Like Liberia was for the United States of American freed slaves, Sierra Leone was established as a colony for freed British slaves (including many former slaves who had fought for the British during the American Revolution). The first colony, the Province of Freedom, was disastrous for most involved, but the second time around, with the establishment of Freetown by many Black Loyalists who had originally been settled in Nova Scotia, Sierra Leone as a viable colony was able to prosper, eventually gaining independence within the Commonwealth in 1961. Since then, there have been a number of conflicts and a lessening of democratic rule, although Salone’s rich mineral resources have helped maintain parts of the population in a wealthy lifestyle. As happens. [“Sierra Leone” is an adaptation and misspelling of the early Portuguese name for the area, Serra da Leoa, or Lioness Mountains.]
Stamp details: Top left: Issued in: 1859 From: Freetown, Sierra Leone Protectorate MC #1
Top middle: Issued on: October 10, 1933 From: Freetown, Colony of Sierra Leone MC #133
Top right: Issued on: June 2, 1953 From: Freetown, Sierra Leone Colony and Protectorate MC #175
Second row: Issued on: April 27, 1961 From: Freetown, Sierra Leone MC #193
Third row: Issued on: December 5, 1972 From: Freetown, Republic of Sierra Leone MC #546
Stamp on bottom: Issued on: June 27, 2019 From: Freetown, Republic of Sierra Leone Colnect #2019-264
Recognized as a sovereign state by the UN: Yes (since September 27, 1961) Official name: Republic of Sierra Leone Member of the Universal Postal Union: Yes (since January 29, 1962)
