FIRST
STAMPS ('cottonreels') 1 July 1850 (these were produced locally pending
arrival of definitive from London).
CURRENCY
1850, 100 cents = 1 dollar.
The three Dutch
counties of Demerara, Essequibo and Berbice, settled by the Dutch West Indies
Company c. 1620, were captured in 1796 by Britain, ceded to it in 1814, and
united as British Guiana in 1831. The colony became an independent member of
the Commonwealth on 26 May 1966 as Guyana.
A packet office existed in
Demerara from 1796 and in Berbice somewhat later. A local boat met the Falmouth
packet at Barbados. Datestamps are known from soon after. From 1842 the service
changed to steam and British Guiana shared the services of the West Indies
packet until World War I. An inland P0 was established by London on 1 July
1850. In 1856 a crowned circle 'PAID' mark was supplied. Prepayment of letters
to Britain was made compulsory in 1858. In 1860 the colony took control of the
P0. Difficult terrain and broad rivers with rapids impeded communications until
regular airmails started in 1944. In 1880 there were 49 POs and even by 1938
only 73. |
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British Guiana boasts the world's
highest-priced stamp in the one cent black on magenta of 1856 (of which only
one copy is known).
Stamps of Britain were used on
mail to Britain in 1858-60 (oblit. A03, Georgetown; A04, Berbice). |
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