On May 22nd, Pitcairn Islands Post revealed its new definitive series: The Botanical Series, the 9th definitive series since the very first issue of Pitcairn stamps in 1940. Other definitive issues were released in 1957, 1964, 1969, 1977, 1984, 1988 and 1995 respectively.

The new series focus on the local flowers, with total 12 stamps each gives both the local and botanical names for the flowers depicted, in a border reflecting the colours of each flower. The artist, Mrs Sue Williams, wife of His Excellency Mr Martin Williams CVO OBE, Governor of Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie and Oeno Islands, commenced work on this issue during her visit to Pitcairn with the Governor early in 1999.

Compare to the past issues, the 5c stamp has been eliminated from this definitive series and a $10.00 stamp has been added.  This reflects the revision of postal rates and the increasing need to a $10.00 stamp for packages being mailed to the American Continent and Europe.  The 5c stamp is no longer required as a make-up rate, as the 10c and 15c serve this purpose.  From time to time a 5c stamp may be released as part of a commemorative stamps with a $10.00 face value.

The 12 stamps:

    10c        Guettarda specioca, "High White"
    15c        Hibiscus tiliaceus, "Pulau"
    20c        Selenicerus grandiflorus, "Queen of the Night"
    30c        Metrosideros collina, "Lata"
    50c        Alpina zerumbet, "Ginsey"
    $1.00      Syzgium jambos, "Rose Apple"
    $1.50      Commelina diffusa, "Cow Grass"
    $1.80      Canna indica, "Indian Shot"
    $2.00      Allamanda cathartica, "Poopoo Flower"
    $3.00      Calophyllum inophyllum, "Tamanu"
    $5.00      Ipomea indica, "Morning Glory"
    $10.00     Bauhinia monandra, "Hattie Leaf"
 

Technical Details

Release Date:            22 May 2000
Artist:                        Sue Williams, NZ
Stamp Design:           SeaSky Design, Paraparaumu, NZ
Printer:                      Joh. Ensched¨¦ Stamps, Haarlem, Netherlands
Process:                    Litho offset
Stamp Size:               35 x 35mm
Perforation Gauge:    14.25 per 2cm