The Gilbert and Ellice Islands Protectorate was established by Britain in 1892 (the Gilbert Islands are now called Kiribati) and the protectorate became a colony in 1916. The Ellice Islands became a separate British dependency in October 1975, and gained independence as Tuvalu on 1 October 1978.
These stamps were issued in 1956. More info http://brcstamps.com/catalog/countries/Gilbert_and_Ellice_Islands/GEI_Page_6.html
