A large-size representation of a postage stamp is displayed at a launch on June 7 to mark the bicentenary of the abolition of the transatlantic trade in Africans. - File

It was a delightful event, interspersed with apposite reflections on the past, fascinating musings on the present, and with motivational expressions of intent and noteworthy challenges for the future.

The launch of the postage stamp and philatelic souvenir - a first-day cover - to commemorate the bicentenary of the abolition of the transatlantic trade in Africans (1807-2007), held at the postal service headquarters, Central Sorting Office (CSO), on Thursday, June 7, was truly an occasion for reflection and forward thinking.

Postmaster General, Michael Gentles, welcomed the guests to his "home", and declared that "the postal service is truly proud of its role in placing this bicentennial marker on the map of global history". He expressed his appreciation for the commitment of the Jamaican Stamp Advisory Committee, which has the task of selecting themes for stamps to be issued.

Congratulations

Gentles congratulated the Jamaica National Bicentenary Committee (JNBC) for its role in spearheading the recognition of the event ... "now being memorialised by a postage stamp and a first-day cover".

The executive added that the postal service had advanced its development of the new policy for selecting commemorative stamp issues.

Culture Minister Aloun Assamba raised the concern whether "letter writing seemed to be a lost art", and indicated that despite welcoming technological advances in communications, "we have to find that balance again - the efficiency of current information technology simply cannot be a substitute for the heart-to-heart, no-frills human contact that a personal letter represents".

Taking on a different tone, Minister Assamba then expressed her desire that Brand Jamaica be applied to all things Jamaican, including the "design and production of the commemorative stamp we launch today".

Historical Facts

She proceeded to identify historical facts regarding the development of postage stamp used within Jamaica during its colonial phase, and expressed the wish for the Postal Corporation of Jamaica to retrieve at least one copy of the very rare 'Freedom from Slavery' postage stamp, of which only eight intact copies are known to exist worldwide, the value of each being estimated at 14,000.

In true Jamaican flavour, and to the delight of all present, the Culture Minister joked: "And don't bother to type it (the letter) ... 'crab-toe' from the heart is better than cold, pretentious, well-formatted and clear type - any day!"

Professor Verene Shepherd, chairman of the JNBC that was charged with finding meaningful ways to observe the 200th anniversary, expressed sincere appreciation to Mr. Gentles, as well as retired Deputy Postmaster General, Carolle Hainsley; current Deputy Postmaster General, Glennamoe McNabb; philatelic bureau supervisor at the CSO, Feranie Hamilton; Public Relations Officer, Gordon Brown, and all the other postal staff for their efforts in producing the stamp and planning its launch.

Prof. Shepherd said sponsorship from private-sector entities, the postal service and cultural agencies has created three types of memorabilia that herald the bicentenary: T-shirts, mugs, and, of course, a postage stamp and philatelic souvenir (the first-day cover).

Corporate Involvement

She also stressed the need for more corporate involvement in order to "catch the interest of the children and young people".

Senator Kern Spencer, Minister of State in the Ministry of Industry, Technology, Energy and Commerce, congratulated Professor Shepherd for the committee's work in keeping Jamaican history alive.

He said: "We commend the work being done through the (JNBC) that has the tremendous responsibility for planning the facets that highlight the contributions of our ancestors to our freedom, our brilliant heritage and culture, and in the blossoming and growth of our society.

" ... Jamaica Post will be selling these stamps, but these should not simply be regarded as stamps, but rather as a reminder of our past, a tremendous moment in our history, with both negatives and positives," Senator Spencer added.

Get your stamps

The postage stamp costs $30 and is available at all post offices. First-day covers cost $200, and are available at philatelic bureaux at the following post offices: Central Sorting Office, Liguanea and the Norman Manley International Airport.