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Auction: 21041 - The "Dubois" Collection of Jamaica Postal History and Stamps - Part II
Lot: 180

Great Britain Stamps Used in Jamaica
The introduction of adhesive stamps into the island was the outcome of a letter written by the local postmaster, Mr. O'Connor Morris, to Rowland Hill in London. The Postmaster-General had previously refrained from supplying any of the West Indies colonies with stamps in view of the probability of their taking over their own Post Offices, but as this matter had been indefinitely postponed, owing to the refusal of Jamaica to act on his proposition, he no longer saw any grounds for deferring the issuing of Imperial stamps. The sanction of the Treasury was therefore gained and a circular was drawn up for guidance of the West Indian Postmasters and despatched with the stamps by the mail packet of 17April 1858. The initial consignment of stamps for Jamaica had a face value of £2,000 and comprised £150 in 1d. stamps, £550 in 4d. stamps and £1,300 in 6d. stamps. These were placed on sale at the Kingston Post Office on 8 May 1858. In a Notice to the Public on that date the Postmaster-General stipulated that for the present the use of stamps was restricted to Overseas Packet correspondence and could not be used for internal correspondence though this caused confusion in the scales of commission paid to the deputies which was currently set at 1%, reduced from an original fee of 15% on letters paid in money. Mr. O'Connor Morris therefore requested permission to use the stamps on all types of correspondence. After receiving the O'Connor Morris correspondence Rowland Hill instructed the West Indian Postal Surveyor to investigate the possibility. The Treasury gave their consent to the extension though stipulated that a fine of 4d. would be imposed on every unpaid letter posted in the island for delivery within the colony
Overseas Packet Letter, May 1858, January 1859

1858 (11 May) front and upper back flap "p Steamer" to Liverpool, bearing 6d. lilac (minor age marks) neatly cancelled "A01" and with London datestamp (31.5), the reverse with despatch and arrival (31.5) datestamps. An exceptionally early usage of the "A01" numeral, being one of only two recorded examples used on the second authorised date of use. Photo

The earliest cover recorded is a 1/- double rate bearing two 6d.values though this does have the address removed

provenance:
R.A. Hart, February 1978

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Sold for
£380

Starting price
£240