History buffs and stamp collectors alike will appreciate a stamp release commemorating the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar.
Although the battle is not directly related to the island’s history, the Cayman Islands Postal Service joins post offices around the world in commemorating the anniversary of this important event in British history, according to a Government Information Services press release.
The battle, fought on the morning of 21 October 1805, was the culmination of a British campaign against the combined French and Spanish fleets.
Sailing from Cadiz, Spain, the day before, the French and Spanish fleets found themselves facing the British fleet.
The battle wore on through the afternoon, with the British ships gradually gaining the upper hand as an increasing number of French ships struck their colours or sailed away.
HMS Victory survived the battle, and to this day remains registered as a ship of the Royal Navy, undergoing constant restoration at dock in Portsmouth, UK.
This year she will be the focus of many special events commemorating the 200th anniversary of the battle.
One of the stamps (15 cents) in the series shows HMS Victory leading Lord Nelson’s column of ships into the battle.
Painted by maritime artist Francis Smitheman, the hull, mast and spars have been overprinted by a thermographic process using real wood from the HMS Victory.
The wood is finely ground and applied to the stamps in powder form, which is then heated, creating a stamp with real ‘Victory wood’ as part of its composition.
This collectible stamp set features beautifully illustrated scenes from the battle and is available at post offices throughout the Cayman Islands.
Individual stamps are available in denominations of 15 cents, 20 cents, 25 cents, 60 cents, $1 and $2.
A first-day cover with souvenir sheet is available for CI$3.40. A first-day cover with six individual stamps is available for $5.
For more information contact the Philatelic Bureau at the Seven Mile Beach Post Office or email: [email protected].
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