Macao – Scott # 353, hinged

Description

Issued in 1954, Macao Scott #353 commemorates Fernão Mendes Pinto, the 16th-century Portuguese explorer, writer, and adventurer closely associated with early European contact in East Asia. Released under Portuguese administration, the stamp reflects Macao’s historical role as a center of Portuguese trade, exploration, and cultural exchange in the region.

The design features a strong engraved portrait of Fernão Mendes Pinto holding a sword and an open book, symbolic of both martial exploration and intellectual record. The inscription references Peregrinação, Pinto’s famous travel narrative describing his journeys throughout Asia. Vertical elements and dense line engraving lend the stamp a solemn, authoritative character typical of mid-20th-century Portuguese commemorative issues.

Printed in muted greenish-blue tones, the 1 avo denomination places this stamp among the lower values intended for regular postal use while still carrying significant historical symbolism. The engraver’s disciplined line work and balanced composition emphasize dignity and historical continuity rather than ornamentation.

This example is offered unused, hinged, with original gum present and a hinge mark on the reverse. The design remains crisp, with clear detail and intact perforations.

Country: Macao
Year of Issue: 1954
Scott Number: 353
Denomination: 1 avo
Condition: Unused, Hinged