Hello, everyone! I recently visited the Fuchu City Art Museum for the exhibition History of Cat Paintings, Starting with Foujita, where I saw many wonderful cat paintings by Léonard Foujita (Tsuguharu Foujita).
That got me thinking — there are so many beautiful cat stamps in the world beyond Foujita! So in true Postio Marche fashion, I’ve gathered my favorites here, arranged by theme. Let’s start with this one.
Wallis and Futuna, 1983 — Léonard Foujita, 15th Anniversary of His Death
Have you heard of Wallis and Futuna? I first learned of it through this stamp. Foujita stamps are rare, but this cat stamp is truly a masterpiece of philatelic art.
Wallis and Futuna (Collectivité des Îles Wallis et Futuna) is a French overseas collectivity. It consists of volcanic tropical atolls located in the South Pacific, roughly two-thirds of the way between Hawaii and New Zealand.
Yugoslavia, 1965 — Children’s Sunday
Dečja Nedelja means “Children’s Sunday” in Slovenian. The color palette and the slight tilt of the cat are just adorable.
Czech Republic, 1995 — For Children
DÉTEM means “for children” — a series issued annually for children. The design is by Josef Palaček (born February 25, 1932), an illustrator and children’s book author from Jihlava, Czech Republic.
Denmark Christmas Seal, 1973
This is actually a Christmas seal, not a postage stamp.
A Christmas seal is a charity label with a Christmas theme. The tradition began in Denmark in 1904 to raise funds for children suffering from tuberculosis.
Finland, 1991 — Sweet Industry
Three kittens with candy — what a delightful combination! The navy and gold color scheme makes this small stamp feel surprisingly grand. MAKEISTEOLLISUUS SOTSAKSINDUSTRIN translates roughly as the confectionery manufacturer Sotsak Industries.
Czech Republic, 1999 — Cats
The cat on the left is striking exactly the pose that makes everyone fall in love with cats.
Slovakia, 2020 — Stamp Day — Vladimír Machaj
Vladimir Machaj (1929–2016) was a Slovak illustrator and stamp designer known for his picture book The Story of Little Muck. He had a special talent for animal illustrations. Look closely at the tab — there’s a cat tucked in there!
France, 1997 — Europa Stamp
The 1997 Europa stamp theme was Stories and Legends. France chose to feature Puss in Boots, including the name of Charles Perrault (January 12, 1628 – May 16, 1703) on the stamp.
Puss in Boots (Le Chat botté) is a European folk tale. The most famous version appears in Charles Perrault’s Histoires ou contes du temps passé (1697), also known as Tales of Mother Goose.
Monaco, 1978 — Fairy Tales of Charles Perrault
This stamp was one of a set of nine issued in the year marking the 350th anniversary of Perrault’s birth. The entire story comes to mind from this single stamp.
Poland, 1968 — Fairy Tales
Poland’s Puss in Boots stamp comes from a set of eight fairy tale stamps issued in 1968.
Slovenia, 2006 — Europa Stamp
The 2006 Europa theme was Integration. Slovenia was the only country to use a cat for this theme — a wonderfully witty illustration. Designed by Sara Popovič.
Faroe Islands, 2011 — Cats
Could there be lots of cats in the Faroe Islands? This stamp makes you want to go and find out!
Vietnam, 2022 — New Year — Year of the Rabbit
In the Vietnamese zodiac, the Year of the Rabbit is represented by a cat, not a rabbit!
Why a cat instead of a rabbit in Vietnam? One theory is that the Chinese word for “rabbit” (mão, 卯) sounds similar to the Vietnamese word for cat (mèo). Another is that rabbits were unfamiliar in Vietnam, whereas cats — who protect rice by chasing away mice — were much more a part of daily life.
Åland, 2012 — New Year — Year of the Tiger
Year of the Tiger → tiger → tabby cat! A charming interpretation.
Czechoslovakia, 1980 — Handcraft — Girl and Friends
One cat stamp from a set of five with a paper-cut art style.
Czech Republic, 2008 — For Children
This stamp is based on Povidání o psíkovi a kočičce (Tales of a Dog and a Cat) by Josef Čapek (1887–1945), a classic of Czech children’s literature. It has been translated into many languages.
France, 1997 — Greetings
Cats and mice — the ultimate classic combination.
Slovakia, 2008 — Europa — Writing Letters
The 2008 Europa theme was Letter Writing. At first glance it’s a cute cat — but look again: the pen is a mouse! Quite a surreal image. Designed by Dušan Polakovič.
Slovakia, 2007 — Bratislava Illustration Biennial
This stamp is based on Nicht erwischt! by Luboslav Palo, a Slovak illustrator who won the Golden Apple Award at the 2005 BIB.
The Bratislava Illustration Biennial (Bienále ilustrácií Bratislava, BIB) was founded in 1967 and is held in Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia. It is the oldest international award for picture book illustration, and one of the most prestigious in children’s literature. Stamps are issued to commemorate the Grand Prix and Golden Apple winners of the previous edition.
Slovakia, 2011 — Bratislava Illustration Biennial
Illustration by Martina Matlovîčová-Králová.
Czechoslovakia, 1981 — Bratislava Illustration Biennial
One stamp from a set of five, based on award-winning works from 1979. Cats are beloved characters in Czech, Slovak, and Czechoslovak picture books and folk tales.
Latvia, 2019 — Father’s Day
Designed by Latvian artist Kristîne Lapsa-Kalniòa.
Ukraine, 2002 — Folk Tales
Bulgaria, 1975 — International Humor and Satire Biennial
Japan, 1979 — Modern Art Series, Vol. 3: Black Cat
Black Cat is a painting by Japanese-style painter Shunso Hishida, created in 1910 (Meiji 43). It is designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan.
Japan, 1988 — Letter Writing Day
Japan, 1996 — Letter Writing Day
The illustration is by Japanese graphic designer Ryûichi Yamashiro (November 10, 1920 – March 24, 1997). His work always has a warm, heartwarming quality.
Japan, 2003 — Letter Writing Day
Illustrated by Tsutomu Murakami (born 1943). Japan’s Letter Writing Day series often features picture book artists, so cats make regular appearances!
Cats on Stamps: A World Collection — Gallery
From this world of cat stamps, I’ve selected ones in the Postio Marche spirit: stamps that are fun to look at and collect together. Rather than photorealistic cats, illustration and picture-book styles naturally took center stage.
These are just a small selection — there are countless cat stamps out there in the world. Postio Marche has a dedicated Cat Stamps group, so please come and visit!
(Some of the stamps featured are from a private collection.)
