Jamaica Stamp Collection Page

What is Philately?

Philately is the hobby of collection and study of postage stamps. The term is derived from the Greek words 'philos' - to love, 'a'- negative and 'telein' to tax, meaning 'fond of being exempt from tax.'

Nowadays, philately includes the collection and/or study of:
Postage stamps
Postmarks
Stamped Envelopes
Postal History and just about any and everything that is connected to the postal system, really.

Profile of the Jamaica Philatelic Bureau

The Jamaica Philatelic Bureau which is located at the Central Sorting Office (Head Quarters) had its genesis in the early 1950's, when the Jamaica Postal Administration operated a "Philatelic Corner" supplying mint stamps and preparing First Day Covers of new stamp issues for local and international collectors.

The Bureau is committed towards creating awareness among philatelists in Jamaica and internationally, through the production and distribution of philatelic items to collectors.

In recent years, the Bureau has received numerous requests for providing various philatelic items including:

1. First Day Covers;
2. Souvenir Sheets;
3. Presentation Packets; and,
4. Stamps.

Philatelic Products

We offer a full range of philatelic products to satisfy the widest possible range of collectors, including:

First Day Covers

First Day Covers are specially manufactured envelopes with designs of a new issue of definitive, commemorative or Special Stamps.

These envelopes or First Day Covers are specially designed to meet all philatelic standards for Covers and satisfy customers demand.

Should you desire this service, our Philatelic Bureau can affix stamps and post mark them showing the first day of issue. However, First Day Covers can also be purchased without stamps, or postage marks.

Mint and Used Stamps

Mint stamps are unused, un-cancelled (i.e., not postmarked) stamps, while used stamps are those which have already been cancelled or franked.

For security reasons, stamps are not franked or cancelled before the date they go on sale (release date). Special care is exercised during the processing of stamps to satisfy the requirements of philatelists. For example, they must be properly separated to ensure that the perforation is not damaged. Perforation is a series of holes punched between the stamps to facilitate separation.

Souvenir or Miniature Sheets

These are series containing two or more stamps with each sheet containing one of each or all the stamps in the series.

Miniature or souvenir sheet stamps are perforated, and each sheet is sold at a specific price.

Sheetlets

These are sheets containing smaller number stamps than those of the normal sheet format and may be stamps from a regular set or from entirely different stamp issues.

Historic Sheets

These are sheets containing the full series of stamps from a particular Commemorative Stamp issue arranged in block form.

Along with the historic sheet, we provide a brief history relating to the matter, topic or theme shown on the stamps. This brief will be printed on the historic sheet.

Historic sheets may or may not be perforated.

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Special Issues

March 2001 - 25th Commonwealth Day Special Stamp Issue

This stamp was released on 12th March 2001, commemorating the 25th Commonwealth Day in the year 2001. The stamp bears the denomination J$30.

December 2000 - Christmas 2000 Special Stamp Issue

On the 6th December 2000, we released four (4) stamps depicting Christmas 2000 in Jamaica, bearing denominations of $10, $20, $25 and $30.

October 2000 - Native Trees of Jamaica Special Stamp Issue

On 6th October 2000, the post office released a Special Issue of four (4) stamps and a Souvenir Sheet featuring Native Trees of Jamaica. These are in denominations of $10, $25, $30, $50 and $100.

September 2000 - Sidney 2000 Olympic Games

On 1st September 2000, a collectors set of four (4) postage stamps commemorating the Sidney 2000 Games was released. The stamps are in denominations of $10, $25, $30 and $50.

October 1999 - 125th Anniversary of the Universal Postal Union

The Government of Jamaica through the Postmaster General released on 8th October 1999, four (4) postage stamps to commemorate the 125th Anniversary of the Universal Postal Union (UPU). These are in denominations of $7, $10. $25 and $30.

July 1998 - 50th Anniversary of the University of the West Indies

The Government of Jamaica through the Postmaster General released three (3) commemorative stamps on 31st July to mark the 50th Anniversary of the University of the West Indies. These are in denominations of $8, $10 and $50.

June 1997 - 50th Anniversary of the Caribbean Integration Movement

The Government of Jamaica through the Postmaster General released three (3) stamps on 30th June commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Caribbean Integration Movement.

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Account Information & Ordering

We currently offer three types of accounts for our valued customers. Philatelists, hobbyists and other collectors can choose the ordering method that most closely matches their requirements.

Standing Order Account

The Standing Order Account is our premier product, and is designed to satisfy our clients who desire immediate access to new philatelic products without the bother of arranging payment and delivery for each order.

Once you open Standing Order Account with us, you will receive a full information package by regular mail containing all necessary order forms and price lists showing the product range. We supply these to you automatically when there are new issues.

Counter Service

Aside from our premier product, special philatelic counters are operated at the following post offices for sale of philatelic items:

Central Sorting Office
Montego Bay
Ocho Rios
Negril
Constant Spring

Information Service

We also prepare & automatic periodic mailings or Philatelic Bulletins which are designed as a primary information product to keep our customers, friends and other enthusiasts fully informed of commemorative stamp and other special issues. In addition, this publication is automatically mailed to standing order customers and other philatelists.

If you want to be placed on our mailing list, click here.

General information can be obtained in writing to:

POSTMASTER GENERAL
PHILATELIC BUREAU
P.O. BOX 7000
CENTRAL SORTING OFFICE
KINGSTON
JAMAICA W.I.

offices are located whether urban, sub-urban or rural areas.

For more information on philately, please visit www.philately.com

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