The postage stamp looks like a postage stamp is supposed to look: white, perforated edges, and part of a circular cancellation mark in the corner. It also has the country and postage clearly printed, though its depiction of the pirate Blackbeard during an attack might be more dramatic than most philatelic subjects. But it’s not a postage stamp, not really, because its country of origin is Sealand—a metal platform about the size of a tennis court, off the English coast. Sealand is one of the quirky, strangely numerous states known as “micronations,” or self-proclaimed polities with no legal recognition. Some of them, to simulate legitimacy or at least make a little money, have issued their own flags, passports, coins, and yes, postage stamps.

Laura Steward, curator of public art at the University of Chicago, who organized an exhibition at the 2020 Outsider Art Fair in New York of stamps from micronations and other dubiously defined places, believes that these tiny squares are more than a toss-off: They’re art, proof of imagination, and rather sophisticated bids for public recognition. “A postage stamp is a small but mighty symbolic emissary from one particular nation to the rest of the world,” Steward writes in text accompanying the exhibit. “A functioning postal service, made visible in stamps, is an unmistakable expression of national legitimacy…. As a result, the postage stamp is an excellent vehicle for spurious, tenuous, or completely fictitious states to declare their existence.”

Sealand's postage often carries an appropriately nautical theme.
Sealand’s postage often carries an appropriately nautical theme. Amateur007/Shutterstock

Steward, who’s a stamp collector herself, refers to these types of stamps as “Bogus Cinderellas.” They are “bogus” because they don’t represent officially recognized entities, and “Cinderellas” because they are stepchildren to genuine postage. “Most serious stamp collectors consider them illegitimate despite their extraordinary ability to conjure an entire nation on a tiny piece of paper,” Steward wrote. Some collectors are fascinated by them nonetheless, and so micronations (and other not-quite-places) keep putting them out. The Republic of Molossia issued some as recently as 2019.

Atlas Obscura spoke with Steward about the wonders of discovering and collecting stamps from these rather curious, suspect places.

In the mid-1970s, Alec Brackstone became alarmed by Australia’s drift away from constitutional monarchy. So he declared his four-hectare farm north of Adelaide to be the independent Province of Bumbunga. Bumbunga’s postage always features the British royal family.
In the mid-1970s, Alec Brackstone became alarmed by Australia’s drift away from constitutional monarchy. So he declared his four-hectare farm north of Adelaide to be the independent Province of Bumbunga. Bumbunga’s postage always features the British royal family. Courtesy Laura Steward

What was your first encounter with tanglible “proof” of a micronation?

I was working on an exhibition of unusual forms of currencies in support of a scientific conference, and came across Sealand’s currency, and then Sealand itself.

Why would a micronation go through the trouble of making stamps if they’re no good for postage?

Stamps are routinely used to reify state power. If your state’s existence is rather tenuous, making a stamp is a gesture of legitimacy and seriousness. It is an opportunity to visualize your state’s identity and share that with others.

Tell us about your favorite bogus Cinderella.

My favorite stamps are from Heliotown, which is more like an art project than a micronation. It is easiest to think of Heliotown as a parallel reality, and there are two “portals” to it in Santa Fe, New Mexico—one downtown, one at the Santa Fe Institute, the independent research institute that created it.

The Archipelago of Tui-Tui is reportedly a floating home in Seattle, Washington.
The Archipelago of Tui-Tui is reportedly a floating home in Seattle, Washington. Courtesy Laura Steward

What’s the micronation stamp with the most interesting story?

I’m drawn to Celestia, the Nation of Celestial Space. James Thomas Magnan, founder of Celestia, registered the acquisition of “outer space” with the Recorder of Deeds and Titles in Cook County, Illinois, on January 1, 1949. Magnan laid claim to outer space to prevent any one country from establishing hegemony there. Later in 1949, he banned all atmospheric nuclear tests, and notified the United Nations of his decision.

What’s the allure of these stamps for collectors?

For me, the appeal of the stamps is their ability to stand for the political culture of an entire nation in just one square inch. And I love to think about micronations—the boldness of the project, the many decisions that must be made to invent an entire nation and culture out of nothing. And to then express such a vast project in such a tiny form is something I find enchanting to think about it. I love the handmade qualities of many stamps, which show us the character of their makers.

Molossia was founded in 1977 as the Grand Republic of Vuldstein and went through several iterations before emerging as a self-declared republic within Nevada, with a colony in southern California. Its postage stamps reflect its culture: horses, silent film stars, the local flora, family pets, and a war with Mustachistan (the neighbors).
Molossia was founded in 1977 as the Grand Republic of Vuldstein and went through several iterations before emerging as a self-declared republic within Nevada, with a colony in southern California. Its postage stamps reflect its culture: horses, silent film stars, the local flora, family pets, and a war with Mustachistan (the neighbors). Courtesy Laura Steward
The postage of parallel universe–cum–art project Heliotown is based on a tiny relief sculpture of a spore, and is hand-printed.
The postage of parallel universe–cum–art project Heliotown is based on a tiny relief sculpture of a spore, and is hand-printed. Courtesy Laura Steward
The Nation of Celestial Space (left) was founded by James Thomas Magnan in 1949. In the 1930s, Raymond Moulton Seághan O'Brien made claim to the extinct Earldom of Thomond, and passed himself off as a prince. He was fined for issuing fake stamps (right).
The Nation of Celestial Space (left) was founded by James Thomas Magnan in 1949. In the 1930s, Raymond Moulton Seághan O’Brien made claim to the extinct Earldom of Thomond, and passed himself off as a prince. He was fined for issuing fake stamps (right). Courtesy Laura Steward
The Prinicipality of Hutt River, founded in 1970, was the first micronation of its kind in Australia. It also declared war on its parent state in 1977, as a ploy for official recognition.
The Prinicipality of Hutt River, founded in 1970, was the first micronation of its kind in Australia. It also declared war on its parent state in 1977, as a ploy for official recognition. Andy Selinger/Alamy