Stamps commemorating Sir Eric almost sold out

By Linda Straker

A representative of the Grenada Postal Corporation (GPC) has confirmed that since placing the stamps to commemorate Sir Eric Matthew Gairy on sale, they have been embraced by the general public to the extent that those in the forty cents denomination are almost to the point of sold out.

Arlington Martin, of the GPC Marketing Department, said that the stamps are available at all branches of the Postal Corporation and are in five different denominations.

“They can be used for regular postage locally, regionally and internationally or persons can choose to buy them as collector’s item,” he explained.

“We have them in forty cents, seventy-five cents, one dollar, EC$1.25 and EC$10. Since they went on sale on 10 February, the forty cents ones are the most purchased, especially for domestic mailing,” he said.

Martin said that there are buyers who specifically request the Sir Eric stamps, while others have to be told about the stamps.

In his 2014 Independence address, Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell announced that the stamps were to be unveiled as part of initiatives aimed at remembering Sir Eric, who was the island’s first Prime Minister when the country gained Independence in 1974.

Martin said that besides the Sir Eric stamps, there are also stamps dedicated to Anthony George – the designer of the Grenada Flag.

“It was launched in 2012, but they are not selling as quickly as the Sir Eric stamps. People can, therefore, ask for them when using the services of the post,” he advised.

When he won an Olympic gold medal in 2012, the then Tillman Thomas administration announced that a stamp would be unveiled with Kirani James’ picture, but that initiative ran into some legal challenges. However, it is expected that the issue will be resolved and a stamp will in the future be dedicated to James.