New Stamps Mark Black History Month

Tuesday, 18 October 2022 at 11:30

Jersey Post's new stamps tell the stories of six black people whose stories 'are often overlooked'.

The set of six stamps have been designed by South African artist Pola Maneli.

"From a background of adversity, the nature of the black people who lived and thrived through Jersey’s history is one of grace. By contextualising these figures within the wider history of the Island, the hope was that the illustrations would help to bring that grace to the forefront of people’s minds.’

Each one features the name of an islander alongside their story:

William Smith, one of the founding members of the Jersey Ladies’ College

‘Pompey’, the single black figure, central to John Singleton Copley’s 1783 painting of the Battle of Jersey, The Death of Major Peirson

Adelaide Smith Casely-Hayford, a founding pupil of Jersey Ladies’ College, pioneer of female education and an inspirational figure in Pan-African politics.

Hortense Watson, an enslaved person who, after having being freed, stayed with her family as a servant at Windsor Crescent

John Jea who, having been kidnapped into the slave trade at the age of two, went on to travel the world as an esteemed Methodist preacher, passing away on a visit to Jersey

Regina Wilson, who gained her teacher training qualifications on the Island and became a senior teacher in Sierra Leone

Chris Elligott,Jersey Post's Philatelic Design and Production Manager, says the past cannot be changed, but history is something that is written every day.

"This issue is dedicated to highlighting black figures from Jersey’s past that hopefully help to present an accessible and representative aspect of the island’s history."