New Hebrides – British issues

under construction
New Hebrides is an an island group between the Coral Sea and the Pacific Ocean, now known as Vanuatu. The islands were colonized by the British and the French under a shared agreement called a condominium. Each used its own currency and soon shared stamp designs in each currency, then in both currencies. Eventually, stamps were denominated in the artificial currency of gold centimes, with stamps sold at the equivalent in whichever real currency was used to buy postage.

Following are the British issues for the New Hebrides.  File:New Heb Br first ovpt.png|1908 2d overprint File:New Heb Br 1d horiz A.jpg|1911 1d value 
 * In 1908-09, then-current stamps of neighboring Fiji were overprinted NEW HEBRIDES / CONDOMINIUM. Five values were on French RF sheet watermark paper, three values were on British multiple crown CA watermark paper.
 * In 1910, a slightly larger overprint with letters all the same height was issued.
 * In 1911, the first country-specific stamps were issued denominated in pence ("D") and shillings. In 1921, three values were updated with British multiple script crown CA watermark paper.
 * In 1920, various surcharges in pence were issued.
 * In 1925, the previous design was modified showing each currency, with the British denomination on the right side.
 * In 1938, definitives showing a beach scene were issued.


 * In 1949, the UPU set was the first of the omnibus issues released by both New Hebrides post offices.
 * In 1953, sailing canoe definitives were issued, inscribed CONDOMINIUM / NEW HEBRIDES.
 * In 1957, engraved definitives showing Port Vila were issued.
 * In 1963-67, new definitives in various designs were issued inscribed CONDOMINIUM / NEW HEBRIDES or NEW HEBRIDES / CONDOMINIUM'.
 * Not long after, inscriptions became "NEW HEBRIDES CONDOMINIUM".
 * In 1980, the New Hebrides became independent and renamed Vanuatu.



Postage due

 * In 1925, then-current dual currency definitives were overprinted with a small POSTAGE DUE.
 * In 1938, then-current definitives were similarly overprinted.
 * In 1953, the sailing canoe definitives were also similarly overprinted.
 * In 1957, the Port Vila definitives were similarly overprinted.

