First Scout Postal Cancels by Country

The following spreadsheet of first Scout postal cancels by country is designed to provide an authoritative reference and checklist for topical collectors seeking these items.  The comment "non-Scout" describes a cancellation that does not mention Scouting, nor has any Scouting illustrations but may be tied to a Scout stamp or on a Scout-related cachet.  Examples of this include many first day covers "FDCs" for Scout stamp issues or events.  A "machine cancel" is the same as a slogan cancel, and should not be confused with meter stamps.  During war or crisis periods, some Scout Local Posts operated with Field Post Offices or as substitute postal administrations.


Checkmark

CountryDateDesignComments
 Abkhazianone non-Scout FDCs
 Adennone  
 Afghanistannone non-Scout FDCs
 Aitutakinone non-Scout FDCs
 Ajmannone non-Scout FDCs
 AlgeriaApr 14, 1930Camp National de Scoutisme, AlgerNational Scout Camp
 Anguillanone non-Scout FDCs
 Antiguanone non-Scout FDCs
 Antigua & Barbudanone non-Scout FDCs
 ArgentinaJan 12, 1961Oficina Postal Movil No. 1 - Buenos Aires1st International Patrol Camp
 ArmeniaJul 27, 19955. Pan-Armenian jamboreein Armenian(?)
 Arubanone non-Scout FDCs
 Ascensionnone non-Scout FDCs
 AustraliaDec 24, 1934Aust. Jamboree Frankston Vic.3 types exist.
 AustriaJul 17, 1936Jubiläumslager des Österr. Pfadfinderkorps "St. Georg", LaxenburgJubilee camp of the Austrian Scout Association "St. George"
 BahamasFeb 22, 1985Girl Guides 75th AnniversaryFDC. The 1967, 1970 and 1977 FDCs are non-Scout
 Bahrainnone non-scout FDCs
 BangladeshJan 22, 1973Scout Post, Pulareat CampScout Local Post cancels with FPO during war of independence, April-December 1971
 BarbadosJul 24, 1987Barbados with Scout badgeFDC. The 1962-1982 FDCs are non-Scout
 Barbudanone non-scout FDCs
 Belgium4-Aug-1930 1916Interscout - Liege - Luik - 1930 PFADINDERABTEILUNG Not a Belgian Postal ServiceTransit camp for Scouts visiting the international exhibition. German Scouts operating in occupied Belgium at FPO
 Belize197840th anniversary of Guiding in BelizeMachine cancel
 BeninAug 16, 1976Jamboree AfricainFDC. See also Dahomey
 Bermudanone non-Scout FDCs
 BhutanMar 28, 1967Boy Scouts of BhutanFDC
 BoliviaApr 28, 1976Scouts 60 AnniversarioFDC. 1970 FDC is non-scout
 BophuthatswanaJan 29, 1982Boy Scouts 75 Years, MafikengFDC
 Botswananone non-Scout FDCs
 BrazilOct 12, 19411o. Semana do Transito, Ceara1st Transport Week
 British Antarcticnone  
 British Virgin IslandsNov 18, 1982The Year of the Scout 1907-1982FDC
 BruneiDec 14, 1985Scout badgeFDC. The 17-Oct-85 International Youth Year FDC is non-Scout
 BulgariaAug 2, 1998"Drastar 98", International Camp of Bulgarian and Rumanian ScoutsIn Bulgarian. 1942 FDC is non-Scout.
 Burkina Fasonone non-Scout FDCs. Formerly Upper Volta
 BurmaNov 1, 1960Second Far East Regional Scout Conference 
 Burundinone non-scout FDCs
 CamerounOct 5, 1981Conference Africaine du ScoutismeFDC. The 1973 FDC is non-Scout
 CanadaOct 20, 1937Buy an apple October 30th to help the boysMachine cancel
 Canal Zonenone non-Scout FDCs
 Cape of Good Hopenone Mafeking Siege 1900 local issues for Cadet Corps and Baden Powell
 Cayman IslandsAug 24, 1982Cayman IslandsFDC with Scout Year logo
 Central African RepublicSep 27, 1965ScoutismeFDC
 Ceylon1952Jamboree Camp P.O., CeylonSee also Sri Lanka
 ChadOct 17, 1967Jamboree Mondial 1967FDC
 ChileMay 21, 1982Santiago with Scout saluteFDC. The 1971 FDC is non-Scout.
 China (Mainland)Nov 12, 19335th Municipal Scout Rally and Jamboree - 642nd Scout TroopIn Chinese
 China (Taiwan)??-Aug-1956Golden Scout Meeting at the Sun-Moon SeaIn Chinese
 CiskeiMay 3, 1985Girl GuidesFDC
 Cocos IslandsJul 21, 1982Cocos Keeling Islands - Indian Ocean with Scout badgeFDC
 ColumbiaJul 26, 1962Consejo Interamericano de EscultismoFDC. A spelling error "Concejo" exists.
 Comoro Islandsnone non-Scout FDCs
 CongoSep 29, 1967Jamboree Mondial 1967FDC
 Cook Islandsnone non-Scout FDCs
 Costa RicaMar 15, 1968Scout badgeFDC. A free postage cachet with a Scout badge in 1959
 CroatiaAug 10, 199480th Anniversary of Scouting in Koprivnica and in CroatiaIn Croatian.
 CubaDec 27, 1954Campamento NacionalFDC. Free postage cachets with a Scout badge seen from 1950.
 CyprusAug 21, 1963Cyprus with Scout badgeFDC
 Cyprus (Turkish)Dec 15, 1982Izciligin Kurulusunun 75. YliFDC
 CzechoslovakiaOct 28, 1918Posta Skautu, Praha 1918Scout Post, cancels used by the Scout Mail Delivery Service
 Czech RepublicNov 6, 199375 Vyroci Posty Ceskych Skauto, Praha75th anniversary of the Czech Scouts' Mail Delivery Service
 DahomeyOct 17, 1966ScoutismeFDC. See also Benin
 DenmarkJul 13, 1930Middelfart Fænø KFUM-SpejderneNational camp for YMCA Scouts
 DjiboutiJul 16, 1981ScoutismeFDC
 Dominicanone non-Scout FDCs
 Dominican RepublicDec 7, 1973Scout badgeFDC. The 1957 FDC is non-Scout
 DubaiJan 20, 1964Dubai 11th jamboreeFDC
 EcuadorFeb 1, 1994Scouts with Scout badgeFDC
 EgyptJul 25, 19562nd Arab JamboreeFDC in Arabic
 El SalvadorJul 25, 1968Emisión ScoutFDC. Free postage cachets seen from 1961.
 Equatorial Guineanone non-Scout FDCs
 Eritreanone non-Scout FDCs
 EstoniaJul 10, 1936Paralepa Eesti Skautide III Suurlaager3rd National Camp of Estonian Scouts. Uncertain status of Scout field post cancels 1918-1920.
 Ethiopianone non-Scout FDCs
 Falkland Islandsnone  
 Faroe IslandsApr 14, 1976Leynavatnslegan, TórshavnCamp of Faeroese Scouts at Leynavatn
 Fiji1959Girl Guides World Regional Gathering, Suva, Sep.Machine cancel
 FinlandJul 20, 1934Lauttasaari Drumsö Partioleiri ScoutlägerCamp of the Swedish speaking Scouts in Finland
 FranceJun 26, 1938Plein Jeu, Eclaireurs de France, ParisInterdenominational Scouts camp
 French Antarcticnone non-Scout FDCs
 French PolynesiaDec 18, 19712eme Rallye des Scouts et Guides de FranceFDC
 Fujeiranone non-Scout FDCs
 GabonOct 17, 1966ScoutismeFDC
 The Gambianone non-Scout FDCs
 GermanyMay 1, 1956Pfadfinderlager Brexbachtal, Bendorf (Rhein)Camp for St. George Scouts
 GhanaJul 22, 1971Ghana Girl Guides 1921-1971FDC. The 1967 FDC is non-Scout
 GibraltarMar 27, 197870th Anniversary of Boy Scouting in GibraltarThe 1968 and 1975 FDCs are non-Scout
 Gilbert Islandsnone non-Scout FDCs. See also Kiribati
 Great BritainJul 31, 1929Arrowe Pk Camp, Wirral Ches3rd World Jamboree
 GreeceAug 19, 1950Pan Hellenic Jamboree, AthensIn Greek letters
 GreenlandJul 20, 1967Katangut-ekspeditionen, Sdr. StrømfjordThe Katangut Expedition of Danish Scout Association
 Grenadanone non-Scout FDCs
 Grenada Grenadinesnone non-Scout FDCs
 GuatemalaJul 1, 198575 Anos de Fondacion del Escultismo MundialFDC. The 1966 FDC is non-Scout. Free postage cachets with a Scout badge are seen from 1940.
 GuernseySep 11, 1971Guernsey Scout Association Diamond Jubilee 1911-1971 
 Guineanone non-Scout FDCs
 Guinea Bissaunone non-Scout FDCs
 Guyananone non-Scout FDCs
 HaitiMar 23, 1951Visite de Lady Baden-Powell Haiti 1951Lady BP's visit to Haiti 1951
 HondurasDec 15, 1992XVI Camporee Scout Centroamericano16th Central American Camporee
 Hong KongDec 27, 1961Jamborette P.O. Hong Kong 
 HungarySep 4, 1925I. Cserkész Keruleti Verseny, Ujpest-NépszigetMachine cancel. 1st Scout national camp and county display. 1925 FDC is non-Scout
 IcelandJul 28, 1962Landsmót Skáta, itingvellirScouts and Guides National Congress
 India1921Indian Scout Village S.I.B.S.A 
 IndonesiaJun 27, 1955Hari Penerbitan PertanaIndonesia was formerly Netherlands Indies
 IranDec 3, 1967LogoFDC. The 1950-1965 FDCs are non-Scout
 IraqDec 15, 1967Baghdad with Scout badgeFDC in Arabic
 IrelandJul 18, 1967Boy Scouts Camp, LismoreScout camp, 40th anniversary of the Catholic Boy Scouts of Ireland)
 Isle of ManMay 26, 197770 Years of ScoutingFDC
 IsraelMay 21, 1954National Jamboree of the Union of Jewish Scouts in IsraelIn Hebrew
 ItalyAug 11, 1952A.S.C.I. Campo Naz Rover, San Candido1st National Rover Moot of the Catholic Scout Association of Italy
 Ivory CoastJul 16, 197324 Conference Mondiale du ScoutismeFDC
 JamaicaMar 5, 19521st Caribbean JamboreeFDC
 JapanAug 2, 1935All Nippon Boy Scout CampIn Japanese
 JerseyNov 1, 197365 Years of Scouting in Jersey 
 Jordannone non-Scout FDCs
 Kenyanone non-Scout FDCs
 Kenya Uganda Tanzanianone non-Scout FDCs
 Khor-Fakkannone non-Scout FDCs
 Kiribatinone non-Scout FDCs. See also Gilbert Islands
 Korea, SouthFeb 27, 195750th Anniversary of Establishment of Boy ScoutsFDC. Several different cancels on this date.
 KuwaitJan 14, 1996 FDC. The 1966 and 1982 FDCs are non-Scout
 LatviaJun 20, 1934Latvijas Skauti, Gaida Jus, 3. Lielá Nometné Asaros IIMachine cancel, "3rd National Camp, Asaros" is a translation
 LaosSep 1, 1973Vientiane with Scout badgeFDC
 LebanonAug 24, 1974LogoFDC. The 1962 FDC is non-Scout
 LesothoMar 15, 1982Maseru with Scout badgeFDC. The 1967 FDC is non-Scout
 LiberiaSep 1, 1979Monrovia with Scout badgeFDC. The 1961-1971 FDCs are non-Scout
 Libyanone non-Scout FDCs
 LiechtensteinJun 9, 1981Vaduz Ausgabetag with Girl Guide trefoilFDC. The 1932, 1953 and 1957 FDCs are non-Scout
 LithuaniaJul 8, 1938A. Panemune, Tautiné Skautu StovyklaNational Scout Jamboree is a translation
 LuxembourgJul 26, 1948Letzeburger Scouten Jamboree Bonnevoie(National camp)
 Madeiranone non-Scout FDC
 Madagascar (Malagasy)Jun 6, 196440 Anniv. du Scoutisme MalgacheFDC
 MalaysiaAug 12, 196150th Anniversary of Malaysian ScoutingThis is the event, not the exact cancellation text. Machine cancel.
 Maldives, Republic ofnone non-Scout FDCs
 Malinone non-Scout FDCs
 MaltaOct 21, 198360 Years of Guiding in Malta 1923 - 1983, VallettaMachine cancel
 Manamanone non-Scout FDCs
 Marshall Islandsnone non-Scout FDCs
 MauritaniaJun 5, 1967Jamboree Mondial 1967FDC
 MauritiusFeb 25, 1982The Year of ScoutingFDC
 MexicoDec 27, 1960IV Campamento Nacional Rover - 1 Rover-Moot Centro Americano y del Caribe4th National Rover Camp, 1st Central American and Caribbean Rover Moot
 Monaconone non-Scout FDCs
 MongoliaJul 3, 1992Boy ScoutsFDC
 MontserratApr 2, 197960th Anniversary of ScoutingFDC. The 1970 FDC is non-Scout
 MoroccoAug 8, 1962V Jamboree ArabeFDC
 NamibiaSep 2, 1977Windhoek, with Scout badge60 year Scouting in Namibia, African Scout Conference
 NauruFeb 23, 1982Year of the ScoutFDC. The 1-Dec-78 FDC is non-Scout
 NepalDec 29, 1967Diamond Jubilee of World ScoutingFDC.
 The Netherlands1932National Padvinders Kamp Wassenaar 2-12-Augustus 1932, s'GravenhageMachine cancel. The "Padvinders Kamp" line cachet from 1913 is not an official postal cancellation.
 Netherlands AntillesFeb 22, 1957Ned. Antillen FDC with Scout badge 
 Netherlands IndiesMay 1, 1937Koopt Jamboree Zegels, BataviaMachine cancel, 1-May-37 is FDC, but the cancel was used until 30-Jun-37. See also Indonesia
 Nevisnone non-Scout FDCs
 New CaledoniaAug-1968Noumea pacifique boumMachine cancel
 New Hebridesnone non-Scout FDCs. See also Vanuatu
 New ZealandJan 6, 1954Canterbury Jamborette, Motukarara N.Z.The 1944 and 1953 FDCs are non-Scout
 NicaraguaNov 27, 1952Primer Camporee de Scouts CentroamericanosFDC. First Central AMerican Scout Camporee. The 1949 FDC is non-Scout
 NigerMay 25, 1967Jamboree Mondial 1967FDC
 Nigerianone non-Scout FDCs
 Niuafo'ounone non-Scout FDCs
 Niuenone non-Scout FDCs
 Norfolk Islandnone non-scout FDCs
 NorwayJul 6, 1928Landsleiren Romsdalen 1928National Boy Scout Camp at Romsdalen
 Oman, State ofnone non-Scout FDCs
 Oman, Sultanate of30 Nov 1997Scout BadgeFDC
 PakistanDec 30, 19521st Pakistan National Jamboree Post Office 
 PanamaApr 14, 1988Asociacion Nacional de Muchacha i Guias PanamaFDC. The 1964-1985 FDCs are non-Scout
 Papua New GuineaDec 29, 1970Jamboree of New Endeavour 
 ParaguayFeb 6, 1962Siempre ListoFDC
 Penrhynnone non-Scout FDCs. Cancel text says "Northern Cook Islands, Penrhyn"
 PeruAug 8, 1972VIII Conferencia Scout-Interamericana8th Inter-American Scout Conference. Free postage cachets seen from 1932.
 Philippines31-Oct-38Boy Scout Anniversary Period, October 31 -November 15Machine cancel
 PolandJul 27, 1914Poczta Skautowa IV-LScout Field Post from the part of Poland occupied by Austria
 PortugalAug 16, 1956X Acampamento Nacional do CNE, Avintes Portugal10th National Camp of the Catholic Scout Association
 Qatarnone non-Scout FDCs
 Ras Al Khaimanone non-Scout FDCs
 Redondanone non-Scout FDCs
 RhodesiaApr 25, 1974Ruwa Scout ParkSee also Rhodesia & Nyasaland and Zimbabwe
 Rhodesia & NyasalandMay 4, 1959Scout Jamboree, Ruwa, S. Rhod.See also Rhodesia and Zimbabwe.
 RomaniaJul 5, 1932Sibiu, Jamb. Nat.2nd National Jamboree. The 1931 and 1932 FDCs are non-Scout
 Russianone  
 RwandaFeb 20, 1978Scouts du RwandaFDC
 Ryukyu IslandsAug 31, 1964Ryukyu Caru-sukarto So-ritsu Ju-nen Ki-nenFDC. In Japanese. 10th Anniversary of Ryukyuan Girl Scouts, Trefoil
 St. Helenanone non-Scout FDCs
 St. Kittsnone non-Scout FDCs
 St. Kitts-Nevisnone non-Scout FDCs
 St. Lucianone non-Scout FDCs
 St. Pierre & MiquelonDec 9, 1987ScoutismeFDC
 St. Thomas & PrinceJul 31, 1982S. Tomé with Scout logoFDC
 St. Vincentnone non-Scout FDCs
 St. Vincent Grenadinesnone non-Scout FDCs
 St. Vincent Grenadines Bequianone non-Scout FDCs
 SamoaJan 29, 1973Boy Scouts, Apia, W. SamoaFDC
 San MarinoAug 1, 1995ACEGS, 18. World JamboreeParticipation in the 18th WJ by the Catholic Scouts Association
 Saudi Arabianone non-Scout FDCs
 SenegalDec 11, 1970Conference Africaine du ScoutismeFDC
 Sharjahnone non-Scout FDCs
 SiamDec 6, 1930Scout Jamboree 1 January, BangkokMachine cancel, in Thai. See also Thailand. 1920 cancels are non-Scout.
 Sierra LeoneDec 6, 1969Boy Scout Diamond Jubilee CommemorativeFDC
 SingaporeJun 9, 19749th Asia-Pacific Scout ConferenceFDC
 SlovakiaMay 18, 1995Bratislava with scout badgeFDC
 SloveniaSep 26, 1995Ljubljana with scout badgeFDC
 Solomon IslandsNov 15, 197850 years of Scouting 1928-1978FDC
 SomaliaAug 15, 1967Serie Boy ScoutsFDC
 South AfricaJan 8, 1936Scout Camp ELEL is East London
 SpainApr 21, 1975Exposicion Filatelica Scout, Semana Escultismo, Sta. Cruz de TenerifeScout week and Scout stamp exhibition
 Sri LankaMay 24, 1982125th Birth Anniversary of Lord Baden-PowellThe 1977 FDC is non-Scout. See also Ceylon
 Sudannone non-Scout FDCs
 SurinamAug 19, 1961Paramaribo with camp fireFDC
 Swazilandnone non-Scout FDCs. A postage free cachet "Boy Scouts Association, Official Free" is from 1969
 SwedenJul 8, 1927Scoutlägret StockholmNational Boy Scout camp
 SwitzerlandJul 27, 1925I. Scweiz. Pfadfinderlager, Bern 19251st National Boy Scout camp
 SyriaAug 12, 1970LogoFDC, 9th Pan Arab Jamboree. The 1958 FDC is non-Scout
 Tanzania1963Tanzania Girl Guides 40th Anniversary, Dar Es SalaamMachine cancel
 ThailandNov 1, 1961Scout badgeFDC. See also Siam
 TogoOct 7, 1961Boys ScoutsFDC
 TongaJun 29, 1973Silver Jubilee, Tongan Scouting 1948-1973FDC
 TranskeiMay 14, 1982Umtata with Scout badgeFDC
 Trinidad & TobagoMar 28, 1961Visit Boy Scout Jamboree Trinidad April 4th -14thMachine cancel
 Tristan da Cunhanone non-Scout FDCs
 TunisiaAug 9, 19604 Jamboree ArabeFDC
 TurkeyJul 22, 1962Türk Izciliginin 50. Yli, IstanbulFDC. The 1938, 1946 and 1949 FDCs are non-Scout
 Turks and Caicosnone non-Scout FDCs
 Tuvalunone non-Scout FDCs
 Ugandanone non-Scout FDCs
 UkraineAug 8, 1993 International Jubilee Scout Meeting, and 80th Anniversary of Scouting in Ukraine in Ukrainian
 Umm Al Qiwainnone non-Scout FDCs
 United Arab EmiratesNov 29, 1988logoFDC
 United StatesFeb 8, 1935B.S.A. 1910 - 1935U.S.N. Ship Cancels. 5 different cancels on this date.
 Upper VoltaJun 15, 1966ScoutismeFDC. See also Burkina Faso
 UruguayJan 24, 1968Uruguay with Scout and Scout badgeFDC
 VanuatuSep 1, 1982Scout badgeFDC. See also New Hebrides
 VenezuelaAug 20, 1964VIII Campamento Internacional de Patrullas8th International Scout Patrols Camp. Free postage cachets seen from 1958.
 Viet Nam, SouthDec 25, 1959Scout badgeFDC
 Wallis & FutunaJun 21, 1982Baden-Powell 1857-1941FDC
 Yemen Arab Republicnone non-Scout FDCs
 Yemen PDRnone non-Scout FDCs
 Yemen Republicnone non-Scout FDCs
 YugoslaviaSep 1, 1935III. Tabor Skauta, Beograd 213rd National Scout Camp
 ZaireNov 29, 1982Kinshasa with Scout logoFDC. 1981 FDC is non-Scout
 Zambianone non-Scout FDCs
 ZimbabweJul 4, 1982Year of Scout logoSee also Rhodesia and Rhodesia & Nyasaland
 ÅlandAug 1, 1998Mariehamn, with Boy and Girl Scout logosFDC

Scout Postmark Cancel Contributors:

This checklist was made possible by the collaboration of SOSSI members around the world entirely through the use of internet email.  Many thanks to Hallvard Slettebø, Philippe van Hille, Frederick Lawrence, Lee F. Shedroff, Berthold Sinaulan, Howard Kaplan, J. Alex Hadden, and Tony Manson for their contributions and reviews.  Created by Keith Larson.

Scout Postmark Cancel Sources:

Comments and Updates:

This checklist is maintained with updates at the SOSSI web site. You may also download this list in Microsoft Word97 and Adobe Acrobat PDF format.  Send your recommendations for changes to  This list may be freely distributed without charge or modifications.
First Scout Postal Cancels by Country, Edition 1.0, October 9, 1999, © SOSSI 1999.