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GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN

By John Moody
For those of you who have read John Moody’s Indo-China article
in the September issue of GSM, you may remember he left the
five former French colonies of South East Asia recovering from
the Japanese occupation and being re-admitted to French
administration. This month he looks at what happened next to
one of these countries – Cambodia.

Although the Japanese acknowledged

King Norodom Sihanouk as titular
ruler of Cambodia when they invaded
and occupied the Cambodian area of
Indo-China – they even issued a stamp in
honour of his coronation in 1941 – they
and their French Vichy Government
collaborators administered the country.
After the surrender of Japan and the
Allied freeing of France from under
German occupation in 1944–1945,
the King of Cambodia proclaimed
independence on 12 March 1945. As it
happened, this was not really achieved
Fig 1 The 40c. showing the Hindi spirit Apsara Fig 2 The 5p.10
until 1955. and the 80c. value depicting King Sihanouk value from the 1953
Cambodia became an Associated State from the first stamp set of the Kingdom airmail set depicting
of the French Union on 8 November of Cambodia issued on 3 November 1951 a mythical kinnari
1949 and on 9 November 1953 achieved
sovereign independence. With the
transfer of military powers, it left the
French Union on 25 September 1955.
Thus, the Kingdom of Cambodia was
philatelically born. Fig 3 The 4p. value from the
1954 Postal Transport issue
Kingdom
of Cambodia 1955–70
In philatelic terms, the Kingdom
of Cambodia was recognised from 1951
when King Sihanouk issued his first
stamps on 3 November. This was a set Fig 4 A set of ten definitives, in the new cents and riel
of 17 definitives sharing three different currency, depicting King Norodom Suramarit and Queen
Sisowath Kossamak was issued on 24 November 1955
designs: himself, of course; the Throne
Room in Phnom Penh; and Apsara, a
celestial nymph in the Buddhist religion
known for her accomplishments in – a part human, part bird creature that watched over the well-being of humans in times
the arts of dancing, music and beauty of trouble (22/30) (Fig 2). In addition, there was also a miniature sheet (MS30a).
(1/17). In addition, three miniature There was not another issue of stamps until 24 September 1954 when a set of 20
sheets (MS17a) were issued along with definitives replaced the original 1951 set. The stamps shared several different designs:
a souvenir cover. All the stamps were the arms of Cambodia; a design featuring postal transport in the form of an aircraft
inscribed ‘ROYAUME DU CAMBODGE’ and an elephant (Fig 3); a view of Phnom Daun Penh; and the East Gate of the Temple
in French and the same in Khmer, of Angkor (31/50). This set also included miniature sheets containing the sheet stamps
which is the most spoken language (MS50a).
in Cambodia (Fig 1).
Four of the first issues were reissued Royal reshuffles
on 20 October 1952, surcharged in aid A strange thing happened on 2 March 1955. Only a few months before total
of the Students’ Aid Fund (18/21). independence, the King abdicated in favour of his father and became President of the
It was not until 16 April 1953 Council of Ministers and subsequently the future Prime Minister, Foreign Minister, and
that Cambodia issued its first set of Permanent Representative to the United Nations. Remember this!
airmail stamps. This was a set of nine, all His father took the throne as King Norodom Suramarit with his wife, Sisowath
of the same design, depicting a kinnari Kossamak, as queen.

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The new king’s first set of stamps
was issued on 24 November 1955,
which both celebrated the new reign
and the new currency adopted by the
country – changing from cents and
piastres to cents and riel. There are ten
definitives in the set, all of the same
design, featuring either a picture of Fig 5 Five stamps of the same
the new king or queen (51/60) (Fig 4). design were issued alongside
the 1955 definitives to
Also issued on the same day was a set of commemorate the coronation
five commemoratives celebrating the of the new king and queen Fig 6 A second coronation issue
coronation of the new king and queen. comprising six values in two
All the stamps share the same design designs was issued 3 March 1956
of the king and queen (61/65) (Fig 5).
A second coronation issue was issued
on 3 March 1956. This was a set of six Fig 7 The 6r.50+1r.50
commemoratives in two designs – a surcharged stamp
issued from March
portrait of the king on the throne or the
1957 marking the
queen on hers (66/71) (Fig 6). 2500th anniversary Fig 8 The same set
Two anniversaries were celebrated of Buddhism was reissued with
two weeks from each other in 1957 colour changes and
but years between them in time. without the surcharge
in May 1957
The first, on 1 March, was a set of
three commemoratives marking the
first anniversary of the admission
of Cambodia to the United Nations
(72/74). The stamps shared the same
design of flags and a globe, together
with a picture of Sihanouk, the former
king, now a prince! The second set, Fig 9 The 1957 100r. airmail stamp
issued on 15 March, marked the
2500th anniversary of Buddhism.
This set consisted of three surcharged
stamps, all of the same design showing Fig 10 The top value from the 1958 issue marking the
a Buddhist Temple (75/77) (Fig 7). The 110th anniversary of the coronation of King Ang Duong
stamps were re-issued on 12 May with
the colours changed and no surcharges
(78/80) (Fig 8).
The last set of postage stamps issue
during 1957 was a set of five airmails, all
sharing one design of a mythical bird
(81/85) (Fig 9). In addition, a miniature Fig 11 The fifth anniversary of the coronation of King
sheet containing all the stamps was also Norodom Suramarit was commemorated on 3 November
issued (MS85a). 1958 with a set of three values all of the same design
A set of three commemoratives
was issued on 4 March 1958 to
commemorate the 110th anniversary of
the coronation of King Ang Duong. He
was credited as the first of the ‘modern’
kings who set the Kingdom back on a Fig 12 The 20r. value from the 1960 set
strong base after several centuries of commemorating the inauguration of Port
royal dissent and decline. The stamps all Sihanoukville, Cambodia’s only deep water port
share the same design of a bust of the
king (86/88) (Fig 10). In addition, there
is also a miniature sheet containing the
three values (MS88a). commemorating Children’s World Friendship, featuring a design of three children
Another set of royal commemoratives framed by a wreath (92/94). The second was the same set of three but on this occasion
was issued on 3 November 1958 to mark surcharged in aid of the Red Cross (95/97).
the fifth anniversary of the crowning of The year 1960 proved to be a more interesting year for collectors and those
King Norodom Suramarit. The stamps interested in the Cambodian royalty. The first issue, on 2 April, comprised three
show a portrait of the king (Fig 11). stamps celebrating the inauguration of Port Sihanoukville, the country’s only deep
Again, there were three stamps and water port. It is situated in the Bay of Kampong Somin Bay of the Gulf of Thailand in
a miniature sheet in the set (89/91), south-west Cambodia. The stamps are all of the same design featuring a picture of the
MS91a). ex-king, now Head of State, Prince Sihanouk, a ship and map of the port (98/100).
There were only two sets of Collectors should look at this set very carefully because several thousand of the two
stamps issued during 1959, both on lowest values were issued with the incorrect Cambodian figures of value in the lower
9 December. The first was a set of three left-hand corner prior until the receipt of corrected stamps (Fig 12).

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The next issue, on 30 April, was a

mourning set of two for the death of King
Norodom Suramarit. These stamps were
reprints of the 1955 issue celebrating his
accession to the throne but now framed
with a black border (101/02).
So what happened next? The answer is
that Prince Norodom Sihanouk refused
to resume the crown but chose to remain
Head of State, while his mother, Queen
Kossamak, was left symbolising the throne
but had no regal administration authority.
Fig 13 The 1960 issue Fig 14 The three stamps of the 1961 flowers set
Princely power 1960–70 depicting the Royal
Ploughing Ceremony
The first stamps issued by the Head of
issued under the rule
State, the prince, was on 30 April 1960 of Prince Sihanouk
when a set of three commemorated the as Head of State Fig 15 The 50r. airmail stamp
Royal Ploughing Ceremony. The ceremony from the 1961 Independence
(Preah Reach Pithi Chrot Preah Nongkoal in Monument issue
the Khmer language) is traditionally
performed in early May every year to
honour and celebrate the start of the wet
season. The king, or another high ranking Fig 16 The 1953 4p.50 was
person, will plough a furrow with either overprinted in 1961 to mark the
one or two oxen pulling a sacred plough. Sixth World Buddhist Conference
The oxen then have various food options
laid out for them and whichever they eat
is said to determine the outcome of the
Fig 17 The 4r. (textile factory)
farming season. If they eat rice or grain stamp from the 1962 Foreign
it indicates a successful harvest; if they Aid Programme issue
drink water it indicates rain; grass indicates
agricultural devastation; and wine or spirits
indicates drought. There are three stamps
in the set, all of the same design featuring
the sacred plough and oxen in a precession
(103/05) (Fig 13). Fig 18 The 6r. value from the
The stamps issued over the next ten Cambodian fruit issue released
years reflect those of similar independent 7 April 1962
countries as they all established in
their own ways in an ever-changing
world. Cambodia’s stamps reflect many
aspects of its culture and industry
promoted with a good many sets supported Fig 19 The pineapple stamp from the second
by miniature sheets. Cambodian fruit set issued 3 September 1962
The first of such sets was issued on
1 September to promote the ‘Works of the
Five Year Plan’, and comprised six stamps
and two miniature sheets. The designs on of four and a miniature sheet. The stamps all carry the same design of the Buddhist deity
the stamps reflect, education, irrigation, Rama (118/20, MS120a).
construction, agriculture the national The prince made another appearance on a stamp on 9 November. He is shown next to
balance sheet and child welfare. (106/11, the Independence Monument in a set of five stamps and two miniature sheets (121/25,
MS11a). MS125a). The first two of the set were postage stamps and the other three airmail
The last set issued in 1960, was released stamps (Fig 15).
on 24 December and celebrated ‘peace’ A stamp previously issued in 1953 was reissued on 12 November to celebrate the Sixth
with four stamps and two miniature sheets World Buddhist Conference. The stamp was overprinted in French, ‘VIe CONFERENCE /
(112/14, MS114a/ 114b). The stamps MODIALE BOUDDHIQUE / 12 -11-1961’ (126/27) (Fig 16).
feature a design of the Cambodian flag and By 1962 Cambodia was in a position to accept foreign aid, which was celebrated with a
the dove of peace. set of five stamps and a miniature sheet showing different examples of facilities resulting
In 1961 three sets were issued, the from the aid: a power station (Czech aid); a motorway (American aid); a textile factory
first being released on 1 July and (Chinese aid) (Fig 17); a hospital (Soviet aid); and Phnom Pen Airport (French aid)
featuring Cambodian flowers. There are (128/32 MS132a).
three stamps in the set and one miniature There were another five sets issued during the year. On 7 April a set of three drew
sheet (115/17, MS117a). The flowers attention to Malaria eradication (133/35). On 4 June, Cambodian fruit came under the
featured are Frangipani, Oleander and spotlight with three stamps and a miniature sheet (136/38, MS138a). Although familiar
Amaryllis (Fig 14). with Lychees, I was introduced to Curcumas and Mangosteens (Fig 18). On 3 September
Cambodian soldiers were more familiar fruit to me were illustrated on another three stamps, pineapples (Fig 19),
commemorated on 1 November with a set sugar cane and bread fruit trees (139/41).

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One of the 1959 Children’s World Fig 20 A set of three stamps of the
Friendship stamps was reissued on same design was issued on 15 June
6 November surcharged in aid of the 1963 to mark the return of the Temple
of Preah Vihear to Cambodia
same fund (142). The inauguration of the
Independence Monument was marked
with a reprint of two stamps from the 1961
stamp issue, one postage stamp and an
airmail were overprinted (143/44). Fig 21 The 2r.50 value from the 1955
The worldwide Freedom from Hunger definitive set was surcharged and
released on 1 July 1963 to meet a
campaign was embraced by Cambodia on
shortage of 3r. stamps
21 March 1963 with the issue of two stamps
featuring the campaign’s emblem and
heaps of wheat and maize (145/46).

The Preah Vihear case

The reunification of Preah Vihear to
Cambodia was celebrated with a set of three
stamps all featuring the same design of the
Temple of Preah Vihear. The stamps were
issued on 15 June 1963 (147/49) (Fig 20).
The area of Preah Vihear and its temple
was the subject of a lengthy dispute
between Cambodia and Thailand over
the ownership of the land and temple,
which Thailand had occupied since 1954.
In 1962 the dispute was brought before
the International Court of Justice in The
Hague, which ruled that the land was
within the borders of Cambodia and
Thailand was ordered to return the area.
The Thais handed over the temple but the
question of the surrounding land rumbled
on for several years.
A surcharged stamp from the 1955
definitive set was issued on 1 July 1963, due
to a shortage of 3r. stamps (150). The stamp
overprinted was the 2r.50 (55) (Fig 21).
Today, modern Cambodia is a well-
known holiday destination and the early
evidence of this was promoted on 1
August 1963 with the issue of three stamps
featuring three different venues: Kep sur
Mer, also known as the ‘The St Tropez of
Southeast Asia’; Koh Tonsay; and Popokvil
(151/53) (Fig 22).
Two stamps of the 1962 Malaria
Eradication set were overprinted and
surcharged in aid of the Red Cross on
1 October 1963 (154/55).
The last stamps issued during 1963
were a set of three commemorating the
15th anniversary of the Declaration of
Human Rights (156/58). The stamps carry
the design of a globe and the scales of
justice.
A good year for collectors
Collectors were treated to another good
year in 1964 with six sets ranging over a
wide spectrum of subjects. The first, on
2 March, highlighted the plight of rare
species of animals, with a kouprey as the
main illustration of the stamps’ design
(159/61). What, may you ask, is a kouprey?
The kouprey (Bos sauveli), more commonly
known as the forest ox, is a possibly extinct
species of forest-dwelling wild bovine
The area of Preah Vihear and its temple
was the subject of a lengthy dispute
between Cambodia and Thailand over the
ownership of the land and temple, which
Thailand had occupied since 1954
Fig 22 The 20r. value showing Kep sur Mer
from the 1963 Cambodian Resorts issue
Fig 23 A kouprey was
shown on a three-
stamp set issued in
1964 highlighting Wild
Animal Protection
Fig 24 The river
kingfisher stamp from
the 1964 birds issue
Fig 25 Three stamps of the
same design were issued on 15
October 1964 to mark the eighth
anniversary of the founding of
the Royal Airline of Cambodia
native to the South East Asia. It is reported that the kouprey has not been seen since 1970
and as a consequence it has been listed as critically endangered and possibly extinct, on
the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List since 1996 (Fig 23).
On the subject of wildlife, the next set of the year, issued on 2 May, features three
different birds, the black-billed magpie, the river kingfisher (Fig 24) and the grey heron
(162/63).
Another set of airmail stamps was issued on 1 September featuring Hanuman in the
stamps’ design. Hanuman is an Hindu god, a devotee of Rama (165/69).
The same stamps were re-issued on 10 October with different denominations and
overprinted with a surcharge in aid of the Tokyo Olympic Games (170/73).
The eighth anniversary of the founding of the Royal Airline of Cambodia was
celebrated by the issue of a set of three stamps. The stamps all have the same design
depicting the airline’s emblem (174/76) (Fig 25).

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The last set of the year holds a clue to

the future, but probably not recognised Fig 26 A set of three stamps was issued
31 October 1964 to commemorate the
by the majority. This was a set of three
tenth anniversary of the foundation of
commemorating the tenth anniversary Sangkum, the People’s Socialist Party
of the foundation of Sangkum; Sangkum
means People’s Socialist Party or
Fig 27 The Sangkum issue was
Community. The word ‘socialist’ is overprinted and released on 1 May
important here. The founder of the 1965 to promote the Indo-Chinese
party was King Norodom Sihanouk, People’s Conference
now prince and much else! The stamps
feature a formal picture of the prince
(177/79) (Fig 26).
The postage stamps of the last
five philatelic years of the Kingdom
of Cambodia, mainly in sets of three
stamps, reflect both the political system of
the time and the support of international
bodies. The first set of 1965 was issued 1
February and celebrated native handicrafts:
weaving, engraving and basket weaving
(180/82). The second, issued 1 March,
was more political, promoting the Indo-
Chinese People’s Conference. These
were overprints on the previous set with Fig 28 The coconut palms design from
the 1965 industrial plants issue Fig 29 The 12r. value from the Cambodian
the overprint in French: ‘CONFERENCE
Temples set, issued 1 February 1966, depicting
/ DES PEUPLES / INDOCHINOIS’ Bayon Temple
(183/84) (Fig 27). Another set of three
commemorating the International
Cooperation Year were prepared but not
issued.
A set of three more commemoratives
marked the centenary of the International
Telecommunications Union on 17 May.
All the stamps bear the same design of the
I.T.U. emblem and symbols (185/87)
A set of three issued on 2 August is
labelled as ‘Industrial Plants’, which Fig 30 The 3r. value from the 1966 Fig 31 A wild boar on the 3r.
I originally thought were coal mines, Ganefo Games set value from the Fauna issue
electricity stations, etc. However, they released 20 February 1967
turned out to be cotton, groundnuts and
coconut palms! (188/90) (Fig 28).
The next year started with a set of five newly independent socialist states (204/07). The stamps all have different designs of bas-
featuring Cambodian Temples, issued reliefs of ancient sports from the Angkor Vat temple and a modern stadium (Fig 30).
1 February 1966. The Temples concerned A set of three stamps on the subject of fauna opened the 1966 philatelic year. The
are Preah Ko, Baksei Chamkrong, animals illustrated are a wild boar (Fig 31), a hog-deer and an Indian elephant (208/10).
Banteay Srei, Angkor Vat and Bayon (Fig The second issue of the year was on 27 April and comprised five previously issued
29) (191/95). stamps overprinted in aid of the International Tourist Year (211/15). The third issue
The inauguration of the World Health (27 April) was also an overprint on a previously issued stamp, in this case issued in
Organisation Headquarters in Geneva commemoration of the Millenary of Banteay Srei Temple (216).
was marked with a set of three stamps all The Cambodian Royal Ballet was honoured with a set of five stamps on 30 May. These
featuring the modern building. The stamps were all of the same design showing a ballet dancer (217/21) (Fig 32).
were issued 1 July. This set was followed by Two other previously issued stamps were overprinted and, on this occasion, surcharged
a commemorative set for Tree Day, 22 July in aid of International Literacy Day (30 May) (222/23). The last set of the year, on
(199/201). 1 November, also honoured a major event – the International Hydrological Decade. All
Another commemorative set was the stamps are of the same design featuring the Decade’s emblem (224/26).
issued on 4 November to mark the The year 1968 saw six sets of stamps issued covering a number of different subjects. The
20th anniversary of the United Nations first, on 1 March, reflecting higher education, highlighted Cambodia’s Universities and
Children’s Fund. Two stamps were printed Institutions: the Royal University of Kompong-Cham, Khmero-Soviet Friendship Higher
with the same design of the UNESCO Technical Institute (a clue here!) and the Sangkum Reaster Niyum University Centre
emblem (202/03). (227/29).
The last set issued in 1966 was on The 25th anniversary of the World Health Organisation was marked on 8 July with the
25 November; four stamps promoting issue of two stamps, one featuring a doctor tending a child and the other shows a man
the Ganefo Games in Phnom Penh. using insecticide (230/31).
The Games of New Emerging Forces were The 1968 Mexico Olympic Games was the subject of a five-stamp set on 12 October
set up by Indonesia as an alternative to the featuring a stadium, wrestling, cycling, boxing and a runner with a torch (232/36) (Fig 33).
Olympic Games. It was established for the Red Cross Fortnight was marked on 1 November with a single stamp featuring a
athletes of the ‘emerging nations’, mainly stretcher party (237).

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Our old friend Prince Norodom
Sihanouk reappeared on a set of two
Fig 32 A set five stamps of the
celebrating the 15th anniversary of
same design, issued on 30 May
Independence on 9 November. His 1967, commemorated the
photograph appears with soldiers on one Cambodian Royal Ballet
side and a temple on the other (238/39)
(Fig 34). He also appears on the next set
Fig 33 The 1968 Mexico Olympic
(10 December), which is entitled ‘Human Games was commemorated with
Rights’, which is ironic if one looks up the a five-stamp set on 12 October
history books. The stamp’s design features
a bust of the prince and the Human Rights
emblem (240/42) (Fig 35).
The 1969 philatelic new year opened
on 1 May celebrating the 50th anniversary
of the International Labour Organisation
(243/45), the stamps bearing the
ILO emblem, which comprised two
hands holding spanners. Another
large organisation was celebrated on
8 May with a set of three, this being the
50th anniversary of the League of Red Fig 34 The 7r. value from the two- Fig 35 A set of three stamps of the same
stamp set issued on 9 November design featuring a bust of the prince was
Cross Societies (249/51). to mark the 15th anniversary of issued on 10 December 1968 to mark
On a much lighter note, the set issued Independence Human Rights Year
on 10 October (249/51) comprises
illustrations of butterflies: the Troides
aeacus (golden birdwing); Graphium
agamemnon (tailed jay); and Danaus
genutia (common tiger), which Stanley
Gibbons claims is wrongly inscribed Danaus
plexippus. A good spot by a member of the
Catalogue Department or a collector
(Fig 36).
The opening of the Phnom Penh– Fig 36 The 4r. value from the Fig 37 The 9r. stamp from the set of three issued
Sihanoukville Railway was marked with a 1969 Butterflies issue on 27 November 1969 to mark the opening of
set of four stamps issued on 27 November. the Phnom Penh–Sihanoukville Railway
For railway collectors, the stamps feature a
diesel train and map, Phnom Penh Station,
a diesel locomotive at Kampot Station and
a steam locomotive at Sihanoukville Station
(252/55) (Fig 37).

The beginning of the

end of the Kingdom
of Cambodia 1970
The philatelic year commenced on
29 January 1970 with Fish – a set of
three featuring a Siamese tigerfish,
marbled sleeper and chevron snakehead
(256/58) (Fig 38).
On 18 March 1970 Prince Norodum
Sihanouk was in China when he was
deposed by Lon Nol, who became Prime
Minister of a new Khmer Republic, thus
Royal Cambodia disappeared.
I will delve more deeply into the political
events of the time and the stamps of the
Khmer Republic, Democratic Kampuchea
and the People’s Republic of Kampuchea
which followed, before Cambodia was
revived in 1990 and became a
Parliamentary Monarchy in 1993, which it
remains so today.
Going back to the take-over, the Post
Office basically ignored it and continued to
issue Cambodian stamps until 21 September
1970. Almost a month after the deposing
of the prince on 29 April 1970, the Post
Fig 38 The first issue of 1970 was
a set of three commemorating
local fish species
Fig 39 The 13r. (Egyptian lotus) stamp from the
aquatic plants set issued on 17 August
Office issued a set of four stamps depicting Cambodian Buddhist Temples, namely: Vat
Tepthidaram, Vat Maniratanaram, Vat Patumavati and Vat Unnalom (259/62).
World Telecommunications Day was celebrated with an issue of three stamps on 17 May,
all of the same design of a dish aerial and a book (263/65). Another set was issued soon
after on 20 May to honour the opening of the new Universal Postal Union Headquarters.
Three stamps were issued, all with the same design of the building and the UPU emblem
(266/69).
An interesting set of aquatic plants was issued on 17 August encompassing the sacred
lotus, common water hyacinth and the white Egyptian lotus (270/72) (Fig 39). In one
of the printings the sacred lotus stamp’s Cambodian – English value tablet is transposed
(270a).
The last set of stamps issued by the Kingdom of Cambodia was on 21 September 1970
to mark World Meteorological Day. The stamps are decorated with a bas-relief from
Banteay-srei (Citadel of beauty), a Hindu Temple. (273/75).
There are, however, three more sets of stamps issued by the new Khmer Republic which
still carried the Cambodian nomenclature. More about them in the next article.

GSM October 2023 53