Pitcairn exhibit

IT is rare for the Pitcairn Islands Post Office to issue stamps to mark a philatelic exhibition. Lon don 1980 springs to mind as the first (and only?) such event until now to have been so commemorated.

It is appropriate, therefore, that it is another exhibi tion in the United Kingdom, ten years on, which gives cause for this new release; thus, Stamp World London 1990.

Since Carteret’s re-discovery of Pitcairn in 1767 (it was certainly known to Polynesian voyagers and poss ibly visited by the Spaniard de Quiros in 1606) there have been many events connecting the island and the United Kingdom. By far the best known of these was the settlement of Pitcairn by some of the Bounty mutineers. Since 1990 is the bicentenary of that event it seems fitting that this connection be illustrated in a stamp issue; hence, “Links with the UK”. , May 3 issues: • 80c, Peter Heywood: from Emmerdale, Cumbria.

Born 1772, died 1831. The 17-year-old acting mid

shipman was sentenced to death at the court martial in England of the mutineers apprehended in Tahiti.

However, the Court recommended mercy and in due course he was pardoned. Heywood went on to a dis tinguished career in the navy retiring from active ser vice in 1816. • 90c, John Adams: from Hackney, London. Born 1767. Known as Alexander Smith on the Bounty he reverted to his given name some time after reaching Pitcairn. By the end of 1800 Adams was the only surviving adult male on the island. He died in 1829 and his, of all the original male settlers, is the only known grave. • $1.30, Fletcher Christian: born at Moorland Close near Cockermouth in Cumberland in 1764. Went to sea at 18 and before joining Bounty sailed at least three voyages aboard vessels on which William Bligh also served. His story is recounted in many books.

Died 1790(?) 1793(?). $1.05, William Bligh: from Plymouth. Lieutenant Bligh of the Bounty; born 1754, died 1817. A favourite of biographers. □