A Guide to Postage Stamps and Postal History of Trinidad and Tobago

Trinidad and Tobago has a rich postal history that spans over two centuries, with the first postage stamps introduced in 1851.

The first stamps featured Queen Victoria's image and were issued by the British colonial government.

The country's postal system has undergone several changes over the years, with the introduction of new stamps and services to meet the growing needs of the population.

One of the most notable events in Trinidad and Tobago's postal history was the introduction of the first airmail service in 1939.

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The first stamps issued for Trinidad were in 1851, marking the beginning of a rich postal history for the island.

The first stamps used on Tobago were actually British general issues from 1858 to 1860, but they were later replaced by Trinidad's stamps in 1860.

Tobago's first stamps were issued in 1879, specifically revenue stamps that were used as postage stamps without an overprint.

These early stamps were followed by the first definitive postage stamps in 1880, which featured a design common to many British colonies.

The stamps of Trinidad and Tobago have a fascinating history, and understanding their development can be a fun and rewarding experience for philatelists and history enthusiasts alike.

Here's a brief timeline of the key events:

The first stamps of Trinidad were the famous Lady McLeod stamps, a private local post issued in 1847. These stamps are highly collectible and a great starting point for any stamp enthusiast.

The Lady McLeod stamps were a significant milestone in the history of Trinidad and Tobago's postal system. They paved the way for the official stamps that would follow.

One of the most interesting facts about the Lady McLeod stamps is that they were used as revenue stamps of Trinidad and Tobago. This means they were used to collect taxes or fees on certain documents or transactions.

These stamps are still remembered and celebrated today, and can be found in collections and on display at philatelic exhibitions.

The Trinidad and Tobago stamps from 1860 to 1900 are a fascinating collection. These stamps not only served as a means of postal communication but also reflect the historical and political evolution of Trinidad and Tobago during this period.

The first stamps used on Tobago were the general issues from Great Britain between 1858 and 1860. These were superseded by the issues of Trinidad from 1860.

Tobago issued its first stamps in 1879 – revenue stamps used as postage stamps without overprint.

The first definitive postage stamps were issued in 1880.

These stamps were of the same design, common to the British colonies.

The last issue for Tobago appeared in 1896 and is again a revenue stamp – now overprinted with a new denomination and the word ‘Postage’.

Since the full integration of the postal administrations in 1913, until today, the stamps of Trinidad & Tobago are used.

Tobago's postal history is a fascinating story. Tobago used stamps of Trinidad from 1860, and it wasn't until 1879 that Tobago issued its own stamps.

These early stamps were revenue stamps used as postage stamps without overprint, and they were the first of their kind for Tobago. The first definitive postage stamps were issued in 1880, and they featured a design common to British colonies.

Tobago's last issue of stamps appeared in 1896, and it was again a revenue stamp overprinted with a new denomination and the word 'Postage'.

Tobago used stamps of Trinidad from 1860, marking the beginning of their postal history.

Tobago didn't issue its own stamps until 1879.

The island again used Trinidad's stamps from 1896, indicating a change in their postal system.

Tobago issued its first stamps in 1879 – revenue stamps used as postage stamps without overprint. The first definitive postage stamps were issued in 1880, and they shared the same design as the British colonies.

The last issue for Tobago appeared in 1896 and is again a revenue stamp – now overprinted with a new denomination and the word 'Postage'.