Time to check in with Bermuda’s 2024 stamps. I refer to it as a lovely little program, and that’s a perfect description. Bermuda rarely issues more than 2 or 3 sets and so far, 2024 is on track to supply the same number. That doesn’t decrease the pleasure of exploring the themes. 

This year, we are treated to a piece of history that isn’t often written about. Abolitionist Mary Prince, the first black woman to write an account of her life as a slave, was featured on June’s stamps. Born into slavery, and sold repeatedly, the first time at 12 years of age, she endured brutal floggings, separation from her family, and working in horrific conditions. Prince went on to become an important abolitionist in England when she gained her freedom. It was then she narrated The History of Mary Prince, A West Indian Slave, Related by Herself to Susanna Strickland, who wrote her story down. Published in February 1831, the book ran through 3 printings within the year. 

Mary was born in 1787, or 1788, in Bermuda to enslaved parents. Her siblings were also enslaved. In her lifetime, five different people claimed her as property. All of these slave-owners were Bermudian, although they did not all live in Bermuda. Two of her slave-owners had residences and business interests in West Indian colonies—one was situated in Grand Turk Island where he was a proprietor in the salt industry, and the other was situated in Antigua where he was a merchant-rentier. A merchant-rentier, or a jobber, rented enslaved people to other slave-owners and to people who did not “own” any enslaved people. 
Mary Prince | Slave Narrative

The Mary Prince website Mary Prince | Slave Narrative, has a detailed list of major events in her life, including when she gained her freedom in London, England. 

Doubtful there will be another issue this year, which is a shame. I would love to see Christmas stamps from Bermuda. We’ll just enjoy what we have.

Cheers
Catpaw

April

Bermuda Fruits

6 stamps, FDC, cancel
FDC image isn’t available

• Pomegranate
• Loquat
• Prickly Pear
• Surinam Cherry
• Pawpaw
• Bay Grape

No artist is listed. 

Release date: April 4, 2024 

June

Mary Prince, Author

4 stamps, FDC, cancel
FDC image isn’t available

• Mary Prince silhouette against a copy of her manuscript
• couldn’t identified building. 
• Prince was declared a Bermuda National Hero in 2012
• Former home of Captain Ingram, who bought 12 year old Mary

… Both my master and mistress seemed to think that they had a right to ill-use [slaves] at their pleasure; and very often accompanied their commands with blows, whether the children were behaving well or ill. I have seen their flesh ragged and raw with licks. Lick-lick -they were never secure one moment from a blow, and their lives were passed in continual fear. My mistress was not contented with using the whip, but often pinched their cheeks and arms in the most cruel manner. My pity for these poor boys was soon transferred to myself; for I was licked, and flogged, and pinched by her pitiless fingers in the neck and arms, exactly as they were. To strip me naked -to hang me up by the wrists and lay my flesh open with the cow-skin, was an ordinary punishment for even a slight offence. My mistress often robbed me too of the hours that belong to sleep. She used to sit up very late, frequently even until morning; and I had then to stand at a bench and wash during the greater part of the night, or pick wool and cotton; and often I have dropped down overcome by sleep and fatigue, till roused from a state of stupor by the whip, and forced to start up to my tasks. 
excerpt from The History of Mary Prince, a West Indian Slave. Related by Herself, p. 7

 Last year (2023) students of Clearwater Middle School, Bermuda, created an excellent 30 min documentary on Mary’s life and I can’t think of any better way to learn about her.

The video also includes re-enactments by the students on portions of Mary’s life.  And special mention to the children who provided us with this work for their social studies class. You can read more about the project here: Clearwater Middle School Students Bring Mary Prince’s Legacy to Life with Their Own Captivating Film | Government of Bermuda (www.gov.bm). 

A good resource on slavery is Slavery and Remembrance. 

Release date: June 26, 2024