British Guiana Ships

The early stamps of British Guiana all seem to feature the same Sailing Ship in their design as shown below. The same (?) ship appears as a small circular inset in the George V design as well.

Does anyone know whether this is a generic design or if it represents a specific ship important in the history of the colony?

I believe it's a generic ship taken from the colony's seal. There's a discussion on this point on the Flags of the World website which notes that the appearance of the ship on the colony's badge changed from time to time.

I once looked high and low for a name when I was putting together a quiz on famous (and a few not so famous) philatelic ships. I didn't have any luck finding one.

I guess I am not going to be able to apply a name to the ship after all. And it is such a nice small engraving too. Thank you for you help.

Yes the sailing ship is generic as it makes it's way through rough seas. Perhaps of a bit more interest is the Latin inscription Damus Petimus Que Vicissm- "We give and expect in return", which the 1856 black magentas had, as that is the motto of the colony. But the short lived 1852 issue had an unfortunate error in the motto: Damus Patimus Que Vicissm- "We give and suffer in return" ;-)

Jim Jackson

The old British and British Colonies sure paid attention to detail. (Even if sometimes the detail was wrong). Great stamps!

Now that was a fascinating bit of historical trivia, Jkj. I am quite certain that my Grade 9 Latin would not have been up to spotting it even if I were the owner of one of those early issues.