Bahamas

Here you will find a selection of Commonwealth stamps from the Bahamas

The Bahamas is located in Caribbean sea

The postal history of the Bahamas begins in the 18th century, with the earliest known letters dating from the 1760s. In 1804 a straight-line "BAHAMAS" handstamp came into use. The Royal Mail Line initiated a regular mail service in 1841, and from 1846 used a "Crown Paid" handstamp.

The use of postage stamps began in April 1858 with a consignment of British stamps. These were cancelled "A05" at Nassau. The use of British stamps was brief however; in the following year the Bahamian post office became independent of London, and issued its own stamps beginning 10 June 1859. These stamps featured the "Chalon" portrait of Queen Victoria, along with symbols of the islands (pineapple and conch shell) and the inscription "INTERINSULAR POSTAGE", because at first the stamps were used only locally, with London continuing in charge of external mail until May 1860.

Printed by Perkins Bacon, initially not watermarked and imperforate, perforation was introduced in 1860, and the "Crown & CC" watermark in 1863. The transition to local control left Bahamians with only their 1d stamp to pay all rates of postage, and covers to foreign destinations show blocks of the stamp used to cover the 4d rate to North America and the 6d rate to Great Britain. The government remedied this in 1861 by contracting for 4d and 6d stamps, still using the Chalon head, but with a simpler design. De la Rue later took over printing duties in 1862, their product being differentiated by an 11.5-12 perforation, as opposed to the previous 14-16. A one-shilling value appeared in 1865.

Grid
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  • Bahamas 1938-52 Set of 17 SG149-157a Fine & Fresh LMM & MNH
    £75.00
  • Bahamas 1942 Landfall Set of 14 SG162-175a Fine & Fresh LMM
    £38.00
  • Bahamas 1948 RSW Set of 2 SG194-195 Fine LMM
    £21.00
  • Bahamas 1942 5s Reddish Lilac & Blue Thin Striated Paper SG156a Fine & Fresh LMM Rare
    £2,450.00
  • Bahamas 1938 1s Grey-Black & Carmine Thick Paper SG155 Good LMM
    £15.00
  • Bahamas 1938 Set of 3 SG158-160 Fine LMM
    £7.00
  • Bahamas 1938-43 1 1/2d Both Shades SG151-151a Fine LMM
    £6.00
  • Bahamas 1942 Landfall Set of 14 SG162-175a Fine MNH
    £50.00
  • Bahamas 1938 £1 Deep Grey-Green & Black SG157 Thick Chalk Paper Fine MM
    £100.00
  • Bahamas 1938 £1 Deep Grey-Green & Black SG157 Thick Chalk Paper Good Used
    £70.00
  • Bahamas 1938 5s Lilac & Blue SG156 Fine Used
    £52.00
  • Bahamas 1942 5s Purple & Blue SG156b Fine Used
    £13.00
  • Bahamas 1948 5s Mauve SG191 Good MM
    £8.00
  • Bahamas 1942 5s Purple & Blue SG156b Good MM
    £14.00
  • Bahamas 1942 5s Reddish Lilac & Blue Striated Paper SG174 Fine LMM
    £20.00
  • Bahamas 1948 1s Pale Brownish Grey & Crimson SG155d Fine MM
    £8.00
  • Bahamas 1938 3d Violet SG154 Fine LMM
    £7.00
  • Bahamas 1938 3d Violet SG154 Fine MM
    £6.00
  • Bahamas 1938 5s Lilac & Blue SG156 Thick Paper Good MM (2)
    £55.00
  • Bahamas 1942 £1 Deep Grey-Green & Black SG175 Good MNH
    £35.00
  • Bahamas 1942 1s Black & Carmine SG155b Fine MM
    £11.00
  • Bahamas 1942 1s Grey-Black & Bright Crimson SG171b Fine LMM
    £10.00
  • Bahamas 1942 2s Slate-Purple & Indigo SG172 Fine LMM
    £9.00
  • Bahamas 1938 Set of 3 SG158-160 Fine MM
    £7.00

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