Traditional Hairdos And Headdresses On Stamps

Namibia is famous for its well designed stamps. The following set, shows different headdresses of the ethnic groups of the country is an example of fine and well designed stamps. It is a set of 12 stamps designed by Mary Jane Volkmann and issued on two sheets on March 20, 2002.

On the back of the stamps there are descriptions. In the first printing, the descriptions were printed reversed. This mistake was corrected and few weeks later the sheets were reissued with correct description printing (although the "mistake" allows correct orientation when you put the two sides together).

Here are the first six stamps. I scanned the back and put the description together with the stamps:

...and the rest six:

One of the best in my folklore collection is this set of 12 stamps show traditional headdresses of Papua New Guinea ethnic groups issued on two parts on January 12, 1977 and March 29, 1978:

Wow, LaoPhil - sooooo elaborate head decorations from Papua New Guinea. Amazing.

Some Europeans did (or still do?) - and it is pity that these stamps are not in colours.

Swiss
25 August 1977 / Regional Folk Customs: 20c. Silvesterkläuse Herisau, 30c. Röllelibutzen Alstätten

Many thanks, Tomoko, for the great Swiss engraved stamps!

Hairdos and head ornaments among the Sakalava ethnic group of Madagascar, designed by Jules Douy and issued for use in French Madagascar in 1947:

Dance costumes with special head decorations, issued by Burkina Faso (upper Volta) on August 20, 1991: