MORE REPTILES ON BVI STAMPS
Stamp Programme to highlight Millennium, Community College and BVI Historical Figures
By Giorgio Migliavacca
On April 30th, 1999, the BVI Postal Authorities have added more reptiles to gallery of philatelic issues with a set of four stamps and one souvenir sheet. The new series features lizards such as the Rock Iguana (5c.), Pygmy Gecko (35c.),
Slippery Back Skink (60c.) and Wood Slave Gecko ($1.50). The Souvenir Sheet consists of four 75c. denominations featuring more lizards such as the Doctor Lizard, Yellow Bellied Lizard, Man Lizard and the Ground Lizard.
Reptiles have been featured on BVI stamps issued in 1978, 1979, 1988 and 1993.
The stamp programme for 1999 is most likely to include a new set of stamps featuring Shells.
The Millennium series will begin this year and it will focus on internationally renowned women and may feature two BVI ladies. The Christmas set is expected to feature BVI Churches. On the tentative programme for the year 2000, the second part of the Millennium Series featuring the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College on its tenth anniversary and two BVI historical figures - Samuel Hodge and Christopher Flemming. The 50th Anniversary of the Restoration of the Legislative Council will be celebrated with a set of stamps featuring former legislators.
It must be pointed out that except for members of the royal family no living person can be featured on local stamps.
It is hoped that the Design a Stamp competition will be scheduled in time for a year 2000 new issue. The theme will be ìIsland Musicî and students of local schools will be asked to submit entries featuring the various musical aspects such as Fungi Music, Scratch, High School Band, Jazz Ensembles and Classics at the Atrium. If all goes well the children art series will be presented at the Ninth BVI Stamp Show; in fact the theme for next yearís philatelic event is also "ìsland Music".