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General Philatelic/Gen. Discussion : Why are there so many Channel Island stamps?

 

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cougar
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22 Dec 2017
12:35:49pm
I have always been puzzled by the abundance of Channel island stamps in kiloware lots.
You would think that countries with higher populations will be better represented. Still buying from different sources and getting the same results.

For instance a WW lot contained about 10 stamps from the whole of South America, 50 from Canada, but the whopping 150 from the Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey and even 5 from Alderney.

How is this ever possible?
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cdj1122
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Silence in the face of adversity is the father of complicity and collusion, the first cousins of conspiracy..

22 Dec 2017
01:02:46pm
re: Why are there so many Channel Island stamps?

One possible reason comes to mind immediately, they are Sun and Fun vacation spots for Brits and due to their closeness to France most of Europe. I suspect that people who have not written a note or letter in years buy several post cards to mail them off to friends, they have not contacted in even more years
and also purchase carefully cancelled FDCs as souvenirs of their trip.
Add those speculations to the simple human greed factor and the presses keep on rolling along, night and day.

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lemaven
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22 Dec 2017
01:23:17pm
re: Why are there so many Channel Island stamps?

Hey Jules.

I think it would be worthwhile for you to let us know who you are buying these kiloware lots from and what you see as the issues. And maybe posting some scans (both "piles of junk" and "discovered treasures"). Otherwise, responses from fellow SOR members are speculating about speculations!

I would suspect most U.S. providers have an overweighting in U.S. stamps, and Canadian providers similarly in Canadian stamps. And having both received and given away bulk lots of on-paper stamps - I think there have often been biases in the number of stamps from a particular country.

I think it is probably reflective of the "seller" (to you) passing along what they don't collect - received as a previous "buyer" from others. So maybe no Algeria or Burkina Faso shows up in one lot, but many Channel Islands do in another. (BTW, personally I wouldn't complain about the latter stuation)!

And regarding the observation that maybe all bulk lots are pre-sorted to take out what they want before reselling, leaving few (if any) rarities or high CV stamps...Isn't that what you do? Not a criticism, just an observation. because that's what I do - and I would suspect any other intelligent person would also do.

I think that merely reflects the increased sophistication of sellers. I haven't bought a bulk lot for MANY years, but about 15 years ago when I decided to get back into collecting - and bought a couple big "unsorted" lots on eBay (which I am still wading through) - I am still amazed at how many times (a few, not a lot) I come across stamps that are worth more than needed to recoup my original cost. I wouldn't expect that now.

I think you can see that same trend if you look at Kijiji or other such sites where people list a "Rare U.S. Elvis stamp" for $2.00 when it probably has a market value of a few cents, at best.

Cheers, Dave.

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Richmond
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22 Dec 2017
03:45:21pm
re: Why are there so many Channel Island stamps?

A minor observation - the Isle of Man being located in the Irish Sea, between England and Northern Ireland, is not part of the Channel Islands.

Regards


Richmond.

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lemaven
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22 Dec 2017
04:05:59pm
re: Why are there so many Channel Island stamps?

Richmond makes an interesting point. And I could certainly use some education on this issue.

I thought all of the "British Islands" that produced stamps were located off the coast of Scotland (is that called the Irish Sea???) And I had no idea how Germany managed to occupy some of them during WWII.

Then, I was reading a book about Prince Phillip recently and came across a reference that suggested some of these places are actually little islands in the channel between England and France. Maybe why they're called the Channel Islands? Who knew? I certainly didn't!!! Very embarrassed.

Some further info on all these little Islands, producing stamps, would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers, Dave.

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philb
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22 Dec 2017
04:29:29pm

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re: Why are there so many Channel Island stamps?

I have Guernsey and Jersey albums and some of the stamps are not easy to find in used condition..still trying to complete series.

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cougar
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22 Dec 2017
10:21:35pm
re: Why are there so many Channel Island stamps?



Charlie, given most of those stamps are Christmas stamps, we cannot speak of summer vacations. And who goes to Jersey for Christmas and mails a card back to his family in the UK? Sounds strange, but it must be very popular based on evidence in those kiloware lots.Happy

"And regarding the observation that maybe all bulk lots are pre-sorted to take out what they want before reselling, leaving few (if any) rarities or high CV stamps...Isn't that what you do?"

Well, not exactly. A bulk lot would be expected to be equal or better than a sample picture provided, as one cannot see all stamps in the lot. Showing an image that creates a different idea of what one would actually get is deceitful. I trade or exchange what I do not need, but that happens through a process where every stamp is visible.

I got those kiloware lots from the UK. I even bought one which was 250g of Channel islands on paper. Can you find 250g of Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, Brazil, South AFrica, Zimbabwe etc, etc.... Haven't seen any. This is why I am extremely puzzled by the volume of mail that must be going out of the Channel islands and the Isle of Man.

Well, actually, the Isle of Man was reported as a tax haven for rich Canadians and citizens of other nations. Maybe those Christmas stamps were affixed on the statements to CEO's in the UK showing them the grows of their investments That would make sense.

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sheepshanks
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22 Dec 2017
10:55:10pm
re: Why are there so many Channel Island stamps?

Guernsey population 2016 was 63,000.
Jersey population 2014 was 100,000.
Isle of Man population 2016 was 83,000.

I have a lot of used from all three islands that came from a charity mix, unsorted, around 1990. A lot came from BBC, presumably from radio quiz answer write ins. A lot came from insurance company mail and other amounts from Ann Summers ( a marital aid company)I guess some also came from personal mail.
I presume there are a lot of businesses that have offices in the Islands for tax purposes and from where, doubtless, a lot of mail originates.

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Brechinite

23 Dec 2017
05:39:11am
re: Why are there so many Channel Island stamps?

Jings! Crivvens! Help Ma Boab!

Maybe we should have paid more attention in Geography class!!!





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joshtanski
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23 Dec 2017
09:10:01am
re: Why are there so many Channel Island stamps?

"Can you find 250g of Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, Brazil, South AFrica, Zimbabwe etc, etc"



I do not buy kiloware like I used to a few years ago, but there are at least two US kiloware dealers who still have Brazil in their price list. South Africa I would think is still plentiful, Zimbabwe used to be readily available. The rest of the South American countries would be scarce, although their was a kiloware dealer in Florida who occasionally had, but haven't heard from him in years.

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cdj1122
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Silence in the face of adversity is the father of complicity and collusion, the first cousins of conspiracy..

25 Dec 2017
01:31:17am
re: Why are there so many Channel Island stamps?

" ... Charlie, given most of those stamps are Christmas stamps, we cannot speak of summer vacations. ..."

Yes, that puts a different slant on it . I must have missed the reference to Christmas stamps. Since it is only a short voyage to the Coast of France or a drive via the Chunnel and through Normandy to places where it might be quite easy to get the Guernsey or Jersey during the winter vacations, the postcard speculation might still be valid.
I know that when I am away on a vacation I always seek a handful of postcards and keep an address list in my travel bag, it is only a matter of finding a stamp Kiosk or open post office.
It is sort of taunting friends "Look where I am while you are stuck at the old grind stone...."

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Bobstamp
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28 Dec 2017
08:51:59pm
re: Why are there so many Channel Island stamps?

Lemaven said,

"I thought all of the "British Islands" that produced stamps were located off the coast of Scotland (is that called the Irish Sea???) And I had no idea how Germany managed to occupy some of them during WWII."



Here's a suggestion! Read my web page (four of them, actually), all under the heading "The Channel Islands at War".

Bob

P.S. If you note any errors, typos, etc., please let me know. I don't think I've ever published a 100%-clean web page!


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malcolm197

03 Jan 2018
04:37:23pm
re: Why are there so many Channel Island stamps?

I think that also people from the UK holidaying in the "Islands" perhaps send more postcards home with the "foreign" stamps for their novelty value.

Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man are not part of the United Kingdom, nor are they members of the European Union. Except in the matter of Defence and International Relations they are completely outside of the jurisdiction of the UK. HM the Queen is de facto the ruler of these entities, but certainly in the case of the Isle Of Man she is not Queen but "Lord of Man". The territories have their own executives, known as the "States" in both Guernsey and Jersey and "Tynwald" in the Isle of Man ( the lower house of parliament here is known as the House of Keys). The Isle of Man disputes with Iceland who has the oldest "parliament" in the world in continuous existence ( sometime in the 10th century ).

Of course they all have somewhat relaxed offshore tax regimes( although certainly not as relaxed as say the Cayman Islands ), but equally have extremely severe restrictions on outsiders owning property or having permanent residency.

The Channel Islands were occupied by Germany during WW2,and as they were of little strategic importance, and being only a dozen miles off France virtually indefensible. After the fall of France there was sufficient time to evacuate such of the population as wanted to leave ( including many of the children ), while many chose to stay to look after their homes.Towards the end of the war conditions were very bad as the allied blockade was particularly effective. Also a fair number of the remaining population were deported to mainland Europe as forced labour - and a number of these were never to return.The allied invasion of Europe passed by the islands and they were not liberated until the end of te war.

Many of the street names and family names are of French ( particularly Norman) origin as until 1066 they were part of the Duchy of Normandy, and Jersey does have a somewhat continental atmosphere. ( I have not yet visited the States of Guernsey which includes the islands of Alderney, Sark and Herm and some even smaller "rocks").

Malcolm

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cougar
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05 Jan 2018
04:07:31pm
re: Why are there so many Channel Island stamps?

Thanks Malcolm. That was a very interesting read indeed.

Still, I cannot wrap my head around the phenomenon of the abundance of used stamps (at least the common ones) from those places.

In comparison Madeira has a population of over 200,000 which will make it equal to all three island countries combined. It has warmer climates and must be a more popular summer destination. I do not see the same amount of stamps from there as I see from the Isle of Man alone.

Could be the language thing. On Ebay it is mostly sellers from the US, Australia, Canada and the UK with a few from the rest of the world. Yet where do all these Portugese, Spanish and French stamps go?

Even recent Dutch and Belgian stamps are harder to find......

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sheepshanks
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05 Jan 2018
06:19:34pm
re: Why are there so many Channel Island stamps?

With Madeira would they not be using Portuguese stamps and probably prepaid on postcards. Going by web posts the postal service from Madeira is not good.
There are quite a few mint stamps and sheets on various sales sites including recent.
Bearing in mind the majority of collectors are probably European the sales are, as pointed out, likely to be within the EU.

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cdj1122
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Silence in the face of adversity is the father of complicity and collusion, the first cousins of conspiracy..

06 Jan 2018
01:42:13pm
re: Why are there so many Channel Island stamps?

Here is another thought, pending correction
by someone with first hand knowledge
of the Channel Islands.
Is internet access as easy as it is
in more populated parts of the world ?
Is it easier to put a postcard in the mail
than to open a Facebook page and announce
that you just had a cup of coffee
to the breathlessly waiting digital world ?
Or more expensive ?

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Brechinite

06 Jan 2018
02:39:32pm
re: Why are there so many Channel Island stamps?

One of the possible reasons for collecting Channel islands stamps is that they have only been in existence since the early 1970's.

It means that there are no extortionately high valued stamps from the 19th century so one can actually have a "complete collection of their stamps" without having to "break the Bank at Monte Carlo".

Secondly, before their Postal Authorities even started issuing stamps, their marketing strategy was very, very, good and still is to this day.

In the seventies there was also a major TV Series filmed in Jersey called "Bergerac" which was aired on Sunday Nights Primetime for several years, which boosted the Islands Tourist trade.

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Bobstamp
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07 Jan 2018
11:33:03pm
re: Why are there so many Channel Island stamps?

The first "official" Guernsey and Jersey stamps were actually issued October 1, 1969, but British regional stamps were issued for each of the islands from 1958 through 1969. Then there are the interesting German Occupation stamps issued for use within the Channel Islands. Three values were issued for Guernsey starting in 1941, with a variety of two values, printed on blue banknote paper and watermarked, issued in 1942. Two face-different sets were issued for Jersey, two values in 1941-42, and a pictorial set ("Jersey Views") issued in 1943-44. All of the stamps were designed and printed (crudely) in the Channel Islands, and all of them include "secret" anti-Nazi elements within their designs. My web page, The Channel Islands at War — Postage stamps as instruments of resistance includes details about the stamps themselves and their designs.

I wonder if the plethora of Channel Islands stamps has anything to do with what appears to have been a "stamp-collecting culture" that existed during the war. Wartime philatelic covers from both Jersey and Guernsey are as common as dirt. It seems that everyone was sending FDCs to everyone else every time a stamp came out. Postally used covers are actually much less common. Add to that the fact that the Occupation stamps were valid for use until April 4, 1946. Channel Islands stamp dealers, of which there must have been at least a few, would have had a postwar heyday selling stamps and covers to collectors around the world who were eager to collect, document, and exhibit the Occupation stamps.

You'll often see faked Channel Islands covers on eBay and elsewhere, franked with Occupation stamps and purportedly mailed by German soldiers to mainland Europe. Often, these bogus covers are dual-franked with both Occupation and German stamps. If you're interested in actual wartime Channel Islands military mail, search for German feldpost covers. (I understand that the only other type of mail to enter and to leave the Channel Islands during the war was Red Cross form letters, which allowed Channel Islanders to maintain communication with friends and relatives who had evacuated the islands before the German invasion.)

Bob

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malcolm197

21 Jan 2018
11:50:52am
re: Why are there so many Channel Island stamps?

Charlie

As far as I know Internet access is as good in the Channel Islands as anywhere else - it would have to be for all the financial transactions.

I have "gut feeling" that really modern CI stamps are not near as common as from the 70s and 80s because of the same factors as elsewhere, although to repeat my original post, postcard and Christmas card mail will be quite heavy.

Another point has just occurred to me. In recent years a number of cruise ships have started to call in the Channel Islands, so mail with intercontinental rates should have increased of late, as the number of North American and Australasian visitors is probably much greater now. Jersey has started to issue "Post and Go" ATM stamps endorsed with the name of the ship to cater for postcards for these visitors. There are few international flights to Jersey/Guernsey other than from France and the UK, although some of the new "low-cost" airlines now operate limited services. Visitors from the far flung reaches of the world are more likely to visit for a day as part of a cruise itinerary than spend time travelling from the other side of the world just to visit these very small islands.

Malcolm

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malcolm197

21 Jan 2018
11:59:09am
re: Why are there so many Channel Island stamps?

Madeira does have limited stamps of it's own, but does use Portuguese stamps.

I receive "business mail" from Madeira and most of it bears stamps rather than Metermarks.The stamps over the last year have been about 50/50 Madeira stamps and Potuguese definitives.

The difference between Madeira and the Channel Islands is that the post office in Madeira is part of the Portuguese state post office, while the Channel Islands are postally independent.Jersey etc. stamps are not valid on mail posted from the United Kingdom and vice versa, while I guess that Madeira stamps would also be valid in Portugal even if not on sale there.As a matter of interest the regional stamps issued by the British post office ( before postal independence ) like all other regionals were valid for use throughout the UK.

Malcolm

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cougar

22 Dec 2017
12:35:49pm

I have always been puzzled by the abundance of Channel island stamps in kiloware lots.
You would think that countries with higher populations will be better represented. Still buying from different sources and getting the same results.

For instance a WW lot contained about 10 stamps from the whole of South America, 50 from Canada, but the whopping 150 from the Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey and even 5 from Alderney.

How is this ever possible?

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Silence in the face of adversity is the father of complicity and collusion, the first cousins of conspiracy..
22 Dec 2017
01:02:46pm

re: Why are there so many Channel Island stamps?

One possible reason comes to mind immediately, they are Sun and Fun vacation spots for Brits and due to their closeness to France most of Europe. I suspect that people who have not written a note or letter in years buy several post cards to mail them off to friends, they have not contacted in even more years
and also purchase carefully cancelled FDCs as souvenirs of their trip.
Add those speculations to the simple human greed factor and the presses keep on rolling along, night and day.

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lemaven

22 Dec 2017
01:23:17pm

re: Why are there so many Channel Island stamps?

Hey Jules.

I think it would be worthwhile for you to let us know who you are buying these kiloware lots from and what you see as the issues. And maybe posting some scans (both "piles of junk" and "discovered treasures"). Otherwise, responses from fellow SOR members are speculating about speculations!

I would suspect most U.S. providers have an overweighting in U.S. stamps, and Canadian providers similarly in Canadian stamps. And having both received and given away bulk lots of on-paper stamps - I think there have often been biases in the number of stamps from a particular country.

I think it is probably reflective of the "seller" (to you) passing along what they don't collect - received as a previous "buyer" from others. So maybe no Algeria or Burkina Faso shows up in one lot, but many Channel Islands do in another. (BTW, personally I wouldn't complain about the latter stuation)!

And regarding the observation that maybe all bulk lots are pre-sorted to take out what they want before reselling, leaving few (if any) rarities or high CV stamps...Isn't that what you do? Not a criticism, just an observation. because that's what I do - and I would suspect any other intelligent person would also do.

I think that merely reflects the increased sophistication of sellers. I haven't bought a bulk lot for MANY years, but about 15 years ago when I decided to get back into collecting - and bought a couple big "unsorted" lots on eBay (which I am still wading through) - I am still amazed at how many times (a few, not a lot) I come across stamps that are worth more than needed to recoup my original cost. I wouldn't expect that now.

I think you can see that same trend if you look at Kijiji or other such sites where people list a "Rare U.S. Elvis stamp" for $2.00 when it probably has a market value of a few cents, at best.

Cheers, Dave.

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Richmond

RICHMOND FC PREMIERS 2017, 2019, 2020
22 Dec 2017
03:45:21pm

re: Why are there so many Channel Island stamps?

A minor observation - the Isle of Man being located in the Irish Sea, between England and Northern Ireland, is not part of the Channel Islands.

Regards


Richmond.

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lemaven

22 Dec 2017
04:05:59pm

re: Why are there so many Channel Island stamps?

Richmond makes an interesting point. And I could certainly use some education on this issue.

I thought all of the "British Islands" that produced stamps were located off the coast of Scotland (is that called the Irish Sea???) And I had no idea how Germany managed to occupy some of them during WWII.

Then, I was reading a book about Prince Phillip recently and came across a reference that suggested some of these places are actually little islands in the channel between England and France. Maybe why they're called the Channel Islands? Who knew? I certainly didn't!!! Very embarrassed.

Some further info on all these little Islands, producing stamps, would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers, Dave.

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philb

22 Dec 2017
04:29:29pm

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re: Why are there so many Channel Island stamps?

I have Guernsey and Jersey albums and some of the stamps are not easy to find in used condition..still trying to complete series.

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cougar

22 Dec 2017
10:21:35pm

re: Why are there so many Channel Island stamps?



Charlie, given most of those stamps are Christmas stamps, we cannot speak of summer vacations. And who goes to Jersey for Christmas and mails a card back to his family in the UK? Sounds strange, but it must be very popular based on evidence in those kiloware lots.Happy

"And regarding the observation that maybe all bulk lots are pre-sorted to take out what they want before reselling, leaving few (if any) rarities or high CV stamps...Isn't that what you do?"

Well, not exactly. A bulk lot would be expected to be equal or better than a sample picture provided, as one cannot see all stamps in the lot. Showing an image that creates a different idea of what one would actually get is deceitful. I trade or exchange what I do not need, but that happens through a process where every stamp is visible.

I got those kiloware lots from the UK. I even bought one which was 250g of Channel islands on paper. Can you find 250g of Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, Brazil, South AFrica, Zimbabwe etc, etc.... Haven't seen any. This is why I am extremely puzzled by the volume of mail that must be going out of the Channel islands and the Isle of Man.

Well, actually, the Isle of Man was reported as a tax haven for rich Canadians and citizens of other nations. Maybe those Christmas stamps were affixed on the statements to CEO's in the UK showing them the grows of their investments That would make sense.

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sheepshanks

22 Dec 2017
10:55:10pm

re: Why are there so many Channel Island stamps?

Guernsey population 2016 was 63,000.
Jersey population 2014 was 100,000.
Isle of Man population 2016 was 83,000.

I have a lot of used from all three islands that came from a charity mix, unsorted, around 1990. A lot came from BBC, presumably from radio quiz answer write ins. A lot came from insurance company mail and other amounts from Ann Summers ( a marital aid company)I guess some also came from personal mail.
I presume there are a lot of businesses that have offices in the Islands for tax purposes and from where, doubtless, a lot of mail originates.

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Brechinite

23 Dec 2017
05:39:11am

re: Why are there so many Channel Island stamps?

Jings! Crivvens! Help Ma Boab!

Maybe we should have paid more attention in Geography class!!!





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joshtanski

23 Dec 2017
09:10:01am

re: Why are there so many Channel Island stamps?

"Can you find 250g of Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, Brazil, South AFrica, Zimbabwe etc, etc"



I do not buy kiloware like I used to a few years ago, but there are at least two US kiloware dealers who still have Brazil in their price list. South Africa I would think is still plentiful, Zimbabwe used to be readily available. The rest of the South American countries would be scarce, although their was a kiloware dealer in Florida who occasionally had, but haven't heard from him in years.

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Silence in the face of adversity is the father of complicity and collusion, the first cousins of conspiracy..
25 Dec 2017
01:31:17am

re: Why are there so many Channel Island stamps?

" ... Charlie, given most of those stamps are Christmas stamps, we cannot speak of summer vacations. ..."

Yes, that puts a different slant on it . I must have missed the reference to Christmas stamps. Since it is only a short voyage to the Coast of France or a drive via the Chunnel and through Normandy to places where it might be quite easy to get the Guernsey or Jersey during the winter vacations, the postcard speculation might still be valid.
I know that when I am away on a vacation I always seek a handful of postcards and keep an address list in my travel bag, it is only a matter of finding a stamp Kiosk or open post office.
It is sort of taunting friends "Look where I am while you are stuck at the old grind stone...."

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Bobstamp

28 Dec 2017
08:51:59pm

re: Why are there so many Channel Island stamps?

Lemaven said,

"I thought all of the "British Islands" that produced stamps were located off the coast of Scotland (is that called the Irish Sea???) And I had no idea how Germany managed to occupy some of them during WWII."



Here's a suggestion! Read my web page (four of them, actually), all under the heading "The Channel Islands at War".

Bob

P.S. If you note any errors, typos, etc., please let me know. I don't think I've ever published a 100%-clean web page!


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malcolm197

03 Jan 2018
04:37:23pm

re: Why are there so many Channel Island stamps?

I think that also people from the UK holidaying in the "Islands" perhaps send more postcards home with the "foreign" stamps for their novelty value.

Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man are not part of the United Kingdom, nor are they members of the European Union. Except in the matter of Defence and International Relations they are completely outside of the jurisdiction of the UK. HM the Queen is de facto the ruler of these entities, but certainly in the case of the Isle Of Man she is not Queen but "Lord of Man". The territories have their own executives, known as the "States" in both Guernsey and Jersey and "Tynwald" in the Isle of Man ( the lower house of parliament here is known as the House of Keys). The Isle of Man disputes with Iceland who has the oldest "parliament" in the world in continuous existence ( sometime in the 10th century ).

Of course they all have somewhat relaxed offshore tax regimes( although certainly not as relaxed as say the Cayman Islands ), but equally have extremely severe restrictions on outsiders owning property or having permanent residency.

The Channel Islands were occupied by Germany during WW2,and as they were of little strategic importance, and being only a dozen miles off France virtually indefensible. After the fall of France there was sufficient time to evacuate such of the population as wanted to leave ( including many of the children ), while many chose to stay to look after their homes.Towards the end of the war conditions were very bad as the allied blockade was particularly effective. Also a fair number of the remaining population were deported to mainland Europe as forced labour - and a number of these were never to return.The allied invasion of Europe passed by the islands and they were not liberated until the end of te war.

Many of the street names and family names are of French ( particularly Norman) origin as until 1066 they were part of the Duchy of Normandy, and Jersey does have a somewhat continental atmosphere. ( I have not yet visited the States of Guernsey which includes the islands of Alderney, Sark and Herm and some even smaller "rocks").

Malcolm

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cougar

05 Jan 2018
04:07:31pm

re: Why are there so many Channel Island stamps?

Thanks Malcolm. That was a very interesting read indeed.

Still, I cannot wrap my head around the phenomenon of the abundance of used stamps (at least the common ones) from those places.

In comparison Madeira has a population of over 200,000 which will make it equal to all three island countries combined. It has warmer climates and must be a more popular summer destination. I do not see the same amount of stamps from there as I see from the Isle of Man alone.

Could be the language thing. On Ebay it is mostly sellers from the US, Australia, Canada and the UK with a few from the rest of the world. Yet where do all these Portugese, Spanish and French stamps go?

Even recent Dutch and Belgian stamps are harder to find......

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sheepshanks

05 Jan 2018
06:19:34pm

re: Why are there so many Channel Island stamps?

With Madeira would they not be using Portuguese stamps and probably prepaid on postcards. Going by web posts the postal service from Madeira is not good.
There are quite a few mint stamps and sheets on various sales sites including recent.
Bearing in mind the majority of collectors are probably European the sales are, as pointed out, likely to be within the EU.

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06 Jan 2018
01:42:13pm

re: Why are there so many Channel Island stamps?

Here is another thought, pending correction
by someone with first hand knowledge
of the Channel Islands.
Is internet access as easy as it is
in more populated parts of the world ?
Is it easier to put a postcard in the mail
than to open a Facebook page and announce
that you just had a cup of coffee
to the breathlessly waiting digital world ?
Or more expensive ?

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Brechinite

06 Jan 2018
02:39:32pm

re: Why are there so many Channel Island stamps?

One of the possible reasons for collecting Channel islands stamps is that they have only been in existence since the early 1970's.

It means that there are no extortionately high valued stamps from the 19th century so one can actually have a "complete collection of their stamps" without having to "break the Bank at Monte Carlo".

Secondly, before their Postal Authorities even started issuing stamps, their marketing strategy was very, very, good and still is to this day.

In the seventies there was also a major TV Series filmed in Jersey called "Bergerac" which was aired on Sunday Nights Primetime for several years, which boosted the Islands Tourist trade.

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Bobstamp

07 Jan 2018
11:33:03pm

re: Why are there so many Channel Island stamps?

The first "official" Guernsey and Jersey stamps were actually issued October 1, 1969, but British regional stamps were issued for each of the islands from 1958 through 1969. Then there are the interesting German Occupation stamps issued for use within the Channel Islands. Three values were issued for Guernsey starting in 1941, with a variety of two values, printed on blue banknote paper and watermarked, issued in 1942. Two face-different sets were issued for Jersey, two values in 1941-42, and a pictorial set ("Jersey Views") issued in 1943-44. All of the stamps were designed and printed (crudely) in the Channel Islands, and all of them include "secret" anti-Nazi elements within their designs. My web page, The Channel Islands at War — Postage stamps as instruments of resistance includes details about the stamps themselves and their designs.

I wonder if the plethora of Channel Islands stamps has anything to do with what appears to have been a "stamp-collecting culture" that existed during the war. Wartime philatelic covers from both Jersey and Guernsey are as common as dirt. It seems that everyone was sending FDCs to everyone else every time a stamp came out. Postally used covers are actually much less common. Add to that the fact that the Occupation stamps were valid for use until April 4, 1946. Channel Islands stamp dealers, of which there must have been at least a few, would have had a postwar heyday selling stamps and covers to collectors around the world who were eager to collect, document, and exhibit the Occupation stamps.

You'll often see faked Channel Islands covers on eBay and elsewhere, franked with Occupation stamps and purportedly mailed by German soldiers to mainland Europe. Often, these bogus covers are dual-franked with both Occupation and German stamps. If you're interested in actual wartime Channel Islands military mail, search for German feldpost covers. (I understand that the only other type of mail to enter and to leave the Channel Islands during the war was Red Cross form letters, which allowed Channel Islanders to maintain communication with friends and relatives who had evacuated the islands before the German invasion.)

Bob

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malcolm197

21 Jan 2018
11:50:52am

re: Why are there so many Channel Island stamps?

Charlie

As far as I know Internet access is as good in the Channel Islands as anywhere else - it would have to be for all the financial transactions.

I have "gut feeling" that really modern CI stamps are not near as common as from the 70s and 80s because of the same factors as elsewhere, although to repeat my original post, postcard and Christmas card mail will be quite heavy.

Another point has just occurred to me. In recent years a number of cruise ships have started to call in the Channel Islands, so mail with intercontinental rates should have increased of late, as the number of North American and Australasian visitors is probably much greater now. Jersey has started to issue "Post and Go" ATM stamps endorsed with the name of the ship to cater for postcards for these visitors. There are few international flights to Jersey/Guernsey other than from France and the UK, although some of the new "low-cost" airlines now operate limited services. Visitors from the far flung reaches of the world are more likely to visit for a day as part of a cruise itinerary than spend time travelling from the other side of the world just to visit these very small islands.

Malcolm

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malcolm197

21 Jan 2018
11:59:09am

re: Why are there so many Channel Island stamps?

Madeira does have limited stamps of it's own, but does use Portuguese stamps.

I receive "business mail" from Madeira and most of it bears stamps rather than Metermarks.The stamps over the last year have been about 50/50 Madeira stamps and Potuguese definitives.

The difference between Madeira and the Channel Islands is that the post office in Madeira is part of the Portuguese state post office, while the Channel Islands are postally independent.Jersey etc. stamps are not valid on mail posted from the United Kingdom and vice versa, while I guess that Madeira stamps would also be valid in Portugal even if not on sale there.As a matter of interest the regional stamps issued by the British post office ( before postal independence ) like all other regionals were valid for use throughout the UK.

Malcolm

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