Postage stamps of the Caribbean areas
Postage stamps from the Caribbean offer a fascinating glimpse into the region’s history, culture, and natural beauty. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced philatelist, collecting Caribbean stamps can be a rewarding and enriching hobby. To get started, consider acquiring a catalogue, joining a local stamp club, and exploring online marketplaces for Caribbean stamps.
Anguilla
- The first postage stamps of Anguilla were issued in 1967 when the island declared its separation from the Saint Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla federation.
Antigua and Barbuda
- The first stamps issued by Antigua featured the profile of Queen Victoria.
Aruba
- The first stamp of Aruba as an independent postal entity was issued on January 1, 1986.
Bahamas
- The first postage stamps of the Bahamas were issued in 1859 when it was a British colony.
Barbados
- The first postage stamps of Barbados were issued in 1852, when the island was still a British colony.
Bermuda
- Bermuda issued its first postage stamps in 1865 while still a British colony.
British Virgin Islands
- As a British Overseas Territory, early stamps often featured British monarchs and colonial symbols.
Caribbean Netherlands
- The Netherlands Post (PostNL) provides current stamps and information on new releases for the Caribbean Netherlands
Cayman Islands
- The first postage stamps of the Cayman Islands were issued in 1900. Before that, Jamaican stamps were used.
Cuba
- The first postage stamps of Cuba were issued in 1855 when it was a Spanish colony.
Curaçao
- Before Curaçao issued its own stamps, the island used stamps from the Dutch East Indies (1864) and the Netherlands Antilles (1948-2010).
Danish West Indies
- Before issuing their own stamps, the Danish West Indies used Danish stamps starting in 1856.
Dominica
- Dominica was initially part of the British Caribbean territories, and stamps used prior to 1951 were often British West Indies stamps.
Dominican Republic
- The Dominican Republic issued its first postage stamps in 1865, shortly after gaining independence from Haiti
Grenada with Grenadines
- Grenada began issuing its own postage stamps in 1881, following its establishment as a British colony.
Guadeloupe
- Guadeloupe began issuing its own postage stamps in 1884.
Haiti
- Haiti, having gained independence from France in 1804, began issuing its own stamps in 1881. Prior to this, French stamps were used.
Jamaica
- Throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Jamaican stamps often featured British monarchs and colonial symbols.
Leeward Islands
- Collectors often f
Martinique
- Here’s an overview of Martinique’s postage stamps, including historical context, themes, notable issues, and tips for collectors.
Montserrat
- Montserrat, a British Overseas Territory, issued its first postage stamps in 1876.
Nevis
- Nevis began issuing its own postage stamps in 1861.
Netherlands Antilles
- The Netherlands Antilles was established in 1954 and comprised several islands.
Puerto Rico
- Here’s an overview of Puerto Rico’s postage stamps, including historical context, themes,
notable issues, and tips for collectors:
St. Christopher
- St. Christopher (Saint Kitts) issued its first postage stamps in 1870 when it was a British colony.
St. Kitts
The first stamps of Saint Kitts were issued under the name “St. Christopher” starting in 1870.
St. Lucia
Saint Lucia issued its first postage stamps in 1860 when it was a British colony.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines
St. Martin
Prior to the 1990s, Saint Martin used French stamps, as it was part of Guadeloupe’s postal system.
Spanish West Indies
The term “Spanish West Indies” historically refers to the Spanish colonial possessions in the Caribbean
Tobago
Tobago issued its first postage stamps in 1861, which were part of the early British colonial issues
Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad’s first stamps featured a profile of Queen Victoria.