Grenada

1875 Scott 7A 1p green "Queen Victoria" 

Grenada has the "Chalon Head" design

Quick History
Grenada is an island at the southern end of the Grenadines. It is located in the Caribbean Sea northeast of Venezuela, northwest of Trinidad and Tobago, and southwest of Saint Vincent. The island originally was a French colony from 1689-1763, but became a British colony during the Seven Years' War  in 1763.

Nutmeg was introduced in 1843; and today Grenada is known as  the "Island of Spice", as it supplies 40% of the world's nutmeg.

The island is 132 square miles in area, the population was 90,000 in the 1940's, and the Capital is St. George's.

In 1861, Grenada issued the 1p green and the 6p rose with the iconic "Chalon Head" portrait of Queen Elizabeth. Other countries that have issued the "Chalon Head" include Canada, Nova Scotia, Tasmania, New Zealand, The Bahamas, Natal, New Brunswick, Queensland, and Prince Edward Island.

Grenada remained a Crown Colony from 1877-1950, when moves towards autonomy by Grenadians - both peaceful and violent- occurred. Independence was granted in 1974.

In 1983 the U.S. lead an invasion to overthrow the  "People's Revolutionary Government".

Today Grenada is a member of the Commonwealth realm.

Into the Deep Blue
The 2011 Scott Classic Specialized catalogue, from 1861-1952, has 189 major stamp descriptions. Of those,  100 are <$4, or 53%. However, Grenada's 19th century stamps (54 total) only have 10 stamps  <$4.

A closer look at he stamps and issues
12 Pence = 1 Shilling
100 Cents = 1 Dollar (1949)

1864 Scott 3 1p green "Queen Victoria Chalon Head"

Rough Perf 14 to 16; wmk 5- "Small Star"

In 1861, Grenada first issued the 1p "Chalon Head" on unwatermarked paper. But in 1864, a watermarked variety was issued as illustrated above. Note the rough and ragged perforations. Contrast with the 1p green (Scott 7A), illustrated at the blog header, which was released in 1875 with clean cut 14 perforations.

This stunning design (Don't you agree?) had watermark 5 "Small Star", while the 1875 variety had a "Large Star".

Let's look....

Left: wmk 5 "Small Star"; Right: wmk 6 "Large Star"

I took this pic without watermark fluid; that is how obvious the watermarks were on these examples. ;-)

But I had a bit of a problem matching Scott's color description to my Scott 7A.

Scott has the 1875 Scott 7A listed as "yellow green". No way is my example (at the blog header) a "yellow green". ;-) Definitely a "green" color to me. 

Is the stamp clean cut perforation 14? Check. (Eliminates an 1873 Scott 6 1p "blue green" with clean cut ~15 perforations.)

Is it "Large Star" watermark? Check. The only possibility is Scott 7A.

What does Stanley Gibbons say?

Ah-hah! Color can range from yellow-green to GREEN. (SG 14). !  ;-)

Lesson: Take the Scott color descriptions with a grain of salt.

1863 Scott 4 6p rose

Rough perf 14-16; wmk "Small Star"

Another "Chalon Head" issue was the 1863 6p rose. Although the design is classic, the ragged perforations around the edges take away from the aesthetics of the stamp. 

1871 Scott 5 6p vermilion

ragged perf 14-16; wmk "Small Star"

The 1863  6p denomination was replaced  in 1871 by a vermilion colored stamp.

By the way, the CV for the "Chalon Head" stamps shown so far range from $9-$20.

I can't think of a more attractive design, other than arguably the Falkland Island Queens (See Falkland Island blog).

1881 Scott 8 1/2p purple & Scott 10 4p blue

1875 Scott 11 1sh purple surcharged in dark blue

Revenue Designs

Beginning in 1875, undenominated revenue stamps were surcharged with a value, and a "POSTAGE" overprint, which made them valid for regular postage.

CV for the surcharged revenue stamps illustrated above is $7+-$20.

Actually, Grenada continued to surcharge revenue stamps until 1891. Most are CV $20+-$60+, although there are also CV's up to $21,000. ;-)

1883 Scott 24 6p red lilac "Queen Victoria"

In 1883, a seven stamp set with the more typical Queen portrait was issued. CV for the six stamps is $1+-$10+.

Confusingly, when I looked at the watermarks ( Colonial wmk 2- "Crown & C A") on this issue, many were inverted. Scott (and more fully SG) explains that alternate horizontal rows were printed inverted (tête-bêche), and therefore 50% of the watermarks will be found inverted.

1883 Scott 21 1p rose inscribed "Grenada Postage"
1887 Scott 30 1p rose "Queen Victoria"

Inscribed "Grenada Postage & Revenue"

The 1883 1p rose in the set shares the "Grenada Postage" inscriptions with the other members of the issue.

But in 1887, a 1p rose was issued with a modified inscription as illustrated here.  Of interest, Big Blue includes the 1883 Scott 21 (CV $4), but not the 1887 Scott 30 ($ CV 1+).  ;-)

1886 Scott 27 1p on 1 1/2 p orange & green

Surcharged Revenue

As mentioned earlier, Grenada continued to surcharge revenue stamps for postal use. The above lovely example was issued in 1886. Do you think the 1p surcharge was slightly moved to the right side of the stamp to not deface the Queen? ;-)

By the way, I call this stamp the "Crying Chalon Head", because if one enlarges the image, there is a "tear" rolling down the right cheek of the Queen.

1895-99 Scott 40 1p lilac & carmine rose

"Queen Victoria" eight stamp set

In 1895, another "Queen Victoria" issue was produced. Other British colonies clearly share this design. CV ranges from <$1-$8 for four stamps.

1898 Scott 47 2 1/2p ultramarine

"Columbus Flagship, La Concepcion"

This lovely 400th anniversary commemorative stamp has a depiction of the Flagship, "La Santa Maria de la Inmaculada Concepcion".

The third voyage of Christopher Columbus

Of interest, in August, 1498 during his third voyage,, Columbus had sighted the island and named it "Concepcion".

1902 Scott 49 1p violet & carmine rose "King Edward VII"

Wmk 2 "Crown & C A"

In 1902, a 10 stamp "King Edward VII" set was issued with the Crown Agent watermark "Crown & C A".

One will note the design similarities with the preceding "Victorian" issue.

Catalogue value for seven stamps varies from <$1-$5+.

An identical 10 stamp set was produced in 1904-06, this time with Watermark 3 " Multiple Crown & C A". This set is more expensive, with four stamps from $3-$7.

If one needs a refresher on Crown Agent watermarks, see the Gibraltar blog post. ;-)

http://bigblue1840-1940.blogspot.com/2012/05/gibraltar.html

1906-11 Scott 68 1/2 p green "Seal of the Colony"

From 1906-11, a nine stamp set (wmk 3 )was produced with the "Seal of the Colony" design. This handsome issue has six stamps with CV <$1-$5+. 

In 1908, a 10sh and 1sh issue, with wmk 2, was produced. Be aware that the wmk 3 1sh is CV $5, while the 1908 1sh with wmk 2 has a a CV of $30+. ;-)

1913 Scott 80 1p carmine wmk 3 "George V"

1923 Scott 93 1p brown wmk 4

Grenada's  George V design is found with two watermarks.

In 1913-14, there was a 12 stamp issue with watermark 3  " Multiple Crown & C A".  Then between 1921-29, a 22 stamp issue with watermark 4 "Multiple Crown and Script C A" was forthcoming. This latter issue had some new colors (1p brown illustrated)  and new denominations, but also overlapped the 1913-14 issue.

The 1913-14 issue has nine stamps with CV of <$1-$2.

1921-29 Scott 95 2p orange

Color is found in both 1913-14 wmk 3 & 1921-29 wmk 4 issues

As mentioned, stamps with identical colors may be found for the two issues. The Gibraltar blog post has an example of the wmk 3 & wmk 4 watermarks.

The CV for the 1921-29 issue finds thirteen stamps with valuations of <$1-$2+.

1921-29 Scott 100 3p violet/yellow

Three varieties found based on wmk and surface/completely colored paper.

There were two stamps issued in 1914 for the 1913-14 set that were on surface colored paper: 3p violet/yellow, and 1sh black/green. Therefore the illustrated 3p can be found on surface or completely colored paper with wmk 3, and on completely colored paper with wmk 4. ;-)

1934 Scott 114 1/p green "Grand Anse Beach"

In 1934, a 10 stamp George V pictorial set was issued.  Nicely designed, with a CV of <$1-$2+ for eight stamps.

1934 George V  Pictorials in Deep Blue

Rather than just Kings, Queens, or Colony Seals, the 1934 set added pictorial scenes of Grenada. Actually, many British colonies during the 1930s had a similarly designed series. They tend to be one of the more popular stamp issue for today's British colonies collector.

1938 Scott 133 1p black brown & black  Perf 12 1/2 "Seal of the Colony"

In 1938, an 11 stamp set with identical pictorial scenes was issued for George VI. CV is <$1-$2+ for ten stamps. Be aware that there are minor number perforation varieties ( 12 1/2 X 13 1/2; 13 1/2 X 12 1/2) available.

1938 Scott 134 1 1/2p scarlet & black "View of Grand Etang"

I think you will agree that the 1930s pictorial design stamps for Grenada in particular, and the British Colonies generally, are very nice indeed. ;-)

Here is a view of Grand Etang Lake, which is in a broken down volcanic caldera, and has been taken over by the tropical rain forest. Ah...., to be there now. :-)

1939 Scott 136 2 1/2p ultramarine "View of St. George's"

I measured carefully the perforations for this stamp: 12 1/2 all around. Why? Because the Scott 136a 12 1/2 X 13 1/2 variety is CV $240. ;-)

1916 War Tax Scott MR2 1p scarlet

Grenada only produced two War Tax stamps. Of interest, though, is the 1916 color of the 1p stamp is scarlet (Scott 80a). Contrast that with the more common carmine color, which is illustrated earlier in the blog.

Deep Blue

The 1921-29 George V issue in Deep Blue

The Deep Blue (Steiner) album has thirteen pages, and follows the Scott catalogue major number sequence. No extra spaces are given for the minor number George VI Pictorial perforation varieties.

And as one would expect, the expensive ( Example: Scott 18 1p orange & green with "Postage" in red manuscript CV $21,000) catalogue numbers are given a space. ;-)

1906-11 Scott 69 1p carmine "Seal of the Colony"

Big Blue
Big Blue '69, on two pages, has 57 stamp spaces. Coverage is 30%.

Observations....
A) BB does not include any stamps prior to 1883; some 21 major numbers dated from 1861. So no "Chalon Head" Victorians. :-(  Admittedly, many of the stamps are expensive, but there are five "Chalon Heads" available from $7+-$15.

B) As per usual, both the King Edward VII and the George V issues with two watermarks are given one space.

C) Postage Due 1892-1922 ( 4 spaces): There are two similar designs-D1 & D2.The illustration for the 1p is D1. But BB includes the D2 type designed stamps within the year dates (1892-1922), and the 1 1/2p black is J12, which only comes as a D2 design. Long story short: I include both D1 and D2 design stamps as choices.

D) OTOH, BB does a good job in keeping out more expensive stamps. The only stamp to cross the $10 threshold was a 1921-22 postage due (Scott J12).

Checklist

1883
20,21,22,23,

1895-1900
39,40,42,

1902-06
48 or 58, 49 or 59, (50)

1898
47,

1906-08
68,69,72,

1913-26
79 or 91, 80 or 92, 93,94,96,81 or 95, 82 or 97,
83 or 89 or 100, 99,101,102,84 or 103,105,(85),(104),

1934
114,116,118,
115,117,119,120,

Next Page

1935
124,125,126,127,

1937
128,129,130,

1937-38
131,132,134,136,
133,135,137,138,139,

Postage Due
1892-1922*
J1 or J8, J12, J2 or J9 or J13, J3 or J10 or J14,

War Tax
1916
MR2,

Comments
A) Expensive stamps ($10 threshold):
Postage Due 1892-1922 Scott J12 1 1/2p black ($10+ Mint)
B) (   ) around a number is a suggested blank space choice.
C) *Postage Due 1892-1922: There are two similar designs-D1 & D2.The illustration for the 1p is D1. But BB includes the D2 type designed stamps within the year dates (1892-1922), and the 1 1/2p black is J12, which only comes as a D2 design. Long story short: I include both D1 and D2 design stamps as choices.

1938 Scott 135 2p orange & black 

"Clarior e tenebris" - "Brighter through the darkness"

Out of the Blue
I really like the "Chalon Head"'s, and the 1934 & 1938 Pictorial designs are fine too. ;-)

Comment?  Go ahead!

Links
Grenada - Bud's Big Blue

Note: Map, picture appear to be in the public domain.

Pic of St. George's by Jhwelsch in 2000