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Montserrat

FIRST STAMPS Britain 1858-60 (oblit A08).
FIRST STAMPS ISSUED Antigua overprinted September 1876.

CURRENCY
1876, sterling.
1951, 100 cents = 1 West Indian dollar.

Settled in 1632 from St Christopher, the island was captured several times by the French but was finally secured by Britain in 1783. It was a Crown Colony and part of the Leeward Group. From 1852 to 1879 there was a direct service to or from Montserrat, which was served twice monthly from St Christopher by sailing vessel.

Used British stamps in 1858-60 (oblit. A08) while the island was under the control of the GPO in London but reverted to local authority in 1860. Handstruck markings were used from 1860 until the first issue of stamps.

Montserrat used its own issues until the general issues of Leeward Islands were introduced in October 1890. In 1903 separate issues were resumed which were used concurrently with those from Leeward Islands until 1956.

In recent years the volcanic side of the island has erupted (1998) and this activity has destroyed about 60% of the land available for cultivation.