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Martinique

FIRST STAMPS France from 1851, and French Colonies General Issues from 1859 (oblit. MQE in lozenge of dots).
FIRST STAMPS ISSUED 18 July 1886.

CURRENCY
1886, as France.

Discovered by Columbus in 1502; the French settled the island in 1635. Taken by the British in 1762, it was restored in the following year. It was captured again in 1794 and held until 1802 and again during 1809-15. On this latter occasion a British P0 was established.

Posts were set up on 4 March 1766 with four main offices Saint Pierre, Fort-de-France, La Trinite and Le Mann. The first handstamp was used from 1816 and datestamps from 1832. In 1865 Fort-de-France was the main port of call on the French Ligne A, between St Nazaire and Panama.

During World War II the island sided with de Gaulle. It became a French overseas departement on 1 January 1947 and has used French stamps since that date.