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Dominica

FIRST STAMPS Britain 1858-60 (oblit. A07 at Roseau).
FIRST STAMPS ISSUED 4 May 1874.

CURRENCY
1874, sterling.
1949, 100 cents = 1 West Indian dollar.

Discovered by Columbus on 3 November 1493, it was originally settled by the French. It was captured by the British in 1761 and awarded to them by the Peace of Paris which followed. The French took Dominica again in 1778 but it was again restored to Britain in 1783. A French attack in 1805 was repulsed.

Dominica became a Crown Colony and was initially part of the Leeward Islands. Branch of the GPO in London was established at Roseau in 1845 and a handstruck mark 'Paid at Dominica' was used.

Colonial authorities assumed control of postal affairs and used hand-struck postal markings until stamps were again issued in 1874. These were replaced by the stamps of Leeward Islands from 31 October 1890 until 1903. At that time separate issues were resumed and these were used concurrently with the Leeward Islands stamps until 31 December 1939 when Dominica joined the Windward Islands.

Dominica was given associated statehood in November 1967 and independence within the Commonwealth on 3 November 1978.