Turks and Caicos Islands Centenary of Separation from Bahamas 1848-1948
The Turks and Caicos Islands are named after the indigenous Turk's Head "fez" cactus, and the Lucayan term "caya hico," meaning string of islands. Columbus was said to have discovered the islands in 1492, but some still argue that Ponce de Leon arrived first. Whichever it was, the first people to truly discover the islands were the Taino Indians, who unfortunately left little behind but ancient utensils. The Tainos were eventually replaced by another Indian people, the Lucayans; but by the middle of  the 16th Century they too had disappeared, victims of Spanish enslavement and imported disease.  The 17th century saw the arrival of settlers from Bermuda, who  established themselves on Grand Turk, Salt Cay and South Caicos. They used slaves to rake salt for British colonies in America, and were later joined by British Loyalists fleeing the American Revolution. The economy of the island revolved around the rich cotton and sisal plantations, their harvests sold in London and New York. Due to competition and the thin soil, however, the cotton plantations slowly deteriorated, most of them finally perishing in a hurricane in 1813. Solar salt became the main economy of the islands.  In 1776, after being controlled by the Spanish, French and British, Turks and Caicos became part of the Bahamas colony, but attempts to integrate failed and were abandoned in 1848. London - Kingston boats frequently visited Turks and Caicos, so links with Jamaica were well developed. Turks and Caicos became a British Crown Colony in 1962 and links were maintained to the Bahamas through the Anglican Church.
Printed Recess by Waterlow on Multiple Script CA watermarked paper and Line Perforated 12.5
Designed by Anne Deed
Requisition Number 441/2 1948
"New, usual GPO and office specimens, Colony supply: Interleaved wax paper and parcelled in 500's. Cases numbered 101 up" Comments in Crown Agents Records
Badge of the Islands	1/2d blue-green SG 210 Sheets Ordered Sheets Printed Stamps Printed 15,834 16,354 950,000
Badge of the Islands	2d Carmine SG 211 Sheets Ordered Sheets Printed Stamps Printed 7,334 7,376 440,040
Flag of the Islands	3d blue SG 212 Sheets Ordered Sheets Printed Stamps Printed 6,668 6,964 400,080
Map of Islands	6d violet SG 213 Sheets Ordered Sheets Printed Stamps Printed 6,334 6,294 380,040
	2s black and bright blue SG 214 Sheets Ordered Sheets Printed Stamps Printed 4,000 4,150 240,000
	5s black and green SG 215 Sheets Ordered Sheets Printed Stamps Printed 2,084 1,896 125,040
Queen Victoria and King George VI	10s black and brown SG 216 Sheets Ordered Sheets Printed Stamps Printed 1,450 1,470 87,000