Stamping Their Authority

The first day of October 1969 saw the inauguration of two new stamp issuing authorities, represented at the Universal Postal Union by what was then known as the British Post Office. The British Channel Islands of Jersey and Guernsey had taken the option to become postally independent following the decision of Great Britain’s General Post Office to become a Public Corporation. Guernsey Post Office and the grandly titled “The States of Jersey Department of Postal Administration” were subsequently formed and their first ‘postally independent’ stamps were issued in 1969. The title ‘Bailiwick’ on the above stamps indicates that Guernsey is a territory administered by a Bailiff. The Bailiff of Guernsey is the civil head and head of the judiciary. To view more stamps from the Channel Islands check out the freestampcatalogue website.