Newfoundland

1860 Scott 11A 3p green

"Rose, Thistle and Shamrock"

Quick History
The British colony of Newfoundland became self governing in 1855, and achieved dominion status (along with New Zealand) in 1907. The Dominion included the island of Newfoundland off the eastern coast of North America, and Labrador on the mainland.

The Capital is St. John's, and the population was 320,000 in 1945. (FYI: Labrador's permanent population was more like 6,000.)

Newfoundland in 1912

Newfoundlanders are self reliant, many making a living through fishing (cod, herring, lobster). But the Depression hit Newfoundland hard, and they ceded self governance back to London in 1934. Yet, the reluctance to join Canada as one of the provinces continued until 1949: and even then, 48% voted no on the referendum.

What that means for the stamp collector is a long run of fascinating issues from 1857-1949 on the topics of native animals and nature, an extractive economy, and royalty. This is a tall order to do in one blog post, and, to boot, one of my favorite countries. So I won't. ;-)

This blog post will be a general overview. The next post will cover the myriad British royalty on Newfoundland stamps. The final blog will take a closer look at the many wonderful pictorials of Newfoundland.

1894 Scott 29 12c brown/ white "Queen Victoria"

Into the Deep Blue
The 2011 Scott Classic Specialized catalogue has, for Newfoundland 1857-1949, 258 regular, 19 air post, 7 postage dues, and 1 post office seal stamp. Total = 285.

Of those, 81 descriptive numbers are CV <$1-$1+, or a low 28%. Why? Besides being naturally attractive issues- I would submit they may be the most intriguing stamps in toto within the British Empire sphere- they are also collected avidly by three powerful groups: Canadian, U.S., and British Empire collectors.

A closer look at the stamps and issues
12 Pence = 1 Shilling
100 Cents = 1 Dollar (1866)

1861 Scott 19 5p reddish brown

"Crown of Great Britain and Heraldic Flowers of the United Kingdom"

The early issues of Newfoundland are classic indeed, and a bit difficult to separate. The above design- quite the homage to the British crown- was issued in 1857 and 1861-62 for the 1 pence, and in 1857, 1860, and 1861-62 for the 5 pence. The stamps are differentiated by the thickness of the wove paper, mesh/no mesh, and by (subtle) color. There might be a subtle difference in size as well. For the classical WW generalist, some help from a "Newfie'" specialist is advisable.

1861 Scott 20 6p rose "Rose"

The "Rose" design, albeit each denomination with their own unique frame and vignette, is found for the 1/2p, 2p, 4p, 6p, 8p, and 1sh values. Again, for the 1857, 1860, and 1861-62 issues, paper thickness, mesh, and color are all factors for identification.

"1861 Scott 18 4p rose"

Spiro Forgery

What to make of this rough 4p with the bright rose color in my collection? A little investigation revealed that it is a Spiro forgery.

See....

(Update: Alas, William Claghorn's forgery site no longer appears to be extant.)

....for specifics.

Philip Spiro was head of a Hamburg printing company that, between 1864-1880, produced about 500 lithographic stamp "reproductions". They still reside in collections, as I now know first hand. ;-)

1887 Scott 56 1/2 c rose red "Newfoundland Dog"

1896 Scott 57 1/2 c orange red

The Newfoundland Dog was bred to be working dogs for fishermen, and are excellent at water rescue. A "gentle giant" at 150 pounds, their love for mud and constant drooling- to say nothing about the food bill- might give one pause, though, as a family dog.

Between 1887-1896, Newfoundland issued three stamps featuring the Newfoundland Dog: a black stamp and the above examples. Look for the "orange red" in your collection- issued in 1896- as it has considerably more value ($70+ unused). 

1897 Scott 62 2c carmine lake "Cabot?"

In 1897, hopping to emulate the success of the U.S. 1893 Columbus issue, the Newfoundland postal authorities issued a 14 stamp set (with plenty of pictorials) for John Cabot's discovery of the island 400 years previously. (In addition, 1897 was the Jubilee date for Queen Victoria.)

"John Cabot" , actually a Venetian, Zuan Chabotto, under commission of England's Henry VII, was the first European to "discover" the North American mainland in 1497. Actually, archaeological results support Lief Ericsson and the Vikings reaching Newfoundland circa 1000.

About the portrait of "Cabot" on the stamp? It is thought to be a Holbein painting of his son, Sebastian. 

1908 Scott 86 2c rose carmine

"Map of Newfoundland"

A wonderful stamp showing a map of the island of Newfoundland was issued by itself in 1908.

1911 Scott 98 6c brown violet "Lord Bacon"

Engraved, Perforation 14

For the 300th anniversary of the colonization of Newfoundland by John Guy and others, an eleven stamp lithographed issue, perforation 12,was released in 1910.  In 1911, six of the preceding images were engraved, and released in the same, or slightly different colors. The 1911 engraved issue is perforation 14.

1920 Scott 128 3c on 15c scarlet, Type I

1920 Scott 129 3c on 15c scarlet, Type II

What a difference 3mm makes! In 1920, the 15c "Seals" stamp from 1897 was surcharged "three cents" between horizontal bars. If the bars are 13 1/2 mm apart (Type II), the CV is $10+. If the bars are 10 1/2 mm apart (Type I), the CV is $200+.  !!

1932 "Wayzata Airmail Stamp"

Contract cancelled, not valid for prepayment of postage

St. John's afforded one of the shortest distances between North America and Europe, and therefore, it was a popular departure point for transatlantic flights. In 1932, a "Wayzata Airmail" stamp was produced by Aerial World Tours to fund their historic flight attempt. The expedition would sell 300,000 stamps @ $1,- to raise funds for the Sikorsky- and the Newfoundland Post office would sell 100,000 stamps (plus receive 20% of the profits on the other 300,000), thus giving legitimacy to the issue.

What happened? In my Newfoundland feeder album, is a note explaining the history of the "Wayzata Airmail" stamp...  (Click, and enlarge to read.)

The history of the "Wayzata Airmail Stamp"

Bottom line- It is a Cinderella. Scott values it @ $30+.

1931 Scott C6 15c brown 

"Dog Sled and Airplane"

In 1931 and 1932, a particularly attractive large format three stamp air post issue was released, both unwatermarked, and watermarked "Coat of Arms". The 15c brown shows a plane flying overhead below a dog sled team. What a sight! I need to put on a sweater just looking at the scene. ;-)

1931 Scott C7 50c green

"First Transatlantic Mail Airplane and Packet Ship"

John Adcock and Arthur Brown, with a modified WW I Vickers Vimy, made the first nonstop transatlantic flight in June 1919 from St. John's to Country Galway, Ireland.

Adcock and Brown

"We have mail!"

A bit of mail was also carried across, making it the first transatlantic airmail flight. For their troubles, the British aviators were awarded the Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire by George V.

1931 Scott C8 $1 blue

"Routes of Historic Transatlantic Flights"

The last stamp in the series, a $1 blue, outlines the historic transatlantic flights, many departing St. John's. But it also shows the 1927 Lindbergh New York to Paris flight. I can imagine that "Lucky Lindy" mania made this a popular stamp indeed. Today, the CV for the unwmked unused example is $70.

Deep Blue

The 1933 Air Mail Issue in Deep Blue

Deep Blue (Steiner) has 20 pages for Newfoundland. The spaces follow the major number sequence of the Scott catalogue, and therefore offer little difficulty with identification.

1887 Scott 59 10c black "Schooner"

Big Blue

Big Blue '69, on five pages, has 153 spaces. Coverage is 54%. I really can't find fault with BB's coverage, as the stamps, while attractive, tend to be rather expensive.

How expensive? Well, I count 27 stamps with CV $10-$30, and another 10 stamps in the "Most Expensive" category @ CV $35-$120. !! The details are found in the "Comments" section after the checklist.

Checklist

1857-63

1 or 15A or 16, 19, 3 or 11A, 4 or 12 or 18, 6 or 13 or 20, 9 or 15 or 23,

1868-80

34,35,41 or 42, 49,38,53,

1887

56,44,48,51,54,59,

1890-95
58,60,29,36,

1897
75,

1897
61,62,63,65,64,69,
66,67,68,70,71,

Next Page

1898-99
79,81,78,80,82,83,85,

1901
84,

1908
86,

1910
90,87,88,89,91,

1911
104,105,106,107,108,109,(111),

1919
115,116,117,118,119,122,(121),

1923
131,133,134,135,139,142,132,
136,137,138,140,141,143,

Next Page

1928*
145 or 163, 146 or 164 or 173, 147 or 165 or 174, 148 or 166 or 175, 155,
149 or 167 or 176, 150 or 168 or 177, 151 or 178, 153 or 169 or 179, 156 or 170 or 180,

1928
157 or 171 or 181,

1931
183,185,187,188,190*,
192,193,194,195,196,

1931
197,198,

1932
184,186,

1932
189,191*,208,209,210,

Next Page

1933
212,214,216,221,222,
213,215,217,218,219,
220,224,223,225,

1935
226,227,228,229,

1937
230,231,232,

1938
245,246,247,248,

1939
249,

Next Page

1937
233,234,235,236,
237,238,239,240,

1939
250,251,

Postage Due
1939
J1,J2,J3,J4,J5,J6,

Air Post
1931
C8 or C9, C7 or C10, C8 or C11,

1933
C13,C14,C15,

End

Comments

A) Expensive stamps ($10 threshold):

1857 Scott 1 1p brown violet ($120)

1861 Scott 19 5p reddish brown ($62+)

1860 Scott 11A 3p green ($77+)

1861 Scott 18 4p rose ($35)

1861 Scott 20 6p rose ($20+)

1861 Scott 23 1sh rose ($37+)

1873 Scott 34 3c blue ($75)

1870 Scott 35 6c dull rose ($10+)

1880 Scott 41 1c violet brown ($10+)

1879 Scott 38 2c green ($52+)

1880 Scott 53 5c pale blue ($10)

1887 Scott 59 10c black ($67+)

1894 Scott 29 12c brown/white ($45)

1894 Scott 36 6c carmine lake ($20+)

1897 Scott 75 1c on 3c gray lilac ($30)

1897 Scott 69 12c dark blue ($10+)

1897 Scott 67 8c red orange ($10)

1897 Scott 70 15c scarlet ($10)

1897 Scott 71 24c gray violet ($10+)

1910 Scott 90 4c dull violet ($10+)

1910 Scott 89 3c brown olive ($10+)

1911 Scott 106 3c red brown ($10+)

1911 Scott 107 4c violet ($10+)

1911 Scott 109 6c black ($20+)

1911 (Scott 111) 9c blue violet ($20)

1919 (Scott 121) 8c magenta ($10+)

1923 Scott 138 9c slate green ($20+)

1931 Scott 192 6c dull blue ($10+)

1931 Scott 198 30c ultramarine ($20+)

1933 Scott 221 14c black ($10+)

1933 Scott 222 15c claret ($10+)

1933  Scott 224 24c violet brown ($20+)

1933 Scott 223 20c deep green ($10)

1933 Scott 225 32c gray ($20+)

1931 Air Post Scott C7 50c green ($20+)

1931 Scott C8 $1 blue ($55)

1933 Scott C13 5c light brown ($10+)

1933 Scott C14 10c yellow ($10+)

1933 Scott C15 30c blue ($30)

B) (     ) around a number indicates a blank space choice

C) *1928- choices are 1928 original issue vs 1929-31 re-engraved issue unwmk vs 1931 re-engraved wmk 224 issue.

D) *190- is Die I by BB's image cut.

E) *191 is Die II

1928 Scott 156 15c dark blue 

"First Nonstop Transatlantic Flight, 1919"

Out of the Blue

If you are not impressed with Newfoundland stamps, well, I cannot help you. ;-)

We will continue the Newfoundland stamp odyssey- this time focusing on the "royals"- with the next post.

Note: Map and pic appear to be in the public domain.

Comments are always appreciated.

New Caledonia

1924 Scott 131 1.25fr on 1fr deep blue, red surcharge, "Ship"

Quick History
New Caledonia, 750 miles east of Australia in the southwest Pacific Ocean, has been a formal possession of France since 1853. But, it was named by the British Captain James Cook in 1774, as the land reminded him of Scotland. The indigenous population was the Kanak society, which is clan and chief based, and had the fearsome reputation of eating their enemies in former years.The French established a penal colony, where some 22,000 prisoners were sent through 1897. Nickel was discovered in 1864, and New Caledonia has today 25% of the known nickel resources in the world.

New Caledonia

New Caledonia has the richest biodiversity in the world per square kilometer. Many birds and plants are unique.

The Capital is Noumea, and the population was 53,000 in 1936. 

Today, New Caledonia is still a dependent territory of France.

Stamps were introduced in 1859 with a portrait of Napoleon III. One will note the stamps often are inscribed "Nouvelle Caledonie et Dependances". The Dependencies are the Loyalty Islands, Isle of Pines, Huon Islands, and Chesterfield Islands.

1901 Scott 62 15c on 75c violet,orange

"Navigation and Commerce"

Into the Deep Blue
The 2011 Scott Classic Specialized catalogue has, for New Caledonia 1859-1940, 266 major stamp descriptions. Of those, 103 are CV <$1-$1+, or 39%. The earlier issues (1859-1893, 35 stamps) are all rather expensive. And some later issues (1903 Jubilee stamps, 1932 Paris-Noumea Flight overprinted issue) are likewise not cheap. But, like many French colonies, the New Caledonia stamp output is blessed with two long pictorial issues (1905-28 issue- 29 stamps; 1928-40 issue, 42 stamps).

A closer look at the stamps and issues
100 Centimes = 1 Franc

1900 Scott 44 5c yellow green

"Navigation and Commerce"

From 1881-1893, some 32 French Colony stamps were surcharged and/or overprinted with "N C E" or "Nlle Caledonie". Some ten are CV $10+-$20+: so perhaps, a representative sample could be accumulated by the WW collector. At the moment, though, I don't have any. ;-)

The well known "Navigation and Commerce" issue-  nineteen stamps- was released for New Caledonia between 1892-1904. Seven are CV $1+-$2+.

Then, between 1900-02, seven of the "Navigation and Commerce" issue was surcharged "N C E". An example is shown at the head of the "Into the Deep Blue" section.

1903 Scott 66 1c black/lilac blue with blue overprint

Jubilee Issue

For the 50th anniversary of French possession, a "Jubilee Issue" was released in 1903. The initial 15 stamp production was overprinted in blue, red, black or gold. An additional surcharge was applied on seven more stamps. Both examples are shown on the blog.

CV ranges from $1+-$4+ for nine stamps.

1905 Scott 90 4c blue/orange "Kagu"

Between 1905-28 a long 29 stamp series was produced with three designs The lower denominations show the "Kagu", an essentially flightless bird only found on New Caledonia.

1924 Scott 127 60c on 75c blue green, red surcharge, "Landscape"

Stamps of 1905 type surcharged in new values

During 1924-27, eleven of the 1905 issue were surcharged with new values and bars.  Here, the "Landscape" design is shown-lovely! The higher denominations show a "Ship" design, which is illustrated at the blog post header.

1928 Scott 143 25c dark green & dark brown

"Bay of Paletuviers Point"

The second major long issue, again with three designs, was released between 1928-40. The lower denominations show this placid scene.

1928 Scott 148 50c violet & brown 

"Landscape with Chief's House"

The middle values show a native Kanak chief hut and landscape. The French do pay attention to their surroundings. 

1928 Scott 172 3fr magenta & brown

"Admiral de Bougainville and Count de La Perouse"

The third design honors two explorers.

 Admiral de Bougainville was a contemporary of James Cook.  He helped first settle the Falkland Islands, "discovered" Tahiti, and had several further voyages into the Pacific Ocean.

Count de La Perouse's ships vanished without a trace in Oceania after visiting New Caledonia and Australia in 1788. This disappearance has been investigated by French sponsored expeditions as recently as 2008. The two ships are now known to have crashed on the coral atoll of Vanikoro, part of the Santa Cruz islands.

1938 Air Post Scott C1 65c deep violet

"Seaplane over Pacific Ocean"

Great illustration of a seaplane-No? Six stamps were produced for the first 1938-40 Air Post issue. CV is <$1-$3+. Of note, during WW II, New Caledonia supported the Free French government. And Noumea was the headquarters of the United States Navy and Army in the South Pacific.

1906 Postage Due Scott J9 5c ultramarine/azure

"Men Poling Boat"

The postage dues for the French colonies are often interesting, and New Caledonia doesn't disappoint.  The 1906 issue consists of eight stamps, and has this intriguing scene.

 1928 Scott J21 5c red orange & blue black

"Malayan Sambar"

The Malayan Sambar is a large deer found in southern Asia, the Malay Peninsula, and parts of Indonesia. I found no evidence it is native to New Caledonia. I wonder if it was introduced? At any rate, the thirteen stamp postage dues of 1928 feature a nice design of this deer. CV ranges from <$1-$3.

Deep Blue

1928-40 Issue in Deep Blue

Deep Blue (Steiner) has eighteen pages for New Caledonia, and a space for all the major Scott numbers.

1903 Scott 83 4c on 5c dark green/greenish

Blue surcharge on red overprinted 1903 Jubilee issue

Big Blue

Big Blue '69, on four pages, has 125 spaces. Coverage is 47%.

• There are only two "expensive" stamps @ $20+.
• For the long 1905-28 issue, BB has 24 spaces for the 29 stamps issued; for the long 1928-40 issue, BB has 37 spaces for the 42 stamps issued. Not bad.
• The '69 editors lopped off a page with 4 semi-postals and 17 postage dues. Pity. I included in the checklist these '41/'43/'47 edition stamps for those that have an interest.

Checklist

1892
12,11 or 13, 40,41,42,43,(45),(47),

1900-02
60,61,44,46,48,64,65,

1903
66,67,(68),(69),81,82,(83),(84),

1905-06
88,89,90,91,93,96,97,103,
104,105,

1912
117,118,119,

1922
123,

1924
127,

1921
92,94,99,101,107,

1925
124,128,129,
95,102,108,111,114,

Next Page

1926
131,

1927
130,132,

1928
109,112,

1928
136,137,138,139,
140,141,142,143,
144,146,147,148,
151,153,156,158,

1928
161,165,169,

1933
145,
152,155,162,167,

Next Page

1933-38
182,183,184,185,
186,187,188,189,
190,191,192,193,
194,195,196,197,
198,199,(200),(201),

1938
149,154,159,168,

1939
215,216,

Next Page

1937
209,208,211,210,
212,213,

1939-40
137B,147A,150,
157,160,163,164,
166,170,171,

Air Post
1938
C1,C2,C4,

End of "69 edition

In '41/'43/'47 editions

Semi-Postal
1915
B1,

1917
B2,B3,

1938
B4,

Postage  Due
1906
J9,J10,(J11),(J12),

1928
J19,J20,J21,J22,J23,J24,
J25,J26,J27,J28,J29,J30,J31,

End

Comments
A) Expensive stamps (Threshold $10):
1891 Scott 12 10c on 30c brown/bister ($20+)
1892 Scott 13 10c on 40c red/straw ($20+)
B) (  ) around a number indicates a blank space choice.

1931 Scott 178 90c red orange

Colonial Exposition Issue

Out of the Blue

My Daughter reminded me that she was in New Caledonia several years ago for a conference on the economic status of the South Pacific island countries. For her, New Caledonia had the best of both worlds: island beauty and languor and efficient French infrastructure. One perhaps can say the same thing about the stamp issues. ;-)

Note: Map appears to be in the public domain.

Have a comment?

New Brunswick

1860 Scott 10 12 1/2c blue "Steam and Sailing Ship"

Quick History
New Brunswick, named for the ancestral home (Braunschweig) of Hanoverian King George III, was given a large population boost by the influx of 14,000 loyalists in 1783, who no longer felt welcome in the newly created United States. Some of my relatives, I believe, were among the group. ;-)  New Brunswick was then partitioned from Nova Scotia in 1784 to form a "Loyalist colony". They were joined by immigrants from Scotland in the early 19th century, and many settlers from Ireland during the 1845 Potato Famine. There were also remaining Acadians from the French Colonial days- the French explorer Jacques Cartier had originally "discovered" the lands in 1534-, but the territory became a British possession after the 1754-63 French and Indian War.

The Maritime Provinces and Newfoundland

New Brunswick is considered part of the Maritime provinces, along with Prince Edward  Island and Nova Scotia. It is bounded on the western edge by Maine, and on the south side by the Bay of Fundy coast, with its 50 foot tides. Saint John on the Bay of Fundy was and is the most important port city, but the Capital is Fredericton, 100 miles up the Saint John River, located there originally to forestall an American attack.

The population was 252,000 in 1861.

Stamps were introduced in 1851 with the very loyal "Crown of Great Britain and Heraldic Flowers of the United Kingdom" design. The New Brunswick issues were short lived, however, with only eleven stamps produced through 1863. Why? New Brunswick was one of the four provinces (others being Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia) to enter the Dominion of Canada on July 1, 1867.

New Brunswick

Into the Deep Blue
The 2011 Scott Classic Specialized catalogue has, for New Brunswick 1851-1863, eleven major stamp descriptions. Of those, only the six stamp 1860-63 issue is realistically within reach of the WW classical collector, as the first five stamps are CV $500+-$10,000+. ! The 1860-63 issue has a CV range of $10+-$70+.

By the way, the new 2014 Scott Classic specialized catalogue has moved all the former stamp issuing provinces of Canada to "Canadian Provinces", rather than scattered alphabetically, as it is, in the 2011 Scott Classic catalogue.

A closer look at the stamps
12 Pence = 1 Shilling
100 Cents = 1 Dollar (1860)

The first 1851 issues, the four "Crown and Heraldic Flowers" design stamps, is similar to the 1857 Newfoundland issue stamp- which I have, and will show for the Newfoundland post. But I don't have any of the New Brunswick to illustrate, as the CV is $500+-$7000+.  !

The next stamp's back story is amusing indeed. Charles Connell was the Postmaster General, and he decided to put his own portrait on a stamp rather than Queen Victoria. The 1860 Scott 5 5c brown was prepared, but never issued, as the governor put a stop to it, and most of the stamps were burned. And he had to resign as postmaster.

1860 Scott 5 5c brown "Charles Connell"

(Stamp image from Internet)

One will note the stamp is in "cents' rather than "pence". The few remaining stamps (~50?) that escaped destruction are now catalogued @ $11,000. !

For more information about the "Charles Connell Stamp Scandal" see...
http://www.cchs-nb.ca/html/Connell-Stamps.html

But is there a bit of hypocrisy on Scott's part here? The "Charles Connell" stamp was never put into postal use, but has full catalogue status. Readers, what do you think?

1860 Scott 1 1c red lilac "Locomotive"

The very first portrait of a locomotive on a stamp is this one issued in 1860- the famous U.S. 3c ultramarine came out in 1869. This stamp was the lowest denomination in a six stamp issue produced by the American Bank Note Company.

1860 Scott 9 10c vermilion "Victoria"

Perhaps to make up for the "Charles Connell" debacle, three stamps of the six stamp issue feature the Queen. All show the young queen with the same general portrait: but, to me, each portrait looks slightly different also. Since all three stamps are illustrated on this blog post, one can judge for oneself.

1860 Scott 10 12 1/2c blue

"Steam and Sailing Ship"

What a lovely stamp! And, this is supposed to be also the first portrait on a stamp of a steam ship. Classic...classic....classic. !!!!  

1860 Scott 11 17c black

"Edward VII as Prince of Wales"

The young Edward VII as Prince of Wales is also portrayed. It is certainly a different look than the "Baldies" issued circa 1902.  ;-) The 17 cent denomination was the rate between New Brunswick and England.

Deep Blue
The Deep Blue (Steiner) has one page for the New Brunswick issues, and no minor number color stamps are given a space. But all the major numbers indeed have a space.

1863 Scott 7 2c orange "Victoria"

Big Blue
Big Blue '69, has New Brunswick on the same page as Nevis, and is placed after Nauru, and before Nepal.

The entire six stamp 1860-63 issue is given a space- the good news for this gorgeous issue.

The bad news, for the price aware collector, is the entire selection crosses the threshold for "expensive" stamps. And four stamps meet the $35 criteria for "Most Expensive" stamps, with a CV ranging from $37+-$77+. !

But, since I have a particular like for these stamps, I, for one, am pleased. ;-)

Checklist

1860-63
6,10,
7,8,9,11,

Comments
A) Expensive stamps ($10 threshold):
1860 Scott 6 1c red liac ($37+)
1863 Scott 7 2c orange ($10+)
1860 Scott 8 5c yellow green ($20+)
1860 Scott 9 10c vermilion ($47+)
1860 Scott 10 12 1/2c blue ($77+)
1860 Scott 11 17c black ($47+)

1860 Scott 8 5c yellow green "Victoria"

Out of the Blue
Classic issues from early New Brunswick- and a scandal- what's not to like?  ;-)

Note: Maps and "Charles Connell" stamp image appear to be in the public domain.

Note: Astute readers may have noticed that I seemed to have skipped over "New Britain" in the catalogue.  "New Britain" was part of former German New Guinea, and captured by Australian troops during WW I. The Scott has some 50 major descriptions between the years 1914-1915. The stamps consist of a "G.R.I." overprint and surcharge on the stamps of German New Guinea and the Marshall islands (whose stamps were used in this territory).

This was done deliberately for several reasons....
• Big Blue, the Scott Part I International album, has never provided spaces for this entity.
• The CV for these stamps is high and very high. And one has to worry about overprint forgeries. This is specialist territory.
• I was unable to obtain any examples, although, admittedly, I did not try very hard, ;-)

Comments?

Nevis

1876 Scott 14A 1p red "Medicinal Spring"

Quick History
Nevis is an island in the West Indies, southeast of Puerto Rico, and was a Presidency within the British Leewards Islands Colony. It produced its own stamps between  1861-1890. After 1890, Nevis used those of the Leeward Islands exclusively until 1903. From 1903-1956, stamps of St. Kitts-Nevis, and stamps of the Leeward Islands were used on Nevis.

St. Kitts and Nevis

Separated by a 2 mile channel

One can tell by glancing at the map why Nevis and St. Kitts - separated by only a 2 mile "Narrows"-were philatelically associated with each other. But St. Christopher (Later, called "St. Kitts") has their own stamp production from 1870-1888, as well as Nevis, as mentioned, between 1861-1890.

For a broader perspective on the Leeward Islands group- and their stamps- see my Leewards Islands blog post.

The capital of Nevis is Charlestown, and the population was 11,800 in 1883.

Nevis (named originally by the Spanish as "Nuestra Senora de las Nieves" -Our Lady of the Snows), was actually settled by British settlers, who migrated from Saint Christopher, in 1628. The sugar cane grown on the island, with the help of imported African slaves, was highly profitable, even outproducing Jamaica in the 17th century. But an invasion by the French d'Iberville in 1704 decimated the sugar industry, and Nevis never really recovered.

In 1883, St. Christopher, Nevis, and Anguilla were linked under one "Presidency", with the headquarters on St. Christopher (St. Kitts). Naturally. Nevis was not pleased, as they had their own "Presidency" prior to this new administrative arrangement.

Nevis

Into the Deep Blue
The 2011 Scott Classic Specialized catalogue has, for Nevis 1861-1890, 33 major descriptive numbers. Of those, seven stamps are CV $6-$20+, or 21%.  Yes, the cheapest stamp in the catalogue is $6. ;-)  Clearly, a small collection will have a moderately expensive cost.

A closer look at the stamps and issues
12 Pence = 1 Shilling

1876 Scott 15 4p orange "Medicinal Spring"

In 1778, the Bath Hotel was built to take advantage of the hot springs in the area. This, interestingly, was the first attempt at "tourism" in the Caribbean. The "Medicinal Spring" theme was also featured on the first issues of Nevis 1861-1876, some 19 stamps. 

The 4p orange specimen shown above is an 1876 issue. There are four different frames used for the "Medicinal Spring" designs, although all of them have the same vignette. Five of the stamps are CV $19-$30+.

1884 Scott 23 1p rose "Queen Victoria"

Wmk 2 "Crown and C A"

The more familiar- and less interesting- Victorians were issued between 1879-1890. Of the fourteen stamps, two can be found for CV <$10.

Of interest, two surcharged bisects are recognized by the Scott catalogue using the 1p violet. The CV isn't outrageous @ ~$50.

Deep Blue

Deep Blue (Steiner) has three pages for Nevis, and naturally, provides spaces for all the major Scott numbers.

Nevis in Big Blue

Big Blue

Big Blue '69, on one line of one page (shared with New Brunswick), has four spaces for the 1879-90 "Queen Victoria" issues. Of the spaces, one has an image cut for the 1884 Scott 25 2 1/2 ultramarine, and then three blank spaces.

Considering the generally expensive nature of Nevis stamps, it is not surprising to find at least two stamps will cost CV $10+-$20 to fill.

Big Blue does not provide any spaces for the earlier "Medicinal Spring" stamp issues. The least expensive would be CV $10+.

Checklist

1879-90

25,(21),(23),(27),

Comments

A) Expensive stamps ($10 threshold):

1884 Scott 25 2 1/2 ultramarine ($20)

1884 Scott (23) 1p rose ($10+)

B) (  ) around a number indicates a blank space choice.

1883 Scott 21 1.2p green "Queen Victoria"

Out of the Blue

The "Medicinal Springs" design is unique for Nevis, and, although moderately expensive, may be worthwhile for the WW classical collector to have a few examples in the collection.

Note: Maps, "Alexander Hamilton" pic appear to be in the public domain.

Alexander Hamilton

Born out of wedlock in Charlestown in 1755

Who Knew? ;-)