Guernsey

Guernsey is one of the major Channel Islands in the English Channel. The Bailiwick of Guernsey includes a number of smaller islands also.

British postal administration
Guernsey was part of the British postal system from early days. 
 * In pre-stamp days beginning in the 1790s, there was a curved GUERNSEY handstamp postmark. There was also a crowned oval ship letter postmark used beginning in 1802 followed by other styles.
 * With the arrival of the Penny Black, Guernsey was issued the range of postal markings including a Maltese Cross killer. Alderney used a unique Maltese Cross that was made locally.
 * Standard British stamps were used on mail after that. Pound values and other high values exist with postal cancels. Similarly for Great Britain, a small part of the charge was for postage with the balance paying revenue/fiscal fees. Values given for postally used stamps are for stamps used this way.



World War II occupation
Guernsey was occupied by Germany forces on 30 June 1940. Service to Great Britain was stopped completely except for letters carried through the Red Cross. German stamps were used for other international mail.  File:Guernsey bisect A.webp|1941 bisect on cover. File:Guernsey occ half.jpg|1941 ½d value. File:Guernsey 1d blue paper.jpg|1942 1d on blue French banknote paper. 
 * British stamps were used for a time.
 * Meanwhile, existing stamps were running low so the British 2d Centenary were bisected diagonally in early 1941. These were typically used for philatelic covers.
 * In February 1941, a set of 3 rouletted values showing the arms of the King(!) was issued. With several printings, there are different shades. See: Channel Islands fakes and forgeries.
 * In 1942, the ½d and 1d values were printed on French security paper that turned blue when gummed.
 * In May 1945, Guernsey was liberated and returned to using British postage.

See: Ron Brown article for the RPSL

Postwar era
 File:Great Brit Guersey regional 2.5d.jpg|1964 2½d regional. File:GB Guernsey Wilding 4d.jpg|1969 4d regional. File:Guernsey cow.png|1970 5d Guernsey cow. File:Guernsey 3d first.jpg|1971 3p decimal definitive. File:Guernsey 2.5d uniform.jpg|1974 2½p uniform definitive. 
 * Beginning in 1958, 3 regional values in two different designs were released, with the multiple crowns watermark. Phosphor bands were added in 1967 to the 3d and 4d values.
 * In 1968-69, four stamps were issued on unwatermarked paper.
 * In 1969, Guernsey began its independent postal system issuing a definitive series beginning in October of that year. Commemorative sets followed plus postage due stamps. Stamps were inscribed BAILIWICK OF GUERNSEY, GUERNSEY BAILIWICK or just GUERNSEY.
 * In 1971, definitives in decimal currency were issued, with denomination given in "p" instead of "d".
 * Beginning in 1981, stamps were mostly inscribed GUERNSEY only. Dates were added to the bottom margin.
 * In 1983, stamps were issued for Alderney.
 * Beginning around 1990, year dates were no longer used on most stamps.