Around
1825 the population of Pitcairn had risen to 66 from 35 some 17 years
earlier. John Adams, the leader of the community was concerned about
the dwindling food, water and timber supply. He sought permission from
Britain to move the population to Australia and this was granted in
1831 even though Adams had died in 1829 and the welfare of the
inhabitants had improved. 
On
28 February 1831 the HMS Comet and the Colonial Barque Lucy Anne
arrived to remove the Pitcairners, not to Australia but to Tahiti. The
Islanders reluctantly left, arriving in Tahiti on 21 March. They were
kindly treated by Queen Pomare IV and her people but the new arrivals
did not feel at home or adjust to this different way of life. They
longed to return to their own island, especially when infectious
diseases, to which they had little immunity, began to kill them. Within
two months 12 people had died and the plight of the Pitcairners became
worse when attempts to return failed.
Captain
William Driver captained the brig Charles Doggett and was based in
Salem, Massachusetts. In 1831 he was departing Salem on one of his many
world voyages when friends presented him with a flag bearing 24 stars.
As his ship met the open sea, the ocean breeze unfurled the famous
stars and stripes for the first time. “Old Glory” exclaimed
Driver and history was created. | Stamp and Miniature Sheet |
$5.00 |
|
| Mini Sheet FDC | $6.00 |
| Designer: |
Lucas Kukler, Amsterdam, The Netherlands | Pitcairn Stamps proudly brought to you by:  |
|
| Printer : | Southern Colour Print, Dunedin, New Zealand |
||
| Process : | Offset Litho | ||
| Stamp Size: | 52.0mm x 37.5mm, 1 vertical stamp | ||
| Mini Sheet Size: | 134mm x 80mm | ||
| Perforation Gauge : | 14 per 2 cm |
||
| Sheet Configuration: | Single Miniature Sheet only. | ||
| Denomination : | Stamp and miniature sheet $5.00 | ||
| Paper : | 104gsm Tullis Russell non phosphor stamp paper |
||
| Period
of
Sale : |
21 April 2006 for a period of 2 years. |