Stamp collecting provides a fascinating lens into history, and the 1899 British Virgin Islands stamp issue, featuring an artistic representation of Saint Ursula, is one of the most historically significant and visually striking issues from the British Caribbean.
Released in January 1899, these stamps were printed by De La Rue & Co. using recess printing, making them some of the finest and most detailed stamps issued by the British Virgin Islands during the late 19th century. This article explores their design, varieties, market value, and their historical significance in Caribbean philately.
Historical Context: The British Virgin Islands and Saint Ursula
The British Virgin Islands, named after Saint Ursula and her 11,000 legendary virgin followers, have long used her image as a national symbol. Saint Ursula was a Christian martyr, often depicted in religious art holding an arrow and surrounded by other virgin martyrs.
For its 1899 stamp issue, the British Virgin Islands chose an allegorical representation of Saint Ursula, making this set one of the few British colonial issues featuring a religious figure.
These stamps replaced the earlier 1879 and 1889 “Virgin and Child” series, continuing the tradition of religiously themed postage stamps for the territory.
The 1899 British Virgin Islands Saint Ursula Stamps: Design and Features
The 1899 series consisted of eight denominations, each featuring an intricate engraving of Saint Ursula, standing in a decorative gothic archway with radiating beams behind her. The design reflected classical religious iconography, giving it a distinctive, almost sacred feel.
- ½d yellow-green – The lowest denomination, widely used for local mail within the Caribbean.
- 1d brick-red – A commonly used stamp for letters sent to the United Kingdom and beyond.
- 2½d ultramarine – A mid-range value, often used for official correspondence.
- 4d brown – Less frequently used but remains a highly sought-after collector’s item.
- 6d dull violet – A rarer issue, featuring a deeper color palette.
- 7d deep green – Among the scarcer denominations in the series.
- 1s brown-yellow – A high-value denomination, often used for heavier mail or important documents.
- 5s indigo – The highest denomination, issued in limited quantities.
Each stamp featured the text “Virgin Islands” at the top, and “Postage & Revenue” at the bottom, indicating that these stamps could be used for both regular postage and fiscal purposes.
Printing and Perforation Details
- Printer: De La Rue & Co., London
- Printing Method: Recess-printed (engraved)
- Perforation: 14
- Watermark: Crown CA
The high-quality engraving and deep colors make this series one of the most visually appealing early British colonial stamps.
Rare Varieties and Errors
Like many early stamp issues, the 1899 British Virgin Islands set includes printing errors and rare varieties, which are highly sought after by collectors:
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“HALFPFNNY” Error on ½d Yellow-Green
- A typographical mistake where “HALFPENNY” was misspelled as “HALFPFNNY.”
- Market value: £85 mint, £120 used.
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“HALFPENNY” Misprint on ½d Yellow-Green
- A slightly different error affecting the same denomination.
- Market value: £85 mint, £120 used.
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“FOURPENCF” Error on 4d Brown
- Another notable typographical mistake where “FOURPENCE” was misspelled as “FOURPENCF.”
- Market value: £575 mint, £100 used.
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Imperforate Between Pair (½d Yellow-Green)
- A very rare printing variety, where two stamps appear joined without perforations between them.
- Market value: £12,000 mint.
These printing errors and rare varieties significantly increase the desirability of this series, making them among the most valuable British Virgin Islands stamps from the 19th century.
Market Value and Collector Demand
The 1899 British Virgin Islands “Saint Ursula” stamps are highly valued, especially for rare errors and high-grade copies. Below are their widely recognized market values based on catalog listings:
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½d yellow-green – £4 mint, £0.75 used
- Errors: “HALFPFNNY” / “HALFPENNY” misprints – £85 mint, £120 used
- Imperforate between pair – £12,000 mint
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1d brick-red – £6 mint, £2.00 used
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2½d ultramarine – £12 mint, £3.50 used
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4d brown – £7.50 mint, £23.00 used
- Error “FOURPENCF” – £575 mint, £100 used
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6d dull violet – £10 mint, £4.00 used
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7d deep green – £15 mint, £8.50 used
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1s brown-yellow – £26 mint, £40.00 used
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5s indigo – £90 mint, £100 used
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Complete Set of 8 – £150 mint, £160 used
The Legacy of the 1899 British Virgin Islands Stamps
The 1899 “Saint Ursula” stamp series is a masterpiece of British colonial philately, combining religious symbolism, fine engraving, and historical significance. These stamps not only mark an important period in Virgin Islands postal history but also represent the cultural and spiritual identity of the region.
For collectors of British colonial issues, Caribbean postal history, and early engraved stamps, this series is a must-have, preserving the artistic and philatelic heritage of the British Virgin Islands.