Mongolian Post Horn Stamp Set

This article features the Mongolian post horn stamp set of 1961. This set of four stamps celebrates the fortieth anniversary of mail service in Mongolia depicting a post horn on each design. It is the latest in my posts featuring post horns. You can check out more information about post horn stamps from around the world on my hub page for the topic. It features stamps from many different countries and links to specific collections and topics.

Post horns are small brass brass instruments that were used as signals for mail carriers. They blew these horns to announce the arrival and departure of mail riders and coaches. Eventually, the instruments became symbolic of the entire mail system. The instruments today appear on all kinds of postal items: uniforms, post boxes, logos, etc. They also appear on postage stamps. Indeed, lots and lots of postage stamps. That link can also take you to other articles about my stamp collection including issues from various countries.

Mongolia

Mongolia is an ancient, landlocked country, sandwiched between Russia and China. Genghis Khan founded the Mongol empire in 1206, which became the largest land empire in history. However, ever since the collapse of the Yuan dynasty in 1368, the country has usually been forced to react to political and economic actions by either Russia or China. From the 17th through 19th centuries, Manchuria was a part of the Chinese Qing dynasty.

Then, in 1911, with the collapse of the Qing dynasty, Mongolia declared independence. In 1919, after years of struggle, the Chinese invaded and occupied the country. However, the Russians did not like China on its border and in 1920, and with Mongolian support they attacked and defeated the Chinese. In 1921, Mongolia once again declared its independence.

The first stamps used in the country were Russian stamps from the 19th century. Russia actually ran several post offices in Mongolia then, even as the country was under Chinese rule. After the establishment of the independent Mongolia in 1921, mail service was implemented. The first Mongolian stamps came in 1924.

In 1961, Mongolia celebrated the fortieth anniversary of mail service with a set of stamps, each of which features a post horn along with a mode of mail transportation. It is a fantastic set! Where else in the world can you see a mail carrier on a reindeer or a yak? However, the set is a bit confusing. There are eight basic designs, seven of which appear twice with a different denomination and color. I have one of each design, but not the entire set. All of the stamps, all fifteen, were released on June 5, 1961. They are so wonderful and worth looking at individually.

The Stamps

The lowest denomination stamp is for 5 Mongolian möngö. This is one of my favorite stamps, featuring a postal rider on a reindeer. The same design appears on a 25 möngö Airmail stamp (not pictured).

The next stamp in the set, at least by scott number and not denominations, has the value of 15 möngö. It features a postal rider on a Bactrian camel (with two humps). Additionally, this design appears on a 5 möngö stamp as well (not pictured).

Perhaps more mundane are the stamps that feature more modern forms of transportation. However, this one makes me scratch my head a little. The 25 möngö stamp features a steamer with a mail carrier. Of course, Mongolia is a completely landlocked country and a large portion of the country is the Gobi desert. There are a few larger lakes in the western portion of the country so surely there are indeed ships carrying mail somewhere, it is just that boats of any kind are not all that common in Mongolia. The same design also appears on a 15 Möngö stamp (not pictured).

Another form of modern transportation on this set of stamps features a train. It is a lovely stamp design with the train coming towards the viewer and a beautiful mountain landscape behind. The value of this stamp is 30 möngö and there is a second 50 möngö stamp with the same design (not shown).

Another of my favorite stamps in this set is the 20 möngö featuring a mail carrier on a yak! Curiously, this design only appears once in the series.

Airmail

The set also includes several Airmail stamps, once again with designs that appear on two stamps. The lowest denomination Airmail stamp is for 10 möngö and it features a postal rider on horseback. Notice above the rider is the word “Airmail” in English and a plane.

Another Airmail stamp features a plane high above a map of the country of Mongolia. Once again the stamp says in English “Airmail” and this example has a value of 50 möngö.

Finally, the last stamp with the highest denomination in the set has the value of one Mongolian tögrög. It simply features a large post horn in the center of the stamp with what I interpret as a design of a mandala around it. Again, this is an Airmail stamp with the English word written to the right.