Chippendale mahogany piecrust tea table sold by
Christie’s: $6,761,000
Bud's Big BlueBud's Observations
Early British Honduras stamps follow the standard colonial
practice of featuring king and queen images. The first departure comes in 1921
with a carmine 2c peace commemorative that does not specify any particular
peace. A year later a grey 4c stamp of similar design was issued, but lacking
the “peace” inscription (bottom, page 1). Both still have the king.
However, they also bear the colony’s seal and motto. The
motto, Sub umbra floreo, translates
as “Under the shade I flourish.” Unlike other former British colonies, Belize
did not change this motto upon achieving independence, and its new seal differs
only slightly from the one on the colonial stamps. Mahogany trees (top of the
seal) provide the beneficial shade, both literal and financial. Mahogany was
much in demand for fine furniture making in England and the US from the
Chippendale period onward.
Tributes to mahogany continue in the 1938 George VI series, the
10c and $2 stamps, while the 4c lists mahogany along with the colony’s other
major exports: chicle (for bubble gum), grape fruit, bananas, sugar, coconuts,
cohune (palm oil), and rice.
Following the US Civil War, British Honduras provided shady
haven for Confederate refugees. As many as 7000 settled there in hopes of
starting sugar and cotton plantations. I’ve searched for philatelic traces of
these settlements, say, a cancel from New Richmond or a cover with identifiable
Confederate names, but have found none. I reserved a space on the supplement
page in the event that something turns up.
Jim's Observations
In 1981, Belize became fully independent, the last continental colony in the Americas to do so from Great Britain.
Big Blue's 63 stamp selection is reasonable with many <$1; and the most one would have to spend would be $5+.
British Honduras Blog Post and Checklist
Page 1 ( Note: Click and enlarge for examination)
1a
1b
1c
Page 2
2a
2b
2c
Supplements
Page 1
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