Guernsey commemorates 150 years of the Universal Postal Union

By David Hartwig

Guernsey commemorates 150 years of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) with an Oct. 9 issue of four stamps showcasing key moments in the organization’s history.

The set of four includes one stamp denominated 65 pence (the rate for letters weighing up to 20 grams sent domestically), one at £1.20 (the rate for letters weighing up to 20 grams sent to the United Kingdom, Jersey or the Isle of Man), one at £1.36 (the international rate for postcards sent to Europe), and one at £1.68 (the international rate for postcards sent to the rest of the world).

The UPU coordinates postal policies among member nations and ensures the smooth functioning of international mail delivery. It was created in response to the growing need for a unified system to govern international postal services.

The founding principles of the UPU established a uniform system for international mail exchange, including standardizing postage rates, addressing formats and delivery procedures. This standardized system streamlined global postal operations, facilitating international communication, trade and cultural exchange.

The 65p stamp shows the founding delegates of the General Postal Union, which later became known as the Universal Postal Union.

On Oct. 9, 1874, 22 countries gathered in Switzerland to sign the Treaty of Bern to form a unified system to govern international postal services. Prior to the union, each country had its own postage rates, standards and regulations, leading to inefficiencies and delays in international mail delivery.

In 1906 the UPU created the international reply coupon, one of which is shown on the £1.20 stamp, as one method to help unify the international postal system. The international reply coupon allows a person to send someone in another country a letter along with the cost of postage for a reply.

Since international reply coupons first appeared in 1907, there have been nine different models of coupons and 21 iterations on the basic models. Since 2009 new models have been issued every four years, and the current model is valid until 2025.

The £1.36 stamp pictures the UPU monument Around the World created by French sculptor Rene de Saint-Marceaux. Unveiled in 1909 in Bern, Switzerland, the home of the UPU’s headquarters, the monument depicts five women passing letters around the globe. This image is now the UPU emblem.

The £1.68 stamp shows the common design of the 150th anniversary logo from the UPU. The UPU has been using this logo in a series of events throughout 2024. The theme “150 years of enabling communication and empowering peoples across nations” accompanies this logo.

The 65p, £1.20 and £1.36 stamps measure 40 millimeters by 30mm and were designed by Andrew Robinson, and the £1.68 stamp measures 30mm by 40mm and uses the UPU universal design. Belgium's Bpost printed the stamps by offset lithography.

The stamps are available to preorder as of Sept. 25 and to order starting Oct. 9 at www.guernseystamps.com or by calling philatelic customer services at +44 (0) 1481 716 486.

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