List of postage stamps of Guernsey explained

The first stamps issued by Guernsey were forced upon the island by the shortage of British stamps in 1941 during the German occupation of the Channel Islands

Guernsey Post has issued postage stamps in the Bailiwick of Guernsey since its creation in 1969 when the postal service was separated from the Royal Mail. From 1983 Guernsey has issued stamps designated Alderney.

Early issues

In 1940 Guernsey was occupied by Wehrmacht forces and the supply of postage stamps from the United Kingdom ceased. Not wishing to use Feldpost stamps and with the local stocks running out, the first solution in December 1940 was to cut, diagonally stamps so turning a 2d stamp into two 1d stamps.[1]

Then in 1941 a simple stamp design was created by E.W. Vaudin with the main design adopted by both Jersey and Guernsey and feature three heraldic lions, a form of resistance against the occupation as the shield is that of both Guernsey and of the Duke of Normandy, the stamps also include four small V's for victory.[2]

DateNameDenominations
1941 Definitive coat of arms ½d, 1d
1944 Definitive coat of arms 2½d

In 1947, for the 3rd anniversary of liberation, the Royal Mail issued two stamps, designed primarily for use in the Channel Islands depicting the gathering of Vraic (seaweed).[3]

In 1958 the idea of Country definitives resulted in regional postage stamps being printed in Britain. Eric Piprell designed the Guernsey stamps. These show the Crown of William the Conqueror and the Guernsey lily.

Guernsey Post

See also: List of postage stamps of Alderney.

1969-1989

Pre decimal

DateNameDenominations
1969 Definitive ½d, 1d, 1½d, 2d, 3d, 4d, 5d, 6d, 9d,
1/-, 1/9, 2/6, 5/-, 10/-, £1
4d, 5d, 1/9, 2/6
1d, 2d, 3d, 4d, 5d, 6d, 1/-
1970 Definitive 1d 1/6
Liberation 25 4d, 5d, 1/6
Agriculture 4d, 5d, 9d, 1/6
Christmas churches4d, 5d, 9d, 1/6

Decimal

1971-9
DateNameDenominations
1971 Definitive ½p, 1p, 1½p, 2p, 2½p, 3p, 3½p, 4p,
5p, 6p, 7½p, 9p, 10p, 20p, 50p
2p, 2½p, 4p, 7½p
Christmas churches2p, 2½p, 5p, 7½p
Postage due ½p, 1p, 2p, 3p, 4p, 5p, 10p
1972 Mail Packets 2p, 2½p, 7½p, 9p
Guernsey breeders 5p
Wild Flowers 2p, 2½p, 7½p, 9p
Christmas Silver Wedding 2p, 2½p, 7½p, 9p
1973 Mail Boats 2½p, 3p, 7½p, 9p
Air Service 50 2½p, 3p, 5p, 7½p, 9p
Christmas 2½p, 3p, 7½p, 20p
25p
1974 ½p, 1p, 1½p, 2p, 2½p, 3p, 3½p,
4p, 5½p, 6p, 8p, 9p, 10p
2½p, 3p, 8p, 10p
U.P.U. 100 2½p, 3p, 8p, 10p
Renoir Paintings 3p, 5½p, 8p, 10p
1975 20p, 50p, £1
Guernsey Ferns 3½p, 4p, 8p, 10p
Victor Hugo exile 3½p, 4p, 8p, 10p
Christmas 4p, 6p, 10p, 12p
Postage due 8p
1976 5p, 7p
Lighthouses 4p, 6p, 11p, 13p
Europa, handicraft 10p, 25p
Views 5p, 7p, 11p, 13p
Christmas buildings 5p, 7p, 11p, 13p
Postage due 6p, 15p
1977 7p, 35p
Europa, landscapes 7p, 25p
Prehistoric 5p, 7p, 11p, 13p
5p, 7p, 11p, 13p
Postage due ½p 1p 2p 3p 4p 5p
6p, 8p, 10p, 15p
1978 Old Prints 5p, 7p, 11p, 13p
Europa, monuments 5p, 7p
Coronation 25 20p
Royal Visit 7p
Birds 5p, 7p, 11p, 13p
Christmas 5p, 7p, 11p, 13p
1979 Definitive coins ½p, 1p, 2p, 4p, 5p, 6p, 7p, 8p,
9p, 11p, 12p, 13p, 14p, 15p, 20p
Europa, Communications 6p, 8p
Public Transport 6p, 8p, 11p, 13p
Post Office 10 6p, 8p, 13p, 15p
1980-9
DateNameDenominations
1980 Definitive 10p, 11½p, 50p, £1, £2,
Police 60 7p, 15p, 17½p
Europa, Personalities 10p, 13½p
7p, 10p, 15p, 17½p
Peter Le Lievre 7p, 10p, 13½p, 15p, 17½p
1981 Definitive £5
Butterflies 8p, 12p, 22p, 25p
Europa, folklore 12p, 18p
3 x 8p 3 x 12p 25p
Transport 8p, 12p, 18p, 22p, 25p
Disabled Persons 8p, 12p, 22p, 25p
1982 Old Prints 8p, 12p, 22p, 25p
Societe Guernesiaise 8p, 13p, 20p, 24p, 26p, 29p
Scouting 75th 8p, 13p, 26p, 29p
Christmas 8p, 13p, 24p, 26p, 29p
Postage due 1p, 2p, 3p, 4p, 5p, 16p, 18p,
20p, 25p, 30p, 50p, £1
1983 Boys' Brigade 100 8p, 13p, 24p, 26p, 29p
Europa, great works 2 x 13p 2 x 20p
Renoir 100 9p, 13p, 26p, 28p, 31p
Shipping 9p, 13p, 26p, 28p, 31p
1984 Definitive views 3p, 4p, 9p, 10p, 13p, 14p,
20p, 40p, 50p, £1
Dame of Sark 100 9p, 13p, 26p, 28p, 31p
Europa 13p, 20½p
Commonwealth 9p, 31p
Sir John Doyle 150 13p, 29p, 31p, 34p
Christmas 12 days 12 x 5p
1985 Definitive views 1p, 2p, 5p, 6p, 7p,, 8p,
11p, 15p, 30p, £2
Fish 9p, 13p, 29p, 31p, 34p
Peace in Europe 40 22p
Youth Year 9p, 31p
Europa, music 14p, 22p
Girl Guides 75 34p
Christmas gift bearers12 x 5p
9p, 14p, 22p, 31p, 34p
1986 James de Sausmarez 150 9p, 14p, 29p, 31p, 34p
Queen Elizabeth 60th 60p
Europa, nature 10p, 14p, 22p
14p, 34p
Sport 10p, 14p, 22p, 29p, 31p, 34p
Museums 14p, 29p, 31p, 34p
Christmas carols 12 x 6p
1987 Definitive views 11p 15p
Europa, architecture 2 x 15p 2 x 22p
Edmund Andros 350 15p, 29p, 31p, 34p
William the Conqueror 900 11p 2 x 15p 2 x 22p 34p
John Wesley 200 7p 15p 29p 31p 34p
Duke of Richmond map 200 14p, 29p, 31p, 34p
1988 Definitive views 12p, 16p
Shipping 11p, 15p, 29p, 31p, 34p
Europa, transport 2 x 16p 2 x 22p
F.C. Lukis 200 12p, 16p, 29p, 31p, 34p
Powerboats 16p, 30p, 32p, 35p
Joshus Gosselin 200 12p 2 x 16p 2 x 23p 35p
Christmas Ecclesiastical 12 x 8p
1989 Definitive 18p
Europa, toys 12p, 16p, 23p
Definitive coil UK
Airport 50 2 x 12p 2 x 18p 2 x 35p
Royal visit 30p
12p, 18p, 29p, 34p, 37p
Rain Forest animals 18p, 29p, 32p, 34p, 37p
Christmas decorations 12 x 10p

1990-2009

1990-99
DateNameDenominations
1990 Definitive Local
Europa, Post Office2 x 20p 2 x 24p
Stamps 150 14p, 20p, 32p, 34p, 37p
Anson's navigation 250 14p, 20p, 29p, 34p, 37p
WWF Sea life 20p, 26p, 31p, 37p
Christmas birds12 x 10p
1991 Definitive views 21p, 26p
First stamp 50 37p, 53p, 57p
Europa space 2 x 21p 2 x 26p
Yacht Club 100 15p, 21p, 26p, 31p, 37p
Nature conservation 5 x 15p 5 x 21p
Christmas children paint 12 x 12p
1992 Definitive flowers 3p, 4p, 5p, 10p, 16p, 20p,
23p, 40p, 50p, £1
2 x 23p 2 x 28p
Elizabeth 40 23p, 28p, 33p, 39p
16p, 23p, 28p, 33p, 39p
Trams 16p, 23p, 28p, 33p, 39p
Christmas fayre 12 x 13p
R.G.A.H.S. 150 75p
1993 Definitive flowers 1p, 2p, 6p, 7p, 8p, 9p,
24p, 28p, 30p, £2
4 x 16p 4 x 24p
Europa, art 2 x 24p 2 x 28p
Castle Cornet 350 16p, 24p, 28p, 33p, 39p
Thomas de la Rue 200 24p, 28p, 33p, 39p, 61p
Christmas windows12 x 13p
1994 Definitive flowers 25p
Europa, archaeology 2 x 24p 2 x 30p
Automobiles 16p, 24p, 35p, 41p, 60p
Post Office 25 16p, 24p, 35p, 41p, 60p
Christmas toys 6 x 13p 6 x 24p
D-Day 50 £2
1995 Welcoming face 8 x 24p
Europa, 3D 25p, 30p
Liberation 50 16p, 24p, 36p, 41p, 60p
Royal visit £1.50
United Nations 50 4 x 50p
Christmas UNICEF 50 2 x 13p 2 x 24p
1996 Definitive flowers £3
Europa, women 25p, 30p
European Football 2 x 16p 2 x 24p
2 x 35p 2 x 41p
Modern Olympics 100 16p, 24p, 41p, 55p, 60p
Film detectives 100 16p, 24p, 35p, 41p, 60p
Christmas 12 x 13p 24p 25p
24p, £1
1997 Definitive flowers 18p, 26p
Butterflies 18p, 25p, 26p, 37p
Europa, legends 26p, 31p
Self stick scenes 18p, 25p, 26p
Communications 18p, 25p, 26p, 37p, 43p, 63p
Christmas teddy bears 15p, 25p, 26p, 37p, 43p, 63p
Royal Golden Wedding 15p, 25p, 26p, 37p, 43p, 63p
Butterflies £1
Pacific 97 30p, £1
1998 Definitive maritime £5
Tapestry 1000 10 x 25p
Self stick scenes 2 x local 1 2 x UK 2
Royal Air Force 80 20p, 25p, 30p, 37p, 43p, 63p
Europa, festivals 20p, 25p, 30p, 37p
Christmas tree 150 17p, 25p, 30p, 37p, 43p, 63p
Football 150 30p £1.75
1999 Definitive maritime 1p, 2p, 3p, 4p, 5p, 6p, 7p, 8p,
9p, 10p, 40p, 50p, 75p, £1
Queen Mother 10 x 25p
Lifeboats 175 20p, 25p, 30p, 38p, 44p, 64p
Herm Island 20p, 25p, 30p, 38p
Sandhurst Academy 200 20p, 25p, 30p, 38p, 44p, 64p
Christmas carvings 17p, 25p, 30p, 38p, 44p, 64p
Royal Wedding £1

1 Local - postage within the Bailiwick of Guernsey
2 UK - postage to the United Kingdom
3 EUR - postage to Europe
4 ROW - postage to the Rest of the World
5 INT - International postage

2000-09
DateNameDenominations
2000 Definitive 20p 30p £3
Future 20p 25p 30p 38p 44p 64p
Battle of Britain 60 21p, 26p, 36p, 40p, 45p, 60p
Europa 21p, 26p, 36p, 65p
10 x 26p
Christmas churches 18p, 26p, 36p, 40p, 45p, 65p
2001 21p, 26p, 36p, 40p, 45p, 65p
Europa, water birds 21p, 26p, 36p, 65p
Dog club 100 22p, 27p, 36p, 40p, 45p, 65p
self stick scenes 5 x local, 5 x UK
Guernsey Post 22p, 27p, 36p, 40p, 45p, 65p
Christmas lights 19p, 27p, 36p, 40p, 45p, 65p
Limited £1
2002 Definitive 2 x £1
Circus 22p, 27p, 36p, 40p, 45p, 65p
22p, 27p, 36p, 40p, 45p, 65p
Accession Golden 22p, 27p, 36p, 40p, 45p, 65p
22p, 27p, 36p, 40p, 45p, 65p
10 x 27p
Christmas 22p, 27p, 36p, 40p, 45p, 65p
Pillar box 150 £1.75
Queen Mother £2
2003 Definitive letters £5
World War II 22p, 27p, 36p, 40p, £1.50
Island Games 22p, 27p, 36p, 40p, 45p, 65p
Europa, Poster Art 22p, 27p, 36p, 40p, 45p, 65p
Prince William 10 x 27p
Christmas poem 10p, 27p, 36p, 40p, 45p, 65p
HMS Guernsey £1.50
2004 Self-stick clematis 5 x local, 5 x UK
Europa, holidays 26p, 32p, 36p, 40p, 45p, 65p
D-Day 60 26p, 32p, 36p, 40p, £1.50
Normandy Connection 800 26p, 32p, 36p, 40p, 45p, 65p
Olympic Games 32p, 36p, 45p, 65p, £1
Christmas innocence 5 x 20p 32p, 36p, 40p,
45p, 65p
£2
2005 William John Caparne 100 26p, 32p, 36p, 40p, 45p, 65p
Memories of Liberation 60 26p, 32p, 36p, 40p, £1.50
Europa, Gastronomy 26p, 32p, 36p, 40p, 45p, 65p
Anniversary of Liberation 60 2 x £1
Definitive ship £4
Sea Guernsey 26p, 32p, 36p, 40p, 65p
Christmas glass 5 x 20p, 32p, 36p, 40p,
45p, 65p
£2
2006 Definitive Queen 80 £10
£1, £1.50
Victoria Cross 150 29p, 34p, 38p, 42p, 47p, 68p
29p, 34p, 42p, 45p, 47p, 68p
Brunel 200 29p, 34p, 42p, 45p, 47p, 68p
Europa, students 29p, 34p, 42p, 45p, 47p, 68p
Ramsar site, L'Eree 29p, 34p, 42p, 45p, 47p, 68p
Christmas 12 days 6 x 22p, 29p, 34p, 42p,
45p, 47p, 68
2007 Self-stick
Societe Guernesiaise 125
5 x local, 5 x UK
Falklands War 25 32p, 37p, 45p, 48p, 50p, 71p
Scouting 100 32p, 37p, 45p, 48p, 50p, 71p
British F1 champions 2 x 32p, 2 x 37p, 45p, 48p,
50p, 71p
£2.50
Royal Diamond Wedding 32p, 37p, 45p, 48p, 50p, 71p
Landscapes 32p, 37p, 45p, 48p, 50p, 71p
Christmas 6 x 27p, 32p 37p, 45p 48p
50p 71p
2008 Definitive flowers 10p, 20p, 30p, 40p, 50p,
£1, £2
3 x £1
34p, 40p, 48p, 51p, 53p, 74p
Mr. Men, Little Miss 34p, 40p, 48p, 51p, 53p, 74p
Letters 34p, 40p, 48p, 51p, 53p, 74p
Self-stick Abstract 5 x local, 5 x UK
Ford Model T 100 34p, 40p, 48p, 51p, 53p, 74p
34p, 40p, 48p, 51p, 53p, 74p
Christmas flowers 6 x 29p, 34p, 40p, 48p, 51p,
53p, 74p
2009 Definitive Wild Flora 1p, 2p, 3p, 4p, 5p, 6p, 7p, 8p,
9p, £3
£3
Darwin's discoveries 36p, 43p, 51p, 54p, 56p, 77p
Europa, astronomy 36p, 43p, 51p, 54p, 56p, 77p
Henry VIII 500 36p, 43p, 51p, 54p, 56p, 77p
Guernsey stamps 40 36p, 43p, 51p, 54p, 56p, 77p
Sea 36p, 43p, 51p, 54p, 56p, 77p
Christmas churches6 x 31p, 36p, 43p, 51p, 54p,
56p, 77p

2010-2029

2010-2019
DateNameDenominations
2010 Definitive abstract 2 x GY1, 2 x UK, EUR,3 ROW 4
£3.07
Europa, children's books 45p, 50p, £2
Girl Guiding 100 36p, 45p, 48p, 50p, 58p, 80p
National Trust of Guernsey 50 36p, 45p, 48p, 50p, 58p, 80p
Evacuation 70 36p, 45p, 48p, 50p, 58p, 80p
36p, 45p, 48p, 50p, 58p, 80p
Christmas carols 31p 36p, 45p, 48p, 50p,
58p, 80p
2011 £3
The Royal British Legion 90 36p, 45p, 52p, 58p, 65p, 70p
Europa, forests 45p, 52p, £2
2 x £2
36p, 47p, 48p, 52p, 61p, 65p
Sea Guernsey 36p, 45p, 52p, 58p, 65p, 70p
36p, 45p, 52p, 58p, 65p, 70p
Christmas wonderland 31p, 36p, 47p, 48p, 52p,
61p, 65p
British F1 champions 36p, 47p, 61p, 65p
2012 36p, 47p, 48p, 52p, 61p, 65p
£3
Visit Guernsey UK large, GY large, UK letter,
GY letter, INT 520g, INT 40g
Prince William 30 36p, 47p, 48p, 52p, 61p, 65p
War of 1812 200 2 x £1
Yacht Club 150 39p, 52p, 53p, 59p, 69p, 74p
Floral Guernsey 20 39p, 52p, 53p, 59p, 69p, 74p
Floral Guernsey 20 £3
Christmas story 34p, 39p, 52p, 53p, 59p,
69p, 74p
2013 £3
Marine life 39p, 52p, 53p, 59p, 69p, 74p
Marine life £5
Sark gold postbox £1
Postal transport UK large, GY large, UK letter,
GY letter, INT 20g, INT 40g
Herm island 40p, 53p, 55p, 63p, 71p, 79p
Guernsey newspapers 40p, 53p, 55p, 63p, 71p, 79p
Royal baby £3
West show 40p, 53p, 55p, 63p, 71p, 79p
Christmas 35p, 40p, 53p, 55p, 63p,
71p, 79p
40p, 53p, 55p, 63p, 71p, 79p
2014 40p, 53p, 55p, 63p, 71p, 79p
£3
Flowers over islands UK large, GY large, UK letter,
GY letter, INT 20g, INT 40g
Europa, musical instruments 40p, 53p, 55p, 63p, 71p, 79p
Definitive landscapes 5 x Local, 5 x UK
Marine life 41p, 54p, 55p, 66p, 74p, 83p
Marine life £3
INT
Christmas 34p, 41p, 54p, 55p, 66p,
74p, 83p
41p, 54p, 55p, 66p, 74p, 83p
2015 [4] Winston Churchill 3 x £1
New Year 41p, 54p, 55p, 66p, 74p, 83p
Europa, toys 41p, 54p, 55p, 66p, 74p, 83p
Liberation 41p, 54p, 55p, 66p, 74p, 83p
Penny Black £2
Paintings 42p, 56p, 57p, 62p, 68p, 77p
Sark 42p, 57p, 62p, 68p, 77p,
£1, £2
Christmas 37p, 42p, 56p, 57p, 62p,
68p, 77p
WW1 centenary 42p, 56p, 57p, 62p, 68p, 77p
2016[5] Lunar year of the Monkey42p, 56p, 57p, 62p, 68p, 77p
Endangered Species£3
Bailiwick LifeGY Letter, GY Large, UK Letter,
UK Large, EUR Letter, ROW Letter
EUROPA Think Green64p
Victor Hugo Toilers of the sea43p, 57p, 58p, 64p, 70p, 78p
SEPAC Seasons43p, 57p, 64p, 70p
500 years of postal history43p, 57p, 58p, 64p, 70p, 78p, £2
Ramsar Herm43p, 57p, 58p, 64p, 70p, 78p
PostcrossingEUR, ROW
Christmas38p, 43p, 57p, 58p, 64p, 70p, 78p
Stories of the Great War (3)43p, 57p, 58p, 64p, 70p, 78p
2017 [6] Lunar Year of the Rooster 43p, 57p, 58p, 64p 70p, 78p
43p, 57p, 64p, 70p
44p, 59p, 60p, 73p, 80p, 90p
£3 souvenir sheet
Shirts and Flags 44p, 50p, 73p, 80p
Guernsey Folklore 44p, 59p, 60p, 73p, 80p, 90p
£3 souvenir sheet
Coastal Scenes non-denominated (44p and 59p)
44p, 59p, 60p, 73p, 80p, 90p
£3 souvenir sheet
World War I Remembrance 44p, 59p, 60p, 73p, 80p, 90p
QEII 70th Wedding Anniversary 44p, 59p, 60p, 73p, 80p, 90p
Christmas 2017 'Good King Wenceslas' 39p, 44p, 59p, 60p, 73p, 80p, 90p
2018 [7] Lunar New Year: Year of the Dog 2018 6 stamps
Endangered Species: Black Rhinoceros 1 stamp
Post & Go: Bailiwick Flowers 6 stamps
6 stamps
Europa: Bridges 6 stamps
2 stamps
SEPAC; Spectacular Scenery 6 stamps
6 stamps
7 stamps
Stories of the Great War Part 5 6 stamps
2019 [8]
Lunar New Year: Year of the Pig 2019 6 stamps
John Wilson, Architect 8 stamps
50th Anniversary of the Guernsey Old Car Club 6 stamps
Europa: National Birds 6 stamps
200th Anniversary of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert 6 stamps
4 stamps
1 stamp
SEPAC: Old Residential Houses/Hauteville House 6 stamps
50th Anniversary - Postal Independence (Philatelic) 6 stamps
50th Anniversary - Postal Independence (postal) 6 stamps
Guernsey Christmas 7 stamps
2020-
DateNameDenominations
2020 [9] 6 stamps
250th Beethoven 1 £1
Bailiwick Fishing Boats 6 stamps
Mail Ships 6 stamps
£3
Liberation 75 6 stamps
250th Beethoven 2 1 stamp
6 stamps
250th Beethoven 3 1 stamp
SEPAC: Artworks in National Collection 6 stamps
  1. GuernseyTogether
7 stamps
Guernsey Christmas 7 stamps
250th Beethoven 4 1 stamp
2021
6 stamps
Clematis Gold: C.Sarah Elizabeth 1 stamp
Bailiwick Planes 6 stamps
100 years Royal British Legion 1 £1
Europa: Endangered Native Wildlife 8 stamps
Her Majesty The Queen's 95th Birthday 6 stamps
100 years Royal British Legion 2 £1
Postcrossing 2021 3 stamps
6 stamps
100 years Royal British Legion 3 £1
SEPAC: Old Maps 6 stamps
Guernsey Christmas 7 stamps
100 years Royal British Legion 4 £1

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Occupation . Channel Islands Specialists' Society 1950.
  2. Web site: German Occupation of British Channel Islands Part 1 – Guernsey . stamps.org . February 2013 . 2017-01-25 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141206201423/http://stamps.org/userfiles/file/articles_distinction/CFSC_2013.pdf . 2014-12-06 . dead .
  3. Book: Gibbons, Stanley . Collect Channel Islands and Isle of Man stamps . 2011 . 978-0-85259-827-6.
  4. Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalog, 2021 Vol 3A - pages 487-488
  5. Web site: Guernsey 2016 Stamp Issues . Guernsey Post . 26 September 2020.
  6. Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalog, 2021 Vol 3A - pages 488-489
  7. Web site: Stamp Programme 2018 . 29 March 2023.
  8. Web site: Stamp Programme 2019 . 29 March 2023.
  9. Web site: Stamp Programme 2020 . 26 June 2023.