The Nazi swastika overprinted on British stamps issued in Jersey in 1940 was one of the astonishing facts highlighted at the Lanarkshire Philatelic Society’s latest gathering.
During the German Occupation of Jersey there was no mail service between Jersey and the UK – but mail was sent to prison camps in Germany and German stamps were used.
The use of British stamps was forbidden but Jersey was allowed to design their own, with no reference to the UK, and stamps bearing the Arms of Jersey was the result.
In 1943, a set of pictorial stamps bearing illustrations of Jersey was issued but again with no reference to Britain.
After the war British stamps were once again used and regional stamps for Jersey were designed and issued.
These stamps were displayed by Ian Smith, of Largs Philatelic Society, who began his display with a show of covers dating from 1794.
The second round of the evening was a great showcase of the stamps issued by Jersey through the years.
The British Post Office issued regional stamps until 1969, when Jersey gained postal independence and were able to issue their own definitive stamps, Commemoratives, stamp booklets and Postage Due stamps.
The definitive stamps included scenes of the island; Coats of Arms of the Parishes; many Royal events commemorated; and the different themes for Europa through the years.
Dr Brian Dow expressed thanks to Ian Smith for “presenting a most informative view of Jersey under Nazi Occupation – and displaying many interesting stamps and covers issued by Jersey through the years”.
The Society will hold their next meeting in the Caledonian Bowling Club, Motherwell Road, Hamilton, on Friday, March 21, at 7.30pm.
Members are asked to note the change of time, and the meeting will see four speakers present a display entitled The Lanark Collection; anyone with an interest in stamps, postal history and postcards is very welcome to attend.
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