Postage stamps and postal history of Guernsey

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Guernsey
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2+1/2d regional issue of 1964; design by Eric Piprel QEII REG G 026.jpg
Guernsey 2+12d regional issue of 1964; design by Eric Piprel
A 1994 stamp of Guernsey Iris Ideal Renoir.jpg
A 1994 stamp of Guernsey

The first postal service took place using mail sent with captains of packet ships, using agents in the England and in the islands for the end delivery. The cost was normally 3d. The first pillar boxes in Britain were introduced in the Channel Islands as an experiment in 1852, to collect mail for the Royal Mail packet boats. The oldest pillar box in use in the British Isles is in Guernsey.

Contents

The first postage stamps printed for use in Guernsey were issued during the occupation of the island during World War II. [1]

This VR box in Guernsey is the oldest box in use in the British Isles. Victorian post box Guernsey.jpg
This VR box in Guernsey is the oldest box in use in the British Isles.

In the 1950s Guernsey used British regional stamps marked specifically for use in Guernsey but valid for postage throughout the United Kingdom. [1]

Guernsey has issued its own stamps since the creation of Guernsey Post on 1 October 1969. [1]

The Bailiwick of Guernsey incorporates Alderney, Herm and Sark which all used the Guernsey issues from 1969. From 1983 Guernsey began issuing specific stamps designated Alderney for use in that island which are also valid throughout the Bailiwick of Guernsey..

In 1998 postage stamps were issued without a price stated on the stamp, the terms "Local" and "UK" being used to distinguish the values. In 2010 "EUR" (Europe) and "ROW" (Rest of World) were issued. In 2012 this was expanded further with "UK Letter", "GY letter" (Guernsey) "INT letter" (International) "UK large" and "GY large" designating envelope size and destination.

Starting in 2015, Guernsey also issues Post & Go stamps. [2]

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 3 Stanley Gibbons Stamp Catalogue: Commonwealth and British Empire Stamps 1840-1970. 112th edition. London: Stanley Gibbons, 2010, p. GB31. ISBN   0852597312
  2. "Guernsey Post & Go Faststamps" (PDF). Retrieved 2015-11-02.

Further reading

Channel Islands & Guernsey

Alderney, Herm, Jethou & Sark