Herm Island for many people is probably best known for its colourful postal history, having issued its own stamps for a 20 year period from 1949 to 1969 during which time Channel Islands postal services came under the auspices of the British Post Office. Failure by this authority to recognise the need for a regular postal link brought about this inter-island service. Herm's own issues were used in conjunction with the Guernsey regional stamps of the British Post Office to help defray some of the operational costs involved.
Over the years this proved to be a beneficial and popular amenity, appealing particularly to the 100,000 or so annual visitors to the island. Then, on the 1st October 1969 the British Post Office became a public corporation from which Guernsey wished to remain apart, and so consequently formed its own Post Office Board, issuing its own stamps. The new Board on seeing the volume of mail from Herm-as many as 200,000 items per year-then promptly decided to ban any local issues, making it an offence to use them under penalty of heavy fines. An official Sub-Post Office was then opened on Herm where now only Guernsey stamps may be bought and used for posting, although mail is still cancelled 'Herm Island' With a metal hand stamp.
We are still able to offer a comprehensive range of Herm Island stamps from the original printing at realistic prices. For further details of the various mint sets, first day covers, proofs and colour trials which make a unique and appreciating collection please contact the Gift Shops direct on +44 (0)1481 710030 or email to giftshops@herm-island.com.