Rodrigues Rarity

Rodrigues is an island in the Indian Ocean about 500 kilometres north-east of Mauritius. It was discovered in the early sixteenth century but not settled (by Europeans) for several centuries. By the late eighteenth century it was being used by French privateers to raid shipping cargos of the East India Company.

The British landed troops in 1809 and used it as a base to capture Mauritius in the following year and then became a dependency of that island. In 1861 a postal system was started and operated as a branch office of Mauritius. From that time until well into the twentieth century the number of Europeans living on the island fluctuated at around a dozen.

Mauritius stamps used on mail from Rodrigues can be identified by the numeral postmark "B65"; until a datestamp reading Rodrigues was introduced about 1900. These are much scarcer than the better known Mauritius used in the Seychelles postmarks.

Going through a Mauritius stock purchased some months ago I was fortunate to find a partial but identifiable postmark freom Rodrigues Island. So, we offer it on the blog first.



B65 used at Rodrigues - Mauritius #75 with small thin
(the B is not visible in the postmark) Price $75 (Item #6n26)



B64 used in the Seychelles - Mauritius #33 with a nearly invisible crease
Price $70 (Item #6n27)

Tomorrow I leave for Halifax to view, bid on, and hopefully be successful at a stamp auction in Halifax. I will write a report upon my return Monday - maybe (the following day is our Grand Opening and there will be many many many things to do at the last minute!)