Changing symbolism and slogans in HIV-AIDS philately

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Part 1 (1981-2007)

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Scientific evidence shows that the virus sneaked into human beings around 1920s. We realised its existence, about six decades later, in early 1980s. Mankind had just emerged from successful small-pox eradication, when in 1981, Center of disease control (CDC) reported a cluster of unusual pneumonias. Doctors saw these pneumonias in illicit-drug users and gay-men, unsure about the cause of failing immunity. We coined the term AIDS in 1982, and discovered HIV next year, in 1983. Two years later, in 1985 came the first HIV test. This was also the year for initiation of screening all donated-blood for HIV.

Red-Ribbon, symbol of HIV awareness and care, appeared only in 1993. This is the first Red-ribbon stamp and its First day cover from 1st December 1993
The HIV-AIDS “Problem”

1985-88 were eye-openers in history of HIV-AIDS. We learned enormity of the problem, only when we started testing. Epidemiologists estimated that there are over a million HIV-positives in US. Tests detected HIV-positive individuals across the globe. Many famous personalities had succumbed to AIDS. Screening found many children, who had received blood products to be HIV-positive. First drug to treat AIDS (Zidovudine) had just become available. In this context, in 1988 San Marino issued first Postage stamp highlighting the “problem.”

First HIV postage stamps (1988). All stamps had a slogan “Problem of our times”. It used symbols of despair. A “knot” in foreground of HIV virus. A tree whose “roots” were affected. News-paper showing a rising graph, and “no-prevention”. Last stamp was aspirational and shows “AIDS” breaking.
Raging war and defense

By 1988, we knew that HIV transmits thought sexual-route. We had also established its transmission through needles, and blood-products. The same year, first HIV positive woman had given birth. We then knew that it also transmits from mother-to-child.

Postage stamp miniature sheet from Zaire (1989) uses a symbol of doom – “skull” to indicate spread of HIV. The slogan calls for “Humanity to fight against AIDS“.
A stamp from Italy (1989) tries to “contain a virus in a vault“, with a slogan – “Defend“. Another one from Brazil (1990) attempts to “contain HIV in a jar“.
United Nations AIDS postage stamps (1990). Top right stamp uses “fire” and top-middle stamp uses “spreading blood” as symbols. Human figurines in the middle stamp are making an effort to control, but blood-spread looks unabated. Top right stamp shows a “dark-shadow” of AIDS on humanity. Slogan in all the stamps is to fight AIDS-world-wide.
A set of two stamps from Argentina 1992, on protection from AIDS
Pre red-ribbon HIV stamps. Russia (1993), Turk-Cyprus (1991), Myanmar (1992), and Greenland (1993). Stamp from Russia used “blood-spill“, Myanmar used red-colour and a “STOP” sign, Greenland stamp uses red-coloured letters. Stamp from turk-cyprus uses a slogan “AIDS diagnosis, protect yourself“. It depicts blood-transfusion, pregnancy, sexual-practices and IV-drug use are areas where protection is needed.
Emergence of the red-ribbon

Today red-ribbon is a powerful symbol of AIDS awareness. Distressed by many of their colleagues with AIDS, a group of artists in New-York formed VisualAIDS. This collective would meet to discuss ways to increase AIDS-awareness. In 1991 US was engaged in first Gulf-war, and yellow-ribbon was a popular symbol for solidarity with US-armed forces. Marc Happel, a costume designer wondered if there should be a symbol for HIV-AIDS, as this struggle was no-less than a war. He suggested red-ribbon at a VisualAIDS meeting in 1991. Artists were encouraged to wear it at events. By 1992 the symbol had become global.

First Red-ribbon stamp US (1993). Stamps from Angola (1994) however do not show this symbol. These stamps appear with a slogan “AIDS is responsibility of all of us“. It uses humans in different colours to indicate “diversity“. Other stamps show tribal symbols, and AIDS victims.
Postage stamps from Mali, Nepal, and Monaco issued in 1994. None of these have a red-ribbon. Please note an emaciated person in a postage stamp from Mali, and a tree with dark leaves in the one from Monaco. Please also see condom worn on fingers in another stamp from Mali.

United States issued first red-ribbon postage stamp in 1993. The symbol appeared in most HIV-AIDS postage stamps in subsequent years. This was also a time-period for some research advances. In 1991, we established that HIV-drug Zidovudine prevented transmission from mother to child.

The peak
Stamps from Paraguay (1995) and Bahamas (1995) show red-ribbons. Stamps from Paraguay have a slogan “Best prevention is information.” These stamps depict human figures, and symbol of “happy-blood drop” and “unhappy-blood drops“. Happy blood drop is big and holds a “green paper“. It seems to have passed an AIDS screening-test.
Stamps from Bahamas have a more alarming slogan “AIDS kills“. These stamps are more factual and depict HIV virus and laboratory personnel (with gloved hands).

By 1995, newer drugs against HIV were developed. It was the beginning of highly effective anti-retroviral therapy or HAART. In the very next year, 1996 Brazil became the first country in the world to offer HIV drugs without out-of-pocket expenses. In the same year, UNAIDS was formed to coordinate global HIV response. We had reached a peak in 1997, with more than 3 million new HIV-positive cases detected in one year. Postage stamps were however becoming more hopeful.

Postage stamp from Canada (1996) with a slogan “One world one hope“. Stamps from South Africa (1996) and Belarus (1997) show red-ribbons. Stamp from Indonesia (1997) shows AIDS “coming out of a whirlwind“. Another stamp from Turk-cyprus (1997) calls for means of protection.
A special cover from India (1996) with a slogan – Difficult to get, easy to prevent
A stamp from Denmark (1996). Red-ribbons have formed a heart. Red of blood is shown as red of heart – Love and affection.
Waalis Futana (1997)
Waalis Futana – 1998
Shedding our taboos

We had realised at the dawn of the century that HIV is a global phenomenon. It was not entirely about IV-drug users or homosexual men. As blood products were secured, and we could reduce transmission from HIV-postive mothers to their children, we had to move to the next level. Ongoing transmission was between the sexes, and we needed to be open about safe-sex. This was often in conflict with established religious practices.

Stamps issued in the year 2000. Stamps from Surinam and Uruguay show condoms in the fight against AIDS. Uruguay stamp shows a tic-tac-toe where condoms have won, and cross had lost. Human faces in Stamp from Colombia are happy. Stamps from Aruba show collaboration between nations and red-ribbon.
Cameroon 2001 – HIV in children
A United Nations stamp (2002) showing UNAIDS. A heart shaped Stamp from Brazil (2003) with red-ribbon and two hands. Heart depicts love and affection.
A set of four stamps was issued by Namibia in 2002. The cancellation has a ribbon, and the messages are “Protect”, “Reach out” “Once is enough” and “Ongoing research”
A special cover from India (2003) with a slogan – “Talk AIDS with everyone” another slogan says – “Lets win our battle over AIDS with information and tact“
Improving AIDS treatment – Global fund

While HAART was available, its reach was limited. Most countries did not have access to medicines, or monitoring. First real revolution came in 2002-03 when global fund was establish to treat AIDS. This expanded the number of positives on treatment. Postage stamps were more up-beat in the coming years. They had more colours than red, full of hope and concern.

Stamps from Swaziland (2004) that focus on testing, and safe health practices. Stamp from Papua New Guinea (2005) on role of Rotary international in fight against HIV. Vatican stamp (2004) focused on orphaned children due to AIDS.
Anguilla 2004: AIDS through eyes of a child
World AIDS day 2004 – Women and AIDS
World AIDS day issue from India (2006). First day cover shows happy children. A post-mark from Portugal (2006) calls for testing.
A special cover on AIDS awareness, issued in 2007. The cover has a red-ribbon, and the cancellation has the structure of the virus
Red-ribbons from Bangladesh, Pakistan, Ukraine. A post-card from India with a slogan – Be aware, take care.
Paraguay red-ribbons (2007) with a slogan – “Lets fight the disease and not the sick” on role of Marco Aguayo foundation in HIV campaign in Paraguay
Coming together of Communities

As we make progress, and have reduced the number of new cases after 1997, the number of new cases worldwide is stagnant around 2.5 million annually. Next blog showcases post-2008 stamps that are filled with more colours and hope.

13 comments

  1. Very interesting and relevant . The world moves on stamps and so does the history

  3. Very well explained with postage stamps. This also tells that Govts are concerned about health of their citizens. And above all, your presentation made it really interesting.

  7. Interesting journey of hope and colour against AIDS!!Great efforts in educating us about this perspective Dr Rajnish!!

  8. Sir it’s a great wonderful information about the AIDs and praise you for such collection and given in such away so common person also understand about the same thanks for sharing Sir

  9. Sis ko wonderful information about the AIDs and praise you for such collection and given in such away so common person also understand about the same thanks for sharing Sir

  10. AIDS once a raging pandemic still continues to be illusive for a preventive vaccine or cure despite heavy research funding. Awesome creative stamps & narration describing the gloom, hope, education & breakthroughs . Thank you Sir. Hoping HIV infections-AIDS in human will be history one day.

  11. It’s an interesting information about AIDS. So wonderfully detailed. Thank you for sharing sir.

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