BWISC

We promote interest in and the study of the stamps and postal history of all the islands that comprise the West Indies. In addition, it should include Bermuda, The Guyanas (British Guiana, French Guiana, Suriname) and (Belize) British Honduras and the interaction with applicable countries on the littoral of the Caribbean Sea.

We hold regular meetings including a week-end Convention (with partners) every other year, have a Study Circle Library, publish a Quarterly Bulletin (in colour) and actively publish Books & Monographs. Our annual auction offers 600+ quality lots.
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March 2021 Bulletin now available for download

Click here to view the index (to March 2021) compiled by Peter Fernbank.

Publications News

New publication (January 2021): The Farthing by Richard Capon, Bill Gibb FRPSL, George Stewart FRPSL

The humble farthing, which not that many people will remember was the cost of posting Printed Papers locally in some colonies of the Empire. Most were in the West Indies. This book catalogues all of these stamps and shows some very uncommon uses. The coverage extends outside the West Indies to Malta in particular and also to Fiji. There are instances where farthing stamps/labels were used as revenues in Australia, South Africa and diverse places, such as Heligoland. There are listed examples of the farthing labels used in the Highland Railways of Scotland. Places where farthing stamps were used are all covered and as a special treat there is an appendix showing some rare uses from the Ronald Rong Collection.

Image Gallery

'ANGUILLA/ROAD' T.R.D. 29mm. diameter single circle used from 1928 until 1931 on a airmail cover dated 15th July, 1930 sent via St.Kitts on 17th July, 1930.

Antigua: 10 June, 1864. cover prepaid at the 1s 1863 rate. Adhesives cancelled A02 at St. John's.

Dominica: Bisects
1883 cover to the UK with twelve ½ red bisects paying the 6d rate (4d packet plus 2d registration)

Bermuda: Docks Issue
Colour trials

Bahamas: The Queen's Staircase Issue - Special Delivery. Earliest known cover. Toronto duplex cancelled 'Oct 12 1916' and backstamped '18 Oct 1916' on arrival in Nassau..