The Bailiwick depicted in the stamps of Guernsey and Alderney

The Bailiwick of Guernsey consists of the six islands of Guernsey, Alderney, Sark, Herm, Breqhou and Jethou, as well as many smaller islets. It is situated in the English Channel in northwest Europe and retains allegiance to the English Crown. Guernsey, the largest island, has a population of 65,000 and a land area of 25 square miles (65 square kilometres). Alderney is the second largest island with a population of 2,400 and an area of 3.1 square miles (8 square kilometres).

The islands were created at the end of the last ice age when rising sea levels cut them off from mainland Europe. Evidence of human occupation goes back at least 7,000 years (Archaeological Discoveries 1994 and Prehistoric Monuments 1976).

We know that the Romans occupied the islands and pottery and other remains have been excavated in St Peter Port, the principal town in Guernsey. A more thrilling find was the wreck of a Roman ship discovered on the seabed of the harbour; nicknamed Asterix after the French Gallic cartoon character (Operation Asterix 1992).

Christianity was brought to the islands during the 6 th century by St Sampson of Dol. (Guernsey Churches 1971 and 1972).

In 933 the islands passed into the hands of the Dukes of Normandy so were on the side of William the Conqueror when he invaded England in 1066 (900 th Anniversary of the Death of William the Conqueror 1987). In 1204, during King John's reign, the mainland territories of Normandy were taken from England. The islands, however, remained loyal to the English Crown (Celebration 800 2004) and have remained so ever since. Many stamps have been issued commemorating links with the Crown, perhaps the most notable were Charles and Diana wedding set from 1981 and the Queen Mother's 100 th birthday set from 1999.

In 1584 the island of Alderney was given by Elizabeth I to one John Chamberlain. Subsequently the island was owned by various people until in 1660 it was entrusted by King Charles II to three Royalists from Jersey for an annual rent of 13 shillings (65p in today's money).

During the English Civil War, Guernsey declared for Parliament but the Governor remained loyal to the Crown. This resulted in the siege of Castle Cornet, which lasted from 1643 to 1651 (50 th Anniversary of the Siege of Castle Cornet 1993).

Queen Victoria visited Guernsey in 1846 (Centenary of the Death of Queen Victoria 2001) and in 1883. During her reign the famous French impressionist artist Renoir visited the island and completed eighteen paintings showing local scenes (Renoir Paintings 1974 and Centenary of Renoir's Visit 1983). A notable Guernsey resident for fifteen years during this time was the famous French novelist, Victor Hugo (Victor Hugo's Exile in Guernsey 1975, Europa Tales and Legends 1997 and Victor Hugo - Bicentenary 2001).

During the Second World War the Channel Islands were the only part of Great Britain to be occupied by Nazi Germany (25 th , 50 th , and 60 th Anniversaries of Liberation 1970, 1995 and 2005, Return of the Islanders, Alderney 1995 and Alderney Homecoming 2005). During this time, news of the war was eagerly sought by islanders (50th Anniversary of D-Day 1994, 60 th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain 2000, Herbert Le Patourel VC 2002 and Memories of WWII 2003,2004 and 2005).

Guernsey Post Office History

Although letters from Guernsey have been recorded since the fifteenth century, a post office was not established in the Bailiwick until 1794 and then only as a war measure. A regular postal link between Great Britain and the islands was inaugurated on 13 February with the cutter 'Earl of Chesterfield' sailing from Weymouth. (Mail Packet Boats 1972 and 1973 and GWR Steamers 1989). Mrs Anne Watson was appointed the first postmistress of Guernsey in the same year.

In 1840, the uniform penny post was introduced, using the famous penny black stamp. (150 th Anniversary of the Postage Stamp 1990) and Guernsey's only post office was in the Arcade, St Peter Port (Europa Post Office Buildings 1990).

In 1851, Anthony Trollop, the famous novelist who was then postal surveyor, visited Guernsey. He was concerned with finding a method to post a letter without the need to visit a post office.

As a result the first post boxes in the Great Britain were erected as an experiment in the Channel Isles in 1852. One of these original boxes still stands in Union Street in St Peter Port is still and holds the distinction of being the oldest one in daily use in Great Britain (150 th Anniversary of the First Pillar Box 2002).

During the German Occupation, there was a great shortage of British stamps. This necessitated the production of stamps locally, as all ties with Great Britain had been severed.

Beginning in 1941, stamps were designed and printed within the islands. Many of these are unusual in that they are printed on French banknote paper, none other being available at the time (50 th Anniversary of the First Guernsey Postage Stamps 1991).

In October 1969, the States of Guernsey took over the running of postal services from HM Government and began the production of Guernsey's own stamps (10 th Anniversary of Postal Independence 1979 and 25 th Anniversary 1994)).

In March 1984, Guernsey Post Office opened its first purpose built headquarters at Guelles Road, St Peter Port (Europa Modern Architecture 1987) and 2001 marked the year of commercialisation when the Guernsey Post Office became Guernsey Post Ltd. This constitutional change has enabled the new company to operate far more flexibly in response to the challenges of working in the modern market place (The Next Step 2001). At the end of 2002, Guernsey Post, having outgrown the original building, moved a few hundred yards to its current base - also purpose built - Envoy House.

 

Many aspects of island life have been commemorated on stamps.

The Sea

The sea has always been a dominant factor in island life (Sea Guernsey 2005) and many aspects of this have been commemorated over the years from sea life (Marine Life 1990 and the Basking Shark 2005) through worldwide trading links (Guernsey Shipping 1983 and 1988, and the Development of St. Peter Port Harbour 1983) to yachting (Yacht Club 1991) and powerboating (World Powerboats 1988), through safety at sea (RNLI Lifeboats 1974 and 1999, Les Casquets Lighthouse Alderney 1991 and Lighthouses 1976). Many naval links are remembered (Admiral De Sausmarez 1986, The Battle of La Hogue Alderney 1992, HMS Alderney 1990, HMS Guernsey 2003 and Alderney Battle of Trafalgar 2005). Shipwrecks form an especially interesting topic (Alderney Shipwrecks 1987 and The Wreck of the Stella 1999).

The Natural World

Conservation is increasingly important within the islands (L'Eree Bank Conservation 1991, Europa Nature and Environmental Protection 1986, Endangered Species 2004 and Basking Shark 2005) and has been commemorated by many stamp issues. The fauna of the islands appears on many stamp issues (Wild Flowers 1972, Ferns 1975, Alderney Flora and Fauna 1994 and Alderney Fungi 2004), whilst birds are always a popular topic for collecting (Birds 1981). Alderney, because of its position, sees a great variety of migrating species (Alderney Migrating Birds 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005).

Agriculture and Horticulture

In the past, agriculture and horticulture have been mainstays of the Bailiwick's economy and many aspects of these subjects have been recorded on stamps.

Agriculture and Horticulture 1970
Guernsey Bull 1972
Golden Guernsey Goats 1980
Guernsey Calves 1992
Flower Definitives 1992
Clematis 2004

Transport

Transport is obviously of paramount importance to island dwellers and all forms have been portrayed.

50th Anniversary of Air Service 1973
Public Transport 1979
Inter-Island Transport 1981
Europa Transport and Communications 1988
50th Anniversary of Guernsey Airport 1989
Centenary of the First Car in Guernsey 1994
Maritime Definitives 1998
50th Anniversary of Alderney Airport 1985
Alderney Centenary of Powered Flight 2003

Sport

Islanders have always been both avid fans and enthusiastic participants in all forms of sport.

Alderney Football 2004
Sport 1986
The Olympics 1996 and 2004
European Football 1996
Island Games 2003
International Power Boats 1988
Football 1998

Christmas

The season of goodwill is always a particularly beautiful time in the Bailiwick and, although it rarely snows, festivities are always followed.

Festive Season 1978
1982
The twelve days of Christmas 1984
Gift Bearers 1985
Carols 1986
Ecclesiastical Links 1988
Christmas Tree Decorations 1989
Winter Birds 1990
Children's Paintings 1991
Seasonal Fayre 1992
Stained Glass Windows 1993
Bygone Toys 1994
The Christmas Story 1996
Teddy Bears 1997
Christmas Tree 1998
Wood Carvings 1999
Guernsey Churches 2000
Festive Lights 2001
The Christmas Story 2002
T'was the Night Before Christmas 2003
The Innocence of Christmas 2004

Military

Isaac Brock 1969
Militia Uniforms 1974
80 th Anniversary of the RAF 1998
200 th Anniversary of Sandhurst 1999
Alderney Regiments 1985
Alderney Forts 1986
Alderney Signals Regiment 1996
Alderney Garrison 1997, 98, 99, 2000, 01

Art and Entertainment

Peter Le Lievre Paintings 1980
Europa Contemporary Art 1993

Other popular subjects covered have been Views (Europa 1976 and 1977, Definitives 1984), Architecture (Buildings 1976), Voluntary Organisations (RNLI 1974 and 1999, St John's Ambulance 1977, La Societe Guernesiase 1982, Boy Scouts 1982, Boys Brigade 1983, Girl Guides 1985), Coins (1978) and World Events (Columbus 1992, The United Nations 1995).

There are many more subjects covered in the rich tapestry of Guernsey and Alderney stamps which, unfortunately, space does not allow.