Jersey

Jersey has been an Island for approximately 8.000 years, although the earliest evidence of human activity dates back 250.000 years. The Island was known as Angia until the Vikings arrived in the 9th century when it became Jersey. Very little else is known about the Island until the 11th century.

The Channel Islands were politically linked to Brittany until 933 when William Longsword, Duke of Normandy, seized the Cotentin peninsula, including the islands, and added them to his domain. In 1066, Duke William of Normandy defeated Harold at Hastings to become King of England. Because of the Island's strategic importance to the English Crown, the Islanders were able to negotiate a number of benefits for themselves from the king. During the 16th century, the Islanders adopted the Protestant religion.

Towards the end of the 17th century, Jersey strengthened its links with the Americas after many islanders emigrated to New England and northeast Canada. The 18th century was again a period of political tension between Britain and France as the two nations clashed as their ambitions grew.

The French Revolutionary War and the Napoleonic Wars changed Jersey forever. The number of English speaking soldiers stationed in the Island and the number of retired officers and English speaking labourers who arrived in the 1820s saw Jersey gradually moving towards an English speaking culture.

Over the years, the Island's economy has proved to be resilient. The Island became one of the largest shipbuilding areas in the British Isles, building more than 900 wooden vessels. In the late 19th century, local farmers benefited from the development of two products - the Jersey cow and the Jersey Royal.

The 20th century was dominated by the occupation of the Channel Islands by German troops (1940-1945), which saw about 8.000 Islanders evacuated, 1.200 deported to camps in Germany and more than 300 sentenced to prison or concentration camps in mainland Europe. Twenty died as a result. Liberation Day - 9 May - is still marked as a public holiday.

In the early 1960s, the industry, which was to have the most impact on the Island, started to develop. Today, the finance industry is the largest employer and by far the largest contributor to the exchequer.

Capital: Saint Helier

Government: British crown dependency

Area: 116 km²

Population: 91.084 (July 2006)

Currency: Jersey pound (100 pence)

Internet TLD: .je

Dialling code: +44 (United Kingdom)

Links

Jersey in Wikipedia.

Flag of Jersey in Flags of the World.

The website of the Philatelic Service.

Country description of Jersey from the CIA.

Official website of the government of Jersey (the States).

Stamp catalogue

UPU Centenary

date: 7 June 1974

designer: Gordon Drummond

printer: Courvoisier

perforated: 11¾

1 2½ p letter box, letter, UPU emblem, text "Centenary of Universal Postal Union", "1st LETTER BOX, ST.

HELIER, 1852", "CANCELLATION, / STAMP & COVER, 1852" and "1874-1974"

multicoloured, background red

(cat. Michel 99/SG 107/Yvert 93)

2 3 p postmen, UPU emblem, text "Centenary of Universal Postal Union", "POSTMAN'S / UNIFORM",

"(1862) / (1969)" and "1874-1974" (2x)

multicoloured, background blue

(cat. Michel 100/SG 108/Yvert 94)

3 5½ p letter box, letter, UPU emblem, text "Centenary of Universal Postal Union", "PRESENT DAY JERSEY

LETTER BOX", "CANCELLATION, / STAMP & COVER, 1974" and "1874-1974"

multicoloured, background green

(cat. Michel 101/SG 109/Yvert 95)

4 20 p airplane B.A.C. One Eleven 200, steamship, UPU emblem, text "Centenary of Universal Postal Union",

"TRANSPORTATION OF MAIL 1974", "R.M.S. AQUILA 1874" and "1874-1974" (2x)

multicoloured, background grey

(cat. Michel 102/SG 110/Yvert 96)

CAPEX 78

date: 9 June 1978

designer: Richard Granger Barrett

printer: Questa Colour Security Printers, London

perforated: 14½:14¾

5 6 p view of the Jersey settlement at Gaspé Basin, Quebec, by Philip John Ouless (1817-1885), arms

of Jersey and Canada, text "Gaspé Basin" and "Links with / Canada"

multicoloured

(cat. Michel 180/SG 190/Yvert 174)

6 8 p early map of the Gaspé Peninsula, Quebec, arms of Jersey and Canada, text "The Gaspé

Peninsula" and "Links with / Canada"

multicoloured

(cat. Michel 181/SG 191/Yvert 175)

7 10½ p the brigantine Century (1860), arms of Jersey and Canada, text "The 'Century' of Jersey" and

"Links with / Canada"

multicoloured

(cat. Michel 182/SG 192/Yvert 176)

8 11 p early map of Jersey with shipbuilding yards, arms of Jersey and Canada, text "Jersey Shipbuilding

Yards" and "Links with / Canada"

multicoloured

(cat. Michel 183/SG 193/Yvert 177)

9 13 p view of St. Aubin, arms of Jersey and Canada, text "St. Aubins Bay Town & Harbour" and "Links

with / Canada"

multicoloured

(cat. Michel 184/SG 194/Yvert 178)

International Year of the Child

date: 13 August 1979

designer: Jersey Post Office and Courvoisier

printer: Courvoisier

perforated: 12:11¾ (10-12), 12¼:12½ (13)

remark: stamps commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of painter Sir John Everett Millais (1829-1896)

and depict some of his paintings

10 8 p My First Sermon (1863), Guildhall Art Gallery, London, IYC emblem

multicoloured

(cat. Michel 203/SG 213/Yvert 197)

11 10½ p Orphans (?), IYC emblem

multicoloured

(cat. Michel 204/SG 214/Yvert 198)

12 11 p The Princes in the Tower (1878), Royal Holloway, University of London, IYC emblem

multicoloured

(cat. Michel 205/SG 215/Yvert 199)

13 25 p Christ at the House of His Parents ('The Carpenter's Shop) (1849-1850), Tate Gallery, London, IYC emblem

multicoloured

(cat. Michel 206/SG 216/Yvert 200)

World Communications Year

date: 21 June 1983

designer: Alan Copp, Jersey

printer: Questa Colour Security Printers, London

perforated: 14¼:14

14 8 p first postmaster Charles William Le Geyt (1733-1827), battle of Minden (1 August 1759), WCY emblem,

text "WORLD COMMUNICATIONS YEAR / Charles Le Geyt at Minden"

multicoloured

(cat. Michel 303/SG 314/Yvert 298)

15 11 p London to Weymouth mail coach, WCY emblem, text "WORLD COMMUNICATIONS YEAR / The Mail,

London-Weymouth-Jersey"

multicoloured

(cat. Michel 304/SG 315/Yvert 299)

16 24 p P.O. Mail Packet 'Earl of Chesterfield' attacked by a French privateer, WCY emblem, text "WORLD

COMMUNICATIONS YEAR / Mail Packet repulses French Privateer"

multicoloured

(cat. Michel 305/SG 316/Yvert 300)

17 26 p first mail deliverer Mary Godfray (appointed 1798) in front of the first post office, WCY emblem, text

"WORLD COMMUNICATIONS YEAR / Mary Godfray in Hue Street"

multicoloured

(cat. Michel 306/SG 317/Yvert 301)

18 29 p mail steamer leaving harbour, WCY emblem, text "WORLD COMMUNICATIONS YEAR / Mail Steamer

leaves St. Helier Harbour"

multicoloured

(cat. Michel 307/SG 318/Yvert 302)

ICAO 40th anniversary

date: 24 July 1984

designer: Gordon Drummond

printer: Questa Colour Security Printers, London

perforated: 14

19 9 p loading a car into an airplane, ICAO jubilee emblem, text "Bristol Type 170 Freighter Mk 32"

multicoloured

(cat. Michel 330/SG 340/Yvert 324)

20 12 p airplane taking off, ICAO jubilee emblem, text "Airspeed A.S. 57 Ambassador 2"

multicoloured

(cat. Michel 331/SG 341/Yvert 325)

21 26 p airplane ready for landing, ICAO jubilee emblem, text "De Havilland D.H. 114 Heron 1B"

multicoloured

(cat. Michel 332/SG 342/Yvert 326)

22 31 p airplane in flight, ICAO jubilee emblem, text "De Havilland D.H. 89A Dragon Rapide"

multicoloured

(cat. Michel 333/SG 343/Yvert 327)

International Youth Year

date: 30 May 1985

designer: Anthony Theobald

printer: Questa Colour Security Printers, London

perforated: 14¼

23 10 p Girls' Brigade leader, village, Jersey District flag, IYY emblem, text "THE GIRLS' BRIGADE"

multicoloured

(cat. Michel 350/SG 360/Yvert 344)

24 13 p Girl Guide, girl guides from different countries carrying flag, Girl Guides jubilee emblem, IYY emblem,

text "THE GIRL GUIDES"

multicoloured

(cat. Michel 351/SG 361/Yvert 345)

25 29 p Prince Charles, Jersey Youth Service Activities Base, IYY emblem, text "THE QUEEN''S SILVER JUBILEE

ACTIVITIES BASE / JERSEY YOUTH SERVICE"

multicoloured

(cat. Michel 352/SG 362/Yvert 346)

26 31 p sea cadet, cadets in row boat, ship, IYY emblem, text "SEA CADET CORPS"

multicoloured

(cat. Michel 353/SG 363/Yvert 347)

27 34 p air cadet, pilot in fighter plane, parachutist, IYY emblem, text "AIR TRAINING CORPS"

multicoloured

(cat. Michel 354/SG 364/Yvert 348)

International Year of Peace

date: 4 November 1986

designer: G. Taylor

printer: Questa Colour Security Printers, London

perforated: 14½:14¼

remark: stamps also commemorate Christmas

28 10 p peace dove with olive branch, Jersey lily with Jersey map, text "CHRISTMAS AND PEACE"

multicoloured, blue

(cat. Michel 393/SG 402/Yvert 387)

29 14 p robin and dove in mistletoe wreath, text "CHRISTMAS AND PEACE"

multicoloured, red

(cat. Michel 394/SG 403/Yvert 388)

30 34 p Christmas cracker releasing a peace dove, text "CHRISTMAS AND PEACE"

multicoloured, violet

(cat. Michel 395/SG 404/Yvert 389)

WHO 40th anniversary

date: 27 September 1988

designer: Victor Ambrus

printer: Courvoisier

perforated: 11¾

remark: part of a series of six stamps, commemorating Operation Raleigh

31 29 doctor and nurse, patient and child, field hospital, WHO jubilee emblem, text "Operation

Raleigh / Medical Assistance, / Solomon Islands"

multicoloured

(cat. Michel 450/SG 455/Yvert 444)

International Literacy Year

date: 26 June 1990

designer: Alan Copp, Jersey

printer: Cartor, La Loupe, France

perforated: 13¼

remark: stamps depict different Jersey news media

32 14 p printing press, newspapers, ILY emblem, text "PRINTING - NEWSPAPERS 1784-1889"

brown, black

(cat. Michel 520/SG 526/Yvert 514)

33 18 p modern printing press, newspaper, offices Jersey Evening Post 1890 and 1990, ILY emblem,

text "THE EVENING POST - 1890-1990"

multicoloured, red

(cat. Michel 521/SG 527/Yvert 515)

34 34 p broadcaster in radio station, map of Jersey, ILY emblem, text "BBC RADIO JERSEY - 1982-1990"

multicoloured, blue

(cat. Michel 522/SG 528/Yvert 516)

35 37 p cameraman, camera, studio lights, ILY emblem, text "CHANNEL TELEVISION - 1962-1990"

multicoloured, brown

(cat. Michel 523/SG 529/Yvert 517)

UNO 50th anniversary

date: 24 October 1995

designer: Alan Copp, Jersey

printer: Johan Enschede en Zonen, Haarlem, Netherlands

perforated: 13¼:14¼

36 19 peace doves, jubilee emblem, text "FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY UNITED NATIONS / 1945-1995"

cobalt blue, royal blue

(cat. Michel 719/SG 723/Yvert 717)

37 23 olive branches, jubilee emblem, text "FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY UNITED NATIONS / 1945-1995"

turquoise-green, deep blue-green

(cat. Michel 720/SG 724/Yvert 718)

38 41 olive branches, jubilee emblem, text "FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY UNITED NATIONS / 1945-1995"

deep blue-green, turquoise-green

(cat. Michel 721/SG 725/Yvert 719)

39 60 peace doves, jubilee emblem, text "FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY UNITED NATIONS / 1945-1995"

royal blue, cobalt blue

(cat. Michel 722/SG 726/Yvert 720)

UNICEF 50th anniversary

date: 19 February 1996

designer: Alan Copp, Jersey

printer: Questa Colour Security Printers, London, United Kingdom

perforated: 14½:14¼

40 19 African child, map of Africa with highlighted countries, UNICEF emblem, text "UNICEF 50th Anniversary

United Nations Children's Fund"

multicoloured

(cat. Michel 727/SG 732/Yvert 722)

41 23 children from different countries, globe, UNICEF emblem, text "UNICEF 50th Anniversary United Nations

Children's Fund"

multicoloured

(cat. Michel 728/SG 733/Yvert 723)

42 30 Albanian child, map of Europe with highlighted countries, UNICEF emblem, text "UNICEF 50th Anniversary

United Nations Children's Fund"

multicoloured

(cat. Michel 729/SG 734/Yvert 724)

43 35 Bolivian child, map of South America and the Caribbean with highlighted countries, UNICEF emblem, text

"UNICEF 50th Anniversary United Nations Children's Fund"

multicoloured

(cat. Michel 730/SG 735/Yvert 725)

44 41 Vietnamese child, map of Asia with highlighted countries, UNICEF emblem, text "UNICEF 50th Anniversary

United Nations Children's Fund"

multicoloured

(cat. Michel 731/SG 736/Yvert 726)

45 60 Melanesian child, map of the Western Pacific with highlighted countries, UNICEF emblem, text "UNICEF

50th Anniversary United Nations Children's Fund"

multicoloured

(cat. Michel 732/SG 737/Yvert 727)

International Year of the Ocean

date: 1 August 1998

designer: William Oliver

printer: BDT International Security Printing, Dublin, Ireland

perforated: 14¾:14

46 20 fishes (Bass), IYO emblem, text "Bass / Dicentrarchus labrax"

multicoloured

(cat. Michel 849/SG 864/Yvert 844)

47 24 fish (Red gurnard), IYO emblem, text "Red Gurnard / Aspitrigla cuculus"

multicoloured

(cat. Michel 850/SG 865/Yvert 845)

48 31 fishes (Skate), IYO emblem, text "Skate / Raja batis"

multicoloured

(cat. Michel 851/SG 866/Yvert 846)

49 37 fishes (Mackerel), IYO emblem, text "Mackerel / Scomber scombrus"

multicoloured

(cat. Michel 852/SG 867/Yvert 847)

50 43 fishes (Tope), IYO emblem, text "Tope / Galeorhinus galeus"

multicoloured

(cat. Michel 853/SG 868/Yvert 848)

51 63 fishes (Cuckoo wrasse), IYO emblem, text "Cuckoo Wrasse / Labrus mixtus"

multicoloured

(cat. Michel 854/SG 869/Yvert 849)

UPU 125th anniversary

date: 16 February 1999

designer: Anthony Theobald

printer: BDT International Security Printing, Dublin, Ireland

perforated: 14

52 20 steam train, UPU emblem, text "UNIVERSAL POSTAL UNION 1874-1999" and "JERSEY EASTERN RAILWAY

TRAIN / CARRYING THE MAIL"

multicoloured

(cat. Michel 873/SG 886/Yvert 866)

53 24 steam boat, UPU emblem, text "UNIVERSAL POSTAL UNION 1874-1999" and "MAIL STEAMER - 'BRIGHTON'"

multicoloured

(cat. Michel 874/SG 887/Yvert 867)

54 43 airplane and mail, UPU emblem, text "UNIVERSAL POSTAL UNION 1874-1999" and "D.H. 86 · FIRST

AIRMAIL ARRIVAL"

multicoloured

(cat. Michel 875/SG 888/Yvert 868)

55 63 mail van and mailman in front of Samarès Post Office, UPU emblem, text "UNIVERSAL POSTAL

UNION 1874-1999" and "MORRIS MINOR P.O. VAN"

multicoloured

(cat. Michel 876/SG 889/Yvert 869)

World Environment Day

date: 5 June 2000

designer: William Oliver

printer: BDT International Security Printing, Dublin, Ireland

perforated: 14:14¼

size souv. sheet: 150 x 100 mm

56 22 dolphins, text "Bottle-nosed Dolphin / Tursiops truncatus"

multicoloured

(cat. Michel 938/SG 947/Yvert 937)

57 26 whales, text "Long-finned Pilot Whale / Globicephala melas"

multicoloured

(cat. Michel 939/SG 948/Yvert 938)

58 34 porpoises, text "Harbour Porpoise / Phocoena phocoena"

multicoloured

(cat. Michel 940/SG 949/Yvert 939)

59 38 seals, text "Atlantic Grey Seal / Halichoerus grypus"

multicoloured

(cat. Michel 941/SG 950/Yvert 940)

60 44 dolphins, text "Risso's Dolphin / Grampus griseus"

multicoloured

(cat. Michel 942/SG 951/Yvert 941)

61 64 dolphin, text "White-nosed Dolphin / Lagenorhynchus albirostris"

multicoloured

(cat. Michel 943/SG 952/Yvert 942)

62 souvenir sheet, dolphins, World Stamp Expo 2000 emblem, UNEP emblem, text "World Environment

Day 2000"

£1.50 dolphins, text "Common Dolphin / Delphinus delphinus"

multicoloured

(cat. Michel block 26/SG MS 953/Yvert BF 31)

International Year of Astronomy

date: 10 February 2009

designer: Jennifer Toombs

printer: Cartor, La Loupe, France

perforated: 13:13½

remarks: the stars on the stamps have been embossed and highlighted in simili silver; stamps each depict a

quarter of the planet Jupiter and the portrait of Galileo Galilei; printed in sheets of ten stamps

(constellations Boötes, Perseus, Cygnus, Cassiopeia, Pegasus, Orion, Corona Borealis, Ursa Major

(Great Bear), Europa emblem (on two sheets), text "Astronomy")

63 35 moon Io, constellations Ursa Major and Cassiopeia, text "Ursa / Major / (Great / Bear) /

Cassiopeia / IO"

multicoloured

(cat. Michel 1394/SG /Yvert )

64 39 moon Europa, constellations Boötes and Corona Borealis, Europa emblem, text "EUROPA / Boötes /

Corona / Borealis"

multicoloured

(cat. Michel 1395/SG /Yvert )

65 43 moon Ganymede, constellations Cygnus and Pegasus, Europa emblem, text "Cygnus / GANYMEDE /

Pegasus"

multicoloured

(cat. Michel 1396/SG /Yvert )

66 76 moon Callisto, constellations Perseus and Orion, text "CALLISTO / Perseus / Orion"

multicoloured

(cat. Michel 1397/SG /Yvert )

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last revised: 16 August 2009