Collection: Trinidad

Step into the rich tapestry of 19th-century Caribbean history with our curated collection of Victorian-era postage stamps from Trinidad. These stamps, issued during Queen Victoria's reign, reflect the island's colonial heritage and its pivotal role in the British Empire. Among the earliest is the iconic 1847 "Lady McLeod" stamp, considered one of the world's first private local posts, featuring a paddle steamer that transported mail between Port of Spain and San Fernando. Subsequent issues showcase the "Seated Britannia" design, a symbol of British authority, and later, definitive stamps bearing Queen Victoria's portrait, including the 1869 pink 5d and the 1883 ½d green.

These stamps not only served postal purposes but also marked significant events and administrative changes. In 1894, for instance, stamps were overprinted with "O S" to denote official government use. The collection offers a glimpse into Trinidad's evolution from a British colony to its eventual unification with Tobago in 1889, leading up to the issuance of joint stamps in 1913. Each stamp is a piece of history, capturing the island's journey through colonial times.