I agree with you, Michael -
Pitcairn is one of my collecting interests. A fascinating story, a fascinating island group and fascinating postal history!
There is a wonderful book called "Serpent In Paradise" (C.1997)by British travel writer and journalist Dea Birkett that tells a wonderful true story of a woman who visited the island and was accepted into their "inner circle", so to speak.
It's a fascinating modern glimpse into life on the island a a curious look into the lives of the islanders.
2000 mile from anywhere - how remote can you get!? LOL
Randy
I recently purchased an older year set still available from the Pitcairn Philatelic Bureau. I wanted to see how long it would take to get the stamps. Well, they arrived today (from New Zealand). Here is the cover. It is too large to fit fully on the scanner.
...and a closeup:
Very nice, Michael - thanks for the scan!
I wonder if it was actually cancelled (i.e. 'serviced') on Pitcairn or in New Zealand, which is where their mail is actually serviced to the rest of the world.
Pitcairn mail has, in the past, been handled by N.Z. and sometimes philatelic mail never actually was even on the island.
Maybe this has changed in recent years.
Randy
No, Randy, it was serviced and posted from New Zealand. It is stated underneath the seal for the Pitcairn Islands Philatelic Bureau. The envelope was just too big to show the entire cover.
As a result, it only took two weeks to get the stamps from New Zealand. If it had been posted from Pitcairn, it could have taken up to six months to get to me.
They have an island newsletter. It can be subscribed to in digital and hard print. I have been tempted to subscribe to the hard print. It is posted from the island. That would be kind of cool to get. I wonder if they would use Pitcairn stamps, or if they would use a meter or other mailing indicia?
Thanks for sharing this, Michael. I find this absolutely fascinating!
I would never have known all this about Pitcairn if it wasn't for stamp collecting!
BOB
Michael,
Thanks for the further info.
Meter or whatever, it would still be cool to have something that you KNOW was actually mailed from there, wouldn't it!
Randy
I sold this one just last week:
Roy
Why a Tahiti postcard from Pitcairn?
....maybe they stocked up in Tahiti before arriving on Pitcairn....
Last I heard, they have strict regulations about who can visit there. I wonder if that's changed any......
Randy
P.S. to Roy;
How much did it sell for, if I may ask?
Probably aboard a cruise ship.
US$8.00
Roy
...not a bad deal...!
Randy
"they have strict regulations about who can visit there"
Okay. I indulged myself. I subscribed to their newsletter. Been wanting to do that for a number of years... I'll just have to wait for the first one to arrive (three are sent at the same time), and see how they post it.
Michael, I'll be curiously waiting to hear from you when that bit of mail comes in!
Randy
Got this years ago when I inquired about purchasing stamps direct
So far, not a word about the Bounty mutineers or Capt. William Bligh! (Perhaps so well-known as not to warrant reference here?) The Tahiti connection is direct - the Tahitian Polynesians accompanied the mutineers on Pitcairn. Or, if you prefer, the Lewis Milestone film of Mutiny on the Bounty was set in Tahiti and Brando's third wife was the Tahitian girl who was his co-star!
I've always had an interest in Pitcairn Islands as well. Thankfully they have not gone crazy in the printing of new issues, however there are around 15 times more stamps printed than the number of people who typically live on the Islands.
I was trying one time to figure out what country/colony had more stamps printed per person than any other. Can't remember what I came up with but it was probably Pitcairn.
Another likely candidate would be Vatican City but only has 1:1.5 stamps per person.
Anyone know any other country or stamp issuing authority with a high ratio?
"I was trying one time to figure out what country/colony had more stamps printed per person than any other."
I sent an email to the person on the island who handles the newsletter. Here is part of the reply:
"...the newsletters are posted from the island using Pitcairn Island postage
stamps.
There are currently about 300 subscribers."
Michael -
How much was the subscription and for how long?
Randy
The annual subscription to the hard copy (monthly) costs $40.00 NZD (about $27.00 USD), postage included. They send three issues at a time. The annual online subscription is $20.00 NZD. With the hard copy subscription, the online version is not included. That surprised me.
$1.00 NZD = $0.67 USD (as of December 4).
For those wanting to read an interesting online article on the mutiny, here is the link:
Mutiny on the Bounty
Since I didn't win the Powerball, I can't buy the Pitcairn Islands.
I have been buying the Pitcairn annual year sets that are available through its philatelic bureau (in New Zealand). Takes about two weeks to get each package from there. Each has been franked with Pitcairn stamps, and nicely canceled to boot!
I received a package today with two more packs. There was a little surprise that they included:
Wow, very nice! Exotic places and beautiful faces, it's a win-win!!
Great score!
WB
Randy, I'm still waiting to receive my first set of newsletters.
As for the stamps, I have caught up with the new issues through 2015. Since I bought the new definitive set, I didn't want to buy the year set, which includes the definitive set. So, I bought separately each of the sets that I needed to complete the year. Interesting that each set came enclosed in the corresponding four page new issue stamp bulletin. The bulletin provides the data for the stamps, and also includes historical information about the issue.
If anyone would like these bulletins, sans stamps, drop me a message with your address, and I'll send them to you.
Thanks for the update, Michael.
...PM sent!
Today, I received my first set of the quarterly shipment of the monthly newsletter from the Pitcairn Islands. It was posted on March 1, so it took 6 weeks to arrive. The newsletters are from November 2015, December 2015 and January 2016.
This was my first direct mailing received from the island. Mail from the island philatelic agency comes from New Zealand and takes two weeks to arrive.
Interesting to note is the postal code for the Island: "1ZZ". I guess by the "ZZ", it means one can't go any farther!
A quick flip through the newsletters looks like these are going to be enjoyable to read. Each contains a capsule of the activities on the island, including special events, weather and even new stamp issues information. Each are around a dozen or so pages, and there are plenty of color pictures, drawings and charts. I'm really looking forward to reading the December issue, which has a feature article on the island Christmas celebrations. I have always been curious as to how people celebrate and live their lives.
I think these issues are keepers!
Sounds fascinating Michael.
Sounds really great Michael, hope to hear more about this, what stamps were on the newsletters in the end?
The newsletters were mailed in a large envelope. Here is the franking:
When I receive mailings from the Pitcairn Islands Philatelic Agency (based in New Zealand), the envelopes have all sorts of different Pitcairn stamps on them.
Not a philatelic reference, but being aware of Bligh I have a family contact with Adventure Bay in Tasmania where Bligh also visited.
I read the book by Kathy Marks about the awful abuse that took place on Pitcairn (not acceptable on any level but not completely surprising in such a closed society) and formed an interest.
There is a bookface page about the construction a new pier 'tedside': https://www.facebook.com/Pitcairn-Alternative-Harbour-Project-1478758655735030/?fref=ts
It looks as though they are now encouraging immigration. They will provide free land on a leasehold basis.
(Modified by Moderator on 2017-12-08 11:41:15)
Here's one for ya.
I believe the stamped ones were stamped on the island. My dad brought these back for me when I was at school so many years since. He also had letters stamped on the island sent to my mum. Don't know where they are. I guess my mum threw then away.
One day, when I was just a laddie, I was watching "Mutiny on the Bounty" on television. My father passed by, and quipped, "You know that's based on a true story."
I was enthralled. Ever since, I have been enamored with the story. I have all movie iterations of the tale, read the books and what else I can find. I have been a regular visitor on the Pitcairn Islands web site, and read their newspaper. Of course, I collect Pitcairn stamps as part of my world wide collection, but this is an area that has a special place for me.
A visit to the island is an item in my short bucket list. Don't know if that will ever happen. They have been looking for people to relocate there to live as the population is dropping. There are less than 50 people living on the island now. Sounds exciting, but new residents are expected to work, and the work isn't easy. If I were younger and single, maybe it would have been something I would have considered. Still, I like to travel about and see new things. Not so sure how one can spend years on a piece of rock that is only two miles big. Ah, but one can dream...
For those who also share the curiosity and intrigue of Pitcairn and its history, here is a link to the island's web site. The page provides images of all Pitcairn's stamps from beginning to date:
Pitcairn Island Stamps
Scroll down the left bar until you see "Past Issues" click on that, and the virtual album will be available to you.
re: Pitcairn Islands
I agree with you, Michael -
Pitcairn is one of my collecting interests. A fascinating story, a fascinating island group and fascinating postal history!
There is a wonderful book called "Serpent In Paradise" (C.1997)by British travel writer and journalist Dea Birkett that tells a wonderful true story of a woman who visited the island and was accepted into their "inner circle", so to speak.
It's a fascinating modern glimpse into life on the island a a curious look into the lives of the islanders.
2000 mile from anywhere - how remote can you get!? LOL
Randy
re: Pitcairn Islands
I recently purchased an older year set still available from the Pitcairn Philatelic Bureau. I wanted to see how long it would take to get the stamps. Well, they arrived today (from New Zealand). Here is the cover. It is too large to fit fully on the scanner.
...and a closeup:
re: Pitcairn Islands
Very nice, Michael - thanks for the scan!
I wonder if it was actually cancelled (i.e. 'serviced') on Pitcairn or in New Zealand, which is where their mail is actually serviced to the rest of the world.
Pitcairn mail has, in the past, been handled by N.Z. and sometimes philatelic mail never actually was even on the island.
Maybe this has changed in recent years.
Randy
re: Pitcairn Islands
No, Randy, it was serviced and posted from New Zealand. It is stated underneath the seal for the Pitcairn Islands Philatelic Bureau. The envelope was just too big to show the entire cover.
As a result, it only took two weeks to get the stamps from New Zealand. If it had been posted from Pitcairn, it could have taken up to six months to get to me.
They have an island newsletter. It can be subscribed to in digital and hard print. I have been tempted to subscribe to the hard print. It is posted from the island. That would be kind of cool to get. I wonder if they would use Pitcairn stamps, or if they would use a meter or other mailing indicia?
re: Pitcairn Islands
Thanks for sharing this, Michael. I find this absolutely fascinating!
I would never have known all this about Pitcairn if it wasn't for stamp collecting!
BOB
re: Pitcairn Islands
Michael,
Thanks for the further info.
Meter or whatever, it would still be cool to have something that you KNOW was actually mailed from there, wouldn't it!
Randy
re: Pitcairn Islands
I sold this one just last week:
Roy
re: Pitcairn Islands
Why a Tahiti postcard from Pitcairn?
....maybe they stocked up in Tahiti before arriving on Pitcairn....
Last I heard, they have strict regulations about who can visit there. I wonder if that's changed any......
Randy
P.S. to Roy;
How much did it sell for, if I may ask?
re: Pitcairn Islands
Probably aboard a cruise ship.
US$8.00
Roy
re: Pitcairn Islands
...not a bad deal...!
Randy
re: Pitcairn Islands
"they have strict regulations about who can visit there"
re: Pitcairn Islands
Okay. I indulged myself. I subscribed to their newsletter. Been wanting to do that for a number of years... I'll just have to wait for the first one to arrive (three are sent at the same time), and see how they post it.
re: Pitcairn Islands
Michael, I'll be curiously waiting to hear from you when that bit of mail comes in!
Randy
re: Pitcairn Islands
Got this years ago when I inquired about purchasing stamps direct
re: Pitcairn Islands
So far, not a word about the Bounty mutineers or Capt. William Bligh! (Perhaps so well-known as not to warrant reference here?) The Tahiti connection is direct - the Tahitian Polynesians accompanied the mutineers on Pitcairn. Or, if you prefer, the Lewis Milestone film of Mutiny on the Bounty was set in Tahiti and Brando's third wife was the Tahitian girl who was his co-star!
re: Pitcairn Islands
I've always had an interest in Pitcairn Islands as well. Thankfully they have not gone crazy in the printing of new issues, however there are around 15 times more stamps printed than the number of people who typically live on the Islands.
I was trying one time to figure out what country/colony had more stamps printed per person than any other. Can't remember what I came up with but it was probably Pitcairn.
Another likely candidate would be Vatican City but only has 1:1.5 stamps per person.
Anyone know any other country or stamp issuing authority with a high ratio?
re: Pitcairn Islands
"I was trying one time to figure out what country/colony had more stamps printed per person than any other."
re: Pitcairn Islands
I sent an email to the person on the island who handles the newsletter. Here is part of the reply:
"...the newsletters are posted from the island using Pitcairn Island postage
stamps.
There are currently about 300 subscribers."
re: Pitcairn Islands
Michael -
How much was the subscription and for how long?
Randy
re: Pitcairn Islands
The annual subscription to the hard copy (monthly) costs $40.00 NZD (about $27.00 USD), postage included. They send three issues at a time. The annual online subscription is $20.00 NZD. With the hard copy subscription, the online version is not included. That surprised me.
$1.00 NZD = $0.67 USD (as of December 4).
re: Pitcairn Islands
For those wanting to read an interesting online article on the mutiny, here is the link:
Mutiny on the Bounty
re: Pitcairn Islands
Since I didn't win the Powerball, I can't buy the Pitcairn Islands.
I have been buying the Pitcairn annual year sets that are available through its philatelic bureau (in New Zealand). Takes about two weeks to get each package from there. Each has been franked with Pitcairn stamps, and nicely canceled to boot!
I received a package today with two more packs. There was a little surprise that they included:
re: Pitcairn Islands
Wow, very nice! Exotic places and beautiful faces, it's a win-win!!
Great score!
WB
re: Pitcairn Islands
Randy, I'm still waiting to receive my first set of newsletters.
As for the stamps, I have caught up with the new issues through 2015. Since I bought the new definitive set, I didn't want to buy the year set, which includes the definitive set. So, I bought separately each of the sets that I needed to complete the year. Interesting that each set came enclosed in the corresponding four page new issue stamp bulletin. The bulletin provides the data for the stamps, and also includes historical information about the issue.
If anyone would like these bulletins, sans stamps, drop me a message with your address, and I'll send them to you.
re: Pitcairn Islands
Thanks for the update, Michael.
...PM sent!
re: Pitcairn Islands
Today, I received my first set of the quarterly shipment of the monthly newsletter from the Pitcairn Islands. It was posted on March 1, so it took 6 weeks to arrive. The newsletters are from November 2015, December 2015 and January 2016.
This was my first direct mailing received from the island. Mail from the island philatelic agency comes from New Zealand and takes two weeks to arrive.
Interesting to note is the postal code for the Island: "1ZZ". I guess by the "ZZ", it means one can't go any farther!
A quick flip through the newsletters looks like these are going to be enjoyable to read. Each contains a capsule of the activities on the island, including special events, weather and even new stamp issues information. Each are around a dozen or so pages, and there are plenty of color pictures, drawings and charts. I'm really looking forward to reading the December issue, which has a feature article on the island Christmas celebrations. I have always been curious as to how people celebrate and live their lives.
I think these issues are keepers!
re: Pitcairn Islands
Sounds really great Michael, hope to hear more about this, what stamps were on the newsletters in the end?
re: Pitcairn Islands
The newsletters were mailed in a large envelope. Here is the franking:
When I receive mailings from the Pitcairn Islands Philatelic Agency (based in New Zealand), the envelopes have all sorts of different Pitcairn stamps on them.
re: Pitcairn Islands
Not a philatelic reference, but being aware of Bligh I have a family contact with Adventure Bay in Tasmania where Bligh also visited.
I read the book by Kathy Marks about the awful abuse that took place on Pitcairn (not acceptable on any level but not completely surprising in such a closed society) and formed an interest.
There is a bookface page about the construction a new pier 'tedside': https://www.facebook.com/Pitcairn-Alternative-Harbour-Project-1478758655735030/?fref=ts
It looks as though they are now encouraging immigration. They will provide free land on a leasehold basis.
(Modified by Moderator on 2017-12-08 11:41:15)
re: Pitcairn Islands
I believe the stamped ones were stamped on the island. My dad brought these back for me when I was at school so many years since. He also had letters stamped on the island sent to my mum. Don't know where they are. I guess my mum threw then away.