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British Guiana Cottonreel


Issue Date

July 1, 1850

Issuer

British Guiana

Known For

British Guiana's first postage stamp.

Approximate Value

4,000 - 20,000 pounds sterling depending on condition and rarity

History

The Cottonreel Stamps were produced locally in British Guiana while awaiting the arrival of "official" postage stamps from London (which arrived in 1852).

They were named Cottonreels because they resembled the round labels that were usually glued to the ends of spools of cotton.

The stamps came in four denominations: 2 cent rose, 4 cent yellow, 8 cent green, and 12 cent blue.


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