After the defeat of the Japanese in World War II the Moslem population of the Dutch East Indies rejected the Dutch-proposed United States of Indonesia, and created the Republic of Indonesia. The Spice Islands or South Moluccas declared its independence from the Republic of Indonesia, and in 1950 President Sukarno sent troops to end the independence movement. After thirteen years of guerrilla war the South Moluccans were defeated. The Dutch, who had supported their desire for independence, agreed to evacuate them to the Netherlands. Although this was intended only as a temporary measure they remain a marginal refugee population in the Netherlands. 
     The provisional government of Maluku Selatan, the South Moluccas, issued 130 different stamps between 1950 and 1954. Since they were privately issued they are not recognized as postal stamps. Among the first issues are these that show a map of the Spice Islands

postage stamp is one out of a set of seven issued to celebrate the liberation of the Spice Islands by the revolutionary authority.

Any stamp purchase made at the same time as this one is purchased--SHIPS AT NO ADDITIONAL COST! One stamp or One Thousand.

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