India : The Story Of Sugar.

Amongst the many gifts India has bestowed on the world,
I am thinking of tackling a story on the history of Sugar.

I am looking for suitable stamps that may focus on
the sugar industry up until the beginning of the twentieth century.

I do not need modern sugar stamps as yet, so if anyone
may have, or come across sugar related issues, I would appreciate
catalogue numbers or years of issues and scans if you can afford the time.
I have 40 or so already.

If you know of a link where sugar on stamps is discussed, I would appreciate that, I don't want to go over old ground.
Thanks for any info you care to offer.

Rod I had a quick look



Jamaica SG130, sugar industry
Argentina 1936 (don't have cat.)
Guadaloupe - I'm guessing this is sugar cane. The second one I think says La canne mise au moulin - sugar cane being put into the mill. Hope that's not a wild goose chase!

Thanks Stampgal,
actually the 1c Guadaloupe will be a major point in my story,
a very pertinent stamp to say the least.
The Jamaican, I had forgotten about, so great! ta muchly.
(looks like you are getting an image database going :)

It is on the cusp of being "modern" but Cuban stamps often have clear impressions of that Cuban sugar/azucar slogan cancel. I think of it as being from the '40's, but someone will probably know the exact dates of use.

Are George V/VI stamps too new for your project?

Not seen that slogan Collin.
I think, for the moment at least, I'll end at the end of George5

we could have sugar stamps now at the rate sugar is going we will only be bale to see it ont he stamp

Rod I received the first of my stamp design books from Amazon today -more of which some other time. Its about Commonwealth stamps and there are some pics of an issue described as "Britannia and the sugar bags". It shows (no prizes for guessing) Britannia sitting on some bags of sugar. Quote "designed for Mauritius in 1848, but first issued in Trinidad in 1851. It was also adapted for Barbados. There was no lettering of value, the various values were indicated by different colours".
Immediately reminded me of this thread, though you probably already have it covered!
My book is interesting (I think), but a bit of a dry read. May have to wash it down with a G+T later

stampgal, that book sounds right up my alley...what is the title, if you don't mind?

thanks...

Cjd, its called "British Postage Stamp Design" by John Easton, first published by Faber and Faber in quote - "Mcmxliii", which if I remember my roman numerals correctly is 1943? I have the fourth edition, published 1946.
It is full of details of design, engraving, production methods, etc. There aren't a lot of illustrations, but those that are there illustrate his points well. He shows, for instance, the original portraits used for royal images on stamps.
It covers GB and the Commonwealth. I haven't read enough to see how comprehensively it does cover the Commonwealth. The style of writing is quite idiosyncratic, it reads quite informally for its time, and is full of the authors opinions on which stamps are "good" and which "bad". I'll post a "book review" when/if I get more time to delve into it.
Edit - I got it second hand from Amazon for about £6 I think ($9?)

Stampgal thankyou very much,
I would be very pleased if you could write a review
At that price I'll go hunting for a copy.

I certainly do not have it covered, my sugar story
is all just hazy at the moment, but what interests me
is the pecuniary interests that drove exploration.
Sugar is the big culprit, it also drove the dramatic
increase in slavery. That fine crystal left damage
still felt today, so I wanted to chase the story,
your information is the filip, not the brew
(One G&T and I would be anybodys :)
Thanks heaps Stampgal.

I went tyrekicking on the web,
that John Easton Book, when you can get it, is for $50-$90 in Oz
You did very well Stampgal, if you see another under $30, let me know!

Rod, glad to be of help! I will email you if I see the book anywhere else.

rod222

If you need allot of reference on sugar I have Scott on cd. I just tried Cuba for "sugar" and there's allot. For example 1928 sc. 291 30c sugar mill and 1952 sc. 480 50c sugar mill. I finally bought my scan! One day i'll post a picture on SCF... Daniel

Thanks Daniel,
I have just been given Scott, so I'll chase those up.

Just found a Cuban stamp celebrating 4 centuries of the sugar industry 1535-1935. Has a picture of an old sailing ship contrasted with a "modern" sugar processing plant. Sorry no time for scan but can do later if you want.

That's right neighbourly of you Stampgal.
I think I have them (an image at least)
the orig I do not own.

I have spent a month on my sugar story, with only one
page of text written.
I get on this newsgroup and everything else fades away,
I am going to have to go cold turkey to get any work done.