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 Set of 3 SG158-160 Fine MM (2)
    New
    £7.00
  • Bahamas 1938-52 Set of 17 SG149-157a Fine & Fresh MM
    New
    £60.00
  • Bahamas 1884 1d Bright Carmine SG49 Fine & Fresh MM
    New
    £4.00
  • 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 1903 5d Black & Orange SG59 Fine MM
    £5.00
  • Bahamas 1863 1d Brown-Lake SG20 Fine Unused
    £30.00
  • Bahamas 1863 1d Rose-Red SG23 Fine & Fresh Unused (2)
    £20.00
  • Bahamas 1863 1d Rose-Red SG23 Fine Unused
    £20.00
  • Bahamas 1863 6d Deep Violet SG31x Wmk Reversed V.F & Fresh Unused
    £70.00
  • Bahamas 1875 1d Vermilion SG25 Fine MM (2)
    £40.00
  • Bahamas 1875 1d Vermilion SG25 Fine MM
    £40.00
  • Bahamas 1875 1d Vermilion SG25x Wmk Reversed Fine MM
    £40.00
  • Bahamas 1875 1d Vermilion SG25x Wmk Reversed Fine Unused
    £22.00
  • Bahamas 1875 1d Vermilion SG25y Wmk Inverted & Reversed Fine Unused
    £70.00
  • Bahamas 1877 1d Scarlet-Vermilion SG33 P.14 Fine MM
    £33.00
  • Bahamas 1877 1d Scarlet-Vermilion SG33x Wmk Reversed Fine & Fresh Unused
    £24.00
  • Bahamas 1911 6d Bistre-Brown SG74 Fine LMM
    £8.00
  • Bahamas 1911 6d Bistre-Brown SG74 Fine VLMM
    £8.00
  • Bahamas 1942 5s Reddish Lilac & Blue Thin Striated Paper SG156a Fine & Fresh LMM Rare
    £2,450.00
  • Bahamas 1918 War Tax 1s Grey-Black & Carmine SG99 Fine MM
    £9.00
  • Bahamas 1919 War Tax Set of 4 SG102-105 Fine MM (2)
    £15.00
  • Bahamas 1926 1s Black & Carmine SG123 Fine MM
    £5.00

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