Latest update April 18th, 2025 8:12 AM
Fifteen stamps unveiled in observance of 50th Anniversary
Fifteen new locally-themed postage stamps were yesterday unveiled at Castellani House in observance of Guyana’s 50th Independence Anniversary.
Some of the stamps on display.
This was done by the Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPOC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Education’s 50th National Commemorative Commission.
Present at the ceremony were Minister Nicolette Henry, Minister within the Ministry of Education, Department of Culture, Youth and Sport; Permanent Secretary for the Tourism Ministry, Derrick Cummings, and GPOC’s Postmistress General, Karen Brown among others.
The designs of the 15 newly-released commemorative stamps were inspired by the themes of “Reflection”, “Celebration” and “Inspiration.” The stamps of $80, $130, $150, $160 and $200 denominations are now available at Post Offices countrywide.
In addressing the gathering, the Postmistress General said that 50 years of Independence is indeed a significant achievement for Guyana. She added that the Post Office must be remembered as one of the longest serving institutions.
“Since its establishment in 1982 this noble entity has been fundamental in Guyana’s development through its mission to help organizations and communities grow by keeping them connected through transfer of mail, money and information,” Brown emphasized.
She reflected on the British Guiana 1c magenta which was printed in Georgetown, Guyana in April 1856, and is now one of the most valuable, rare and famous stamps in the world.
The gathering at yesterday’s unveiling.
It was issued in limited numbers in British Guiana (now Guyana) 160 years ago, and only one specimen is now known to exist. It is the only major postage stamp ever issued that is not represented in Britain’s Royal Philatelic Collection. It is imperforate, printed in black on magenta paper, and it features a sailing ship. Four thin lines frame the ship.
It was discovered in 1873 by a 12-year-old Scottish schoolboy, Louis Vernon Vaughan among his uncle’s letters. He later sold it for six shillings to a local collector. In 1878, it was sold to a stamp dealer for 150 pounds.
In 2014, the stamp was sold for US$9.58 million. It has broken the world record for a single stamp auction price. The stamp is now on display at the American Postal Museum in Washington DC.
Meanwhile, Minister Henry reminded the gathering that Guyana gained independence from Britain on May 26, 1966, and began producing its own stamps from that date.
“Stamps can be considered national business cards and a condensed encyclopedia, for they reflect the true picture of a country from all perspectives, such as its history, civilization, custom, nature, social development among others,” the minister stressed.
Stamps were described as “the unsound heroes of a culture” as the images they present on a small surface are pictorial representations of a country’s DNA.
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