100th Anniversary of Postmaster Perot's Stamp
In 2000 I was fortunate to visit the beautiful island of
Bermuda. Whilst there I visited the famous Perot Post
Office (illustrated below)
Bermuda's first stamp was printed in this landmark
building. Beloved by collectors from all over the world,
the stamps -- signed by William Bennett Perot, Bermuda's
first postmaster -- are priceless. It's said that Perot and
his friend Heyl, who ran an apothecary, conceived the first
postage stamp to protect the post office from cheaters.
People used to stop off at the post office and leave
letters, but not enough pennies to send them. The postage
stamps were printed in black or carmine.
On the 11th April 1949 the island issued three stamps, a
21/2d, 3d and 6d, to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the
original stamp.. Each value showed Perot's stamps and were
printed by Bradbury and Wilkinson