French Polynesia issued 2 commemorative stamp series in 1990 and 1991 respectively, featuring the “Polynesian World”. Each of the series contained a stamp relating to the Easter Island. While the island to the very East of the Polynesian Triangle is from a cultural and historical standpoint part of Polynesia, it was annexed in 1888 by Chile.

Chile protested against the stamps, assuming territorial claims were expressed by the stamps. Therefore the stamps were withdrawn, notwithstanding a delivery to stamp subscribers. The other stamps of the two series were unaffected.

Polynesian World (1990) with withdrawn stamp (upper right, 59F) and unaffected stamps.

Left: Polynesian World (1991), withdrawn stamp (68F)

Right: Polynesian World (1991), unaffected stamps

Letter with withdrawn stamp from the 1990 issue “Polynesian World”. Maritime postmarks of the French frigate “Prairial”