Stamps of the Year 1980

24 January 1980: Pamplemousses Garden, Official First Day Cover

A wide variety of palm trees can be seen at the Pamplemousses Botanical garden, the oldest botanical garden in the Southern Hemisphere. Famous for its long pond of giant water lilies (Victoria amazonica) shown on the Rs. 2 stamp, the garden was first constructed by Pierre Poivre (1719 – 1786) in 1770, and it covers an area of around 37 hectares. It has an amazing collection of 85 types of palm trees. Some of them form a long alley as can be seen on the 25 cents stamps. A FDC was released on 24 January 1980 with 5 postage stamps, illustrating various features of the Botanical Garden.

24 January 1980: Pamplemousses Garden, Souvenir Sheet

6 May 1980: London 1980, Official First Day Cover

In 1980, another set of postage stamps was issued featuring 4 ships. These were issued for the International Stamp Exhibition “London 1980” held between 6 – 14 May 1980, under the patronage of H.M the Queen. 

The 4 stamps feature:

1. A 25cs, the Emirne, the first steamer of the Messageries Imperiales to operate on the line Mauritius – Reunion – Suez. It performed 10 trips on this line between 1864 – 1866;
2. A R. 1 stamp features the Boissevain, a 14,000 tons liner, built in Hamburg, which came into service between the Far East and South Africa in 1938. It also provided accommodation to some 400 passengers in 2 classes. It was used as a troop transport during World War II. It’s first visit to Port-Louis was in 1948 and the last one was on the 2nd May 1968;
3. Rs. 2, featuring the Frigate La Boudeuse, built in Nantes. The French navigator Bougainville undertook his historical voyage around the world in 1767 on board this ship. One of his main objective was to introduce spice plants to Mauritius and Reunion. The famous naturalist Commerson joined the expedition. La Boudeuse reached Mauritius on 8 Nov. 1768;
4. Rs. 5 depicts the vessel Sea Breeze, a sailing boat of the 19th century, mainly concerned with the transportation of sugar cane to England. 

21 May 1980: Famous Ships, Stamp Booklet

27 June 1980: Centenary of the Birth of Helen Keller 1880 – 1968, Official First Day Cover

8 September 1980: 80th Birth Anniversary of Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, Official First Day Cover

1 October 1980: 100th Anniversary of the Mauritius Institute, Official First Day Cover

Built a century ago, the Mauritius Institute is the cultural centre of the island. In addition to tis library, which contains many rare volumes, there is a modern museum of marine life and a gallery displaying fine examples of Africa, European and Indian arts. 

The 4 stamps represent:

1. 25cs – the Mauritius Institute building, located in Port Louis;
2. Rs 2 – a rare copy of the Veda, a collection of sacred Hindu writings;
3. Rs. 2.50 – a rare cone – a seashell found in our marine ecosystem;
4. Rs. 5 – a painting named “Le Torrent” by Harpignies.

1 October 1980: Centenary of the Mauritius Institute, Special Cover

The Rs. 2 stamp on this cover pictures an early Veda, a collection of sacred Hindu writings. This rare volume was brought to the island by labourers from India, who came in the 19th century to work in sugarcane fields. Today, the Veda is displayed in the library of the Mauritius Institute in the capital city of Port-Louis.

Stamps of the Year 1981

15 January 1981: Flowers Stamp Issue, Official First Day Cover

On 15 January 1981, a 2nd indigenous flower set was released by the GPO. 

It consists of a set of 4 postage stamps, namely:

1. A 25cs picturing a hibiscus (hibiscus liliflorus malvacea), a heterophyllous plant which grows up in a bushy shrub of three to four metres tall with dark green shiny leaves. This plant was described by Cavanilles in 1789, who might have used the notes of Commerson from a specimen found in Réunion island. The colour of the flower is variable with a number of sub-species;
2. Rs. 2 depicts Bois Manioc (Erythrospermum monticolum flacourtiacea), one of the 4 varieties found in the Mascarene Islands. It is a small tree of our native forest, with a conspicuous flaky bark which is reddish underneath. The tree may reach up to 30 centimetres in diameter and of four to five metres in height. The white flowers appear after the summer rains and produce smooth globose fruits;
3. Rs. 2.50 representing Bois Corail (chasalia boryana rubiaceae), an endemic shrub of the widespread family rubiaceae. It is one of the most attractive of the half or so endemic species of Chasalia found on the plateau. The inflorescence is fairly conspicuous, looking like a coral growth. The fruits are of a beautiful mauve when ripe;
4. Rs. 5 represents a hibiscus (hibiscus columnans malvaceae), a rare forest tree which is now confined to the dry slope of the Western mountains. It is a very distinct species which does not show much compatibility of hybridisation with other hibiscus species. 

15 January 1981: Fauna and Flora of the World – Bois Manioc

15 January 1981: Fauna and Flora of the World – Hibiscus

15 January 1981: Royal Horticultural Society – Flower Stamps of the World – Bois Manioc

15 January 1981: Royal Horticultural Society – Flower Stamps of the World – Bois de Corail

15 January 1981: Royal Horticultural Society – Flower Stamps of the World – Hibiscus

9 July 1981: International Year of Disabled Persons, Special Cover

10 April 1981: Coats of Arms Mauritius – Official First Day Cover

10 April 1981: Coats of Arms Mauritius – Souvenir Sheet

22 July 1981: The Wedding of the H.R.H The Prince of Wales Mauritius, Official First Day Cover

(i) The Wedding of the H.R.H The Prince of Wales Mauritius, special decorative cover

(ii) The Marriage of the Prince of Wales Mauritius, Benham Silk Omnibus 1

(iii) The Marriage of the Prince of Wales Mauritius, Benham Silk Omnibus 2

(iv) The Marriage of the Prince of Wales Mauritius, Benham Silk Omnibus 3

27 August 1981: Past Eminent Personalities Mauritius, Official First Day Cover

A set of 5 postage stamps was issued on 26 August 1981, illustrating eminent personalities. 

Of these, 4 postage stamps features leading political figures.

1. The 20cs stamp illustrates Emmanuel Anquetil and Guy Rozemond, the leaders of the Mauritius Labour Party in the early 20^th century;
2. The 25 cs stamp features Remy Ollier, a journalist and teacher, who defended the liberty of the press and founded the newspaper La Sentinelle and Sookdeo Bissoondoyal, a politician and one of the leading figures in the independence movement. Bissoondoyal founded the Independent Forward Bloc, a political party. He also attended the Constitutional Conference in London leading towards the independence of Mauritius in 1968;
3. The Rs.125 stamp showing Dr. Maurice Curé, one of the founding fathers of the Mauritius Labour Party, the main political party that led the country to independence and Barthelemy Ohsan, another early member of the Labour Party, close collaborator of Dr. Maurice Curé. After the second world war, he left the political scene to continue his career as a magistrate;
4. The Rs. 1.50 stamp shows two high profile political figures, Sir Guy Forget, a member of the Labour Party, who became the President of the party and also served as minister between 1959 and 1968 (before independence) and Renganaden Seeneevassen, a member of the Labour Party, who became the first Minister of Education in 1953;
5. Rs. 2 stamp shows Sir Abdul Razak Mohammed, a political figure, leader of the Comité d’Action Musulman (a political party), who fought for independence and held several ministerial positions and Jules Koenig, founder of the Mauritius Social Democratic Party (PMSD), one of the oldest political parties of Mauritius. The party was initially not in favour of independence but instead argued for an association with Britain instead;
6. Rs. 2.50 stamp, features Abdoolatiff Mohamed Osman, a pioneering figure in the agricultural cooperative movement , who later became Minister of Agriculture (in 1957) and Dazzi Rama, also known as Pandit Sahadeo, one of the founding fathers of the Mauritius Labour Party, together with Dr. Maurice Curé.

15 September 1981: Religious and Culture, Official First Day Cover

26 October 1981: Mauritius – The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, Official First Day Cover

26 November 1981: Five Pillars of Islam Mauritius, Official First Day Cover

Stamps of the Year 1982

25 February 1982: 75 – The year of Scouting, Official First Day Cover

25 February 1982: The Official World Scout Stamp Collection, Official first day of issue

5 March 1982: A limited edition honouring coins issuing countries of the world was issued, with a 1ct coin of Mauritius.

This special cover was not issued by the Mauritius post, but by The Franklin Mint in the USA.

19 April 1982: The Voyage of Darwin, Official First Day Cover

1 July 1982: The 21st Birthday of H.R.H The Princess of Wales, Official First Day Cover

(i) The 21st Birthday of H.R.H The Princess of Wales, CD issue

(ii) H.R.H The Prince of Wales Colonel in Chief, The Royal Regiment of Wales, Crest & Badges of the Armed Forces No. 5

22 August 1982: Birth of H.R.H Prince William of Wales, Official First Day Cover

Birth of H.R.H Prince William of Wales, Souvenir Sheet

15 December 1982: 100th Anniversary of the Discovery of the Tubercle Bacillus, Official First Day Cover

Stamps of the Year 1983

14 March 1983: Commonwealth Day Mauritius, Official First Day Cover

(i) Commonwealth Day Mauritius, Special Cover

24 June 1983: World Communications Year, Official First Day Cover

On 24 June 1983, the GPO released a set of 4 stamps to commemorate “World Communications Year”. The stamps depict (i) a telephone (25cs); (ii) a telegraph apparatus (Rs. 1.25); (iii) an earth satellite station (Rs. 2) and (iv) the first hot air balloon  launched in Mauritius on 30 June 1784 by Francois Cailleau, a French man settled in Mauritius based on the model of Montgolfier brothers (Rs. 10) with Signal mountain in the background. 

(i) World Communications Year, first day of issue

26 August 1983: Namibia Day, Official First Day Cover

7 October 1983: Mauritius Fishery Resources, Official First Day Cover

Fisheries resources of Mauritius were featured in a series of 4 postage stamps released on 7 October 1983.  

The stamps highlight various activities, namely the 25 cs and Re. 1 stamps, showing a fishermen preparing and using fish traps; the Rs. 5 stamp showing a blue marlin catch, a big game fishing activity and the Rs. 10 showing octopus drying, principally done in Rodrigues.

3 November 1983: Death Centenary of Swami Dayananda, Official First Day Cover

8 December 1983: Adolphe von Plevitz, Official First Day Cover

Stamps of the Year 1984

26 March 1984: Kestrel Issue

23 May 1984: 250th Anniversary of Lloyd List, Official First Day Cover

Lloyd’s List is the oldest international newspaper in the world. Since its launch in 1734, the British government allowed mail to be delivered free of charge, provided it carried shipping intelligence and information. Mauritius, together with other Commonwealth countries, issued a series of 4 postage stamps in 1984 to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the newspaper, which is still read today. 

1. The 25cs stamp features the wreck of the cargo vessel SS Tayeb  on the 12th of February 1972 after the passage of Cyclone Dolly in Mauritius near the shores of Les Salines in Port Louis, against the sand bank of Barkly Island;
2. The R. 1 stamp features the wreck of S. S Taher in March 1901 off the coast of Port-Louis;
3. The Rs. 5 stamp shows the 26-gun British ship East Indian Man Triton, which was captured by the privateer Robert Surcouf on 29 January 1796;
4. The Rs. 10 stamp shows M.S Astor, a german cruise ship, ordered by the Mauritian-based Marlan Corporation. 

23 May 1984: 250th Anniversary of Lloyd List, Benham Silk Collection (a)

23 May 1984: 250th Anniversary of Lloyd List, Benham Silk Collection (b)

23 July 1984: Mauritius Palms, Official First Day Cover

In 1984, a set of 5 postage stamps was released to illustrate Mauritius palm trees. There are about 2700 species worldwide, and Mascarene islands have a few endemic species. Mauritius counts 9 indigenous palm trees, of which 7 are endemic and 2 can also be found in Reunion Island. 

The set comprises the following 5 species:

1. A 25 cents stamp, showing the Blue Latan (Latania Loddigesii), or latanier de l’île ronde’, an endemic tree which grows to fifteen meters and has glaucous leaves, with a base covered with thick white wool.
2. A 50 cents stamp, showing a Hyophorbe Vaughanii, also native to Mauritius. It is almost extinct in the wild but grown for ornamental purposes as it displays orange flowering and red fruits on a trunk up to ten meters high;
3. A Rs. 2.50 stamp shows the Palmiste Bouclé (Tectiphiala Ferox), is a rarity. It grows only on Mauritius, at altitudes between 500 and 650 m, in humid and acid areas. It has such specific growing requirements that it probably is not found much outside of Mauritius. It grows to some two to nine meters (depending the source) and has long black spines that can be curled (hence the name, ‘frisé’ means curled).
4. A Rs. 5 stamp, picturing the Round Island Bottle Palm (Hyophorbe Langeliscaulis). This palm tress is better known because it is grown as ornamental in many countries worldwide. This ‘palmiste bouteille, palmiste gargoulette or bottle palm’ indeed develops a funny shaped trunk up to five meters which looks like a bottle, more or less round depending on the age of the plant. It also has intriguing twisted fronds (leaves). It comes from Round Island, which is off the shores of Mauritius and has been prized since a long time
5. A Rs 10 stamp, featuring a Hyophorbe Amariculis, an extremely rare palm tree, whose only remaining specimen can be found in the Curepipe Botanical garden.

20 August 1984: 150th Anniversary of the Arrival of Indian Immigrants and Abolition of Slavery, Official First Day Cover

10 September 1984: Centenary of Alliance Française in Mauritius

Stamps of the Year 1985

10 January 1985: Special Private Cover with 5cs coin

7 June 1985: The Life and Times of H.M Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, Official First Day Cover

7 June 1985: The Life and Times of H.M Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, Souvenir Sheet

7 June 1985: The Life and Times of H.M Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, sheet cover

8 February 1985:MCB Radio Television: 20 years of Television

24 August 1985: 2eme Jeux des Iles de l’Ocean Indien, Official First Day Cover

20 September 1985: UN Mauritius First Day of Issue 1

20 September 1985: UN Mauritius First Day of Issue 2

20 September 1985: UN Mauritius First Day of Issue 3

27 September 1985: 10th Anniversary of the World Tourism Organisation

On 25 September 1985, on the occasion of the 10th Anniversary of the World Tourism Organisation, a set of 4 postage stamps was released. 

They feature essentially some of the tourism attractions in Mauritius and Rodrigues.

1. The 25cs stamp shows Caverne Patate in Rodrigues, an impressive cave system, of 600 metres, with a few stalagmite and stalactite formations;
2. The 35 cs stamp shows the seven coloured earth, a geological formation, which is a prominent tourist attraction, situated in Chamarel in Mauritius. The main feature is the different coloured sands, formed by the decomposition of volcanic rocks, that are settled in different layers and small dunes, of about seven different colours (red, brown, violet, green, blue, purple and yellow);
3. The Rs. 5 stamp shows Serpant island, with a view on Round islands. Those two small islands are nature reserves and are situation in the North of Mauritius; and
4. The Rs. 10 stamps, which features another small island off the Northern coast of Mauritius, Coin de Mire. 

22 October 1985: 250th Anniversary of Port Louis, Official First Day Cover

2nd September 1985: Mauritius Pink Pigeon Official First Day Cover

2nd September 1985: Mauritius Pink Pigeon World Wildlife Fund cover 1

2nd September 1985: Mauritius Pink Pigeon World Wildlife Fund cover 2

2nd September 1985: Mauritius Pink Pigeon World Wildlife Fund cover 3

2nd September 1985: Mauritius Pink Pigeon World Wildlife Fund cover 4

2nd September 1985: Mauritius Pink Pigeon World Wildlife Fund Coin Cover (1992)

2nd September 1985: Mauritius Pink Pigeon World Wildlife Fund Postcards

2nd September 1985: Mauritius Pink Pigeon World Wildlife Fund Proof Edition 1

2nd September 1985: Mauritius Pink Pigeon World Wildlife Fund Proof Edition 2

2nd September 1985: Mauritius Pink Pigeon World Wildlife Fund Proof Edition 3

2nd September 1985: Mauritius Pink Pigeon World Wildlife Fund Proof Edition 4

Stamps of the Year 1986

21 February 1986: Halley’s Comet Official First Day Cover

21 February 1986: Cepheus Known as the King

21 April 1986: 60th birthday of H.M the Queen

15 July 1986: Ice breaker Shirase – the 27th Antarctic Operation

25 July 1986: Mauritius International Events

3 October 1986: Orchids, Official First Day Cover

A set of 4 postage stamps was issued on 3 October 1986 on the theme “Mauritius Orchids”. Orchids are fascinating flowers with often curious shapes. 

This set comprises of :

1. 25 cs – cryptopus elatus, an endemic plant to the Mascarene islands. In Mauritius it is found growing in full light on the plateau. It is one of the most beautiful orchid of the island and is the emblem of the Mauritius Orchid Society. The flower spice of about 20 – 25 cms carries up to 30 white flowers of about 4 – 5 cms long. It blooms between November and January;
2. Rs. 2 is the genus jumellea, of which the greatest number of species is found in Madagascar. About 3 or 4 species are indigenous to Mauritius and they are found growing high up on trees in big clumps, in wet regions of the island. This orchid has strap-shaped dark green leaves of 12 cm long and 1 cm wide. The nice pure white fragrant flowers of about 3 cm across are of a very distinctive shape. The petals are more or less reflexed, the lateral sepals spreading and curved.
3. Rs 2.50 is the angraecum mauritianum. There are many species in Africa and in neighbouring islands, the most famous being the “comète de Madagascar”. Mauritius has a dozen of species. This pure white flower is star-shaped with 5 to 7 cm long spur. The flower turns to a creamy colour after a few days;
4. Rs. 10 is the bulbophyllum longiflorum, an indigenous orchid, widely distributed in East Africa, Reunion, Madagascar, Tahiti and Papua New Guinea but very rare in Mauritius. The tawny flowers spotted with red are arranged in an umbrella-like inflorescence at the end of a fairly long stalk. The dorsal sepals of about 3cm long and petals of about 5 cm long end in a filament of about 2 – 3 cm. The plant blooms in January and February. 

Stamps of the Year 1987

22 May 1987: Mauritius Bridges, Official First Day Cover

2nd June 1987: Bicentenary of the Bar, Official First Day Cover

2 July 1987: 200th Anniversary of the Bar, First Day of Issue

5 September 1987: Festival International de la Mer, Official First Day Cover

In 1987, the then Minister of Tourism, Sir Gaetan Duval, organised the first Festival International de la Mer, to promote Mauritius as a tourist destination. A number of activities were organised, among which a Regatta race in Mahebourg (pictured in the Rs. 1.50 stamp), which is still organised. 

28 September 1987: Royal Visit of Duke and Duchesse of York Eureka Museum Moka, Special Cover

30 October 1987: Mauritius Industrialisation, Official First Day Cover

On 30 October 1987, a series of 5 postage stamps was issued on the theme “Industrialisation”. 

The set of stamps features various economic activities encouraged and developed in Mauritius:

1. The 20cs stamp shows the toy industry;
2. The 35 cs stamp features a spinning factory, developed to provide local inputs to the textile industry;
3. The 50cs stamp shows the rattan industry, used to make furniture;
4. Rs. 2.50 shows the spectacles industry, which even exports to Europe and
5. Rs. 10 stamp, featuring stone carving, a crafting activity that is becoming rarer.

30 December 1987: Mauritius Art and Architecture, Official First Day Cover

Stamps of the Year 1988

12 March 1988: 20th Anniversary of Independence, Official First Day Cover

On 12 March 1988, on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of independence, a series of 5 postage stamps was issued. 

It features:

1. The 25 cs, the University of Mauritius, the only tertiary education institution of the time;
2. The 75 cs stamp, which showed callisthenics, performed during major sports events or during celebrations;
3. Rs 2.50 stamp picturing  athletics show at Sir Maurice Rault stadium;
4. Rs. 5 stamp, which illustrates the international airport bearing the name of Sir Seewooosagur Ramgoolam, with an Air Mauritius plane at the parking; and
5. Rs. 10 featuring Sir Veerasamy Ringadoo, the then Governor-General and Sir Aneerood Jugnauth, the then Prime Minister. The FDC cover features the Coats of Arms of Mauritius.

1 July 1988: 40th Anniversary of World Health Organization, Official First Day Cover

1 September 1988: 150th Anniversary of the MCB 1938 – 1988, Official First Day Cover

The Commemorative set of 4 stamps issued on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the Mauritius Commercial Bank on 1 September 1988 consist of (i) a 25cs stamp representing the MCB building in Port Louis; (ii)  a R. 1 stamp featuring the old MCB building; (iii) Rs. 1.25 bears the armorial bearings assigned to the MCB by the Royal College of Arms on 7 December 1955; and (iv) the Rs. 25 stamp incorporates 3 bold number of 15 in the stamp design.

1 October 1988 – Mauritius Seoul Olympics, Official First Day Cover

The Olympic games commemorative set of 4 postage stamps issued on 1st October 1988 is the first Olympic set of stamps issued by the Mauritius Postal Administration. This set depicts 3 disciplines, namely wrestling (35 cs), long distance running (Rs. 1.50) and swimming (Rs. 10). Each stamp shows the Seoul Olympic emblem, the Korean motif called “Sam t’aeguk”, representing the harmony of heaven earth and man. The 25cs value is inscribed “Seoul 1988 Game of XXIV Olympiad, September 17 – October 2”.

Stamps of the Year 1989

11 March 1989: Mauritius New Definitive Part 1, Official First Day Cover

The year 1989 was declared Year of the Environment in Mauritius. To mark this event, the Mauritius Postal Administration issued a set of 5 postage stamps on 11 March 1989. 

The set comprises of:

1. 40cs stamp, featuring Le Val Nature Park, a country estate situated in St Hubert Village. Though not declared a Nature Park, it is commonly considered as such. There is a harmonious blend of a beautiful and spectacular scenery with various activities, such as watercress cultivation and giant prawn breeding, taking place;
2. Rs. 3 stamp shows a reef fish, the Chaetodontidae, in its natural habitat. The coral reef ecosystem is very fragile and uncontrolled interference could lead to the degradation of this wonderful water world and decrease fisheries ressources;
3. Rs. 4 shows a fern tree. There are 2 species of indigenous tree ferns in Mauritius. These are Cyathea borbonica and Cyathea excelsa. In Mauritius, they are more commonly known as Fandia. The stem which is fibrous in nature is swollen at the base. It is an important component of the Mauritian native forest, which grows in the humid upland areas;
4. Rs. 6 stamp showing an ecological scenery, a view of River Baptiste with Le Pouce mountain in the background. The river is situated near St Pierre, Moka;
5. Rs. 10 stamp showing the Phelsuma Ornata, a gecko licking nectar from a flower on the Round island. This gecko is one of the four species of geckoes found on the mainland of Mauritius and several outer islets. It prefers a hot and dry climate and is found mainly at low medium altitudes.

14 July 1989: Bicentenary of the French Revolution, Official First Day cover

On 14 July 1989, a set of 4 postage stamps were issued to mark the bicentenary of the French revolution, which emerged from a political crisis that coincided with an economic breakdown. 

The set comprises of:

1. 30cs stamp, showing la Tour Sumeire (Place du Theatre municipal in Port Louis), inspired by the Eiffel Tower and erected by Mr Camille Sumeire , a Frenchman who was the Director of the Albion Dockon 14 July 1889 to mark the centenary of the French revolution. It was subsequently sold by auction to a private residence in Curepipe;
2. R. 1.00 showing la Salle du Spectacle du Jardin, the first Municipal Theater, designed by M. Lebrun, a colonial architect. It was built in 1787 in the Jardin de la Compagnie but was destroyed by a cyclone in 1816;
3. Rs. 8 features Anne Joseph Hippolyte de Maurès, Comte de Malartic, who was appointed Governor of Isle de France and the French territories to the East of the Cape of Good Hope in 1792;
4. Rs. 15 featuring the logo of the Bicentenary of the French Revolution, designed by Jean Michel Folon. It represents 3 birds flying to the four corners of the earth, which could symbolise the threefold ideal of the French revolution: Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité.

Special covers (unofficial, private)

14 October 1989: Visit of Pope John II, Official First Day Cover

On the occasion of the visit of His Holiness Pope John Paul II on 14 October 1989, a special set of commemorative stamps was  issue. His Holiness also visited the island of Rodrigues on the 15th October 1989. 

The set comprising of the 30cs, 40cs, Rs. 3, Rs. 6 and Rs 10 denomination features the following:

1. 30 cs – His Eminence Cardinal Jean Margeot, Bishop of Port-Louis. Born in Mauritius in 1916, he became the first Mauritian Bishop in 1969, one year after the country became independent. He was made Cardinal by His Holiness Pope John Paul II in June 1988;
2. 40 cs – His Holiness Pope John Paul II welcoming the Rt. Hon. Sir Aneerood Jugnauth, Prime Minister of Mauritius. This was on the occasion of the elevation to Cardinalate of the Right Reverend Jean Margeot at the Vatican in June 1988;
3. Rs. 3 – The Chapel of the Convent of “Les Filles de Marie”, situated at La Paix Street, Port-Louis, was opened to worship in 1864. In the inset, is featured the founder of the Congregation, Mother Marie Magdeleine de la Croix, who died in 1889;
4. Rs. 6 – The Church of St. François d’Assise at Pamplemousses, built in 1756. It is the oldest catholic church in Mauritius;
5. Rs. 10 – A portrait of His Holiness Pope John Paul II. 

14 October 1989: Visit of Pope John II, Special cover 1

14 October 1989: Visit of Pope John II, Special cover 2

14 October 1989: Visit of Pope John II, Special cover 3

14 October 1989: Visit of Pope John II, Special cover 4

14 October 1989: Visit of Pope John II, Special cover 5

14 October 1989: Visit of Pope John II, Special cover 6

14 October 1989: Visit of Pope John II, Special cover 7

14 October 1989: Visit of Pope John II, Special cover 8

14 October 1989: Visit of Pope John II, Special cover 9

14 October 1989: Visit of Pope John II, Special cover 10

14 October 1989: Visit of Pope John II, Special cover 11

14 October 1989: Visit of Pope John II, postcard 1

14 October 1989: Visit of Pope John II, postcard 2 and 3

14 October 1989: Visit of Pope John II, postcard 4

16 October 1989: special cover with 20c coin

14 November 1989: Birth Centenary of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Official First Day Cover

On 14 November 1989, a set of four postage stamps were issued to mark the birth centenary of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. Nehru was born on 14 Nov 1889 in Allahabad in India. His father was an eminent lawyer and politician. In 1907, he joined Trinity College at Cambridge, where he obtained a degree in natural sciences. Subsequently he studies law and was called to the bar at Inner Temple in 1912. He returned to India to practice as a lawyer. He married Kamala Kaul, with whom was born a daughter, Indira Priyadarshini (later Indira Gandhi, Prime Minister of India). Although coming from the middle class, he engaged into politics after listening to agricultural workers. In the 1930s, Nehru became the biggest crowd puller after Gandhi and became one of the major spokesman of the liberation movement. When India became independent on 15 Aug 1947, Nehru became its first Prime Minister and served as such for 17 years. 

The stamps represent the following :

1. 40cs show Nehru First Prime Minister of India;
2. Rs 1.50 shows Nehru with his daughter Indira Gandhi and grandsons Rajiv and Sanjay;
3. Rs 3.00 illustrated Nehru and Mahatma Gandhi;
4. Rs. 4.00 shows Nehru with Nasser of Egypt and Tito of Yugoslavia;
5. Rs. 10 shows Nehru in the company of children.