Herm Stamps.
In order to defray the costs of carrying the mail from Herm to the nearest GPO at St. Peter Port, the tenant of Herm, Mr. A.G.Jeffries, instigated his own postal service and consequently Herm’s own carriage labels. The first Map Definitives and Pigeon Post label were issued on 26th May 1949.
The Map Definitives were for general mail that was sent by motor boat, As Herm lacked any telephone connection at the time, the Pigeon Post was reserved for urgent messages, with the communication being written on small forms or ‘flimsies’ which were rolled up and inserted into a red bakelite tube that was strapped to the pigeon’s leg. The pigeon flew over to Albert Pier where the Herm Island Office could deal with the urgent requests. This service operated from 26th May to 30th September 1949, when it was discontinued upon the installation of a radio-telephone in Herm.
The Map Definitives were for general mail that was sent by motor boat, As Herm lacked any telephone connection at the time, the Pigeon Post was reserved for urgent messages, with the communication being written on small forms or ‘flimsies’ which were rolled up and inserted into a red bakelite tube that was strapped to the pigeon’s leg. The pigeon flew over to Albert Pier where the Herm Island Office could deal with the urgent requests. This service operated from 26th May to 30th September 1949, when it was discontinued upon the installation of a radio-telephone in Herm.
There were eighteen printings of the first Map Definitives. These were a popular design and a special printing being overprinted for the 1953 Coronation issue, and the 1954 BEA surcharge issue overprinted on a special printing of the 2d value. 1954 saw the issue of the second set of definitive stamps, the Crest definitives. Due to the 6d claret and 8dbls carmine being similar and often mistaken for each other, it was decided to reprint the 6d in orange to be more easily distinguishable from the 8dbls stamp. The double (dbl) pronounced dooble was an old Guernsey
coin, eight of which were equivalent to an old British Penny. The most seen Herm stamps must be the Flora and Fauna triangular set with 500,000 sets printed.
Herm’s history dating back to Neolithic times, was the inspiration for the Neolithic Man set of stamps issued 1st May 1957. This issue was overprinted to celebrate the Royal Visit on 26th July in that year.
In 1958 it was decided to issue a new set of definitive stamps. As a stopgap, the four Map Definitive values were reprinted in new colours on the 14th June 1958. January 1959 saw the issue of a 2s. Booklet containing 24 x ½d and 12 x 1d stamps.
On 1st June 1959 the new Maps and Mailboat Definitives were issued, with a 3s. Booklet containing 12 x 4dbls, 12 x 8dbls, and 12 x 1½d. This issue was overprinted for the Royal Visit in 1959, Royal Wedding and World Refugee Year in 1960, and 1961 Europa.
The 1962 Europa issue had a slightly comical sea theme. The 8dbls stamp was overprinted as part of the 1962 Anti Malaria issue, but summer 1964 saw the need to overprint the 4dbls with ‘Plus 4dbls’ because of the shortage of the 8dbls stamp, the postcard rate.
Herm’s history dating back to Neolithic times, was the inspiration for the Neolithic Man set of stamps issued 1st May 1957. This issue was overprinted to celebrate the Royal Visit on 26th July in that year.
In 1958 it was decided to issue a new set of definitive stamps. As a stopgap, the four Map Definitive values were reprinted in new colours on the 14th June 1958. January 1959 saw the issue of a 2s. Booklet containing 24 x ½d and 12 x 1d stamps.
On 1st June 1959 the new Maps and Mailboat Definitives were issued, with a 3s. Booklet containing 12 x 4dbls, 12 x 8dbls, and 12 x 1½d. This issue was overprinted for the Royal Visit in 1959, Royal Wedding and World Refugee Year in 1960, and 1961 Europa.
The 1962 Europa issue had a slightly comical sea theme. The 8dbls stamp was overprinted as part of the 1962 Anti Malaria issue, but summer 1964 saw the need to overprint the 4dbls with ‘Plus 4dbls’ because of the shortage of the 8dbls stamp, the postcard rate.
1963 Europa issue featured the island mailboat MV Arrowhead, this issue was then overprinted for use as the 1964 Europa issue. Herm’s final Europa issue for 1966 utilised the surplus stock of the 1962 Europa stamps which were duly overprinted.
The Liberation Commemoration issue featured Winston Churchill, later overprinted for the Churchill Memorial. Another Provisional issue in 1967 was needed because the tourist season of 1967 saw the 1½d stocks depleted. So it was decided to overprint the unsold stock of the 11d Anti Malaria stamp with ‘August 1967 1½d’. The final Provisional issue was in 1969 when in preparation for the decimal currency, the ½d (4dbls) coin was withdrawn, so the Herm sealed letter rate became 2d. The required stamp was created by surcharging a specially printing of the 1½d Definitive with ‘APRIL 69 2d’
As with all the smaller Channel Islands, the Postal Independence of Jersey and Guernsey heralded the end of the ‘Local’ postal issues. Herm’s final issue was 17th September 1969, featuring shipping.
The shortage of ½d stamps ( the postcard rate ) led to the use of bisected 1d and 8dbls stamps. For obvious reasons these should only be collected used on cover, card or piece.
The £1 Tourist Coupon, which was issued as an incentive for tourists to book at the beginning and end of the season merits a mention as it bore a 1954 6d Crest stamp either in Claret or Orange.
The Liberation Commemoration issue featured Winston Churchill, later overprinted for the Churchill Memorial. Another Provisional issue in 1967 was needed because the tourist season of 1967 saw the 1½d stocks depleted. So it was decided to overprint the unsold stock of the 11d Anti Malaria stamp with ‘August 1967 1½d’. The final Provisional issue was in 1969 when in preparation for the decimal currency, the ½d (4dbls) coin was withdrawn, so the Herm sealed letter rate became 2d. The required stamp was created by surcharging a specially printing of the 1½d Definitive with ‘APRIL 69 2d’
As with all the smaller Channel Islands, the Postal Independence of Jersey and Guernsey heralded the end of the ‘Local’ postal issues. Herm’s final issue was 17th September 1969, featuring shipping.
The shortage of ½d stamps ( the postcard rate ) led to the use of bisected 1d and 8dbls stamps. For obvious reasons these should only be collected used on cover, card or piece.
The £1 Tourist Coupon, which was issued as an incentive for tourists to book at the beginning and end of the season merits a mention as it bore a 1954 6d Crest stamp either in Claret or Orange.
