Can anyone explain these stamps, please. I collect stamps with the Annigoni portrait of Queen Elizabeth II and have these 2 Antigua stamps with Redonda overprints in my collection. Though I can find Redonda stamps, and overprints, in online catalogues and dealers lists, I have been unable to find anything out about this issue.
Guano is the excrement or droppings of seabirds and bats. It is a highly prized fertilizer. Redonda is an uninhabited Island off the coast of Antigua. Guano is probably harvested from Redonda. The $5.00 may be a tax or fee charged by the government of Antigua on those who harvest the guano. Just a wild guess.
Jim
Redonda is the smallest of the three islands that constitute the nation of Antigua and Barbuda. Redonda is located among the Lesser Antilles in the eastern Caribbean Sea, approximately 35 miles (55 km) from the nearest point in Antigua, to the east. Redonda is a rugged, uninhabited rock.
Actually, guano was an important source of nitrates used in production of explosives, particularly for WWI. An entire fleet of square-rigged sailing ships was engaged in the guano trade. The most important ports were on the West coast of South America, necessitating a passage of Cape Horn. This made for high drama on many voyages, and is the subject of many great books. See Alan Villiers, author.
But, by the 1950s (when these stamps were issued), the importance of guano for manufacture of explosives had dwindled...
So, I would agree with Nigel that these are probably fantasy stamps.
"Actually, guano was an important source of nitrates used in production of explosives"
At least the name lives on. Nitroguanidine, formula (NH2)2CNNO2, is still an important ingredient in propellants. It's common in propellants for tank rounds. It has a lower flame temperature without reducing chamber pressure. Propellant for tank rounds is typically a mix of nitrocellulose, nitroglycerin, and nitroguanidine.
Scott even printed a specialty album for Redonda! I don't think many have it, but I do. A post about it is probably still available here. I'll bump it up if I can find it.
