Macao

Macao, or Macau, is a coastal city in southeast China. It was a Portuguese colony until December 1999 when it became part of China. Its issues largely follow that of other Portuguese colonies during that period of control.  File:Macao 5r crown.jpg|1884 5 reis value File:Macao 5r on revenue.jpg|1887 5r provisional File:Macao Carlos embossed.jpg|1888 5r value File:Macao 25r Carlos typo.jpg|1894 25r value File:Macao diag Prov.jpg|1894 3a on 20r with diagonal PROVISORIO 
 * In 1884-85, crown keytypes were issued, in both perf 12½ and perf 13½. Reprints exist, forgeries are fairly common.
 * In !884 a small 80 reis surcharge in circle on 100r value was released.
 * Beginning in 1885, more surcharges of different types were issued.
 * In 1887, revenue stamps were surcharged for postal use in red, most with counterfoils removed.
 * In 1888, stamps with the embossed portrait of Luiz were released. In 1892, the 200r value was surcharged 30r in red. Be careful handling these stamps as the embossing can often split parts of the head from the stamp; soaking or hinge removal is not recommended.
 * In 1894, stamps with the portrait of Carlos in an oval frame were issued without gum except for the 20r that came with and without gum.
 * In 1894, old Luiz stamps were surcharged bilingually also with a diagonal PROVISORIO.

 File:Macao 1898 da Gama.jpg|1898 1a Vasco da Gama File:Macao Carlos 2r typo II.jpg|1898 2a value File:Macao 18a on 300r.jpg|1902 18a on 300r surcharge File:Macao 10a on 12a.jpg|1905 "10 AVOS" on 12a surcharge File:Macao 5a bisect.png|1911 5a on 10a diagonal bisect File:Macao 1a on 5r postal fiscal.jpg|1911 1a on 5r revenue 
 * In 1898, the Vasco da Gama colonial issue was released. The currency had been changed to avos in the meantime.
 * In 1898-1903, a new Carlos design was issued with circular frame, with denomination and "MACAO" in black or red. A number of values were issued without gum.
 * Beginning in 1900, surcharges in various styles were issued, with and without "PROVISORIO".
 * In 1910, postage dues were used provisionally as postage with "PORTEADO / A / RECEBER" lined out.
 * In 1911, Carlos definitives were overprinted with REPUBLICA (Lisbon print with flat topped "A").
 * In 1911, a 5r revenue stamp was surcharged 1a for postal use.
 * Also in 1911, 4a and 10a stamps were surcharged and diagonally bisected and sold thus. Intact pairs/whole stamps exist.
 * Again in 1911, 1a and 2a typeset stamps with number and countersignature were issued.


 * In 1913, Carlos definitives were overprinted with REPUBLICA (local print with pointed top to "A").
 * In 1913, old 1894 Carlos definitives were similarly overprinted.
 * Also in 1913, surcharges with just a numeral and three short bars were released.
 * The earlier Vasco da Gama issue was overprinted "REPUBLICA" and surcharged in new values.
 * Also in 1913, the last Carlos definitives were overprinted with a new style REPUBLICA with the "R" with notably longer serifs.
 * Again in 1913, several REPUBLICA overprints were surcharged.



 File:Macao 4a Ceres.jpg|1922 4a Ceres File:Macao 1p allegory.jpg|1934 1p value File:Macao first air.jpg|1936 7a airmail File:Macao 2p Abuquerque.jpg|1938 2p empire File:Macao 30a allegory 1942.jpg|1942 30a allegory 
 * In 1913, the colonial Ceres keytype was issued on chalky paper (some on glazed paper), perf 15x14.
 * In 1919, some values were issued on ordinary paper.
 * In 1922-24, the Ceres design was issued perf 12x11½.
 * In 1915, surcharges on Luiz and first Carlos stamps were also overprinted "REPUBLICA".
 * In 1919-20, four surcharges were issued on REPUBLICA overprints or the then-current 5a Ceres.
 * In 1931-33, Ceres stamps were surcharged with new values and lines over the old values.
 * In 1934, the allegorical "Portugal" design was released.
 * In 1942, it would be reissued on thin rough paper resulting in rough perfs.
 * In 1936, six allegory stamps were overprinted or surcharged with Avião and strings of Greek characters for use as airmails.
 * In 1936, the Imperial omnibus designs including airmails were issued.
 * In 1941, surcharges on the allegorical design were issued. A 3a on 6a Imperial surcharge was also issued; this has been forged.

 File:Macao 8a bay view.jpg|1948 8a bay view File:Macao map.jpg|1956 1.50p map File:Macao year of dragon.png|1988 2.50p Year of the Dragon File:Macao special area.jpg|1999 1p Special Administrative Region 
 * In 1948, photogravure definitives with various views were released.
 * Eight values were issued in new colors in 1950-51.
 * In 1949, the Lady of Fatima issue was released, continuing the colonial omnibus issues.
 * In 1951, a dragon design on thin ungummed paper were issued.
 * 1953 saw the release of the flowers series.
 * In 1956, the map issue was released.
 * In 1960, an airmail set was released with designs of an airplane over various parts of Maco. All have a dull gold frame and are inscribed "CORREIO AÉREO" in tiny letters.
 * In 1999, Macao became part of the People's Republic of China. Stamps were thereafter inscribed "MACAU, CHINA". Currency remained the pataca.