St. Lucia – Scott # 397

Description

Issued in 1979, St. Lucia Scott #397 is a definitive stamp featuring the Sooty Tern (Sterna fuscata), a highly pelagic seabird well known for its long-distance flights and life spent largely over open ocean. The species is common throughout tropical and subtropical waters, including the Caribbean, where it is often seen nesting in large colonies on remote islands.

The stamp design depicts the sooty tern in a graceful angled pose, highlighting its sharply contrasting black upper body and white underparts. The streamlined form and pointed wings emphasize the bird’s agility and endurance in flight. A softly textured background provides visual depth without distracting from the central illustration.

Denominated 35 cents, this stamp is part of St. Lucia’s late-1970s definitive bird series, combining everyday postal utility with natural history themes.

This example is offered mint never hinged (MNH), with full original gum, clean perforations, and strong, fresh color. A fine single for collectors of seabirds, wildlife definitives, or Caribbean stamp issues.

Country: St. Lucia
Year of Issue: 1979
Scott Number: 397
Denomination: 35c
Condition: Mint Never Hinged (MNH)