known as Rewa in Fiji; and the Iyo (Calophyllum) this large evergreen tree has many names, Tamanu, Mastwood, Beach Calophyllum, Beautyleaf or Sinhala to name just a few; looking at these two stamps and at the flower of each listed they have been confused I think, with each being labelled wrong; the Capparis (Ekabobwiya) blooms at night; and rough pitted coral limestone form the Coral Pinnacles at Anibare Bay.
Issued 16 April, 1964 with perforation as below
 
16-1-1N 3ᵈ Poison Nut Flower, perforation 13½;
17-1-1N 10ᵈ Capparis Flower, perforation 14 x 13½;
18-1-1N 2/3 Coral Pinnacles, perforation 13½
 
Pictorial Definitive Series
Part 4
I have no details as to designer or engraver - Printing: Recess Note Printing Branch, Melbourne
This series is very diverse, this part only features the ½ᵈ Deep Green, Nauruan Net Fishing, this stamp had been issued three times.
Issued during 1965 with perforation 14½ x 13½

5-1-3N ½ᵈ Deep Green, Nauruan Net Fishing
 
50th Anniversary of Anzac
Designer: C. Andrew - Printer: Unknown at this time
This same stamp was produced in Australia for Australian issues of three different values, but not exactly the same as here it was only released in one value, and the lettering is different along with the colour scheme.
Issued 14 April, 1965 with perforation 13½
 
19-1-1N 5ᵈ Green, Simpson and his Donkey
 
Pre-Decimal Definitive Series
Part 4
I have no details as to designer, engraver or printer
This series comprises eight stamps, three of which are listed below, the Micronesian Pigeon, the White Tern and Finsch's Reed Warbler.
Issued 3 May, 1965 with perforation as below
 
20-1-1N 2ᵈ Micronesian Pigeon, perforation 13½
21-1-1N 1/3 White Tern, perforation 15 x 14½
22-1-1N 3/3 Finsch's Reed Warbler, perforation 13½
 
With the introduction of decimal currency everything changed in Australia, so in turn in Nauru, the 1966 Decimal definitive series below were the last issues by Nauru as a governed nation under Australia, they achieved full independence in 1968.
 
1966 Decimal Definitive Series