The philately of Tuvalu, formerly the Ellis Islands, was modest. However, after gaining independence in 1978, it began to gain momentum year by year. In recent years, more and more stamps have appeared, issued for “market” reasons and satisfying any fleeting whims. As on the Kiribati miniatures, the country's coat of arms is printed instead of the queen's profile. However, the themes chosen for Tuvalu's stamps show that the ties between Tuvalu and Britain are still strong.