1/2d - 1d - 11/2d - 2d - 3d - 4d - 6d - 8d - 1/- - 2/6d - 5/- - 10/-

The 1/2d had three printings. The first, Requisition 1584, was due on 2/7/37, but dispatched 13/1/38. 700 sheets were ordered and 7,320 actually printed resulting in 420,000 stamps, a huge amount considering the population and postal needs of the colony. Dealers received 60,000 stamps The colonies stamps were numbered 1 up each duty and interleaved with Wax Paper. The GPO received Specimens.

The next printing was not until 1944, when again 7,000 sheets were ordered and 7,170 printed. As before 420,000 stamps were printed. The stamps were dispatched on two dates 25th April 1944 and 26th May 1944. They were numbered 1 up each duty and interleaved with wax paper. These stamps, due to war conditions that had existed for five years, were urgently required.

The final printing was originally a cancelled Tristan Da Cunha requisition order that was never used for that colony. The Crown Agents records show that the stamps were originally printed under order 2467.1, but the actual stamps were located to requisition 4060.1. 5,667 printed sheets produced 340,020 stamps which were collected from the Bureau and dispatched parcel post with the exception of the Bureau supplies. Again the stamps were numbered 1 up .

One of the more interesting values, the 1d had eight printings (excluding the TDC opt). Originally green in colour the first requisition 1584.1, in 1938, saw a print production of 3,300 sheets (198,000 stamps). Being a new release 48,000 stamps went to dealers and the GPO received the appropriate specimens. In the end 3,550 sheets were printed. The due date for the stamps was 2/7/37 with the eventual dispatch date being 13/1/38. The sheets were numbered 1 up and interleaved with wax paper.

In April 1940, probably due to UPU postal regulations, the colour changed to orange and a requisition 1982.1 was issued asking for 2,166 sheets (130,000 stamps). Dealers received 40,000 of these stamps from an actual print run of 2206 sheets, dispatched on 19/4/40. These were very urgently required interleaved, with wax paper and numbered 1 up each duty.

The next reprint, again urgently required, occurred four years later in 1944. Requisition 2548.1 asked for 2667 sheets (160,020 stamps). From an eventual print of 2655 sheets the stamps were dispatched on two dates 25/4/44 and 26/5/44. These were to be sent to A2 on 27/4/44, numbered 1 up each duty and again interleaved with wax paper.

To replenish their stock the Crown Agents Bureau issued another requisition, 2935.1 due on 20th December 1945. 1,500 sheets (90,000 stamps) were required , of which 30,000 were to be kept by the Bureau and the rest sent to the colony numbered 1 up. This must have been one the more error strewn runs because only 1496 sheets were eventually printed and dispatched on 30/11/45, early for a change!

1949 is one of the more interesting years when the colony issued three values with new colours, the 1d, 11/2d and 2d. Requisition number 3341.1 required 3500 sheets (210,000 stamps) with an eventual run of 3,529 sheets. Although required in January 1949 the stamps were not dispatched until 5/9/49. 150,000 were sent to the Bureau.. The stamps as normal were numbered 1 Up.

The long delay in dispatch of the above issue resulted in the Crown Agents issuing Requisition 3341.2, a run of 500 sheets (30,000 stamps) of the orange yellow colour. These were due 16/12/48 therefore the delay of the new colours must have been anticipated well in advance.

Written in the Crown Agents Requisition book was that 6,000 of the 1d were to be collected from the Bureau supplies and dispatched to the Colony by post. The 1d duty for the colony from this print run was to be delivered "When Supplies" and sheet numbered 1 up each duty. The requisition was required ASAP for use until the new issue with revised colours was ready.

The final requisition for St Helena was 4091.1 which, as previously mentioned, was intended for the Tristan overprints. 200 sheets produced 12,000 stamps They were to be collected from the Bureau and dispatched by parcel post. Where they were dispatched to is not stated, but they went numbered 1 up !

Between 1938 and 1951 this value, which was the duty for postcards until 1941, saw five printings. The first, requisition 1584.1, with a due date of 2/7/37, required 3,300 sheets (198,000). 48,000 stamps were sent to dealers from a final print run of 3471 sheets. The stamps were finally dispatched on 13/1/38, numbered 1 up with wax paper interleaving. As normal the GPO received specimens of the scarlet coloured stamp.

A gap of six years ensued before the next urgently required requisition, 2548.1 was issued due for May 1944. 2667 sheets were asked for, and received, resulting in 160,020 stamps. Two dispatch dates, 25/4/44 and 26/5/44 are given in the Crown Agents Records. The remarks note that they were to be sent to A2 on 27/4/44, numbered 1 up each duty and interleaved with wax paper.

Requisition 3341 had two parts to it, 1 and 2. As noted with the 1d value the stamp was to be issued in new colours, but due to delay 3341.2 was issued in the original colours to supplement depleted stocks. The exact details are:- 3341.1, 3,500 sheets ordered, 3,485 printed (210,000 stamps) required January 1949, with 150,000 to the Bureau, numbered 1 up but NOT interleaved. The stamps were finally dispatched on 5/9/49.

To cover the delay 3341.2 required 1,000 sheets (60,000 stamps) and were due on 16th December 1948. The stamps were numbered 1 up each duty. The Bureau required 54,000 of these stamps.

Interestingly this value was not included in Requisition 4060.1, the cancelled Tristan Da Cunha printing.

As with the previous values the 2d started life with requisition 1584 asking for 3,300 sheets (198,000 stamps). In the end 3,471 sheets were printed numbered 1 up and interleaved with wax paper. As usual dealers received their allocation and the Post Office their specimens. Although the date requested was 2/7/37 the stamps were not dispatched until 13/1/38.

Six years later, after many years of war in the Atlantic, the Crown Agents issued an urgent Requisition, 2548.1, due for May 1944. They were to reach A2 on 27/4/44 but the first part of the 2,667 sheets (160,020 stamps) were dispatched on 25/4/44, followed on 26/5/44 by the completion of the order. The stamps were numbered 1 up each duty and interleaved. with wax paper.

No 2d stamps were on the original 4060.1 cancelled Tristan Da Cunha order.

This was the final stamp due for colour changes and new plates in 1949. As with the previous two an urgent request was put forward on Requisition 3341.2 for supplies printed in the current orange colour, as soon as possible for use until the new issue with revised colours was ready. 60,000 stamps from 1000 sheets were dispatched on 16.12.48. All were sent to the Bureau parcel post.

The eventual colour change from requisition 3341.1 asked for 3,500 sheets (210,000 stamps). Fifteen less sheets than the request (3,485) were eventually printed. Due in January 1949 the stamps were dispatched 5/9/49.

The final reprint was a small one on requisition 4091.1 asking for 200 sheets( 12,000 stamps). These were dispatched on 3/8/51.

This value was one of the two that required a colour change in 1940 due to UPU postal requirements. It was an important stamp because it fulfilled the UK and Possessions duty rate of 3d for letters up to 1oz. Because of this there were nine printings, including one during the reign of Queen Elizabeth II.

The first, and only printing, of the 3d Ultramarine was part of the initial requisition 1584.1, producing 126,000 stamps from a print run of 2250 sheets. The order asked for 2,100 sheets to be ready by 2/7/37. The eventual dispatch date was 13/1/38 when the sheets were sent with wax paper interleaving, numbered 1 up. Dealers received 36,000 stamps.

The colour change occurred in 1940. Requisition number 1982.3 required 2,833 sheets (170,000 stamps) to be ready by April 1940. Eventually 2,853 sheets were printed with 20,000 stamps sent to dealers. Again the sheets were interleaved with wax paper and numbered 1 up each duty. The requisition, dispatched on 19/4/40 was very urgent.

May 1944 saw the next requisition, which was the general one for all values. Requisition number 2548.1 required 2,000 sheets (120,000 stamps) for May 1944. 2,043 sheets were printed and dispatched on 25/4/44 and 26/5/44 in reply to an urgent request. Again they were interleaved with wax paper and numbered 1 Up. They were to be sent to A2 on

27/4/44.

Requisition 3258.1 in 1948 asked for 750 sheets (45,000 stamps) to be dispatched by

19/7/48. The Bureau was to receive 15,000 and 9,500 to be exchanged by Parcel Post. The run went well over the requisition order with 895 sheets being printed and dispatched, numbered 1 up, on 29/6/48.

The Crown Agents requisition number 3730.1 asked for a further printing of 1,200 sheets (73,000 stamps) in 1950. The Bureau was to receive 12,000 and 18,000 went to exchange. 1,189 sheets were printed and dispatched on 25/5/50 numbered, with the exception of Bureau supplies, 1 up each duty.

This value was part of the 4060.1 requisition intended for Tristan Da Cunha. 667 sheets produced 40,020 stamps. The Bureau received 37,020 stamps. the rest were dispatched parcel post and numbered 1 up each duty.

The demand for this duty value continued with requisition number 4297.1 in 1952. 200 sheets (12,000 stamps) were to be collected from the Bureau and dispatched by parcel post. The required date of 1/10/52 was met by Waterlow. This was the final printing of this value.

Sending letters from the island to a "foreign' destination cost 4d up to 1 oz, an extra 1d! In the initial issue there was no 4d value so combination of duties had to be used. This was rectified in April 1940. This was the first St Helena printing, along with the new 8d, to require new plates which included a plate number engraved.

Requisition 1982.1, as well as changing the 3d to grey, required the new 4d duty to be printed in Ultramarine. 1,833 +20/60 sheets were printed (110,000 stamps) were due by the end of April 1940. They were dispatched on 19th April 1940, with 20,000 going to dealers.

Requisition 2548.1 was issued in 1944, including the printing of 1,000 sheets (60,000 stamps). 1,079 sheets were finally printed and dispatched 25/4/44 and 26/5/44, interleaved with wax paper and number 1 up each duty.

The final printing was part of the cancelled TDC requisition 4060.1. 500 sheets produced 30,000 stamps, the Bureau receiving 27,000.

Nothing actually cost 6d to send from the Island therefore the demands on this duty were not as great as others.

The first print, part of the original 1584.1 requisition, asked for 1,500 sheets (90,000 stamps) to be ready by 2/7/37. Dispatched on 13/1/38 were 1,600 sheets, 30,000 stamps being sent to the dealers. Others, numbered 1 up and interleaved with wax paper, were sent to the colony.

Six years later the next requirement of this value came on requisition 2548.1. 500 sheets (30,000 stamps) were ordered although 544 were eventually printed. The stamps were dispatched 25/4/44 and 26/5/44 numbered 1 up and interleaved with wax paper. As with the other values on this order they were urgently required.

The final printing, part of the 4060.1 cancelled TDC order, had 200 sheets(12,000 stamps, 9,000 of which went to the Bureau). The remaining 3,000 were numbered 1 up and sent parcel post to the colony.

The colony issued a new 8d duty in 1940 although it didn't fit with any of the standard postal rates. Requisition 1982.3, due end of April 1940, asked for 1,250 sheets (75,000 stamps) with 15,000 going to dealers. The actual dispatch date being 19/4/40. The stamps were very urgently required, to be numbered 1 up and interleaved with wax paper.

A further printing was requested for May 1944 on requisition 2548.1. 500 sheets, (30,000 stamps) were asked for although the final print run was 565 sheets. The stamps had two dispatch dates, 25/4/44 and 26/5/44 reflecting the urgency with which they were required.

The final printing occurred within the not required TDC printing requisition 4060.1. From 200 sheets (12,000 stamps), 9,000 were to go to the Bureau. The remaining 50 sheets were to be numbered 1 up.

Apart from 2655 Requisition the 1/- printings follow the pattern of previous heavily used values. Probably used for Parcel Post which was 2/- up to 3lbs, there were six printings.

The first, Requisition 1584.1, asked for 1,050 sheets (63,000 stamps) with a final print run of 1,110 sheets. Due on 2/7/37 the stamps, numbered 1 up and interleaved with wax paper, were dispatched on 13/1/38. Dealers received 27,000 stamps and the GPO received their Specimens.

The previous issued sufficed until 1944 when Requisition 2548.1 was released with a due date of May 1944. 500 sheets (30,000 stamps) were printed and dispatched on two dates, 25/4/44 and 26/5/44. They were to go to A2 on 27/4/44, numbered 1 up each duty and interleaved with wax paper.

Then came the 2655.1/2 requisitions. Both asked for 200 sheets (12,000 stamps). The first were taken from A2, which was not an actual printing, and numbered 1 up with wax paper interleaving. The second part of the order replaced the stocks in A2.

Requisition 3730.1 in 1950 required 350 sheets (21,000 stamps) The final run was 366 sheets with the Bureau receiving 6,000 stamps and The Exchange 5,200. The remainder, just over 163 sheets, were to be numbered 1 up and presumably sent to the colony. The dispatch date being 25/5/50.

The last printing 4060.1 asked for 250 sheets (15,000 stamps), 200 of which went to the Bureau.

This fairly straight forward duty had three printings. The first on Requisition 1584.1 asked for 600 sheets (36,000 stamps). 300 sheets were released to dealers from the final run of 595 sheets. As usual the remainder were interleaved with wax paper and numbered 1 up.

Requisition 2548.1 required 334 sheets (20,000 stamps) for May 1944. 360 sheets were dispatched on 25/4/44 and 26/5/44 interleaved and numbered 1 up.

The final printing Requisition 4060.1 saw 84 sheets (5,040 stamps) printed of which 34 sheets went to the Bureau. The rest were sent to the colony interleaved and numbered 1 up.

As with most high values there were a small number of printings. The first was in 1938 which had been due the previous year. Requisition 1584.1 asked for 400 sheets (24,000 stamps). From the final run of 422 sheets 200 sheets (12,000 stamps) were allocated to dealers. Dispatched on 13/1/38 the stamps were numbered 1 up and interleaved with wax paper.

The next printing, very urgently required in 1944, was Requisition 2548.1 asking for 250 sheets (15,000 stamps) 268 sheets were finally printed and dispatched on 25/4/44 and 26/5/44. They were sent to A2 on 27/4/44 numbered 1 up and interleaved with wax paper.

The final printing, part of the cancelled TDC order, was 4060.1 with 150 sheets producing 9,000 stamps. The Bureau received 6,000 stamps (100 sheets). The stamps were to be collected from the Bureau and dispatched parcel post, with exception of the bureau supplies numbered 1 up.

The first printing, 1584.1, requested 230 sheets (13,800 stamps) resulting in a run of 245 sheets with 4,800 stamps (80 sheets) going to dealers. As with the other values from this printing they were numbered 1 up, interleaved with wax paper and dispatched 13/1/38.

May 1944 was the next printing 2548.1. 250 sheets (12,000 stamps) were requisitioned although only 235 were actually printed and dispatched on 25/4/44 and 26/5/44. They had to reach A2 on 27/4/44, numbered 1 up and interleaved with wax paper. They were urgently required.

The subsequent printing was the 2655 mentioned above. Part 1 of the order asked for 150 sheets (9,000 stamps) and was dispatched on 25/4/44 and 26/5/44. These sheets were taken from A2 and, as with the 1/- value from the same order, was not an actual printing. Part 2 of this requisition, dispatched on 15/12/44, had 205 sheets printed (12,000 stamps). Due December 1944 they were dispatched 15/12/44. These stamps were to go to A2. 3,000 sheets were numbered 1 up and sent to the colony required ASAP. The remaining 9,000 stamps were to be kept by the Bureau.

The final Requisition, 4060.1 was for 7,020 stamps (117 sheets) in 1951. These were to be collected from the Bureau and dispatched parcel post. With the exception of the Bureau supplies the sheets were to be numbered 1 up. The Bureau received 4,020 sheets to replenish their stocks.