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Miscellaneous Bahamian Philatelic Information

• The Bahamas had the world's only undersea post office 16 August, 1939 to 25 June 1942.
  
• "No British colony of comparable size includes a larger number of Post Offices within its borders..." Source: Gisburn, Harold G.D. The Postage Stamps and Postal History of the Bahamas London: Stanley Gibbons Ltd., 1950. p. 129.
  
• The 1959 stamp centenary set (S.G. 217-220, Scott 174-177) is perforated 13¼ and not 13 as listed in the Scott [and Gibbons: 13½] catalogues. Source: Scott's New Handbook for Philatelists, New York: Simon and Schuster, 1967. pp. 167-168.
  
• The Bahamas was the world's first country to issue stamps with curving perforations (to form kidney shaped stamps) -- 1968 Gold Coin set produced by De La Rue, Ltd. (S.G. 327-330, Scott 284-287). Scott 285?. Source: Mackay, James. The Guinness Book of Stamps Facts and Feats New York: Canopy Books (1992), pp. 115 and 203.
  
• The 28 November 1940 3d surcharge of the 2½ blue (S.G. 161, Scott 115) was the first Colonial provisional of the reign of King George VI. Source: Halward, Philip. "The King George VI De La Rue Printings of the Bahama Islands." London Philatelist 64 (January 1955) p. 4.
  
• The special delivery stamps of 1916 to 1918 (S.G. S1-S3, Scott E1-E3) are the only special delivery stamps to be issued by a commonwealth country other than Canada, New Zealand, and Mauritius. Source: Wood, Kenneth A. This is Philately: An Encyclopedia of the Fascinating World of Stamp Collecting Vol 1. Albany, OR: Van Dahl Publications (1983), p. 58.
  
• The 6d. lilac (S.G. 28a, Scott 14c) of 1863, watermark CC, perforation 12½, is known used on cover dated 9th May, 1863. This is the earliest known date for any Colony with the Crown CC paper and the 12½ perforation. Source: "'Tea, Toast and Talk' Meeting, 'Bahamas'" London Philatelist 45 (April 1936) p. 85.
  
• The Bahamas issued its first stamp in 1859 (before Greece 1861, Italy 1862, Turkey 1863, Egypt 1866, Japan 1871, Hungary 1871, and China 1878. Source: Mackay, James. The Guinness Book of Stamps Facts and Feats New York: Canopy Books (1992), pp. 98-99.
  
• One of the oldest post office buildings in the western hemisphere is located in Pitts Town, Crooked Island. This building served as the Packet Station and General Post Office of the Bahamas from October 1787 to about February of 1793. It reopened about June of 1802 and finally closed in 1843. It is now a restaurant. Source: Ludington, Morris H. Bahamas Early Mail Services and Postal Markings Washington D.C.: Alpha Philatelic Printing and Publishing Company (1982), pp. 11 and 125.
  
• Scott 718 exists dated 1995 but is not recorded in Scott's 1998 catalogue.
  
• Of the twelve participating administrations which took part in the Crown Agents Stamp Bureau's philatelic farewell to Hong Kong, the Bahamas was the only one which produced an official first-day cover. Souvenir sheet image Philatelic Exporter, Editor's Comment, Philatelic Farewell to Hong Kong. http://Stamp.collectors-on-line.com/publications/PhilEx/jul97/article.html

New Issues - Bahamas.

Last updated 13 December 1997.

• 20 June 1997, Hong Kong '97 Stamp Exhibition Image
  
  • $1.00
• 1997, New "Tourist Styled" Aerogramme
  
• 3 September 1997, Environment Protection Part V - International year of The Reefs
  
  • 15c
  • 55c
  • 60c
  • 70c
• 9 July 1997, Royal Golden Wedding of H.M. Queen Elizabeth II and H.R.H. Prince Philip
  
  (in se-tenant pairs)
  
  • 2 X 50c
  • 2 X 60c
  • 2 X 70c
  • $2.00 Souvenir sheet
• 4 November 1997, Christmas 1997
  
  • 15c
  • 55c
  • 60c
  • 70c
  • $2.00 Souvenir sheet

1998 Provisional Stamp Programme

• 31 March 1998, Tribute to Princess Diana
  
  Souvenir sheet with four se-tenant stamps showing photographs of Diana
  
  • 15c, at Lewes, 1988
  • 55c, at Windsor Polo, 1983
  • 60c, 1983
  • 70c, at Manchester, 1993
• 14 April 1998, 50th Anniversary of the Organisation of American States
  
  • 15c, Publication New Vision, map of the Americas, national flags
  • 55c, building, map, flags
• 1 April 1998, 80th Anniversary of the Royal Air Force
  
  • 15c, Hawker Demon
  • 55c, Handley Page Hyderbad
  • 60c, Gloster Meteor F Mk8
  • ?, Lockheed Nepture MRI
  • Souvenir sheet with four 50c stamps: Sopwith Camel, Short 184, Spitfire PR XIX, and the North American Mitchell III.
• 15 April 1998, 50th Anniversary of the University of the West Indies
  
  • 55c
• 15 April 1998, 50th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
  
  • 55c
• 25th Anniversary of Independence
  
• Environment Portection Part VI - Domestic Flowers (Roses)
  
• EMS (High Speed Mail) Definitive
  
• Maritime History of The Bahamas
  
• Christmas 1998
  

The Bahamas has initiated actions to the possibility of issuing stamps to commemorate the 1998 International Year of the Ocean.

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Ordering New Stamps Directly from the Bahamas General Post Office

To obtain regular stamp issues for the Bahamas, simply set up a Standing Order Account with the Bahamas Philatelic Bureau. They will regularly mail your requirements of mint sets, C.T.O.s, and/or First Day Covers.

To open your Standing Order Account, forward at least $25.00 (U.S. dollars) stating your requirements and including your full mailing address to:
The Bahamas Philatelic Bureau
c/o G.P.O. (BAH156)
PO Box N8302
Nassau, Bahamas

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Please inform me of other information.

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