LibGuides: Pitcairn Philately: Home

Through the years since the first definitive issue of Pitcairn stamps was issued in 1940, the philately of Pitcairn Island has enjoyed a much-sought-after status among stamp collectors throughout the world.

With the coming of the Internet about a decade ago, the worldwide demand for Pitcairn stamps began decreasing. In late 2018, the Pitcairn Government administration advertised for interest relative to Pitcairn Islands stamp and coin production. Then on May 13, 2020, there came an announcement that the Tower Mint company of London had been awarded Pitcairn's philately contract to produce future stamp and coin issues. On September 4, 2020, a message to collectors from the directors of the Pitcairn Islands Philatelic Bureau – which had produced and issued all Pitcairn stamps for many years – stated that they were retiring, and that Tower Mint would produce and issue all Pitcairn Islands stamps in the future beginning on September 20, 2020.

On February 28, 2020, the "Sinking of the Essex" Pitcairn stamps were issued, making it the last issue of Pitcairn stamps issued from the Pitcairn Islands Philatelic Bureau under the direction of Russell and Louise Watson.

The listing and showing of all new Pitcairn stamps on this website will continue from the time Tower Mint releases its first Pitcairn Islands stamp.

Sinking of the Essex

In August 1819, the 238-ton whaleship Essex sailed from Nantucket, Massachusetts, beginning a planned two-and-a-half-year voyage to the rich whaling grounds of the South Pacific Ocean. In November 1820, in the southern Pacific, under Captain George Pollard Jr., the Essex was attacked and sunk by a large sperm whale. The ship sank within two days, but the twenty crew members were saved, along with three small boats, navigational equipment, and sail cloth. In the boats the crew headed in the direction of Chile.

The survivors were more than 1,900 kilometers (1,200 miles) from the nearest islands (the Marquesas), and they were without adequate supplies of food and fresh water. They first came across Henderson Island in the Pitcairn group, and rested there; but with little food and water available, they set off again, leaving behind three crew members.

At sea again the men began suffering from dehydration and starvation. Many died.

When rescue finally came near South America, only two boats with five survivors were found. The Henderson crew were also saved almost a year after the Essex sinking. The tragedy attracted international attention, and inspired Herman Melville to write his now famous novel Moby Dick.

“Sinking of the Essex” Issue Collector’s Notes:

Designer of the stamps: Lucas Kukler, Cairo, Egypt.
Printer of the stamps: Southern Colour Print, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Printing Process Used: Offset Lithography.
Stamp Size: 48.00 mm x 38.67 mm horizontal.
Format: Miniature Sheet 180mm 95mm.
Denominations: $1.00; $1.80; $2.10, and $4.40.
Paper used: 105gsm NovaStamp non phosphor gummed stamp paper.
Period of Sale: 28 February 2020 for a period of 2 years.

The following is a listing of all Pitcairn stamps issued since 1940 when Pitcairn Island began issuing its own stamps. Images of most of the stamps can be seen below.

2022
- June 21 - 40^th Anni., Birth of Duke of Cambridge
2021
- Dec 4 - In memoriam: Prince Philip – 1921-2021
- April 21 - 70^thAnni., Ascension of Queen Elizabeth to throne
2020
- Nov 20 - 95^th Anni., Birth of Queen Elizabeth II
- Feb 28 - Sinking of the Essex
2019
- Dec 4 - Christmas – Angels over Pitcairn
- Oct 23 - Marine life – Echinoderms
- Sept 4 - Dark Sky – Mata ki te Rangi
- July 19 - 50^th Anni., Apollo 11 Mission to Moon
- June 14 - Birds – Pitcairn Reed Warbler
- April 30 - Pitcairn fragrant flowers
- Feb 27 - Paintings of Bounty
2018
- Dec 12 - Pitcairn from the air
- Nov 11 - 100^th Anni., End of World War I
- Sept 19 - Marine life – Big Blue Octopus
- July 18 - Flowers: Pitcairn colors of paradise
- May 30 - Royal wedding: Prince Harry-Meghan Markle
- April 5 - 180^th Anni., Constitution of Pitcairn
- Feb 27 - Jewels of the Bounty
2017
- Dec 7 - 200^th Anni., Death of William Bligh – 1754-1817
- Oct 25 - Fauna – Transverse Ladybird
- Sept 13 - 250^th Anni., 1^st European sighting of Pitcairn Island
- July 26 - Pitcairn Islands marine reserve
- May 17 - Maps of Pitcairn Island
- Mar 30 - Women of the Bounty
- Feb 22 - Prominent Pitcairners: Rosalind Young – 1853-1924
2016
- Dec 7 - Languages of Pitcairn Island
- Oct 19 - Ferns of Pitcairn
- Aug 24 - Adamstown Community
- July 6 - Birds – Phoenix Petrel
- Apr 19 - 90^th Anni., Birth of Queen Elizabeth II
- Mar 9 - 400^th Anni., Death of William Shakespeare
- Jan 13 - Tourism – landscapes
2015
- Dec 9 - Christmas
- Oct 15 - 75^th Anni., First Pitcairn postage stamp
- Aug 26 - The breadfruit saga
- June 24 - Prominent Pitcairners: Ben Christian – 1921-1992
- April 29 - Paintings – Pitcairn canvas
- Feb 26 - Marine Life – Red Lion Fish
2014
- Dec 11 - 75^th Anni., Byrd expedition visit
- Nov 3 - 1^st Anni., Death of Nelson Mandela
- Sept 25 - 250^th Anni., Birth of Fletcher Christian
- July 28 - 100^th Anni., Beginning of World War I
- June 14 - Botanica
- April 23 - 225^th Anni., Mutiny of the Bounty
- Feb 27 - Birds – Albatross
2013
- Dec 18 - Tourism – Ship Landing Point – Bounty Bay
- Nov 22 - 50^th Anni., Death of John F. Kennedy
- Sept. 25 - Prominent Pitcairners: Lily Warren – 1875-1969
- July 16 - Royal baby: Prince George of Cambridge
- July 11 - 60^th Anni., Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II
- May 29 - Lobsters of Pitcairn Island
- April 24 - Cruise ships
- Feb 27 - Charles Nordhoff and Norman Hall, writers
2012
- Dec 5 - 200^th Anni., birth of Charles Dickens
- Oct 31 - WWF – Fluted Giant Clam
- Sept 26 - Prominent Pitcairners: Roy P. Clark – 1843-1980
- July 31 - Ships – Bounty
- June 1 - 60^th Anni., ascension of Queen Elizabeth II
- April 26 - Marine life – Dolphins
- Feb 21 - Art of Pitcairn Island – Tapa
2011
- Dec 4 - Christmas
- Oct 25 - Prominent Pitcairners: Parkin Christian – 1883-1971
- Aug 31 - Supply ships
- July 20 - Rare birds of Henderson Island
- May 25 - Royal wed: William – Middleton
- April 21 - Insects: Paper Wasps
- April 21 - Peony flower festival: Luoyang, China
- Feb 12 - Int'l stamp exhibition: INDIPES 2011
2010
- Dec 9 - Royal Navy ships
- Oct 20 - Snails – self-adhesive stamps
- Aug 18 - Volcano research
- June 23 - Fish
- May 8 - Int'l stamp exhibition: London 2010
- April 23 - 65^th Anni., end of World War II
- Feb 24 - Landscapes & children's drawings
2009
- Dec 9 - Royal Navy ships
- Oct 21 - Airplanes
- Aug 26 - Dragon Fly
- June 24 - 200^th Anni., birth of Charles Darwin
- April 14 - Int'l stamp exhibition: Hong Kong 2009
- April 7 - 150^th Anni., return to Pitcairn Island
- Feb 17 - Crabs
2008
- Dec 3 - Green turtles
- Oct 22 - 200^th Anni., discovery of Pitcairn Island
- Aug 20 - Pitcairn Island sunsets
- June 25 - Flowers and bees
- April 24 - History of the longboat
- Feb 27 - Pitcairn Island seen from space
2007
- Dec 12 - Fish
- Oct 17 - H.M.S. Bounty replica
- June 13 - Butterflies
- June 13 - Early civilization – rock carvers
- April 20 - Raising the Bounty anchor
- Feb 28 - Sea birds
2006
- Nov 22 - Whales – humpback whale
- Aug 30 - Early civilization: cave dwellers, Henderson Island
- June 7 - 150^th Anni. journey to Norfolk Isl. – joint issue
- April 21 - Int'l stamp exhibition - "Washington '06."
- April 21 - 80^th Anni., birth of Queen Elizabeth II
- Feb 15 - Tourism – local motifs
2005
- Nov 23 - Christmas
- Sept. 14 - Birds – Bristle thighed Curlew
- July 20 - Sailing ship "Bounty"
- April 9 - Royal wedding: Prince Charles, Camilla Bowles
- April 8 - Int'l Stamp Exhibition: "Pac. Explorers '05."
- Mar. 5 - Solar eclipse – Oeno Island
- Feb 10 - Scenery of Ducie and Oeno islands
2004
- Nov. 17 - Murphy's Petrel
- Sept. 8 - HMAV Bounty – three masted ship
- July 7 - 50^th Anni., commission of H.M.S. Pelican
- Apr. 28 - Scenic Views
- Jan. 21 - Tereba shells
2003
- Nov 17 - Christmas – paintings
- Oct 8 - Squirrel fish
- Aug 18 - Art of Pitcairn Island
- June 2 - 50^th Anni., coronation of Queen Elizabeth II
- Mar. 4 - Conus Shells
- Jan. 8 - 22^nd Anni., Blue Star Line Service to Pitcairn Island
2002
- Dec 1 - Trees
- Oct 18 - Weaving
- Aug 4 - Queen Elizabeth: Queen Mother commemoration
- June 28 - Pitcairn cats
- April 5 - Pitcairn Island celebrities
- Feb 6 - 50^th Anni., Queen Elizabeth II to throne
2001
- Dec 6 - Cowrie Shells
- Oct 11 - Wood Carving
- Aug 2 - Reef Fish
- June 11 - Introduction of P.I. domain name
- April 6 - Tropical Fruit
- Feb 1 - Cruise Ships
2000
- Nov 22 - Christmas 2000
- Aug 4 - 100^thAnni., birth of Elizabeth, Queen Mother.
  World Stamp expo "Expo 2000," Anaheim, USA.
- July 7 - Henderson Isl. Satellite Recovery
- May 22 - Millennium commemoration
- May 22 - Flowers of Pitcairn Island
- Jan 14 - Protection of Mr. Turpen
1999
- School Days
- Bounty Relics
- Millennium Part II - towards 2000
- The Royal Wedding of HRH Prince Edward to Miss Sophie Rhys-Jones
- Pitcairn Island Honey Bees
1998
- Christian’s Cave
- Millennium Part I - towards 2000
- Diana, Princess of Wales
- Botanical
- Year of the Ocean
1997
- Hong Kong ‘97
- South Pacific Commission
- Island Health Care
- Royal Golden Wedding Anniversary
1996
- Supply Ship Day
- 70th Birthday of Her Majesty the Queen
- China ‘96
- Amateur Radio
- World Wide Fund for Nature
1995
- Birds Definitive
- Oeno Holiday
- Queen Mother’s 95th Birthday
- Marconi - 100th Anniversary of First Radio Wave Transmission
- 50th Anniversary of the United Nations
1994
- Lizards (overprint)
- Early Pitcairners
- Shipwrecks
- Corals
- Christmas
1993
- Royal Navy Vessels
- 40th Anniversary
- Her Majesty’s Coronation
- Scenic Views II
- Lizards
1992
- 40th Anniversary - Her Majesty’s Ascension
- Sharks
- Sir Peter Scott Commemorative Expedition
- 175th Anniversary of Bligh’s Death
1991
- Bicentennial Celebrations
- Cruise Ships
- Royal Birthdays
- Transport
- Christmas
1990
- Bicentenary Sheetlet 3: Settlement of Pitcairn Island
- Links with the UK
- Stamp Booklet
- 90th Birthday of HM Queen Mother
- 50th Anniversary of First Pitcairn stamps
- Henderson Island Birds
1989
- Bicentennary Sheetlet 1: Voyage of HMAV Bounty to Tahiti to collect Breadfruit
- Tripartite Sheet
- Aircraft
- Bicentenary Sheetlet 2: The Mutiny on the Bounty
1988
- 150th Anniversary of the Constitution
- Australian Bicentenary
- Seventh Definitive Issue: Ships 6th Definitive Additions
1987
- Trees of Pitcairn II
- 19th Century Paintings Part II
- Ships Serving the Pitcairners
1986
- The Wedding of HRH Prince Andrew and Miss Sarah Ferguson
- Turtles
- The Seventh-day Adventist Church
- 60th Birthday of HM Queen Elizabeth II
1985
- The Life and Times of HM Queen Mother
- 19th Century Paintings Part I
- Ships Serving the Pitcairners
- Christmas 1985
1984
- Sixth Definitive Stamp Issue: Fish
- Night Sky
- Ausipex ‘84
- Pitcairn Island Longboats
1983
- Commonwealth Day
- 175th Anniversary of Folger’s Discovery of the Settlers
- Trees of Pitcairn I
1982
- Fruit of Pitcairn
- 21st Birthday of HRH The Princess of Wales
- Christmas 1982
1981
- Scenic Views I
- 125th Anniversary of Pitcairn Migration to Norfolk Island
- The Wedding of HRH The Prince of Wales
- Fifth Definitive Additions
1980
- London 1980
- 80th Birthday of HM Queen Mother
- Handicrafts
1979
- 150th Anniversary of the Death of John Adams
- Engravings
- Christmas 1979
1978
- Bounty Day
- 25th Anniversary of the Coronation of H.M. Queen Elizabeth II
- Development
1977
- Royal Silver Jubilee
- Fifth Definitive
1976
- U.S. Bicentennial
1975
- $1 Fourth Definitive Addition
- Mailboats
- Insects
1974
- Shells
- Centenary of Universal Postal Union
- Centenary of Birth of Sir Winston Churchill
1973
- 50¢ Definitive Addition
- Flowers
- Royal Wedding of H.R.H. Princess Anne
1972
- 25th Anniversary of the South Pacific Commission
- Royal Silver Wedding
1971
- Polynesian Pitcairn
- Royal Visit of H.R.H. Prince Philip (overprint)
1970
- Flowers
- Fish
1969
- Fourth Definitive Addition
1968
- Human Rights Year
- Handicrafts
- 20th Anniversary of the World Health Organization
1967
- Bicentennial of the Discovery of Pitcairn
- Definitive Decimal Surcharge
- 150th Anniversary of the Death of Admiral Bligh
1966
- Sir Winston Churchill
- World Football Championships
- W.H.O. Headquarters
- 20th Anniversary UNESCO
1965
- Definitive Addition: New Value
- ITU Centenary
- International Co-operation Year
1964
- Third Definitive
1963
- Freedom from Hunger
- Red Cross Centenary
1961
- Centenary of Return from Norfolk Island
1958
- Definitive Addition
1957
- Second Definitive Addition
- The First Queen Elizabeth Pictorials
1953
- Coronation Issue
1951
- Definitive Additions
1949
- Silver Wedding of Their Majesties King George VI and Queen Elizabeth
1946
- Victory Issue
1940
- First Definitive

[Pitcairn Postal Service]

Through the years since the first definitive issue of Pitcairn stamps was released in 1940, the philately of Pitcairn Island has enjoyed a much-sought-after status among stamp collectors throughout the world.

Man Landing On The Moon

"That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind" announced Commander Neil Armstrong as he stepped onto the lunar surface and became the first person to achieve this feat.

Apollo 11 was the spaceflight that took the first manned space craft to the Moon, and the two-man crew of Armstrong and Edwin (Buzz) Aldrin completed the mission on July 20, 1969, by landing on the Moon's surface in the lunar module Eagle.

Aldrin was the module's pilot and they flew to the Moon with Michael Collins who handled the command module Columbia. Collins kept the module in orbit while his colleagues were on the moon's surface for twenty-one and a half hours.

Armstrong stepped onto the surface on July 21st and Aldrin joined him 19 minutes later. They spent two and a quarter hours collecting 21.5 kg of lunar material to bring back to Earth.

Apollo 11 was launched by a Saturn V rocket from Kennedy Space Center in Florida on July 16, and was the fifth crewed mission of NASA's Apollo program. After traveling to the Moon by the Saturn V's third state, the astronauts separated the spacecraft from it and travelled for three days until they entered lunar orbit. Armstrong and Aldrin then moved into Eagle and landed in the Sea of Tranquility. The astronauts used Eagle's ascent state to lift off from the lunar surface and re-join Collins in the command module. They jettisoned Eagle before they performed the maneuvers that propelled them out of the lunar orbit on a trajectory back to Earth. They returned to Earth and splashed down in the Pacific Ocean on July 24 after more than eight days in space.

Armstrong's first step onto the lunar surface was broadcast on live television to a worldwide audience of over 500 million. Apollo 11 effectively ended the Space Race and fulfilled a national goal proposed in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy: "before this decade is out, of landing a man on the Moon and returning him safely to the Earth."

Footnotes:

The first human-made object to reach the surface of the Moon was the Soviet Union's Luna 2 mission on 13 September 1959. The United States' Apollo 11 was the first crewed mission to landon the Moon, on 20 July 1969. There have been six crewed U.S. landings (between 1969 and 172) and numerous un-crewed landings, with no soft landings happening from 22 August 1976, until 14 December 2013.

Neil Alden Armstrong was an American astronaut and aeronautical engineer. He was also a naval aviator, test pilot and university professor. He was born in 1930 and died in 2012 aged 82.
Buzz Aldrin was an engineer and a former astronaut and fighter pilot. He is a retired major general of the United States Air Force Reserves. Selected as part of the third group of fourteen astronauts in 1963, he flew into space twice. He is one of 24 people to have flown to the Moon.

“Man Landing on the Moon” Issue Collector’s Notes:

Designer of the stamps is Denise Durkin, Wellington, New Zealand
Printer of the stamps is Southern Colour Print, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Process used to print the stamps is Offset Litho.
Size of the stamps is 36.9mm x 37.5mm horizontal.
Format of the stamps is four single stamps.
Denominations of the stamps: $1.00, $2.20, $3.00, and $3.40.
Paper on which the stamps are printed is 104gsm Tullis Russell Yellow/Green phosphor gummed stamp paper.
Period of Sale of the stamps is 19 July 2019 for a period of two years.