Early Prototype
Stamp Magazine|October 2017

The elegant first issue of St Christopher in 1870 can lay claim to being an inspiration behind De La Rue’s later key-type designs

John Winchester
Early Prototype

The Leeward Island of St Christopher (informally known as St Kitts) had enjoyed an organised postal service since 1760, and a Postmaster since 1779. When it was given control of its postal affairs in 1860, however, it had no adhesive stamps.

A circular ‘Paid’ handstamp had to be used on overseas mail for the next 10 years before a stamp issue appeared.

The colonial administrator had written to the Perkins Bacon in London as early as December 1862, requesting a quote for printing 1d and 6d stamps. Before a deal was reached, however, Perkins Bacon lost the printing contract. After a long delay, it would be De La Rue which took up the challenge.

This story is from the October 2017 edition of Stamp Magazine.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the October 2017 edition of Stamp Magazine.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM STAMP MAGAZINEView All
Ship Of State
Stamp Magazine

Ship Of State

Recess-printed, lithographed, typographed and overprinted, the attractive Lakatoi issues of British New Guinea and Papua are a complex series with myriad varieties

time-read
7 mins  |
December 2019
The Finest Cuts For This Year's Christmas Fare
Stamp Magazine

The Finest Cuts For This Year's Christmas Fare

Royal Mail’s Christmas stamps, released on November 5, take a religious approach this year, featuring classy biblical scenes created by paper-cut artists Hari & Deepti.

time-read
1 min  |
December 2019
Roaring Success?
Stamp Magazine

Roaring Success?

The first stamp issue for Kenya, Uganda & Tanganyika in 1935 might have united three postal administrations, but its design and printing were far from uniform

time-read
2 mins  |
December 2019
Man Of Peace
Stamp Magazine

Man Of Peace

Karl bickel not only transformed and rejuvenated Swiss stamp design in the mid-20th century but also built a monument to peace in his spare time

time-read
3 mins  |
December 2019
‘Oh Help! Oh No! It's A Gruffalo!'
Stamp Magazine

‘Oh Help! Oh No! It's A Gruffalo!'

A Royal Mail stamp issue on October 10 marked the 20th anniversary of the publication of The Gruffalo, the popular children’s picture book written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler.

time-read
3 mins  |
December 2019
Day Of Reckoning
Stamp Magazine

Day Of Reckoning

However painstakingly compiled, your collection is destined to be broken up and recycled. It’s not a question of if, but when, and how?

time-read
2 mins  |
December 2019
Beasts Of Burden
Stamp Magazine

Beasts Of Burden

Animals harnessed for postal purposes have come in all shapes and sizes. Some of the choices and some of the scenarios might surprise you

time-read
9 mins  |
November 2019
King And Kaiser
Stamp Magazine

King And Kaiser

Johann Kaiser engraved only three stamp designs, but they were the first issues of the Netherlands and Dutch colonies, so his place in philatelic history is secure

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2019
Whisper Of Wilberforce
Stamp Magazine

Whisper Of Wilberforce

A centenary with particular resonance for Sierra Leone inspired one of the finest colonial issues of the 1930s, even if the key protagonist was barely acknowledged

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2019
Try, Try Again
Stamp Magazine

Try, Try Again

With the rugby World Cup currently underway in Japan, what better time to investigate the growing potential for a rugby union thematic collection?

time-read
7 mins  |
November 2019